As Huku Niva approaches at approximately 9 knots, everyone's anticipation is getting infectious. Someone asks “What are you going to eat when you are on dry land?” or “ I'm getting a freshwater shower” or “Where the laundry will be? “ or “ I want a big steak!”

But as we get a little closer to land, I am feeling a little sad. It has been very rewarding to be part of this crew. Watching and learning from some very experienced sailors. Setting the sails for the day is a process firstly one of individual judgment and then a collective decision that will be best for the boat and its safe passage.

I have also learned a lot about food and how important it is to our routine and our physical well being. As the meals slowly come and then get cleared away, I am appreciating how difficult it is to prepare anything in a tiny galley whilst sailing in 3 metre swells, let alone anything decent. Our merry team of chefs are serving up some real quality and tasty food with a lot of imagination. Egon, Fred and Sandy are serving up tasty dishes with super sauces. Bernd is now the king of onion chopping. Captain Kristian, who always has so much to do, has even turned his hand to a feast of fresh pancakes.

But as Huku Niva slowly approaches, people are also asking the question... “What are your plans once you have returned home?”

My future is still very unclear, at the moment, I like it this way....the more time that is spent on this vast ocean, slowly consuming the hours and miles ahead of us, my mind wanders back to the Mediterranean.... mia secundo casa :) I appreciate the wealth of experience and knowledge that my time on board Big Smile gave me.

My flirtation with MS took away this confidence and sent me down a path that maybe wasn't the best available.  To the people that I let down during this time, I am sorry :)

I hope to jump back into those Mediterranean waters again soon. I enjoy life at sea, in all forms: For example, making everyone on board feel safe, comfortable and happy, fixing a lunch at anchor, dealing with tiresome customs officials, washing the boat down, negotiating for a berth in an exclusive marina, sourcing spare parts or even just buying the right tomatoes from the local market. These are all things that I am good at and I really miss doing them.

As we draw nearer to our first land in 14 days and over 3,000 miles since Galapagos. As the moon has come out from behind a cocoon of clouds to the east of us, I've spent a little time thinking. I'm feeling a lot more at ease. I'm feeling a lot less distracted and unfocussed.  I am clearly still battling towards a new section of my life, a section where contentment has to be sought out and pursued with vigor and passion. I will strive to move towards that goal.

I do however need to put this MS into my own perspective. At present I think of it as a rat in my flat, hiding under the floor boards. It’s not scurrying around making noise, or coming into my kitchen to eat my food and defecate on my table, but I know it's there........silently seeking out a space that it can squeeze through and invade my life again.

I don’t like rats.

Report from Bosun Bertram:

We are spending well-earned days off here in Nuku Hiva. The place is just like a movie - sharks everywhere in the bay and locals dancing around in the street. The place is beautiful beyond description and from what we hear, we haven't even seen the start of it! We'll spend a couple of days here and probably move south to the Tuamotus islands at the end of this week.

Local time on board is 10:00 and our current position is 08.914547'S 140.100771'W.