Well it's day 9 at sea and we are well on our way to Singapore! To put that in perspective that’s 9 days without a freshwater shower and 9 days of rationing my clothes, 8 nights of broken sleep....having said that I wouldn’t change any of it other than I still can’t believe I have not been able to have a swim. All this heat and not a wave over the deck!

From a few hours out from Darwin we have had any phone reception. For some this would not be relaxing, but in fact it is nice to disconnect and take time to think. I had expected this before leaving and those closest to me understood that communication may be non-existent. Having said that it was great to phone home really early in the morning Tasmanian time and have a quick catch up! Sorry for waking you...x

As a special treat last night we were told that after our saltwater shower we could rinse off in fresh water. I am saving this moment for after I have finished my shift tonight and can try to freshen up before a quick sleep. Trouble is by the time you wobble around showering and try to pull clothes back on you feel all hot again. It's funny how given enough time you actually get used to being damp all the time!

You will have seen the blog by Peter where he caught an impressive Spanish Mackerel, which we stretched for a couple of meals. Every morning the boat has on deck a number of small flying fish that have had the misfortune to land on deck. So the jokes on Peter that the boat has caught more fish than him. This makes me see how far we have come in the time spent together when we already have our little jokes with each other and have a bit of stirring. As a group of strangers 15 days ago and all different people – I think we have worked together quite well and step up when we can see the other needs a break or some extra help. This would be the case regardless of living with MS.

The sailing has been very comfortable and we have spent many days with the spinnaker up, umbrellas strapped around the cockpit trying to seek shade and just talking, listening to music, reading, trying out some fancy rope work and planning what we might do when we get to Singapore. I have had a go at the helm and was surprised at how heavy it is as opposed to a 47” yacht. As we near Singapore the shipping has increased and we are ever vigilant. We have seen some very unusual vessels and so far out to sea you would not even consider it back home. We hope to be in Singapore on Monday so there will be a few little everyday luxuries that will be high on my list. After touching land it will be straight to the showers - I am afraid I am beginning to get dreadlocks!

Report from Bosun Bertram:
With between 8 and 11 knots of speed by mainsail and spinnaker we are quickly nearing Singapore. And as we near our destination we also near the 0th southern latitude and another crossing of the equator! For the first time since February Oceans of Hope will return to the northern hemisphere. Looking back on our last crossing on the 89th western longitude, we have since crossed the dateline and are now located on the 110th eastern – 161 longitudes going west! Not far from 180 and half a globe. What a way to finish our Australasian journey.

Local time onboard is 17:00 and our current position is 3,37.67S , 110,6.14E