Sunday 23 November

This is it, girls D-Day at last. After a cooked breakfast on board we set off and joined the excitement on the start line. We thought at one point we might have a rudder problem but after a diver’s inspection we put our directional difficulties down to excess of chocolate, crisps, pasta and nail varnish.

We were becalmed quite early but were kept entertained by S texting her new love on a nearby yacht!

Our potential Yachtmaster no names mentioned (L), had a slight problem throwing a line. This manifested itself in Las Palmas when she nearly strangled a local fisherman on our departure.

It will take us a day or two to settle but at least we are now on the move full of hope.