1730 GMT

05 46S 019 10W  course 300T speed 6.5 kts

Yesterday was a grey day with occasional rain and squally winds until dusk when it cleared to give a nice night under a newly waning moon. There are now 9 boats on the southern cross radio net each morning spread over 1000 miles of ocean – the nearest to us are about 120 miles away and heading in the same direction. Two boats have reached islands just off the coast of Brazil but most people are heading for the on going arrival party in Prickly Bay Grenada. Only one has crossed the equator so far but we hope to be over and into the NE trades by Sunday next. We ‘re going to try to call in at St Peter and Pauls Rocks – a Brazilian outpost just north of the equator at around 29W. Apparently there’s a research station manned by 4 people on the rocks and lots of sea birds. Lost 2 lures yesterday and still no fish. All well on board.