All the on-shore calibrations were carried out this morning so now we are heading out across the lagoon to speed-spot once more. The wind is whistling outside and beginning to make a steady low roar. Big dark clouds are massing out to sea. It's not a normal day. It's forecast to blow 27 knots but we only have a couple of hours tide left. It's still very gusty.

I decided to go over as it is an exercise that gets the whole team back into sailing mode. It's the best final shakedown to make sure that everything is working as it should be.

The onboard cameras continue to be a total pain in the arse. The brand new Peli-case leaks through it's automatic pressure release valve. What a piece of overpriced junk. No-one has a complete solution for us and we constantly struggle to keep the basic elements of wind, water and sand at bay. It's like when I walk through a boat show and some girl with a clipboard comes out from a boat insurance stand. "have you got a boat sir"? believe me girl... your little boxes on your clipboard don't want to know about me and my boat! Anything that survives this environment is truly battle hardened. Even the gear from the all  the guys who sponsor us has had its moments... but if they are still with us... as TRIMBLE, TACKTICK, PI/COSWORTH, and B+G is... then ultimately... they have been up to the job.

Hopefully we can squeeze in a run... it's 50-50. Right now we are waiting for a local guy to turn up so we can have the full team. Half the team are over at speed-spot. waiting. He's running on African time. This is a country where 'now' doesn't mean 'NOW'. They actually have the term 'now now' to mean 'NOW'!!! I shake my head... and the clock ticks.

Let's see what happens.

Cheers, Paul.