Minerva in Lisbon

Hi from everyone on Minerva

We've arrived safe and sound and are all glad to be back on land and ready for the celebrations ahead.

Thanks for all the messages and have a look at our pictures in the gallery.

Minerva signing off!

Minerva last supper

Only 80 miles to go, Diana within 5 miles on one side and Juno 7 miles close behind.

The wind is light, its getting dark and we will have to tack all the way to finish as dead up wind, anything could happen!

No-one will be sleeping tonight, and thats not just the hot curry Chris has cooked us, oooowth.

We have been looking forward to seeing who has been following us on our adventure and would be great to hear from all,

Monkey

Minerva reporting in

Chris has been wandering around with sextant, trying to take bearings of sun, stars and moon. Much cursing as boat moves.

Most people have ipods here and sometimes I find myself talking away to myself,not realising they are plugged in.

Mixed winds, between 2kn and 11kn but we've kept the boat moving. Mary

Wednesday

The Bay of Biscay has been kind to us.

We've flown the kite most of the time, including wrapping it round (and round and round) the forestay - this enabled Luiz to go up to the top of the mast.

Some good winds, including a brief period of 30kn, boat speed16kn, around Finistere. Pilot whales accompanied the boat during the night, lit by a waning moon.

Best wishes to all

Mary

Tuesday on Minerva

Careering over a relatively placid Biscay under spinaker, with huge pods of dolphins guiding our passage southwest.

The only cause for alarm amongst the crew of Minerva is the terrifying level of chocolate being consumed and intensity of the card games being played...we've got off lightlly so far.....unlike Bobby the bird, RIP.

Mercifully, one by one our merry band are remembering to use the shower facilitiess on board - Minerva was, for a short time starting to take on a Glastonbury vibe,... stay tuned !

A really nice night sail in strong moonlight ...

... and smooth sea made up for the lack of wind as we struggled to keep 3 knots, all very excited to find the others to be 8 miles behind us.

Now cruising at 12 knots on a reach, having an awesome sail. Some a little dissapointed about the lack of planets to play with due to the cloud cover.

Some feeling a little sick now so there's some very special dual helming going on, lunch has so far stayed down... No-one has tried to kill us yet, even through the TSS, so its all good.

Anna

The Good Ship Minerva is at it Again.

From ONDECK Atlant...

It all started with a first over the line, though taken shortly after by rival Juno.

We're an eager crew though and we spotted the wind holes and pulled ahead again.

When we reached The Needles we were doing 360 spins along side Isis as we were flushed through the gap by the tide due to no wind.

Now the wind is back and it time for supper, all crew settling in and looking forward to the challenge! Love from good ship Minerva.

Monkey