Today should be the day that finally takes Simon over 1000 nm. It is some feat for a solo rower still to be up with the pairs after a month at sea. Yesterday was the most phenomenal yet. In the last 24 hours only the eight did significantly more than him as he out-rowed both pairs and one of the fours. The other four completed less than 1nm further than him.

As I said, it started badly. The water-maker was not working. Not only was it not producing any water but the motor had died. Simon was about to investigate the insides of the switch panel but fortunately phoned home first. He was reminded that, bizarrely, the most essential piece of kit on the boat, which had been fitted by a Rossiters, was the only one which did not have a fuse. We rectified that just before the boat left Geraldton and the fuse holder was readily accessible, if hidden. Having found it, Simon had the motor running in seconds. It still was not producing water, but it was a start. After the usual dissassembling  / reassembly water was again flowing.

Simon revealed that he had been sick the last few mornings. Pregnancy was thought to be unlikely. Simon thinks he found the cause yesterday when he discovered things growing in his water bottles (ugh!). They have now been sterilized and he was not sick this morning.

 The worst news was probably that the  satellite phone is showing signs of internal corrosion. It does not always charge properly and some of the buttons do not always work. He is going to have to take great care of it. I do not think any of us would last many days without it. 

On a brighter note, Simon watched a shoal of yellow finned tuna feeding below his boat yesterday. Good to eat, apparently, if you like fish or are not vegetarian. Pretty to look at in any case. 

On yesterday's  performance, 1000nm should come up sometime this afternoon and Simon has a small bottle of champagne to celebrate. Let us hope that there is nothing growing in it !