The first milestone achieved - the first champagne drunk

At around 5 pm uk time yesterday, Simon clocked up the first 1000nm so it was a champagne breakfast for him this morning. A real treat after weeks of warm smelly water. It certainly raised his spirits, as did Barcelona beating Man Utd. Not very patriotic but then he supports Liverpool.

The storms, though weaker than first forecast, are still expected at the weekend. Simon, unusually is almost looking forward to them. He has been rowing really hard the last few days and his shoulder is quite sore again. Two days enforced rest would help and give him some time to tidy some electrical repairs to the water-maker. It might cool him down a bit too. Today is stiflingly hot.

Having taken a more northerly position, he is hoping to make the most of some favourable winds for the next couple of days and make up some ground on the pairs.

oops.. time to go to work !