Ellen Macarthur is now heading towards European waters as she makes her way home single-handedly to the Solent on board Kingfisher, her new Open 60 built in New Zealand.

Having crossed the Equator for the first time, Ellen was forced to carry out the "first timers" ritual on herself. This was her report:

"It was rather odd this morning to cover myself in muck, dress up as a King and talk to myself. But hey, there was no-one else to do it! The concoction which I poured over myself was a rather foul a mixture of peas, diced chicken and beef, mashed potato and chocolate muscle builder!

All seems fine other than the muscle builder which has quite a strong sickly chocolate smell! "Never mind... the next shower, I'm sure the smell will go."

With 1,500 miles to go before her return to home waters, Ellen is now experiencing some rough weather.

"Life on board is like a washing machine - though drier than a mini!

"Sitting in the cuddy is risking it a bit though - in the comfy seat on the leeward side.

"Every five minutes during the night, 'smack' another lump of North Atlantic water and it's a damn site colder than it was a week ago! Progress despite the tiring motion is still good. There's a little more uniformity in the waves now.

"It's a bit more pleasant inside. Everything is very tiring though. Even sitting typing! Had a Cargo Ship alter course for me and pass to leeward which was kind. Passed within a quarter-of-a-mile! Didn't realise how rough it was till I saw his bow plough under as if he were a dinghy in a choppy estuary! Impressive.

"Anyway, it's getting colder, so I must be getting closer to home. DTG 1499!! Wee hee -done the 1500."

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.