Day 24

The focus has shifted subtly today and it feels like the objective has become more about getting there rather than about the journey itself. We'll pass the 500-mile mark later tonight and the milestones seem to be coming thick and fast as an extra hundred miles done now seems like a significant part of the distance remaining.

Not much to report. I've just watched dad wash up in very rocky conditions and thought a small insight into this normally mundane task would give an idea of life on board:

1. Pre-wash on deck in sea water - involves someone fishing out a bucket of water from the sea using a bucket on a string (when moving fast this feels like losing an arm), spilling most of it on themselves as they bring it over the guard rails and then placing it on the cockpit floor. Next it's time to catch the assorted crockery and cutlery which is now spread out around the cockpit or trapped between people's knees and rinse it clean.

2. Boil the kettle - foot pump water into the kettle, turn the gas on, light hob. Marvel once again at the impossibility of the gimbled stove - how does it not fall off?

3. Pass the pre-washed items down to the galley - inevitably this involves spilt water, dropped cutlery and flying missiles. The drying up area is nearly full of the mung bean farm so this must be negotiated - do you move these to an inevitably perilous alternative location (Marcus), put the dirty stuff in the remaining space, wash it and then return it (dad), or dry up as you go along (me)?

4. The wash - we don't have that much water remaining so there's about 2 inches of water in the bowl, a combination of boiled water and foot-pumped water. The water is sloshing around so one side is deep and the other side empty and then then 2 seconds later this is reversed.

5. The dry - done at different times during the process (see point 3), but must be done at the same time as putting away as anything put down on a surface will soon be on the other side of the boat, in many pieces. Cupboards are opened and items tumble out, you force everything back in and quickly shut the door, latching it and leaving it for the next unsuspecting user. The worst culprit is the 'cupboard from hell' with the pans, grater, tupperware etc. etc. etc. which is up there with the most annoying things on the boat.

6. Clear up - empty the sink using the hand pump which is buried beneath flasks, cups and bowls. Pass the minging sink strainer up to deck to be disposed of overboard, put recycling away in its Ikea bag.

7. Wipe brow as you will inevitably be sweating buckets by this point.

In other news, an excellent 10-minute takeover (remember those Bob and Ian?!) where everyone chooses one song (well, dad chose two) threw up these gems:

Santiago - Show of Hands
Let's do the Fabrice Fernanadez - Philip Douch
Mirrorball - Elbow
Losing my Religion - REM
No Woman No Cry - Bob Marley

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