Hey Folks,

We had our nature day yesterday much to Timbo's (Tim Hayward’s) delight. A pod of unidentified torpedo shaped objects (dolphins, I'm told) surged in on the Pink Panther and begun to frolic and play in the bow wave and wake. They even did some jumping/spotting ahead of the boat. They were black and white and had no, or very little, dorsal fin...who can name them? We were then treated to a beautiful clear moonless starry sky on more than one occasion. Timbo remarked that all he needed to see now was a whale to which Dr. Dodgey (Graham Dodge) responded that in the dark night with their old eyes a whale would have to be so close to the boat we would probably hit it - it was decided no whale was a better wish.

All is well with the Pink Panther crew. Changing into downwind/reaching mode has given everyone helming a wakeup call. Some have taken to it admirably - stand up and bow Elvis (Neil Stafford) and the dainty Dutchman (Marcel Van Velzen). Helen Lane has returned to deck and Mikey (Mike Kidwell) shall follow shortly – I’m sure only the previous leggers will fully understand the implications of this but I'm not giving anymore away chaps.

For all you Race Viewer addicts (help is available in 12 steps), we are currently having technical difficulties at the front end of our boat. More detail to follow in tomorrow's blog.*

So, tell me about this T-Rex game all the other skippers are raving about. How do I get it? Full details please as I am about as old as the character in the game. If I am not going to win this sailing race, by Jove I am going to beat all you suckers on the computer-ma-bob thingy. Do you think the Maintenance Team are going to start taking side bets on the all-time top scores? I am pretty sure Blake and Tim (from the Maintenance Team) will be able to verify for us all. Will the pot be bigger than the bets they have going on the outcome of the Clipper Race?

Think Pink.

Ta,

Lance

*EDITORS NOTE: The bottom shackle at the forestay has broken and the crew and Skipper are working on resolving this. The situation is under control, the boat and crew are safe and Lance is in constant contact with Race Office and our Clipper Race Maintenance Team.