So we have been lingering around 40 degrees south now for about 10 days.

Below 40 degrees is the roaring forties otherwise known as the southern ocean. It has a reputation for big swells and big winds.

We are traversing this area during its summer months and thus it has been kind to us. We have experienced some strong winds and rapid wind shifts that mean we have to be keeping a constant watch of all our wind instruments, and be ready to change our sail plan quickly.

The light down here in this part of the world is extraordinary when you get a blue sky day. We have changed our clocks on board already to be inline with Australia, which is meaning it is staying light down here till 10 pm so it feels almost like summer.

Eight days ago we had a traumatic night in which our heavy weight spinnaker blew out after a massive wind shift caused the spinnaker to get wrapped around the forestay. Since then we have been working around the clock to fix it. I am currently having to repair the starboard clew end which is very technical and as a complete novice sail repairer its quite a challenge.

So far the job looks good but it is painful work involving being seatbelted to the wall, the sewing machine being strapped down in front of you, sitting on ther floor with mountains of sail material either side of you, the boat leaning at 45 degree angle and going over big ramps every five minutes.

My skipper described it as working with something the size of a tennis court inside a garden shed that is being thrown around in different directions. Its a valuable experience though and its the hardest things that you will remember the most.

I had a lovely day on the helm the other day and caught a glimpse of three orca jumping out of the water in front of us.

This has been the only wildlife we have seen this leg apart from birds.

We had a brief interlude with the other Clipper boat Edinburgh Inspiring Capital a few days ago. It was wonderful to see another boat after 2000 miles of sailing. We also crossed paths with a small cruise boat heading north perhaps coming from antartica.

They hung around us for a while I think just checking us out and that all was okay, they probably dont often see sailing boats whilst on their route to and from antartica.

So we now have 1444 miles to go and we are heading north east towards the west coast of Australia. We have a band of ligh airs to get through before we reach the constant winds off the west coast.

The temperatures should be starting to rise now, the race will be close and we are pushing ourselves and the boat hard to get into the front of the pack. I will be sad to leave the boat in Australia but its been a massive journey full of ups and downs but overall a unique experience and challenge.

Lois