Coping with emergencies is one thing - but the slow and steady grind of waiting for things which may or may not happen is crushingly frustrating. We've been told our replacement drive unit has arrived in Singapore, and it's in the hands of a freight forwarding company. But with all the customs paperwork to be completed, it seems likely we won't get it delivered to the boatyard until around 5pm on Monday. And unfortunately any time after that we won't be able to get the boat lifted out of the water.

So plan "A" is to get the boat lifted before the boatyard workers knock off, and hope the drive arrives shortly after. We'll have to spend the night with the boat in the slings, and then get it lowered back and set off first thing Tuesday morning. But who knows, maybe we'll end up following a plan "B" or "C" instead.

In the meantime, we continue to endure the frustration of more waiting, not knowing when we're going to be able to spring into action. The heat here is utterly stifling, energy-sapping, and the ravages of the mosquitoes incessant. Despite spraying ourselves liberally with insect repellent before going to bed, we wake up the next morning nursing more unsightly red lumps where the little devils have been at work.

Fingers crossed we'll be on the move by this time tomorrow. I wonder how many world record attempts have to contend with the vagaries of bureaucracy...

Clive Tully

Copyright Clive Tully ©2002
Report transmitted by Iridium satellite network