Five o'clock this morning, and Spirit of Cardiff passes yet another milestone. So far we've traversed the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. And now, as we pass into the Luzon Strait, we've completed the South China Sea. Ahead of us is the Pacific Ocean, the northern rim of which we'll be skirting for the next couple of weeks or so.

After the previous night with no sleep at all, conditions are marginally improved. We're also so exhausted that when it's our turn to sleep, we crash out in a stupor. We've sorted the watch system so each crew member does a two hour solo watch, which means that throughout the night, each does two two-hour stints on watch, with two four-hour sleep periods. It works well.

Whilst the crew may be down to three, we do have a passenger on board, and a very welcome one at that. He's our Ty Hafen bear - with us for the entire voyage - and very well behaved he is too!

Ty Hafen is a hospice for terminally ill children in Wales, and while we've never made a big thing of it, ten per cent of the money from ship's log signings has always gone to Ty Hafen - ever since the ship's log started three years ago. So Ty Hafen bear is with us for the trip, a token of the dreams of those that may never be realised. It puts it all into perspective for us. Our hardships are self-imposed - that's a luxury.

It's the latest in a long line of charities supported through Rotary by Alan Priddy and Steve Lloyd's exploits, which includes Childline, the Cancer Care Society, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Make a Wish Foundation and Children in Need. Clive's previous adventures in walking boots have raised money for the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, British Heart Foundation and Gunnar Nilsson Cancer Campaign.

Clive Tully

Copyright Clive Tully ©2002
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