Five days after their departure from Muscat and despite a tumultuous first night, the crew is doing well and the excitement at the approach of Maldives, is felt! “Boots on and rucksack over our shoulder, we waved goodbye to Cape Ras Al Hadd and started walking. That first night we had an uncomfortable shake down that just served to remind us that Mother Nature wears the trousers.” Mohammed Al Ghailani, the pseudo-apprentice, impresses more than one: “ He wears the medal for best-improved crew. He has spent a lot of the time on the helm being coached by Michael Giles. As I type this, he is on the helm pushing consistently good speeds and making the most of the dropping wind pressure”.  Mark Covell really looks forward to seeing the Maldives Islands and wearing his flip-flops. And, as it is the country with the lowest highest point in the world, at 2.3 metres (7 ft 7 in), with his 2m frame, he looks forward to seeing most of the 1,190 coral Islands from standing on the deck of Majan!