Well it's been a while since the last update I sent out and I'm pleased to say that a lot has been going on.

Despite a recent bout of tonsillitis, my physical training and rowing technique have come on leaps and bounds over the last few months. This is thanks to Southsea rowing club who are overseeing my rowing training every Sunday. So a big thank you is needed to them.

Last Friday it felt a bit strange as I towed my boat out of its current home (a farm on the out skirts of Basingstoke) as the next time it goes back is likely to be after the crossing. The boat is now ready to be re-painted and have the hatches re fitted. In order to do this the boat needs to be stored in a dry secure environment and the farm just couldn't offer that. Fortunately a sponsor has come up trumps with a massive warehouse that I can use to store the boat in for the rest of the year, which will allow me to carry out the work needed to finally take it across the Atlantic. It's quite funny how I've gone from keeping the boat in a corner of a farm under tarpaulin to a massive industrial warehouse. It's a great help.

After a lot of ideas and restless nights thinking about it, the new colours for the boat have been decided. The hull will be red and the deck and cabins will be white. This also works quite well with some of my sponsors, whose company colours are the same. If anyone has any design ideas in terms of paint work do please let me know, as I'm always still interested in new ideas. Photos will be coming soon of the rub down and repaint as I need to get cracking as the boat is on display at the SouthWales boat show in June. Dates are 12th -14th info can be found here, www.southwalesboatshow.co.uk would be great to see any of you there.

I'm pleased to say with around 6 months left until departure the project is still on target and moving forward nicely.

Not forgetting such a great charity, the NSPCC. As we come up to the end of the month and another payday rolls by if we could all just spare a few pounds before it all disappears, that would I'm sure be really appreciated by the children who really do need it. Just click here to make a donation. www.justgiving.com/jamesketchell So far only 7 people have sponsored me. I'm sure I have a few more friends than that!! Remember this is not a fun run in a park! I am rowing SOLO across the Atlantic!

Thanks for all your support.

Out for now Captain Ketch