Barbara Ivy is in fantastic conditon, but there are a number of jobs needed to bring her into line with this year's race rules and make sure the team have the most effective safety equipment on board. Batteries have had to be changed, a new cabin bilge designed and implemented, a new stop cock valve fitted, the AIS system/ariel and satellite phone ariel fitted.

Plus there are 101 small jobs to do that all take ten times longer than you would first expect, such as securing new grab ropes, setting up the steering system, servicing the water maker, fitting knives and axes in easy-to-grab locations, scrubbing out the cabins, sealing the hatches. It's a long and growing list - as soon as one job is completed, another one is added on.

For the last few weeks the boat has been based with Ned Skelton at Prestberries Farm in Gloucestershire. Ned is a former engineer with a background in nuclear power and has expanded his role as team coach, to become team electrician, ably assisted by Rachel, who he let loose (under supervision!) on the boat with a selection of power tools to drill holes in a variety of places!

The team have also discovered that it can be difficult to source 'bits' for Ocean rowing boats. Chandlery stores can have limited stock and most DIY retailers don't stock items robust enough for the job. But in stepped Louis, another resident of Prestberries Farm, who rummaged around his extensive store of metal things and came up with numerous items that have really helped the team out. Thanks Louis!

In the middle of August, Lin and Rachel were thrilled to get the chance to meet three supporters from Japan. Akemi Woolley flew into the UK with two of the Cottage Kids, who she teache sEnglish to, and found time to visit Barbara Ivy at MDL's Hamble Point Marina. Akemi and the two boys sent a coupld of hours chatting to the team and looking around the boat, later sending over some 5 yen pieces from Japan for good lock. Naturally the boys just wanted to know the details about the toilet facilities onboard so they could tell their pals back home!

The team also received a friendship bracelet from a Dragon Boating friend in South Africa. They first met Pam in Macau in 1997 and made the bracelet for her to help her through a challenging time at the Wrolds. Pam has worn the bracelet at every championship she's attended since then and the last time Rachel competed at the Berlin Worlds in 2005, Pam appeared and loaned the bracelet to her for good luck while she helmed the team for the first time. The bracelet is on loan this time too, a unique and very special bond for the 3 sportswomen.

But the really big news this month is the completion of 48 hours living onboard the boat. On 7 September, the team set off from MDL's Cobb's Quay Marina to spend 2 days around Poole Harbour conducting sea trials and practising maritime skills onboard Barbara Ivy.

They chose Poole Harbour as they wanted to be unsupported, but remain in a safe enough environment to carry out the trials - as mistakes are an inevitable part of learning. The harbour is huge and while parts can be quite sheltered, around the main channels it gets very choppy and the tides provide some flow to work with. They also phoned the Coastguard prior to setting off to notify them of their plans. Avoiding other curious water users who came over to take a look at the odd pink boat was another consideration, so they needed to have their wits about them the whole time.

The aim of the weekend was to practice things like plotting positions on the chart, using the anchor and sea anchor, checking the electrics and other equipment, using the GPS, compasses, VHF radio and new AIS system, plus several hours rowing with a fair bit of weight onboard! They also put on their survival suits and life jackets to find out what it was like in the water and how easy it was to get back out again and onto the boat! Some of this is brand new to the team and the 48 hours gave them chance to try things out and build up confidence that they know what to do.

Of course they already know that they can row for 24 hours and they've slept onboard before, but this experience also incorporated things like cooking on a moving stove, manoeuvering around the bulky kit and oars, checking the GPS and boat at night, planning a strategy for hygiene, and of course... going to the toilet!

They both thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and have come away with plenty of ideas for how to plan for life on the Ocean waves. They are hoping to get out on hte water again prior to departure, and will certainly have time in La Gomera.

Question of the Month: What's the funniest thing that's happened so far?
Without doubt, the funniest thing the team have experienced came right at the end of the 48 hours. While heading back into the marina and looking forward to going home again, they cut the corner off one of the marked channels - a patch of water that they'd already been across 3 times before successfully as the boat is not very deep and can float on quite shallow water.

Not however at low tide! Of course they got grounded on a mud bank in full view of anyone going into or out of the marina. Feeling a little foolish, they tried a couple of things to get moving again, but the rapidly lowering water level meant they just had to sit it out.

So, they did what any self respecting rower would do - put the kettle on, made a cup of coffee and mixed up a pack of apple and custard dessert to share. Realising that patience was all that was needed, they decided the best thing to do was enjoy the delay. After all the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day!

Sure enough, within 40 minutes the tide had turned and after they took the rudder of the boat (good practice), they refloated and rowed back in to the marina to start the long journey home!