Jeanne (76) turns the Roaring Forties corner for home

The Brit Southern Ocean superstar, Jeanne Socrates, has turned the circumnavigation corner and is heading for home, the US Atlantic coast. The plucky, highly-skilled 76-year-old sailed from Victoria, British Columbia, 236

days ago.

It means the lady has spent almost 34 weeks alone, surrounded by the sea, often foul weather and occasional ocean birds, like the beautiful albatrosses.

Jeanne has rounded New Zealand and now inches up the coast in very light and fluky conditions.

The 34th week

Jeanne's logs make it seem that the lady is doing well, but she has electronic problems, which is not unexpected as she and the equipment have been in a salt-saturated atmosphere for 34 weeks.

Jeanne notes, 'New blade is now in place on wind generator - and it's putting in a charge! Sat on top of the stern arch supports to do it and hugged the pole.

'Wasn't so bad and didn't take long. Managed it just as the wind suddenly started to get up, so only just in time.'

'11:15am Grey sky and NNW wind. We're underway, headed NE with mainsail hoisted! Of course, the halyard had got caught around some mast steps near the mast top but didn't take too long to free.

An albatross visits

Jeanne laments the loss of important electronics. 'Still have no plotter or speed/depth/wind,' she reports.

Continues on the blogs for my ocean adventuring book, Sailing to Purgatory, at http://sailingtopurgatory.com/index.php/feeds/396-jeanne-76-turns-the-roaring-forties-corner-for-home