No dramatics from our death-defying hero

Read Jeanne Socrates' blog from her circumnavigating yacht and you might feel there's more danger for us crossing the high street than for that courageous lady mariner – aged 76 – so far from home in the South Pacific.

We shouldn't be misled about the risks she doesn't highlight, nor even mention.

She let's us share her notes in the ship's log. 'Went rushing up on deck on hearing the horrid noise of the boom crashing around and the sails slatting... The wind had totally died … '

She makes the necessary adjustment and all is ship-shape. But at any time - and all the time - the greatest threat to Jeanne's health and her life is just inches away.

The good Brit writes about nagging problems with some equipment that actually is not much more than a modern extra for sailing. The need for a snooze is often mentioned.

'More than ready for some food now - just needs heating up - some chilli con carne plus some extra sweetcorn with a mug of soup before and a small chocolate brownie afterwards.'

She has only to trip on deck, take a step in the wrong direction, even faint, and Ms Socrates will be no more ...

Jeanne makes it all sound a bit of a doddle. However, this lady left a British Columbia port on 3rd October. That's just about nine months on her own. And for all the chat about this task and that minor repair, and napping and feasting, we don't read of her relief that she's alive still.

But please don't be fooled. She has only to trip on deck, take a step in the wrong direction, even faint, of course, and Ms Socrates will be no more, not that the end is likely to be peaceful nor quick.  Continues on the blogs for my ocean adventuring book, Sailing to Purgatory, at 
http://sailingtopurgatory.com/index.php/feeds/410-no-dramatics-from-our-death-defying-hero