I feared this might happen. I’ve torn my way up to the very northern tip of Madagascar – just 166 nautical miles from the outer islands of the Seychelles – and had my worst suspicions confirmed – NO boats go from here to the Seychelles. At all. After last month’s kidnapping of Paul and Rachel Chandler, the British couple sailing from Seychelles to Tanzania, nobody wants to go anywhere near this route – the risk of injury or death is just too great.

This is, of course, a tremendous blow to the progress of The Odyssey. But all is not lost! I am going to head back to Africa now on the next cargo ship out of Mahajanga port. In December, there are cruise ships that come down the Red Sea to The Seychelles, it’s a very long way around of doing it (and no doubt expensive) but I think it’s the only way of getting there without flying. If anyone can send me info about Indian Ocean cruises – routes and itineraries, they would be more than welcome.

I WILL get there, though. Eventually. I hope……..