AN infestation of fruit flies and soggy bedding are just two of the trials and tribulations facing Rossendale sailor Thomas Elmer on board the Liverpool Clipper.

Thomas, 18, is the youngest person taking part in The Times Round the World Yacht Race and is expected home in Britain on September 21.

He is keeping in touch with family at Spring Gardens, Cowpe, and friends in Rossendale by e-mailing a diary to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph as he completes the final leg of the race from Salvador to Portsmouth.

He said: "It is 10.14pm and I am on 'mother' watch. Me and another crew member have just washed up from supper. The food was great. We had chicken and tomato casserole with pasta.

"While on 'mother' watch you are responsible for keeping the boat clean and everyone fed and watered. Another job is to help the watch on deck do any manoeuvres they need help with.

"That could be at any time and if you are called you have drop everything you are doing and get up on deck as quickly as possible.

"During the leg from Salvador to New York the conditions below deck were horrible because of the heat. Everywhere had to be cleaned on a daily basis to keep away insects, but still we had an infestation of fruit flies on board. They don't bite but are annoying as they constantly land on anything you are about to eat.

"On this leg, though, the main problem has been the cold. We are only a few hundred miles from the Labrador sea and the water temperature is only about 14C.

"The seas are full of wildlife and so far we have seen a lot of dolphins. Many have been playing with the front of the bow. We have also had a few pilot whales past the boat.

"Today I saw a black lump of something in the water. I was told by someone else who saw it that the 'lump' was in fact a turtle.

"Over the past few days we have been hit by storms. These have brought a lot of cold rain and unfortunately there are a few places on deck which leak water into the living quarters. Everyone's personal belongings are wet, including bedding.

"We have to wait about an hour for the bedding to warm up after we get into bed. All my clothes are stored in plastic bags so most of them are dry, but a few items have been packed away wet. They are now mouldy.

"Other than these little problems, life on board is fine and you get used to the things that make certain periods uncomfortable.

"All the round the worlders on board are looking forward to finishing the race and getting back to a normal life. They have spent 49 weeks away from home and they now have less than two weeks left on board their floating 60 foot home.

"Currently we are doing seven knots in the right direction and the winds have been fair. At this rate we should be in Jersey by Sunday.

"We are in fourth place and after 2,000 miles of racing are still battling with two other boats for third place."