“It was nice to have a few hours moored up. I’m pleased to have brought Roxy to Les Sables d'Olonne. I’ve just realised I’m back on dry land for the first time in three months. I’m happy and it was like that almost all the time. I use positive energy to feel good. It’s such a big thing doing the Vendée Globe. There were two or three moments that were difficult to be positive about, with Yann and his leg or Jean capsizing. Those were very stressful moments. Then, there was the time off Brazil, when I was stuck without any wind for several days. Even now when I think of everything I did in the south, I don’t know how I did it and I don’t know why I wasn’t afraid! My first time in the south for the Jules Verne Trophy was eleven years ago. I was a young girl without much experience and so I couldn’t enjoy it as much as this time.
It didn’t feel too long. I even wondered during the night if I shouldn’t set off again, but a lot of people would have been disappointed. I hadn’t realised how popular I was. I was in my little pink bubble on Roxy, but when I looked at my website, that cheered me up, and I was surprised by all the messages from everywhere in the world.
What I’m going to miss is being alone on my boat. It was enjoyable and I was lucky to be able to do that ... The other night, I told myself that this was my final evening and the phone kept ringing. So I put on my i-Pod and turned the music up. There I was at the helm under spinnaker in the sunset. It’s what I love most.
But I won’t miss my two buckets. I really want to have a nice shower with a lot of products and creams! Now my goal is to do better in 2012, and I’m going to be doing my utmost to be back here in four years."

And Sam douses the media with champagne after docking, stopping for ten minutes to answer questions from the radio and TV and journalists before heading to the podium. On the water in RIB were both Yann Elies and Roland Jourdain out to greet Sam, Mike Golding is also here. Best moment for Sam was Cape Horn, worst moments were when she was worrying about Yann Elies when he was injured on board Generali.

And Sam is fully kitted out for the weather, it is still very cold this morning and she will dock in a few minutes before stepping back on to dry land for the first time in more than 96 days. There are also big crowds in the Arrival Village, and at 0700hrs this morning there was already a big queue at the gates, people waiting in the freezing cold, desperate to get the best spot in front of the big screen and hoping to catch a few words with Sam maybe.

Roxy will dock behind Brit Air which arrived here exactly a week ago ithis morning n second place.

The official number of people out to greet Sam is '......a lot' ...they are four or five deep along the whole channel and the narrow waterway is chock a block with boats, and every so often Roxy comes to a halt just due to the volume of traffic. It is like the Pied Piper with a long train of boats of all shapes and sizes following the polka dot Open 60 down the canal.

Sam Davies, her Roxy team, friends, family and supporters are arriving down the channel now in perfect sunshine. Thousands of people are lined up on both sides and the cheers can be heard for miles as Sam leaps around the bow of Roxy, standing up on the pulpit and waving to everyone with that 1000 watt smile, laughing to herself. No sign of any lack of energy after a long night waiting to come ashore. And another pair of flares are lit as she passes half way down the channel now.

“With the wind easing, I was finally able to hoist my mainsail away from the third reef that looked so awful. As the damage to the sail moves further up the rig it looks much better. I think it is something to do with it being further away. Again a rustling of materials and a confetti of sail cloth flew into the breeze behind me. I am almost relieved that there are not many more times where I will need to put a reef in or take one out again. With under 500 miles to go the end is starting to feel real although I am trying to concentrate on the sailing and not think too much about the end until I see the line with my own eyes. I am fully aware with light winds forecast I am still to be frustrated before we get to Les Sables d'Olonne.
At this stage I am in awe of Marco on Safran who is sailing his final 1000 miles with no keel. That is an awesome feat and to have the skill and ability to sail in that state and to live the final few days with the mainsheet in his hand is incredible. My fingers are crossed for him and the hero's welcome that will await his arrival.”

Dee Caffari (Aviva) in her daily message sent yesterday evening