Simon Chalk: In good spirits

"I've had a storm that helped me in the right direction, and now I'm clear of Australia and on my way!" said Simon Chalk.

He said he had now covered 473 miles (760km) after completing up to 50 miles (80km) in a day.

Property developer Mr Chalk, 30, from Newton Abbot, had been frustrated by strong on-shore breezes pushing him back towards land.

Click here to see map of journey

"The storm was not a big thing, 22 to 27 mph, but I managed to come off that at an angle, and it has been a big help," he said in his diary he is writing for BBC Devon Online.

The past few days had been mostly overcast, helping him to recover from severe sunburn in the early stages when temperatures soared to 42 Celsius, burning him even through his light clothing.

I'm clear of Australia - I'm on my way! Simon Chalk Follow Simon Chalk's progress at BBC Devon Online

Though the absence of sun meant he had not been producing much solar power, he was still on fully charged batteries, he said.

"I'm tired, but still in good spirits," he said.

Mr Chalk began his epic trip on 28 February and is aiming to row 3,478 miles (5,600km) in less than 64 days.

He launched his attempt in a customised boat, the 23ft (7.3m) True Spirit, from Kalbarri in Australia.

Mr Chalk is rowing the route on his own because his Welsh rowing partner Rob Munslow pulled out of the attempt.

He is bidding to become the first Briton to row the ocean, and the youngest person to do so.

The only time the Indian Ocean route has been completed was in 1971 by Swede Anders Svedlund.

His last attempt on the Indian Ocean last May ended with Chalk and his partner clinging to their capsized boat for 15 hours in shark-infested waters before rescue.