As I write this, I am gently orbiting Byeia EUQ UE-R D4-85. I'm about 6,000Ly into the 25,000Ly or so trip that makes up the Buckyball Racing Club's A Challenge, an endurance run from Galileo (orbiting our own dear Luna) to the big black hole at the centre of the galaxy known as Sagittarius A.

I set off at 11.00, and it's now just coming up to 17.00, so I don't think I'll be setting any records. I'd always thought of my ship, a SK Dolphin by the name of Iron Partridge, to be a quick little thing, but then again I've had little to compare it with. I've participated in a couple of BRC events, and got my name onto the results board of one of them (which I am still quietly proud of), but other than that I've largely kept to myself in this big ol' galaxy. I don't fight, I don't get tangled up with the law if I can help it...I just run passengers and cargo, and dot around doing a bit of gentle exploration.

This is the first time I've been anywhere near this far from home, and it's daunting. I'm beginning to question if it's worth me even continuing, given how slow the progress I'm making is, but every now then I see something beautiful; a binary star here, a pleasing wisp of something there, and I think that actually, I'll carry on for a bit. I may be slow, but the trip is going to be meaningful in other ways.

Best make a cup of tea and plot my next route.