9 Jan, 06 - 19:40
For GPS position, race position and miles from La Gomera, see http://www.atlanticrowingrace.co.uk
Most of today was sluggish and sloggish - slogging along for very little reward. These are what I've come to think of as 'faith miles' - not necessarily productive in themselves, but you have to put in the effort in the faith that it will eventually be rewarded.
And rewarded they were - at about 4pm, heralded by a squall and a quick cold shower, I was suddenly back in the sweet water, and it was all the sweeter for the slogging.
I don't know if it was the force of all the texts, or even just the thoughts, of people wishing me sweet water, but just in case, thank you all very much, keep up the good work, and let's see if we can get me to Antigua before the end of February!
In haste, getting back to the oars while the going is good...
Rita Savage's PS:
Very grateful thanks from Roz and myself to all those who are supporting her with their words and their messages of encouragement. Many of you have spoken of the inspiration she has given you to cope with your everyday situations.
We also very much appreciate the gifts of money that have been sent, and some regular payments, either to help Roz with the costs of the voyage, or as donations to the Princes Trust. Every bit helps. I know that some people are not in a position to donate as they are already committed to other causes; just knowing that they are interested in Roz is a gift in itself. I do enjoy reading the messages from various parts of the world that have been coming to Roz via the links on her website www.rozsavage.com
Thank you to one and all for your continuing interest and concern – continue to urge her on her way!. Rita Savage.
Wind: NE
Weather: sunshine and cloud, occasional shower
Sea state: calm earlier, rough later
Hours rowing: 14
| Atlantic Row Part 2 |
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The ocean got camera shy - this is my best attempt at capturing what I mean by 'sweet water'.
8 Jan, 06 - 22:16
For GPS position, race position and miles from La Gomera, see http://www.atlanticrowingrace.co.uk
I've been asked to clarify what I meant yesterday by 'sweet water'. With apologies to Mr Tiny Little for appropriating and possibly misinterpreting his phrase, what I mean by it is big friendly waves rolling in the right direction.
If the baddies are the hit-and-run drivers/waves that smash you upside the head and then race off without a word of apology, these waves are the good samaritans of the road, gentle giants that pick up a hitch-hiking solo rower, carry her a few yards and then deposit her a little closer to Antigua, moving on with a gentle fizz of dispersing bubbles.
They are to be blessed, and I've taken to giving an appreciative 'ooh', 'aah', or 'waheyyy' when they come along, just to let Mother Nature know I've noticed her generosity and in the hope that she'll send a few more my way.
Thanks again for all texts, especially to Romy - you flatter me, my dear, I'm not a wise woman yet, but I'm working on it, and hopefully a little wiser every day. Big thanks also to Tiny, for his helpful and encouraging words - yes, I, too, feel like I'm starting to get the hang of this ocean rowing lark at this stage. And my cabin isn't always that messy, honest - I had just been Matron-ed! And thanks to the other regulars too.
Wind: NE, force not known as nav instrument still not working
Weather: sunshine and cloud
Sea state: rough
Hours rowing: 10
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Trying to fix the electrics. This is what lurks behind my nice neat control panel - gives me the heebie-jeebies.
7 Jan, 06 - 21:44
For GPS position, race position and miles from La Gomera, see http://www.atlanticrowingrace.co.uk
I hear that All Relative are about to arrive in Antigua. Well done, the boys from Beer! Lucky they had me to keep them on their toes, eh?
Some questions from a regular texter:
Q: what has surprised you most so far?
A: how flippin' hard this is! I thought I was really well prepared, and I knew it would be hard, but not THIS hard. But I'm still here and still rowing, so I guess I must be up to it - if I wasn't at the start, I am now.
Q: will you be a little sad when this is over?
A: at the moment I don't even know how I'll feel tomorrow, let alone when I reach Antigua, so hard to say. At the moment I think my overriding feeling will be relief, but who knows, maybe there will be a tinge of sadness, and a bit of nostalgia for the solitude and the independence.
Q: how is the spare tyre?
A: cheeky! Since Sid the sea anchor came back on board and I stopped lazing around eating chocolate all day, I think the spare tyre has deflated somewhat. Let's hope so, because the bag of clothes my mother is bringing out to Antigua won't fit me otherwise!
Other stuff:
The weather continues rough but favourable here. The incredible bendy oar gave up the ghost today and has been relegated to guardrail duties.
Still can't get the Simrad navigation instrument working - checked the connections (see photo) but no joy. Suspect water inside, as display all steamed up. Pain, because without knowing my speed over ground I don't know what rowing techniques are working and what aren't. Stereo has also ceased to function - again, suspect water to blame. Can only hope things may work again if/when they dry out.
Thanks for all the texts: Sorrel, Pauline, Mark R, HSS, Sam K (thanks for reassurance on technique), John T, R Westcott, Richard Y & Penny, Eddie-Lee, MBE Putney, and two blasts from the past - John Wild and Duncan Coneybeare.
A good question from John W: '100 days solitary confinement and hard labour - what did you do wrong?!'
Wind: E to NE, force not known Weather: sunshine and showers
Sea state: rough
Hours rowing: 9
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Monty post-wave
6 Jan, 06 - 20:34
For GPS position, race position and miles from La Gomera, see http://www.atlanticrowingrace.co.uk
Today - still smiling.
I get knocked down, but I get up again, ain't never going to keep me down...
Monty's Say
Hmmmph!
This is no way to treat a fare-paying passenger. Early night, sleeping tight, suddenly the world turns upside down and I find myself head-down in a box of freeze-dried food. The indignity of it.
Hmmmph!
It was a bit of a surprise. One moment I was asleep, being rocked (relatively) gently By the waves. The next moment it's like I'm in a washing machine - everything is spinning and there's water pouring in through the ventilation hatch.
My lovely comfy bunk, which I'd managed to keep remarkably dry and salt-free, was dry and salt-free no longer. Sleeping bag, pillow and blanket were all sopping. After restoring some kind of order inside the cabin and on deck, I spent the rest of the night curled up into a small damp bundle of anxiety, flinching at every big wave and bracing myself for another roll.
Today, as if to make amends, Mother Nature sent me perfect conditions for an enjoyable afternoon's rowing - and I mean genuinely enjoyable, not just enjoyable compared with working in an office/ being held captive in Beirut for four years/ having my fingernails pulled out with red hot tweezers.
The sun was shining, the waves were rolling, and Tiny, I found that sweet water. And ah, was it sweet!
Happy Birthday, Nick Jones. Enjoy a pint for me.
Thanks for today's texts, many expressing commiserations on last night's event. Hello John T, HSS (your jokes are awful - love them!), DB, Clarkie, Philip Goodier, Y (I did get your birthday message - thanks!), AJ (Caie's barge - seems a lifetime ago! Can you remind me of your name?), Mark R.
Someone asked me what would be my first meal on arrival in Antigua. Ideally, a large rum cocktail as an aperitif, then a buffet of salads (avocado with buffalo mozzarella and cherry tomatoes, rocket with parmesan and pine nuts, marinated peppers and aubergine, with an assortment of dressings - pesto, lemon and coriander, spicy tomato). Then, as the main event, a platter of lobster, served with lime and hot melted butter, crab claws, jumbo shrimp and barbecued monkfish, all washed down with a glass or three of Chablis or a crisp South African Chenin Blanc. Then, if I had any room left, strawberry shortbread, followed by a caffe latte and three chocolate truffles, one white, one milk and one dark.
Not that I've given it a moment's thought, obviously.
Rita Savage's PS:
People have expressed concern for me, knowing that I will be worried about Roz out there in the Atlantic. I know that I am not the only anxious mother - and other family members and friends - whose thoughts are very much with those taking part in the Atlantic Rowing Race. I suppose I am a bit different as Roz is the only female solo rower. I was fortunate in that I was able to spend several weeks with Roz when the boat was being prepared in the boatyard, as well as at La Gomera. She had me crawling all over the boat with epoxy resin, screwdrivers and paintbrushes. I checked, packed and re-packed her first aid kit. I counted out packages of different types of food into weekly packs; experimented with the stove to assess the amount of fuel needed; went shopping in La Gomera for spare fuses, Velcro, Milton, hand-held water pumps, without being able to speak a word of Spanish. There was not much that I did not know about the boat and its contents, apart from the electronic gadgetry. All of this has helped me to have confidence that Roz has prepared very carefully to cover every aspect of the voyage. There have been some disappointments when people on whom she was relying for shore management, weather forecasting and finance have let her down. Roz and I are both most grateful to so many others who support us with their words, their messages and their prayers.
Sponsored miles: Mariya and Molly McCallum 850; Mat Ellis 888 hopefully coming up soon!
Wind: E to NE, force not known because wind/speed instrument hasn't worked since last night
Weather: sunshine
Sea state: rough
Hours rowing: 9
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