My Simrad chartplotter showing 999 miles to go.
10 Feb, 06 - 20:33
Less than 1000 miles to Antigua. This is a major milestone for me - getting down into triple figures. The end may not be exactly in sight, but it soon will be.
There were times when Antigua seemed an impossible dream, inconceivably distant and unattainable. How many times in the first two months of my row did I wish that I could somehow be relieved of this challenge I'd taken on - that fate would intervene and allow me to unshoulder this burden without death or dishonour.
But now, having got this far, I will be forever disappointed if I don't see it through. Most of the crews who have come to grief have suffered their mishap between here and the finish, so I'm certainly not taking it for granted that I will get there, but I now feel strong enough to claim that if I don't make it to Antigua it won't be for lack of will or determination on my part.
Last night I dreamed I was arriving in English Harbour... but I mustn't get too excited, too soon. 1000 miles is still a long way to go, and anything could yet happen.
Other stuff:
Today has been a weary kind of day - humid and oppressive. Even the red ensign looked weary as it fluttered weakly from its mast. On days like this, when the wind and the waves are so silent, I get this awful feeling of being stuck in an eternal moment, as if I've been rowing this ocean for ever, and will be for evermore.
I was downcast for a while this morning, after getting a text saying Team C2 had taken 23 days to cover the last 1000 miles. If two big blokes rowing in shifts around the clock took that long, then surely my hopes of reaching Antigua by the end of the month were an impossible dream. But never say die. I can but try, and apart from anything else it cheers me up to think that dry land could be less than 3 weeks away. Still being at sea for longer than that I find unimaginable.
Yesterday I rang the Aurora, and asked them ever so nicely if they would mind please not coming to visit. It's tough enough to keep going as it is, and I fear for the effect on my morale if my routine is disrupted and I see people who have easy access to hot food and company. Best I keep myself to myself for a while longer.
Texts: thanks for messages from Caroline, Nige M, Margaret and Bob, Kurt (Monty useless as a rower, unfortunately - arms and legs way too short!), Alasdair from Team Sevenoaks, HSS, Lizann, John T, DB, Natalie (do please give me your support in this push for home - need all the help I can get! Pics of myself when there's a swell? There's ALWAYS a swell!), Kevin from Tamarind (looking forward to that free lunch), Mar (oh, it would be so nice if the 'right' wind is just around the corner!), Oliver aged 9 (Monty says hello), COTB (£1000? Tell me more!), Pascale & Terrence (hope to see you in Antigua asap!), Tim Ratbag.
Rita Savage's PS: Sponsored miles: 1972 Mar Alvarez; 1999 John Sugden and Henry Harris-Burland coming up soon.
For GPS position, race position and miles from La Gomera, see http://www.atlanticrowingrace.co.uk
Wind: E, about 12 knots (estimate)
Weather: overcast, humid, occasional hot sunshine
Sea state: moderate
Hours rowing: 15
| Atlantic Row Part 3 |
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Comments [0]
3 out of 4 pairs of rowing gloves are now in tatters.
Caroline suggested cutting off the fingers to relieve
pressure on nails - not strictly necessary.
9 Feb, 06 - 20:43
It's time to up the ante. I want to be in English Harbour by the end of February. It's a lot to ask, and will require a significant increase in my daily mileage. I've learned a lot about myself already on this row. Now it's time to find out something new - am I tough enough to do what it takes to make landfall by the end of the month?
It will mean extending my daily rowing schedule and reducing my sleep. It will also require 100% co-operation from the ocean and the weather - and we know they often have their own ideas. I'm willing to put in the hours if they're willing to send me a good easterly wind, a strong easterly swell, and a consistent easterly current every day for the next 20 days, and deliver me precisely to English Harbour.
Not so much to ask, surely?!
I had words with the ocean yesterday. Not the sort of words I usually hurl in its direction, most of which are unrepeatable here, but beseeching words, pleading for some sweet water. And it seems to have worked. Conditions for most of today were splendid. Wind and swell were pushing me towards Antigua, with enough strength to make for good progress, but not so strong as to endanger my fragile, patched-up oars... But now they're calming down to that awkward inbetweeny state - too rough for comfortable rowing, not strong enough to surf. Only time will tell if Mr Atlantic is going to help me out.
Other stuff:
Maybe as a symbol of the new entente cordiale between me and the ocean, I saw dolphins for the first time today. About 20 of them passed by, in groups of between 3 and 6, coming within about 10 feet of my boat. They didn't pay me much attention, but it was a real boon to see them anyway.
Another reason I want to get a move on is that if I don't make landfall by the end of the month I'm going to start running out of things, like rowing gloves. Other things on the critical list are wet wipes, Wholebake 9 Bars, suntan lotion and chocolate.
Texts: thanks for messages from Rodders (relieved and pleased to hear from you. Sorry - didn't get your earlier messages! X), the Evanses in Sydney (hi there Mr & Mrs Guts!), John T, George S, HSS, Elise Laverick (hi to TRC!), Bill Carey Evans, Rhea Kingswell, Martin Chambers, Jeff, Isabel Martin (Chris's mum), DB.
Rita Savage's PS: More sponsored miles for which grateful thanks and acknowledgement: 1901-6 Andy and Emer Osborne; 1908-28 also Andy and Emer; 1907 Gwenaelle and Hayden Transon; and coming up before long: 1937 David Bridge; 1940 Nicholas Marden-Taylor.
For GPS position, race position and miles from La Gomera, see http://www.atlanticrowingrace.co.uk
Wind: E, about 8-20 knots (estimate)
Weather: mostly overcast, occasional sunshine
Sea state: moderate to rough
Hours rowing: 12
| Atlantic Row Part 3 |
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Monty enjoying some fresh sea air - between the Argos
beacon and the satphone antenna.
8 Feb, 06 - 20:38
There has been a request to hear more from Monty, the teddy bear from Southbourne Junior School and ship's First Mate. So here he is... over to you, Monty.
Hmmmph!
I didn't realise this was the slow boat to Antigua. We've been out here for 70 days now, and still a long way to go. A bear can get bored of life at sea.
I should have got a ride with those nice boys Ben and James - than I'd be home and dry and doing the chat show circuit now. And I'd be in their documentary. I'd be famous! Instead I'm still stuck out here in the great blue yonder, having to listen to Roz's awful singing as she rows.
Would somebody please tell Molly, the other Southbourne teddy, that I haven't been lost at sea, that I will be back eventually, and she mustn't get tired of waiting and go off with any of the other toys.
And that's all from me for now.
Hmmmph!
Other stuff:
Today has been humid and squally - hard to know from one moment to the next what the weather was going to do. The oar repairs are bearing up well, although the silver duck tape is hugely inferior to the black version - it is soft and wears through very easily, so I have to be very careful not to scuff it when putting the oars in or out of their gates, because if this tape wears out There Is No More.
I second Monty's opinion that we've been at sea plenty long enough. Other rowers speak of a nirvana where wind, swell and current all line up and it's possible to cover 50 miles in a day, with 20 miles of drift overnight. So far these conditions have eluded me. Any time now would be nice...
Texts: thank you for all the messages. As always, they help keep me entertained and cheerful. And it was a Bumper batch today! Thanks to AJ (glad somebody understands importance of own-steam), Penny Stagg, Colin Habgood, Pauline (yes re land-legs, already worried my first act on dry land will be to fall over!), John T (yes, good one - will memorise), DB (favourite album is Songs of Faith and Devotion by Depeche Mode. Jerk chicken in Antigua - no idea!), Charlie Martin (nice to e-meet you, and congrats to David), Kurt (sky-diving? I fancy that...), Richard Powles (I hope to be off adventuring in 2007, but do ask me nearer the time! Regards to all at the Univ dinner on 23/2), Lizann, James Oglethorpe, Margaret and Bob (you do wonders for a girl's ego! Do you charge for your ego-boosting services?!), JB (more Monty as requested! Sponsorship?), Victoria H, HSS, Avelline (welcome! 3 kids and you still find time to row - wow!), the Galls (glad you understand the oar issue!).
Rita Savage's PS: Sponsored Miles coming up: 1870 Nicholas Mardon-Taylor; 1888 Mat Ellis; 1899 Frances Barber - those after 1900 tomorrow perhaps? Thanks for your support.
Monty: from what I've read about Ben and James, you might have suffered some discomforts there too when their boat pitchpoled!
For GPS position, race position and miles from La Gomera, see http://www.atlanticrowingrace.co.uk
Wind: E, about 8-20 knots (estimate)
Weather: mostly overcast, occasional sunshine
Sea state: moderate to rough
Hours rowing: 12
| Atlantic Row Part 3 |
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Sunset about 5pm Antigua time.
7 Feb, 06 - 20:40
Yesterday's oar trouble was inconvenient, not least because it disrupted my routine, and I've come to treasure my routine like a new best friend.
It took me a long time to settle into the rhythm of life at sea, partly because of the storms-and-sea-anchor stage, when every day brought different circumstances, and partly because being solo it's entirely up to me to set my own schedule, and free choice can be a tricky thing.
I had this notion that there was a 'right' routine waiting to be discovered, so I kept experimenting with 3 hour shifts and 4 hour shifts, catnaps and night shifts, row all day and a full night's sleep, in the hope that one particular pattern would feel easier, more natural, than the others. Eventually I realised that when it comes to routine it doesn't matter what it is - you simply have to define it and stick to it. And that no matter what routine you use, there is no easy way to row an ocean.
So what is my routine?
0430 (Antigua time) Alarm goes off, have breakfast
0445 (0845 GMT) Phone Mum to talk admin, messages, race news, etc
0500-0800 Rowing shift #1
Break and nap
0900-1200 Rowing shift #2
Break and nap
1300-1600 Rowing shift #3
Break and post dispatch
1700-2000 Rowing shift #4
2030 Bedtime - bliss!
I also take a 10 minute mini-break in every hour. During my breaks I write up the ship's log, have a snack, tend to my sprouting seeds, work on my dispatch, pick up text messages, have a sponge bath, etc.
It works for me. I've discovered the hard way that when there's a huge task to be done, like rowing 3000 miles, the least painful way to do it is set up a routine and stick to it... weather and oars permitting.
Other stuff:
The going/rowing continues to be heavy in an adverse swell and unhelpful NE wind. These conditions are due to last until Friday at least... Oh sweet water, where art thou?
Other stuff:
Congratulations to Chris Martin on his arrival in Antigua. He went through so much to get there - a thoroughly deserved success, and I hope he's now enjoying a few celebratory drinkies ashore.
A couple of texters have strongly encouraged me to get replacement oars. I appreciate your concern, but realistically, the oars wouldn't get to me for about 2 weeks (unless the support yacht already has some on board, and I don't think it does), and if I've managed for that long with these ones, I may as well carry on...
Thanks for texts and messages from Pauline Appleby (thanks for drinks money awaiting me in Antigua!), Caroline Haines, John T (Mum will video Cracknell/Fogle programme for me), Brian, Jo Allen (hi to Furnivall RC!), James Oglethorpe (lovely message, and joke made me smile!), DB (I dreamed about flapjacks last night - sad but true! And your mother's ARE the best), HSS (my boat is completely different construction from Chris's, so unfortunately bed slat splints not an option), Di Hewlett, Jane Bond, Tom Kucharski in Poland.
For GPS position, race position and miles from La Gomera, see http://www.atlanticrowingrace.co.uk
Wind: NE, about 15 knots (estimate)
Weather: cloudy morning, sunshine and clouds later
Sea state: moderate
Hours rowing: 12
Lyric of the day: Any way the wind blows
/ Doesn't really matter to me (Bohemian Rhapsody)
| Atlantic Row Part 3 |
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