13 Mar 2006
13th March
Excitement! It is 8am in Antigua. I have just had a phone call from Teresa at Woodvale. Aurora is with Roz. Her sea-anchor was giving problems, she could not haul it in. Aurora kept watch while Roz cut it free. She is now still rowing, quite unassisted, and only 27 miles to go! Isn't that6 marvellous!
There are loads of emails this morning, I wonder if I can read them all before I need to do something else?
There is free wireless internet access at a restaurant just down the hill from where I am staying. A barrier was still across the entrance when I came down this morning, but I sneaked in, and am sitting up on a balcony, under the trees, looking over the harbour, and enjoying another sunny warm morning. Sorry folks in England, having to look at snow instead - and I can't even send you a picture.
This may be my last dispatch - then over to Roz. Thanks for your support. Rita.
| Atlantic Row Part 4 |
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Comments [0]
12 Mar 2006
12th March
1643.01N,6049.01W,0M
Roz really has been unfortunate with the weather. Once again she has been stuck because of adverse winds -1 mile yesterday. Jonathan, here on the Island, and part of the sea rescue team, guesses that Aurora the support yacht will offer Roz a pair of oars, and if she still can't make headway, a tow. The forecast shows that winds won't change before Wednesday. Other boats had similar problems on the approach to Antigua.
It does mean that she would lose her unsupported status in the race, but nothing can take away her achievement in crossing the Atlantic Ocean. It will be a disappointment after struggling for so long, but Roz did start out not as a competitor, but with the aim of making the crossing.
I feel awfully frustrated waiting here for her -especially as I just cannot get the technology to work as I would wish - and a friendly expert was no more successful! Roz must be feeling even more frustrated and disappointed just sitting there and trying to not be blown backwards or southwards.
We are both due to fly back to the UK on Sunday, and time is running out.
Thank you so much for your sympathetic messages, so sorry I can't answer them individually.
| Atlantic Row Part 4 |
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11 Mar 2006
11th March
Today, Saturday, the support yacht Aurora has set out to meet Roz and accompany her back to English Harbour, Antigua. The weather has decided to unkind again. How frustrating to be so near, 70 miles away, and not be able to move because the wind wants to blow Sedna Solo further south. Roz has probably put out Sid the para-anchor and has to just sit and wait.
Meanwhile back here in Antigua I am making arrangements for a video film to be made of her arrival, and also for me to go out on a boat to meet her when she is within ten miles of the harbour. We won't try to exchange hugs at that point!
Today has been very wet so far, and even if Roz was within binocular-spotting distance, the horizon is hidden in rain squalls. I have been equally frustrated by technology - sorry there is no picture again. What a (technology) wash-out.
I have been able to print out a lot of wonderful messages that have come in for Roz to read at her leisure. I think that she will be deeply moved by them, as I have been.
Sponsored miles: Mary Malinsky 2929 - n umbers with special meaning for her.
2934 India Pearey, and 2935 Sailing Unlimited. These last two seem to represent the short walk Roz will have from the dock to Admiral's Inn where she is booked in for a few nights, in Nelson's Dockyard.
| Atlantic Row Part 4 |
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10 Mar 2006
10th March
Tomorrow, Saturday, I will be going to visit some kind friendly local people who will allow me to use their computer, and their binoculars if that seems appropriate. I can use Roz' laptop with a free internet connection at a bar/restaurant just down the road which is very convenient, but as you may realise, there is a problem with putting a picture on the dispatch. Also I need to move out before the evening customers start arriving.
It is 6pm here now, 10pm by Greenwich Mean Time, and Roz has about 71 miles still to go. The horizon from a hill is about 40 miles out to sea as far as I can remember. Maybe I won't need those binoculars until later in the day tomorrow.
Once again there is a slightly nail-biting situation - her present position is 16.56N, 60.42W. Some days ago Roz was too far south; then she was too far north; now she really needs to be going west, but just slightly north as well.
Realistically we think that Roz will arrive Sunday morning. If she pushes on too fast and gets here Saturday night there will be some disappointed people! The children from the Island Academy have been practising a song specially for her, with very appropriate words. They are prepared to wear their school uniforms on Sunday if necessary, to be ready to greet her. Many other people too are eagerly watching for news of her arrival.
Once again my grateful thanks for the many messages arriving conveying congratulations, hugs and kisses - for Roz, but also some kind words for me. I shall miss all of this when Roz takes over, but will really be delighted to have her back on the job. (I think that you will, too!)
| Atlantic Row Part 4 |
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