10 days gone

Panatlantic
Fri 14 Dec 2007 15:13
hi everyone,
we are into double figures! 10 days gone and we continue to move along very well. we dropped a couple of miles yesterday due to lack of winds and a couple of very tough night shifts but are back on track now and moving along swiftly. by all accounts the next boat to us 'ocean summit' is less than 12 miles ahead so we will hopefully pass then within the next couple of days. Ocean summit is rowed by a couple of impressive and very nice guys so we'll give tham a wave as we shoot past.
the general mood onboard seems to be improving by the day, i have given into niall's awful taste in music by convinvincing myself that it is better than nothing. i think the last album was indian takeaway hits 2003 or something equally crap!
 
we are into a nice routine now and managing to sleep during the 2 hour breaks at night, unfortunately we are sleeping a little too well and finding it hard to wake ourselves up, i have come close to falling overboard on numerous occasions. the changeover is always greeted the same way, the emerging rower will say 'how was it' to which the other will reply 'wavey' or something equally useful. then its 'see you in 2 hours' to which the other will grunt some sort of reply. the nights sky is amazing, niall has identified the big dipper and orions belt, i have seen what looks like a squatting dog and my old science teacher (yes i did go to school).
 
its great to know that so many of you are following our progress at home, the emails we receive keep us entertained for hours. family and friends seem to be addicted to watching our progress. its like being on big brother apart from there are no transexuals or social misfits. we do have niall though!
 
i think of all sorts of things to pass the time, last night i was thinking of new hobbies i can take up when i get back and places id like to visit with my girlfriend. i also thought up an entire exercise plan for kayaking which i think will become my new sport.
 
a quick happy birthday to bristol zoo's baby gorilla komale after who our boat was named. a little late i know but by all accounts he is doing well and being kept very much in line by his mum. hi to everyone at the zoo aswell, any chance we can use your function room for a party when we get back?!
 
we have just been surrounded by a number of dolphins which was an awesome sight, unfortunately no somersaults though the lazy ..........
 
well i'll leave it there so as not to bore you all, i thinks its my turn on sunday to write another. im off to have a dehydrated meal for a chance, man im gonna miss them when we are done!
 
james