Happy 30th Greeno
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Another
big birthday I’ve missed although I’m sure that me being away is the best
present you and Reynolds could have wished for. I’m sure you’ll be celebrating
in true Bob style – no doubt a Gaylord Indian takeaway, night in on the sofa
watching an Alan Partridge box set. Anyhow, I’ve joined your Casio watch club as
my sports watch died just before I left the UK and I needed a cheap replacement
and thought what would Bob do? £15 later in Argos I had found myself a bargin
and 2 weeks into the trip it is still going strong! I read the letter from you
and Elizabeth yesterday which was very entertaining and clearly shows you have
too much time on your hands. Yes, I am very much missing number (2) from the
“Things you will MISS” list!
Finally,
I just want to share with people a very special going away present that I
received from Bob just before I left the UK. One of my nicknames is “Crouchy”,
originating purely because of our goal scoring similarities and nothing to do
with our giraffe like frames or robotic dancing. Anyhow, back in November when
we were having a very nice dinner party at the Swifts I was presented with what
can only be described as a used garlic bread take away box with graffiti on the
outside. The graffiti turned out to
by Bobs’ handwriting but inside the box was a real gem – a signed Crouchy shirt
from England v Brazil with the wording;
“To
Crouchy
All
the best for the row.
Love
Crouchy” It’ll
be framed and going up on the wall when I get back. Enjoy your celebrations mate
and thanks for your sponsorship. Will give you a buzz later. Back
to life on Red Arrow and we’ve now been at sea for exactly 2 weeks and it’s
certainly flown by for me. I thought it would be easier if I listed some of the
highs and lows of the trip so far although I have just realised that I some of
things haven’t been mentioned in my blogs - my bad, sorry. Highs
so Far 1.
Actually, doing it as I’ve been dreaming about it for so long it feels so
good that we’re actually living it. 2.
Being in the warmth – more weather gloating! 3.
Being circled by Free Willy - for 45 minutes this monster whale was
either eyeing up for dinner or wanting to mate with our hull but thankfully he
left without incident. 4. Watching 2
very small birds fly past at really low level and they ended up playing around
the boat for ages. I just wasn’t expecting to see these small, domestic type
birds hundreds of miles from land and I didn’t think I’d be doing any bird
watching on this trip. 5.
During some night shifts it appears as if the water is like a lava and
that whenever you make a stoke you move the lava and it makes the most amazing
sparks/flow around the displaced water. Lin/Rachel – have I had too much sun
during the day or do you know what I’m talking about? What’s this all
about??????? Lows
so Far 1.
Without doubt the lowest low has to be the cabin getting soaked. The
cabin is still quite damp and we’ll keep drying the cushions out although the
cabin does naturally suffer from condensation issues anyway. The problem is we
have to strap the cushions to the solar panels to dry so we when do that it
means we’re not gathering power to run our electrics –
arrrrrrrrrr! 2.
Having completed 2 weeks of very tough rowing realising that we’re only a
1/5 of the way across! 3.
Doing a dive The Hoff would have been proud of off the side of the boat
to save our little toilet.
4.
Trying to eat Expedition Food “Chilli Con Carne” which I think came out
of the Pedigree Chum factory and spitting the vile food out only to realise
we’ve about 40 more days of them! 5.
Looking at the GPS after a 2 hour hard row and realising we’ve rowed only
a mile closer to Antigua! Update
on how the old body is shaping up; Hands
-
Visually you can see blisters/broken skin but they are holding up well. It does
hurt when I try and clench my hands into a fist – it takes longer than normal to
do and I can feel a throbbing pain. Feet
- No major problems at all. A few non
painful blisters and some sun burn but the Sharx shoes are fantastic.
Bum
- 2 weeks in and I can still sit down without any pain which
I’m really pleased about. Granuflex (big cushioned
plasters) on my bum cheeks have saved the day although my bum is now officially
waxed when I pulled them off after 4 days use! Thanks for the warning Oli! Mentally
- I’ve
been telling myself the last couple of years that mentally and physically this
trip is going to be hell. More so mentally I think – the regime, the monotony,
the isolation, the primitive lifestyle and the conditions I’m sure will break me
mentally at some stage. I also told myself that if it wasn’t as bad as hell then
it’d be a bonus – so far, I’m holding up okay. My
favourite text from yesterday goes to Eugene “The Pebble”
Cariaga. “Big Nose. I hope that you have not started to eat Rich yet. The state of his spelling you may have already started on his fingers!.” Sorry Rich but it made me laugh. A
few personal messages…………………… Rachel
/ Lin
-
Did you used to use the Toughbook on deck? It is like a greenhouse during
the day in the cabin! Andrew
Line
-
The sports reports are first class and I share them with Rich when the
come through. Thanks for keeping us up to date. Caz
-
Thanks for the texts/emails and we’re beating the Jersey 4 on Mission
Atlantic. Steve
Green
-
Thanks for posting the photo to James Downie. Frapey
-
Reasonable - we haven’t sunk yet! Fiona
Patterson / Catherine Hurd –
Ladies, thank you both for your recent donations. Very kind of you both
Joy
-
An email from my Nan and now a text from you – whatever next! Sorry to
hear about your recent operation and I hope Aunty Jean is looking after you.
The
row must go on – Antigua here we come. Barnesy |