Day 5 - on the little yellow boat 25:17.916N 18:46.528w

Row Across The Pond
Richard Hoyland and Steve Coe
Sat 9 Jan 2010 12:39
The relentless life at sea continues, the endless hours on the oars in either the baking sun or the pitch black of the ocean nights. You've never experienced life until you haved rowed in a moonlit sea, with the stars as clear as you could wish with the phosphorescence on the water from the oars...words do not describe the sight. Nor the sight of playful dolphins jumping out of the water all around you.
 
Sorry for not being able to respond to you all individually, as steve explained time is limited and the boatr is pitching around constantly. For those supplying us with weather report...massive thanks this will keep us on the right track.
 
Difficult to know how we are doing and if we are heading in the right direction. If someone could let us know which direction the winds are going in the next 5 days at our co-ords that would be great :-)
It's difficult at nights as the AIS beacon alarms are constantly going off due to the rowing boats all around us..Reason Why, QBE, Explore, Insure and Go, plus us are very close (according to the AIS). Various other boats drift in and out of view Vivaldi, Sprit of montarro.... but the four others are our new ocean neighbours. If we are somewhere near the front..I can assure you it is luck ;-)
 
We are starting to get into the pattern of eating, which is difficult given the conditions..have you ever had to make your own water before having a cup of tea? I tell you, I'm going to appreciate the comforts of home after this. The food is pretty ropey at this place..even though the views are fantastic..if I never see Chilli con carne again in my life that would be great!  
 
We're slogging across to our first turn poin in 12ish days (with Neptune being a decent chap)...which we see us turn for Antingua and then really start to put the miles in..it's hot slow work on a gently rolling sea...we're earning every mile.
 
Haven't seen any whales yet, but keeping my eyes peeled all the time.
 
[todays blog is powered by Richard]
 
p.s Steve says...Rob, you are a lousy sports psycologist ;-)