First shark of the journey
Row Across The Pond
Richard Hoyland and Steve Coe
Fri 15 Jan 2010 16:37
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Double blog today, as we had problems with the one from the
13th, as some of you noticed. So for today.....
We saw our first shark of the journey :-) It seemed really curious as to
what on earth we were in our rowing boat, so it circled the boat a few times and
then swam off. Not at all like I'd been told to expect from films like Jaws. For
those out there skilled in shark identification it was a light brown colour on
top with white underside and 6ft ish. A prize for whoever can give us a species
;-) Sharks and dolphins (done), just need to tick of that whale and we've got
the set.
It's kind of humbling to get the opportunity to see all these creatures in
their habitats and not stuck in an aquarium. What a treat!
Today, we are rowing well and have well and truly got into the routine of
the journey, just chipping away at the distance. We are trying to get some good
numbers before the winds lighten in the next few days...then it will be really
hard work.
10 days to New Christmas on the boat. We kept all our Chrimbo presents on
here and are having a Christmas day on 25th Jan, can't wait to see what I've
got, hope it's socks (for once). Louise tells me that I've got a very suitable
gift..maybe a guide to sharks?
To stop going completely mad I've now stopped thinking about how long it's
going to take. All the talk of time and days is too much to take onboard....so
back to the rowing.
And Steve's for the 13th.....
now lets give this a go at describing the sensation of ocean
rowing...
ok, your at the coast on a winters days (uk) and the wind is
blowing strong enough that it is difficult to hear yourself speak. There, thats
the volume sorted... Now,for the sound effects. Imagine the waves created
with that sort of wind strenght (pretty big i would have thought) are rolling in
a crash landing on the beach.. Now add those two together and put yourself
in the dark so you can see next to nothing. your senses to the noise are much
heightened... The next thing to do is imagine a roller coaster ride through all
this mayhem. Last night was typical and relativley mild, whilst night vision
helps, the dark sky and almost black sea blend almost into one and it is
necesary to remain in tune, concentrate and almost feel your way
though all this comotion.. the boat is hurtles along at a massive average 2 or
so knots (fast I hear you say!!),however everything is relative and when the
boat sinks into a deep trough (with the boat always pitching and rolling) then
continues to climb and climb being lifted by massive forces,
with thunderous crashing all around, you know your going to get 5 maybe 6
or even 7 knots the other side... and all you have is a pair of oars, the wave
smoothly and easily rolls under and away in the same direction we are going....a
few hours later the skies clear and the stars appear revelaing a sea state
that is relatively calm!
On our cabin we have something called a repeater. This
instrument is lit with a red back light so to not to impair night vision.
This instrument gives us a compass bearing to navigate too and speed over
ground. These boats are very well designed and ride though all this mayhem
with relative ease, albeit a constant motion of pitching and rolling, so we use
the repeatert as a tool to help us to navigate and stay on
our target course so we can optmise the use of the waves to
increase our speed and make the whole jouney marginally more comfortable
and quicker.
Today, we tried our hand at fishing this
morning having seen some beautiful looking blue finned tuna hanging
round the back of our boat. Lucky escape for the fish my Ollie wasn't around.
he'd of caught one. Instead for lunch it was back to Chilli non carne...
Oh I had a fresh orange today which is the last of our stores from La
gomera, it tasted brill. Yesterday I was a bit poorly, prob too much sun.. so
today, took it easy and did a few jobs around the boat.. always things to do...
still. love to all in good old blighty... ,
A Message for luke
thankyou for asking if i had a good christmas, yes thank you
albeit unexpectadly back in the uk as the race was delayed due to bad
weather.... also you considerations as to whether we win the race or not your
thoughts are very kind and considerate. If I may hasten to add to go into an
event such as this with the intention of winning would be futile given the
enormity of the challenge... say hi to ma a pa and Little bro for me
x
Babara your questions will be answered, stay tuned... keep em
coming...
to my two lovely children, Ollie and JJ, I know you are being
good for mum cos you said so.....
steve
Had first phone call with home last night,a they do recommend
getting into the routine of the ocean life before talking to loved ones...as the
two are chalk and cheese. Sitting here in the boiling hot sun I don't believe
that you guys are all snowed in..I think you are just trying to wind us up ;-)
Sledging when the weather is like this...the idea is madness! Big happy birthday
to Ben who is now 10 years old and well on his way to becoming a srtriker
for Chelsea...or Man City if I had my way :-)
The first 10 days have taken their toll on us both mentally
and physically and today's downtime was bound to happen,...so sorry if our daily
mileages were down on normal, we're here for the long haul. Other teams
will find that they will need to find a pace they can sustain for 60ish
days.
Richard |