We're on the water :-)

Row Across The Pond
Richard Hoyland and Steve Coe
Sat 28 Nov 2009 07:55
Another fantastic milestone achieved on Friday...we've been hoisted into the water. The past week has seen us sitting on the dockside having our kit inspected and making the last adjustments to the boat, that's now behind us, No Fear is sitting on it's berth in Gomera harbour. On Saturday we take to the sea for the first time as we practice for the race start in a weeks time. As you can see from the photos the week has taken it's toll on myself and Steve, long hours have seen us try and predict everyrthing that could go wrong on the boat and figure out a contingency plan...you could spend a lifetime on this and there comes a time when you have to say that we've done all that we can. That time is getting pretty close.
 
We still have to practice deploying the para anchor and drogues, plus fire up the water maker when we are clear of land to check it works ok. Might even get a chance to go for a bit of a swim out there..after all the hard work I think we've earned it :-) You get so focused on the boat that find yourself never coming up for air.
 
If you ever get out to La Gomera, check out a small corner of the Blue Marlin pub, where every year the rowers congregate to share stories from those who have done it before and catch up on progress...there should be a little message from a couple of ordinary blokes from Surrey who intend to row 3000 miles. We've got a heavy weight of responsibility as when our boat hit the water we got a call "Isn't that No Fear...that boat's got a reputation"....it came 2nd last race losing out by on 6 hours at the finishing line! We hope to do the boat proud and make it over in one piece and in a reasonable time.
 
Families are starting to arrive on the island and the town's hotels are filling up fast, as the rowers take time off to spend time away from the other rowers...it's a nice slice of reality and gets you out of the bubble that we seem to be living in at the moment. Can't wait for our guys to arrive, even after just a week it's difficult...the 2 months is going to be tough...i've been promised photos/pictures from the kids to decorate the inside of the cabin :-)
Our only means of communication is via our satellite phone, which we can hook up to a laptop, hopefully this should keep up connected with everyone back home...but if we do get out of contact...don't worry it just means that either Richard/Steve has dropped the sat phone over the side ;-)
 

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