Para-anchor is our friend and Whale Ahoy!
Row Across The Pond
Richard Hoyland and Steve Coe
Fri 29 Jan 2010 13:47
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Thoughts of Richard....
Firstly the positive news, we saw our first whale at twilight
last night :-) We were deploying the para-anchor off of the bow of the boat when
a great long arching back rose out of the waves and blew a great spout of
water/air just beside the boat. It came round again to look at the two strange
chaps on a little boat and then was gone as quickly as it arrived. Not quite
challenging for the Free Willy films in terms of spectacular whale action but a
significant moment no the less for me :-) In these days when we are sat with
little to do a visit from a neighbour means alot to morale. No time to reach for
the camera/video so it will go unrecorded and stored under memories of the
trip.
Hopefully this will be the first of many
visits?
Unfortunately, we continue to sit drifting as the winds face
us in the wrong direction from the SW. A situation that will continue until
Monday at least. Keeping motivated is a big issue and today we will be asking
for your help, as today is limerick day and you will be the judge of our two
meagre efforts..winner makes breakfast for the other (Steve doesn't know
this yet, i do now and i am not agreeing to this, richard doesn't know this
yet). We will be publishing them later today....
Pete, I like the idea of a great rowing boat magnet that
someone has switched on and we are all being pulled in, but fear the real reason
is more mundane, loving the creative thinking ;-) keep up the political
commentary...we've no idea what is going on out here with real life, good to
stay connected
Sally, we will also then be moving on to learn the words to
Jerusalem and will be having a recital later in the weekend...Sunday seems to be
appropriate :-)
Gabriel, like the call centre script jokes...especially the
one with the powercut
Claire, we'll be telling Dave (Team Panasonic) that he's got a
new groupie :-)
Abi, I'm convinced that this wind will change soon, am praying
to the wind gods.
David, I like the Truman show analogy...hopefully we are going
to hit the end of the ocean set soon and will be able to get off and catch the
bus home...but I fear not.
Suzanne, loved the quotes from the Bupa Christmas
party...sounds like the usual great fun :-)
We love the stats that are coming in from a few people and
general observations about how we are doing (in going backwards terms) versus
all the other crews. It makes us happy realising we are all stuffed
;-)
Fingers crossed that the weather changes for the better
soon...so that we can row again.
Quick question for Cathy (or any other Atlantic rowers
present)...a drift rate of 0.5 knots on a para is about right isn't it? Alby's
booklet for the anchor seems to think so, but last night we appeared to head in
the right direction for around a few hours....then we were back drifting
away...strange?!?
Steve
Steve has 'nil' thoughts
today......!
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