Rowing..but not as we know it 17:10.477N 52:27.999W
Row Across The Pond
Richard Hoyland and Steve Coe
Sun 7 Mar 2010 18:40
|
Rich...
So, two days of headwinds and cross seas...have made two cross
rowers...the forecast was for NE/ENE/ESE and what we have actual got is seas
from the South and a wind that looks to be coming slightly round the compass
towards the West. Not good for a couple of chaps wanting to head West, where the
finish line awaits.
The result is that we've lost some ground to the North, but
continue to grind distance out towards the West...I wish we could claim the
credit for the distance we are doing...but there's a current/wave action/boat
magnet pulling us on our course...for this we are grateful..we've had to punch
these currents head on before and it's not nice. This time it's a friendly
current........or are we just pulling hard on the oars???
During the night we had to spend most of the night doing one
handed rowing to keep the boat onto a specific course to the West. Looks like
we'll be on this course for a good few days...it's eased a bit now (6:30pm
Sunday) but still, it's not plain sailing...mentally we are broken by yet
another disappointing weather period and a lack of progress towards family. Now
is the time for the dark moment letters to be unleashed to get us through these
periods :-)
steve
Not sure if some of this is not in the head! When we
have a night or day of not going anywhere fast, we look to each other
quizickly trying to understand the invisible and not predictable forces acting
on out boat..
There is perhaps evidence, that it is not in our head (or
simply our rowing ability/inability!) simply because the elements have gone
against us on more than one occassion.
This time the reverse seems true,, we have a strongish ill
wind from the south, which would ordinarily blow you straight north and be near
impossible row against to make good head way,,,.However, with little or no
effort we are being pushed only a few degrees away from desired courseand making
1.5 knots.. we not going to argue with that as long as it
last with the ill wind,, still it is extremely frustrating to be amongst so many
variables and then consider this to be a race,, That may sound sour.. well
it is... i guess we are a little tired at the mo especially
nursing ill affordable injuries..
|