Yorkshire Rows Blog

Yorkshire Rows
JBenaddi
Tue 2 Feb 2016 18:36
So, latest update from somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic. We have got a few days of no wind and sluggish seas so our speed is frustratingly slow, but we are still heading in the right direction and we are still on course to get to Antigua hopefully in another 3 weeks or so. We are well past the half way point now and our aim of getting across successfully is becoming a reality! And we are loving the time together and keeping to our core team value of looking after each other. In fact, the girls surprised me on my birthday with a rendition of Happy Birthday and some little treats and cards from loved ones at home. We all had one chocolate each and a sip of some special mango gin which lovely friends had sent with us. I did shed a tear reading some of the wonderful messages from family, it is amazing how much we miss them all. My infected finger is clearing up nicely too so all is well. This week we have had a pod of dolphins join us and then a big mummy whale came by (boy, she was big!) with her baby and the baby came up close and personal for a little look at our boat. Mummy whale was not too bothered about it getting so close, she must have known the boat was full of Mums too.

We are starting to get a lot of wheel failures as the ball bearings collapse so being chief caretaker of techie stuff I have been doing a lot of balancing precariously on deck surrounded by tools in high seas fixing!! I now have an apprentice, Frances, who is learning the tricks of the trade.

We are loving the nights, not only is it cool (it is sooooooo hot during the days now) but the sky is full of stars in a real 3D viewing. We get 3-4 nighttime rowing shifts of 2 hours so we get plenty of time to really check it all out. I always look up at the moon at my kids bed time and send huge hugs and bedtime wishes their way, knowing that same moon is looking down at them. The book 'I love you to the moon and back' was always a favourite with both my boys, funny all the memories coming back as we row. I spoke with the family yesterday and it was lovely to hear all the news. Every time we get a call or make a call we then all sit on deck (with 2 rowing) and share the news, we get very excited about it all.

So, we are hoping for some stronger winds to come and help us along a little and help these 4 slightly older working mums achieve their goal of getting to the other side of this little pond! Less than 900 miles to go and almost 1800 miles rowed!! Who'd 'ave thought it. Anyway, signing off for now. Niki xxxx

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