slow progress 18:05.62N 39:47.66W

Atlantic Vets Blog
Paul Milnthorpe / Jim Houlton
Thu 11 Feb 2010 11:32

Hello,

Going very slowly at the moment and again don't really know why. That is one of the most annoying things about this crossing-without the trade winds and ocean currents it would take much longer to do and so you get used to having a helping hand from them but when they stop and you are rowing just as hard for little reward it is more than a little annoying. Is very hot again, going to go swimming and check the bottom of boat in midday heat to cool down.

Have found this week really hard as we have passed the half way point (pointS as there seem to be so many different ways of measuring half way...) This sounds strange as you would have thought that that would be something to celebrate. However up until now I have just been happy with plodding along in the right direction in a reasonable position within the fleet but upon reaching half way you can help but thing that you have the same distance to go again. As it took us over 5 weeks to get to the half way stage makes a 70+ day crossing a bit more of a reality, not what I had psyched myself up for when aiming for high 50's/early 60's.

On a bit more positive note we did have 5 days in the 'first half' when we were unable to row due to the storms and every one does say that the 'second half' is the quicker one, fingers crossed!

Personally I am also not enjoying this dry food, which that we had taken more of the wet stuff as was SO much easier to heat up and eat quickly when coming off the oars. Don't thing that I have lost any noticeable weight yet but thing that that is going to change with this new menu.

Jim