Yorkshire Rows
JBenaddi
Wed 3 Feb 2016 18:57
Well I have now been at sea for 45 days sharing a small constantly rocking space with 3 other women. It started for me, as expected, with the dreaded sea sickness. On day one as I was releasing the contents of my stomach a school of dolphins came to visit. I felt so ill they could have done a circus show and I simply couldn't care less. I am not sure how I kept up my two hour on and off rowing shift in that first week but I couldn't let the girls down. They were great at keeping me hydrated with water and ultra fuel.
Christmas Day came and we celebrated with giving each other secret Santa presents. We have since ended up with our own presents back!!!! Mine were socks which are now easing the constant blisters on my feet.
We have nearly reached our 2k nautical miles rowed. Our hands and bottoms are very sore and it feels like we are rowing on a bed of pins but this is huge land mark for us. We are also only a few miles away from the "mystical" western part of the Ridge.
New Year's Day started with an interview on BBC breakfast: I took that call and boy was I happy as I got to speak to Mike Bushell (have a slight crush) and I had a peperami in my snack pack what more could I wish for...
I still can't believe the magnitude of what we are doing. The past 45 days have been extremely tough not only on our bodies but mentally too. We are all coping unbelievably well and I am trying to enjoy the lows as well as the highs. Some of the highs so far are rowing at night with a full moon amazing clear skies and jake bugg in my ears. One night in particular the ocean looked like it was full of fairy lights and I had to ask Frances whether I was seeing things. We have seen whales, dolphins and have been hit in the face by flying fish. We feel very honoured to be here. I think the Atlantic plays games with us, as like clockwork it hits us full on with a wave just before we are about to finish our shift and have a sleep. How does it know??!!.
Main highlight for me are my calls home to my family which I make weekly - living in this situation really makes you appreciate the important people in your life and one of the changes for me when I return home is spending more time with family.
Lows are definitely the knock on the cabin door during the night shift after having 2 hours sleep and having to venture out of the warm sleeping bag to being thrown around and soaked to the skin by the waves that you can't see until they hit you.
Well still got a few more days until we reach Antigua so we will be enjoying them as best we can. Main driver for doing this is raising money for our charities. Please visit our website for full details of how to donate. Every penny will help.
Love
Helen x
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