Day 55 - New Seats And Sunrise
July 2, 2009 – 9:43 am Mick And The Sunrise (click to enlarge) |
The best thing about starting a brand new month is that we get to open a brand new sheepskin pad. The comfort level suddenly increases multiple times over and although we never really look forwards to sitting down for a stint at the oars at least we’re less likely to wince whenever we sit down. The foam padding that we have for between the sheepskin and the wooden seat has become rather compressed and now closer resembles a sheet of paper than the camping mat that it has been cut from. However by cutting a seat shape out of the older sheepskin pads and adding them to the new seats we’ve upped the comfort once again. My bottom is positively squealing with pleasure.
We’re still making progress east, in spite the wind, and the weather has started to pick it up a gear. We’re preparing for a blow from the south in the next few days followed by a blow from the north. As we’re agonisingly close to the date line this is rather infuriating but there really is nothing we can do about it other than keep doing the best we can do. The one thing that the change in weather has brought was a breathtaking sun rise this morning. As I crawled out of the cabin this morning at 4am it certainly lifted my spirits. Mick who had been facing the other way for the previous 2 hours and was more keen to get in the cabin than a whole pot of mustard didn’t really notice. Probably best I didnt get him to pose for photos for too long.
33°35′50”N 176°19′21”E
Chris & Mick travelled 33.6 miles North-East (heading 51.4°) on day 55
They ended 3384.4 miles from San Francisco (32.5 miles closer than yesterday)
They covered miles 1665 to 1696 of the trip
Their average pace so far has been 30.9 miles/day towards San Francisco
They have 109.7 days remaining at this rate, so would arrive in San Francisco on 19 Oct 2009
Their target heading for the shortest route to San Francisco is East-North-East (heading 66.6°)
See where the boat is
Satellite Problems
Apologies for the late posts over the last few days. Chris’ blog updates have been coming through rather later than normal as there’s a dodgy satellite on the network which keeps passing over their position from 1am to 9am UK time. For whatever reason it means that they can’t send data (i.e. the blog update) until latched onto another satellite after 9am, by which time I’ve normally left for work. This should pass within a few days and they’ll be back onto their old schedule.
Click on Mick and Chris to see where the boat is
9 Responses to “Day 55 - New Seats And Sunrise”
Hi Chris and Mick
Great sunrise pickie. Glad the new sheepskin seats are so comfy, although I am a bit concerned at your talk of your bottom squealing - have you been eating beans?
Our heatwave here in Cornwall has been temporarily dampened by thunderstorms, but it still feels very warm and airless. Hope weather is nice where you are. Keeeeep smiling, keeeeep rowing, keeeeep safe.
By Sue from Cornwall on Jul 2, 2009
Hello Men, Thinking of you at the beggining and end of days as I am rowing to work at the mo!! An hour an a half each way, nothing to your daily slog, but is better than the drive… I don’t envy your behind problems, I’ve found a nice warm shower after each row and 8-12 hrs rest and there’s not even a pimple…
Good to hear you’re still making relatively good progress. Keep up the charge, great blogging!
Justin
By footballing rower from beer on Jul 2, 2009
BEST QUOTE OF YOUR TRIP SO FAR!!
‘My bottom is positively squealing with pleasure’
May it continue squealing for many days to come
By Tracey on Jul 2, 2009
Hi Boys - it’s me again. I’m just wondering where everyone is today? Maybe they’ve been so busy at work that they havent had time to send any little messages to you two yet. Anyhow, I hope they all wake up soon and get blogging!
By Sue from Cornwall on Jul 2, 2009
Sue, with Henley Regatta starting yesterday I can account for at least two other regular bloggers as well as my good self. We will all be back with various states of hangovers on Monday with days of blogs to catch up on, so make them good Chris.
And Chris an MBC Henley update, The Thames Cup 8 are through the QF, the Thames B crew lost to TSS, Monkey’s Visitors 4- smashed leander off the water today, a margin nobody =, least of all the pinkos expected judging by the in launch comments from their coaches!
Jonny’s Plate 8 lost to MIT in an awesome race, shame about the MBC result but the boys were great.
Hodge had ding dong in the 2-, not really, they paddled in about 200m ahead of some little dudes, they ahve the Kiwi’s on Saturday beat them in Munich a couple of weeks ago so their test starts then.
Keech (J), Higgsy, Keech (O) and crowd have been in fine voice from Remenham, Keech (J) even managing to stand up yesterday evening… quite an achievment after the Pimms and Lager he’d he;ped the bar get rid of that day!!
Hope that quick HRR report didn’t get to dull for other bloggers!!
Oh… and the last two days Stewards have allowed gentleman to remove their jackets INSIDE Stewards Enclosure… and you think it’s been hot in the Pacific, do you know what it takes for jackets to be allowed off in Stewards!
By Biff on Jul 2, 2009
Oh and C&M, looking at your mileage chart it seems you may cross mile 1707 tomorrow/ today/ yesterday (depending on when this was written and when you read it!) I’ve sponsired that mile as 17 July is my little girl, Jessica’s, Birthday! She will be 1 in a little over 2 weeks and pleased I’m sure to be sponsoring your 1707 mile!
By Biff on Jul 2, 2009
Hi Boys - and Hi Biff
Glad you’re all having a great time at Henley - I had forgotten that it is that time of year again! May the best team/teams win! Amazing that Jackets were allowed to be removed - gosh it must have been h-o-t!
Also Biff, do hope little Jessica has a very happy 1st Birthday on 17th July, and that the sun shines for her special day.
Meanwhile, out there in the big blue yonder, I hope C and M are ok. We look forward to seeing some more pickies….
By Sue from Cornwall on Jul 2, 2009
Biff - who is Jonny that you refer to in Plate 8? Have a reason for asking !! Is it the same Johnny who has his birthday on 17th July too?? Same as your daughter? Be grateful if you could check!! Was thinking a joint birthday bash may be in order!
By Tracey on Jul 2, 2009
Chris and Mick, I am so happy to hear you are both still rowing with great success and are safe! What an undertaking! You’re both quite brave. I’m Keith’s cousin in CA. I hope I can be there when you all arrive safely!!!!!
I’m a just retired teacher, like your mom. Now I have the time to hopefully, catch up on your adventure. Be safe, the computer hook up is amazing, pictures clear, info. great, another plus is reading the info. of others. Kathleen
By Kathleen Shilala on Jul 3, 2009