Day 112 - BWS And Cables
August 28, 2009 – 8:40 am Big Wooly Socks (Click To Enlarge) |
Last night as we settled back into some rather uncomfortable rowing with the wind blowing from the north it got rather chilly. In fact as the sun dipped below the horizon it became clear it was going to be a very cold evening. It’s the first time that the wooly leggings and blizzard jacket have come out of hiding since May. I also have one other all action hero though. The BWS.
Now having worked at him! for a few years I always thought that BWS was beers, wines and spirits. Not so! BWS actually stands for big wooly socks. A handmade christmas gift (thank you Stoja) There really isn’t anything better than coming in from the cold splashy outside and slipping on these. The weather perked up as dawn came and now with a slight south nudge in the westerly wind the temperature has picked up too. However I’m pretty sure that as autumn approaches the BWS are going to be seeing a lot more action.
Wind and waves are in our favour at the moment although how long for remains to be seen. We’re due to get stopped again for a couple of days shortly but hopefully by rowing our socks off now we can at least make the best of what we have before it all changes again.
The only other story today is one of extreme relief. We’ve been having some problems recently with connecting our sattelite phone and laptop to the sattelite so we can send you updates and receive messages. It finally stopped working altogether today and a mild panic ensued while I tried to work out a way to get round the problem. There are quite a lot of things to go wrong but it looked as though it may have been the serial connector that connects the phone to the laptop.
I remembered that we did have a spare that was due to be used by our backup communication system that we’ve never been able to get working (even on dry land before we left). The connector was a bit rusty but after a clean out worked perfectly and was accompanied in this by a lot of whooping and hollering from me. Being able to keep in touch with everyone back home is really important to me and now we’ve solved this problem there shouldn’t be too many more times when the blog post is delayed.
37°34′40”N 159°26′0”W
Chris & Mick travelled 56.8 miles East (heading 87.5°) on day 112
They ended 2007.0 miles from San Francisco (56.0 miles closer than yesterday)
They covered miles 3019 to 3075 of the trip
Their average pace so far has been 27.5 miles/day towards San Francisco
They have 73.1 days remaining at this rate, so would arrive in San Francisco on 9 Nov 2009
Their target heading for the shortest route to San Francisco is East-North-East (heading 78.0°)
See where the boat is
Sponsor Thanks
Thanks today go to Rosie Maygothling who sponsored miles 1999-2000, which the boys covered back on day 66. Rosie wanted to congratulate Mick and Chris, and remind them that they should keep the rhythm going strong through the middle of the course.
Would you like to sponsor a mile?
Click on Mick and Chris to see where the boat is
20 Responses to “Day 112 - BWS And Cables”
I’m not surprised staying in touch is important. Afterall, without the sat link you wouldn’t know the punchline to yesterday’s joke is, “but he’ll still be a danger to kids”
By Laser.Beam on Aug 28, 2009
I can imagine it is crucial to stay in touch, although I’m sure that L.B and me must be edited out otherwise I don’t think you have reconnected the laptop!
By the way wouldn’t you be a bit warmer if you wore something else with the BWS? They do look splendid, a pair for me this Xmas please Stoja.
Oh and I was glad to hear from Dad Martin yesterday that your brother Mike’s sex change went well. Congratulations Michelle.
By Biff on Aug 28, 2009
By the way I assume he is your brother, Mike and that you don’t have a pet monk named Brother Mike.
By Biff on Aug 28, 2009
Not sure rowing your socks of is a good plan. It is also a little ungracious of you considering that Stoja probably spent a fair amount of time making them.
I crack myself up sometimes!
I accept that for the most part it is only me that is cracked up but hey.
By Fat Bloke on Aug 28, 2009
Hello Chris and Mick
So now you know how it feels to be incommunicado, even though for you it was just a short moment in time, whereas when I had that problem, it was for about 3 weeks!! Seriously though, being in that situation whilst in the middle of a huge ocean must be somewhat scarey and very lonely. Glad you are back on-line - hope you will remain so for the rest of the journey.
Nice socks - I agree with Biff, you should wear something else as well, ‘cos it’s no good just having warm feet but being cold everywhere else! Maybe someone can knit a “body-sock” for you…. but am not sure how we would get it to you - maybe via Albratros Delivery Services…
Keeeeeeep smiling, keeeeeeeep rowing and keeeeeeep safe.
By Sue from Cornwall on Aug 28, 2009
Don’t worry fat bloke, that cracked me up too.
By Margaret on Aug 28, 2009
The MJ joke that you lot are steadfastly refusing to acknowledge cracked me up.
By Laser.Beam on Aug 28, 2009
Looked at the map today and I suddenly realised that you’re making serious progress.
Press on Men.
By Boing Boing on Aug 28, 2009
I quite liked my Brother Mike joke too.
By Biff on Aug 28, 2009
Here you go Chris, I think I pull this one out everytime so you’ll know it well by now, but hey, the old ones are best!
Two goldfish in a tank, one says to the other; ‘how do you drive this thing?’
By Boing Boing on Aug 28, 2009
Love the Goldfish in a Tank joke, Boing Boing!!!
By Sue from Cornwall on Aug 28, 2009
Two ants in the airing cupboard which ones Scottish?
The one on the pipes.
By Biff on Aug 28, 2009
Two ants in the airing cupboard which ones in the army?
The one on the tank.
By Biff on Aug 28, 2009
Whats orange and sounds like a parrat?
A carrot.
By Biff on Aug 28, 2009
I’d get rowing if I was you, I’ve got loads of these.
By Biff on Aug 28, 2009
Comment to Biff - hey do keep em coming! What’s a “parrat” ??
By Sue from Cornwall on Aug 28, 2009
What do you call a fish with no eyes?
A fsh.
By Typical Lightweight Matelot on Aug 29, 2009
What do you call a deer with no eyes?
No idea?
By Typical Lightweight Matelot on Aug 29, 2009
What do you call a deer with no eyes and no legs?
Still no idea.
By Typical Lightweight Matelot on Aug 29, 2009
A dutch court has taken custody of a 13 year old and made the family services her legal guardian(s) to prevent her attempting a round-the-world solo voyage.
The kid said she is going to move to NZ where she can claim citizenship as she was born there whilst her mum and dad were sailing around the world.
How old is old enough? How young is to young?
By Typical Lightweight Matelot on Aug 29, 2009