Day 122 - Sunsets And Sunny Weather
September 7, 2009 – 8:37 am Sunset (Click To Enlarge) |
One of the main features of my row (and I understand most rows across the Atlantic) is the amazing sunsets and sunrises that greet and wave goodbye to each day. This is down in part to the high pressure (weather) systems operating in the Atlantic and generally mean that you can see the sun at or near the horizon.
Unfortunately except for a few minor moments we have not seen the sort of spanking sunsets that I enjoyed back then.
However the weather system that we’re currently enjoying (mainly because of the wind direction but also because of the sunshine) has meant a return if brief to those heady days of sunsets and sunrises.
We’ve even changed the clocks back an hour before we are due to so that we can both sit down to dinner and enjoy them. (That and it was difficult to see what we were eating otherwise).
We’re making stonking progress, the sun is shining and we can’t wait to see that big red bridge. Apparently it’s just over the next wave
37°50′18”N 153°42′46”W
Chris & Mick travelled 54.4 miles East (heading 78.8°) on day 122
They ended 1696.5 miles from San Francisco (54.4 miles closer than yesterday)
They covered miles 3331 to 3385 of the trip
Their average pace so far has been 27.7 miles/day towards San Francisco
They have 61.1 days remaining at this rate, so would arrive in San Francisco on 7 Nov 2009
Their target heading for the shortest route to San Francisco is East (heading 80.3°)
See where the boat is
Sponsor Thanks
Thanks today go to Helena Smalman-Smith who sponsored mile 3333. The boys crossed this early yesterday morning.
Would you like to sponsor a mile?
Click on Mick and Chris to see where the boat is
15 Responses to “Day 122 - Sunsets And Sunny Weather”
You’ll be home in time for tea and medals.
By Laser.Beam on Sep 7, 2009
Last one to the GGB Bridge is a rotten egg!
Having been offline over the weekend (distracted by a wedding on Sat, not mine, and working all day Sun)it was saddening to hear of the rubbish you were rowing through. Not good, however it is no different in many ways to rowing the Fours Head of the River, there is a lot of rubbish around there too!
By General Melchett on Sep 7, 2009
Absolutley General!
By Biff on Sep 7, 2009
Hi Chris and Mick
Liked the sunset picture - perhaps that bright light in the distance is where the Golden Gate is hiding….
Interesting comment by General Melchett about rubbish in the river - of course, most rivers of the world flow out into the nearest oceans, so that river rubbish will end up floating on the surface of places like the North Pacific - yukk! Oh why are we so messy?
Keep pushing those oars chaps - you’re doing so well! Keeeeeep smiling, keeeeeeep rowing and keeeeeeep safe.
By Sue from Cornwall on Sep 7, 2009
Morning guys,
Sue, not 100% sure that the General was talking about rubbish in the river - suspect he may well have been talking about rubbish ‘around’ the river (during the Head of the River race)
and on that point I am off - hope to return tomorrow morning to see that you have put in a strong performance today - nothing like those chaps during the Head of the River!!
Remember, that bridge really is just round the next bend..!
By Dizzie Blonde on Sep 7, 2009
Cracking progress Gents, good to see your patience for the good days is paying off.
Quick surf rowing update Chris: Molesey Marauders marauded into the ESRF final this weekend but due to inexperience onboard, when the call came to crack a sweet wave home (and potentially a medal) the “trail!” call was met with quizzical and blank stares. Pete Gaisford’s head dropped and the boat went sideways. Of course with Tom at stroke and Gav at bow knowing what to do, the middle pair were left soemwhere between the seats and the gunnel pinned down by their blade handles as Tom and Gav gracefully passed theirs over their heads and tried to make their way to the back of the boat!
They clocked their 6th place and immediately headed back out to sea to right their wrong. They proceeded to cherry pick the best wave of the day and had a glorious right to the beach in the back of the boat with Gav doing the traditional ‘gun’ salute!
In other news, I subbed into a scratch crew at last minute (they were literally scratching around the beach for a rower and ended up with me) and we got the bronze. Don’t want to say it too loud incase I upset Gav again. Oh how surf rowing is so unfair!
When you feel that lift Chris, just remember that next year is OTE again.
Press on Gents.
By Boing Boing on Sep 7, 2009
Boing Boing I hope you gave yourself an Ozzie speedo wedgie. It’s the only reason so many people watch the comps in Oz (speedos and wedgies - what a combo!)
Chris and Mick you’re closing the gap rapidly. Stonking. BTW which flag are you flying? Lovely Sunday lunch with Birdy, Murray and a few others at my new place in Brizzle yesterday. Way too much adventure chat. We got the low down on Ray Mears and Bear from one of my buddies who has worked on lots of their shows and a full update on Muzz’s impending tri nations kite surf mission between England, Ireland and Wales (longest kite surf ever attempted). Niall wasn’t around as he is heading off to climb some big bit of rock out in America. Meanwhile Birdy and I are busy being house bitches and holding down day jobs. Training starts today at Bristol City RC and the plan looks awesome - based on the very detailed trainig plan I’d say the coach really knows his stuff so I have high hopes for a good season with the seniors. Nothing like a return to the 6 days a week stylee to get ready for Atlantic record hey?!
Peace out.
By Margaret on Sep 7, 2009
It’s suddenly come to my attention that most children have already started their new school-year. With this in mind, it’s only right that we wish good luck to all those members of (last year’s) class 5 (who, of course, were class 2 three years ago) as they move onward and upward!
A warm welcome to the NEW class 5 who, under the watchful eye of their teacher, Mrs Sue Marshall, will hopefully ‘pick up the baton’ of supporting our dynamic duo, and thereby maintain a long and noble tradition!
Accordingly, we offer the following jokes to bring a smile to your lips.
Q. Where do gnomes go when they’re feeling ill?
A. The National Elf Service.
Q. How do you make anti-freeze?
A. Send her to the North Pole.
Q. Name the bees’ favourite pop star.
A. Sting.
Pupil to teacher: “Miss, would you punish a pupil for something they hadn’t done?”
Teacher: “Of course not.”
Pupil: Good, then you won’t mind that I haven’t done my homework!”
By Dad Martin on Sep 7, 2009
Margaret, is the coach at Bristol City a certain Tony Larkman, if so all the best! More seriously if it is then you’ll have a great year, results wise and fun wise.
Dad Martin great jokes, that last one nver worked at school though. I remember one teacher who shall remain nameless shouting
“Simmons…. DON’T GET CLEVER WITH ME”
He didn’t like the response of “Sorry Sir, I thought getting clever was the point of your lesson’s. How stupid would you like me to be?”
Much litter picking during Friday lunch breaks for me after that!
By Biff on Sep 7, 2009
Biff - Coaches are Ian and Neil…
Dad Martin - Cath and I particularly enjoyed this GCSE answer joke which was sent to us during our Atlantic trip:
Q. What is a semi colon?
A. Partial removal of the intestine
By Margaret on Sep 7, 2009
Watcha lads brill progress its great to see those days going down ,well this was eerie was down the river (running) not rowing an deep in thought actually thinking of you both an i passed a barge called bo jangle it was just sitting there all by itself if there had been anyone there well they would have soon known about you both .Be safe an love to the real bo.x
By jenny b on Sep 7, 2009
Hi Chris and Mick
Comment to jenny b - I may have mentioned way back at the start of Chris and Mick’s big journey, that I discovered a shoe shop on the north Cornish Coast called Bojangles! I wonder if the owners of that shop have discovered this site…. maybe Chris and Mick could do with some new shoes when they step onto dry land…. - I will go in to see them when I am next there… (but not sure when that will be as I am in the thick of house-hunting and getting ready to move at the moment, which is fraught on a daily basis with hurdles to be overcome!
Keep up the good work lads - we are all so proud of you both - keeeeeep smiling, keeeeep rowing and keeeeep safe
By Sue from Cornwall on Sep 7, 2009
There is also a Bojangles shop in Perranporth, it is north Cornwall so don’t know if that is the one you are thinking of S from C? It did have some shoes in the window but looked to be and odds and sods shop.
By Boing Boing on Sep 7, 2009
Hi Boing Boing - You are right - the shop I found is in Perranporth, so it must be the same one - and it may sell “odds and sods” as well as shoes!! Don’t think Chris and Mick will need any odds and sods though, as I think they are surrounded by plenty of that, floating on the surface of the ocean! It’s the middle of the night now as I type this, so Cinderella had better leave the ball and find her slippers!
By Sue from Cornwall on Sep 8, 2009
I love Perranporth - especially on a Saturday afternoon when all the tourists are burnt up a treat. “eh eh, watch mee sunburrrnnn” (that’s a scouse accent by the way)
By Laser.Beam on Sep 8, 2009