Day 130 - Hail??
September 15, 2009 – 8:21 am Hail (Click To Enlarge) |
It’s been a little blowy last night with more than our normal amount of precipitation. I managed to miss one super downpour by seconds as I shouted a rapid “enjoy!” to Mick through a closing hatch door and a wide smile as I went inside. What goes around comes around though and the North Pacific was about to bring a new weapon to bear…
I’d just finished cooking breakfast when we got run down by the first patch of hail. That certainly surpised both of us. Minutes later it seemed my luck was holding when once again I was in the cabin when the worst hit again.
There really isn’t anything quite like the sound of hail on a cabin roof from the inside.
 Happy Mick (Click To Enlarge) |
Of course luck like that can’t last forever and on my watch I got nailled by another super squall. The wind speeds picked up to around 40kts and so did the seas. Monster waves as big as a three story block of flats rolled past, sometimes breaking, sometimes not but always throwing us around. Of course Mick was on hand to return my favour of emotional support (see today’s photo)
I’ve been wearing salapettes for most of today and they are certainly doing the business at keeping my legs warm and dry. Unfortunately my feet have to wait for inside the cabin where I can break out the big wooly socks. However all this doesn’t really matter too much because all this weather is nudging us in pretty much the right direction. Long may that continue.
38°7′25”N 148°2′50”W
Chris & Mick travelled 50.3 miles East (heading 96.4°) on day 130
They ended 1388.4 miles from San Francisco (48.9 miles closer than yesterday)
They covered miles 3644 to 3693 of the trip
Their average pace so far has been 28.4 miles/day towards San Francisco
They have 48.9 days remaining at this rate, so would arrive in San Francisco on 2 Nov 2009
Their target heading for the shortest route to San Francisco is East (heading 82.9°)
See where the boat is
Sponsor Thanks
Thanks today go to Marjolein and Philip Povel who sponsored miles 2400-2404, which the crew covered on Day 87.
According to Dad Martin:
Marjolein is a much-loved friend whom we have known for 39 years and indeed, 34 years ago, she was our bridesmaid. There’s a particular reason for her specifying these miles, namely that she was on holiday with us in Guernsey that week, and the dynamic duo rowed through these miles during our first day.
Click on Mick and Chris to see where the boat is
14 Responses to “Day 130 - Hail??”
Good Morning Chris and Mick
Glad to hear the weather is helping you on your way, although it sounds a bit too chilly - and noisy with the hail. Hope the hail doesn’t do any damage to Bo. Mick looks a bit like a clown in that pic, with the rosy cheeks and cheezy smile - at least you are keeeeeeeeping cheerful! Watch out for those monster waves….
By Sue from Cornwall on Sep 15, 2009
My third attempt to comment on big hair blog..for some reason it was censored. All I put was that I wanted to add my gurgling and gooing to that of mum martin and great auntie ann over our gorgeous son, great nephew and nephew! Don’t be jealous Mick, now we have a picture of you, we will join your rellies in doing the same! Not sure about the blond highlights Chris, try pink next time. Perhaps it was censored because I was asking all the ocean rowers out there why the Artemis Ocean Rowing Team was skulking around Herefordshire lanes late on Saturday night in a very expensive looking landrover! Are they connected to the SAS? Did you pack a hot water bottle Chris…good for cold feet. Stay safe,
By anthill on Sep 15, 2009
GREAT pictures there. Love it when you post images, means that us land lovers get to see and appreciate more the scale of your challenge - see you’ve been joined by a muppet wearing goggles (look at bottom of picture by Micks right shoulder) and bit concerned that a manekin on the oars isn’t helping your cause?
Need an update now on the Dorrado please? They still with you, got any new groupies in tow?
Keep this pace up and you will arrive in October not November. How Fantastic will that be, fewer Bolonasties, and tea shouldn’t run out! How many of the coconut snacks are left? Just that I am doing a car boot before Christmas and people buy all sorts - even cocnut snacks hand rowed all the way over the pacific, and shipped cargo from SF to LHR!
If you could take a picture or two of the cargo then I may get a few extra quid for them - for your charity of course!! Remind me who is the current highest bidder of the bit or tow line thingie that Mick says is worth more in weight than gold?
Bit further today guys would be nice to see. Don’t bring that weather back with you, summer was short enough without hail!! Stay safe - savour the moment…
By Dizzie Blonde on Sep 15, 2009
Where are your gloves, Chris? I’m worried now that you might get frostbite in your fingers!
Glad to hear that you lads are still getting on OK and taking it in turns to get cold and wet.
Look after each other and make sure you really are tied on tightly in those big seas. You are not surf rowing in Cornwall!
Hope for lots more miles onwards today. Keep going!
By Mum Martin on Sep 15, 2009
watcha boys an theres me thinking its a bit grotty here today!!bo is doing an awesome job there, the old progress chart is looking good just be safe both of you and of course love to bo.x
By jenny b on Sep 15, 2009
2nd of November arrival! Absolutely muching through those miles chaps. Am rather envious of the mega waves - sounds awesome. Not so envious of the hail though.
Am smashing in the training and getting some good times so fingers crossed for a seat in top 4 at 4s head. Given that it’s on 14th November I can only assume you’ll be there to cheer me on
By Margaret on Sep 15, 2009
Gentlemen, I am remiss.
When you started this mega-voyage, I resolved to keep you in touch with news back home, both local and national, on a regular basis, maybe once a week. Methinks these good intentions have lapsed a bit.
Thus, by way of a catch-up, I offer three recent gems culled from the pages of the Surrey Herald.
A night on the tiles? - A few weeks ago, its front page told the tale of a 33-year-old male reveller who was lucky to be alive after plunging 60ft from the roof of The Crown Hotel in Chertsey and smashing through a conservatory. He was taken to St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey suffering from back, neck and pelvic injuries after the fall at about 1 o’clock in the morning.
“Free at the Point of Use?” - Information obtained under the Freedom of Information Act has revealed that Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust has made £3,796,595 profit since 2004 from charging the public to park at the two hospitals. Somewhat predictably, Health bosses have defended this as “fair revenue”!!!
Every little helps! - A Tesco-owned cash machine in Windsor Street dispensed double the requested withdrawal amount between noon and 2pm last Tuesday. Shoppers who asked for £10 were given £20 notes. The answer to your next question is “No”; the first I heard of it was when I read about it it in the paper!
By Dad Martin on Sep 15, 2009
PS. I’ve just noticed the following question constitutes the latest ‘Quick Poll’ on the Surrey Herald’s website:
Do you agree with the findings that Molesey is Surrey’s sexiest town?
66.7% of respondents voted “Yes”.
Following recent comments on certain pictures (from a number of quarters), Mum Martin has offered the suggestion that the presence of numerous ‘fit’ Molesey Boat Club members may have given the town an unfair advantage!?*!!*?
By Dad Martin on Sep 15, 2009
OK, so you’ve got the Hail - now where’s Mary?
(Do I catch the express lift down to Hell?)
By Typical Lightweight Matelot on Sep 15, 2009
Mick darling!You cheeky monkey!!I can’t believe the amount of humour you guys have got going on in that boat;not with the amount of waves,hail,storms and all that you’ve been through:)
Keep your chins up and the humour flowing and San francisco wouldn’t know what hit it by the time you get there…Goodluck guys,Kisses
By Grace Dawson on Sep 15, 2009
Keep it going Men, just fantastic. Picture that bledy gert steel bridge on the horizon, must be almost time to start looking…. Perhaps not yet, but not far off!!!
This blog’s always a good read, you keep inspiring me to get on with mine. Must convert all this hot air into something!! Met Phil Morrison yesterday and started initially designing the boat. Will tell all on your return.
If you keep this mileage up you’ll be in way ahead of schedule.
Brilliant
Cheers, Justin
By Footballing rower from Beer on Sep 15, 2009
Fair play to you both getting stuck in, looks horrible out there (no wonder Mick is smiling so much!) Glad the weather is working with you even if it is Rock & Roll out there! Certainly looks like not very far to go (relative to how far you have been). Don’t know if you heard but Eddie Izzard is completing his own challenge when he runs into London today. He has run 43 marathons in 50 days, to raise ‘billions’ for sport relief. His route took him round the UK starting and finishing in London. Apparently he has been suffering from blisters on blisters (should have got rid of the heals). He has been taking ice baths every day to stop his legs ’swelling up to twice the size of an elephant’ There you go, all that hail should be good for your joints ;o)
Dig in chaps, not far now :o)
By Peperami on Sep 15, 2009
Brilliant work guys. Amazing mileage! You really are closing in on those Golden Gates now! Keep it up!
Loving the photos, as always, can we have a photo of some of the big waves that you are rowing through currently? Carefully does it though!
M
By Max on Sep 15, 2009
Just to make sure we don’t just have thirteen messages, thought I would add another message to make it an even number! Wonder if I am going to be first to blog and last to blog today…. Good to see FRFB is back.
Hope all is well out there Chris and Mick. Keeeeep waaaaarm, keeeep roooooowing, keeeeeep smiiiiiiling and keeeeeeep saaaaaaafe.
By Sue from Cornwall on Sep 15, 2009