Day 132 - Right Place, Right Time
September 17, 2009 – 9:22 amWe’re currently enjoying some thoroughly helpful conditions which although they are perhaps a tad aggressive are certainly helping us get in the right place for the right time. It may look like we’re heading north away from San Francisco. Well we are but for all the right reasons and most importantly we’re choosing to do this rather than the weather completely dictate where we go.
Looking at the routing charts of the west coast USA for this time of year (and in fact most times of the year) there is a consistant wind that blows from the north to north east. It is likely ot be strong enough that we wouldn’t be able to go straight across and so we are aiming a little higher in preparation for that. The really exciting part comes around 130 degrees west when we make our final turn towards SF but for now we’re heading north.
The waves continue to be nasty enough to get us constantly wet and during my only attempt to get out of the salapettes and back to some skin on sheepskin rowing we had 4 growlers that swamped the boat soaking me in the process so I’ll be back to wearing the sallapettes again for the next shift.
Yesterday was an odd one for me. I wasn’t feeling quite right and the only way I can think of describing it is this. In the film version of the Lord ofthe Rings, Bilbo says to Gandalf. “I’m tired, like butter scraped over too much bread.” It wasn’t anything physical, mental or emotional but I had hit a strange wall that just confused the hell out of me for a while. I asked Mick if I had been ‘funny’ over the past few days as I had a feeling that I hadn’t been myself for a while. Thankfully though his response put me right.”Not any more so than normal, it’s probably something to do with being on day 131 of a mammoth ocean rowing trip”. I’m happy to report that I’m feeling much better today despite the soakings the ocean is handing out.
38°23′5”N 146°22′29”W
Chris & Mick travelled 59.8 miles East-North-East (heading 62.3°) on day 132
They ended 1296.2 miles from San Francisco (55.7 miles closer than yesterday)
They covered miles 3730 to 3786 of the trip
Their average pace so far has been 28.7 miles/day towards San Francisco
They have 45.2 days remaining at this rate, so would arrive in San Francisco on 3 Nov 2009
Their target heading for the shortest route to San Francisco is East (heading 84.3°)
See where the boat is
Click on Mick and Chris to see where the boat is
19 Responses to “Day 132 - Right Place, Right Time”
There is nothing worse than a swamping growler.
(TLMB - that one is for you)
By Laser.Beam on Sep 17, 2009
Welldone guys:)
By Grace Dawson on Sep 17, 2009
Welcome back, grasshopper!
Here are a few reasons to chortle, which you can share with Class 5 and the pupils at Hamilton Lodge.
Q. How do you make an apple puff?
A. Chase it round the kitchen.
Teacher to pupil: What do you get if you divide 2365 by 37?
Pupil: The wrong answer, I expect, Miss.
Teacher to same pupil: Put the word ‘judicious’ into a sentence to show you understand its meaning.
Pupil: Hands that judicious can be soft as your face with mild green Fairy Liquid (It’s OK, product placement is going to be legal soon, at least on commercial television!).
Q. What do you call a Roman emperor with flu?
A. Julius Sneezer.
Q. Why do gorillas have such big nostrils?
A. Because they’ve got big fingers.
By Dad Martin on Sep 17, 2009
Brilliant work guys, well done!
And Chris, glad to hear that you are feeling better today. Ups and downs are natural so just role with the punches I guess? Just remember, you may be Christoph, or Istoph, or Christine to those guys in there, but there is still one person who hasn’t forgotten where Christopher Martin came from. We’re awful proud of you…
Don’t forget your sheepskin bum-mat.
By Max on Sep 17, 2009
Watcha lads well im crap at map reading but i think by looking at the map hawaii is right under you send those calm seas down there for me.As usual be safe an love to bo.x
By jenny b on Sep 17, 2009
Chris, it’s called cream crackered.
By Margaret on Sep 17, 2009
This is getting exciting, almost sub 1000 mmiles to go!
RRRRRRROOOOOOOAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRR!!! Beat that.
Press on.
By Boing Boing on Sep 17, 2009
RRRRRRROOOOOOOAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRR!!! Beat that.
RRRRRRROOOOOOOAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!
By Laser.Beam on Sep 17, 2009
Laser.Beam
I haven’t swamped for ages - must be … a good couple of weeks now.
Are you referring to Pauline Fowler’s Growler? (For those sad individuals that watch that cr@p called TV)
Now if we were to move onto the GlandSlam stakes (same context) I have an absolutely corking story that I doubt Lt George, Bumfluff, The Badger or even Strangely Brown could top. Maybe over a cold one in SF.
By Typical Lightweight Matelot on Sep 17, 2009
Hi Chris and Mick
You’re doing so well, despite feeling “all shook-up” as Elvis would have said! Keep at it - not too long to go. Hopefully, your decision to head north will be the right one if the northerly winds then push you nearer to the Golen Gate. Once you step onto solid, dry land, it will feel so strange after what you are going through at the moment! Keeeeeep smiling, keeeeep rowing, try to keeeeeep dry and keeeeep safe.
By Sue from Cornwall on Sep 17, 2009
Grand Slam as in all four right? Awesome. Maybe over a beer some time!
By Laser.Beam on Sep 17, 2009
Class 5 - the answer is 63.919
Glad to hear that you’re still the same nutter that we know & love Chris. Mick, all we can do is apologise!
Not sure I want to know what 4 large, wet growlers are doing on Bo…this is supposed to be unsupported crossing by two people you know.
I think you must be approaching the Fulham bend soon, so give it a big 10 on the legs and you’ll be home in no time.
Pip pip.
By Captain of Vice on Sep 17, 2009
Hi guys,
Just wanted to say what a great job you are both doing.
It has inspired me to walk to the Chinese & not get the free delivery (mind you it does look like rain)
Well Boys cheering you both on from this end
Korky, Jon, Lee & the Girls (Essex Mafia)
By Jon Turner on Sep 17, 2009
Surely Pauline Fowler’s growler hasn’t been worth mentioning since it was on Are You Being Served.
By The Egypt!an on Sep 17, 2009
Chris and Mick, just a wee bit further now…..
By Dizzi Blonde on Sep 17, 2009
Brilliant! Well done guys. Keep well, keep safe and keep going. Getting closer by the day.
Lots of appreciation.
By Theresa Hearts of Gold on Sep 17, 2009
Dear Chris,
So you are a mortal after all! Only today while writing to your Grandmother I asked her if you really were a human or indeed perhaps you were the mythical Odysseus reincarnated in a human body? Your comments today reassured me that you were indeed one of us with feelings about “not being quite right”. Mick wisely assured you that this was a normal response to sitting on a boat in difficult circumstances for 131 days! Actually anyone doing what you two are doing must have been certifiable to set off in the first place, and if not then, now. And I love you for it! Besides what would your old aunt do without you for her vicarious excitement. So be reassured that “feeling strange” is par for the course. Oh, any chance of straying too far north and making landfall in Vancouver? Lions Gate Bridge may not be golden but the Canadian populace would give you two Argonauts a heros welcome! Be of good cheer, the goal is within reach!
With love from your Great-Aunt Chris near Vancouver.
By christine woolcott on Sep 18, 2009
Pauline Fowler’s Growler wouldn’t be worth mentioning, even on the spurt of the moment.
By Laser.Beam on Sep 18, 2009
Laser.Beam
Quality!!
By Typical Lightweight Matelot on Sep 18, 2009