Day 135 - The First Big Last
September 20, 2009 – 10:08 am Divers (Click To Enlarge) |
At the end of today we become the longest double handed all male ocean row ever. The previous record holders were Dom Mee and Tim Welford who attempted to row across the same route that we are on now. However, unfortunately they were hit by a fishing boat. Thankfully both survived but unfortunately their boat “Crackers” was broken in half and the attempt had to be called to a halt. Needless to say that today we have been even more cautious than normal of any vessel to pass near us and of course will be even more so in the next few weeks.
Last night was ghastly with no wind and very few waves progress would have been slow anyway but with a small current flowing against us the pace became stagnant and rather demoralising. However, as with everything (especially out here) the wind changed and picked up again from the south and helped us out of that nasty bit of current. Doubtless there is more to come.
Today also marks the day of the first big last. We scrubbed Bo’s bottom for what will hopefully be the last time before getting to San Francisco. With our reduced body weight and the sun sitting slightly lower in the sky that it was in June the sea felt very chilly and once back on board I really needed a lot of clothing to warm up my extremeties. Thankfully BWS (Big Wooly Socks) were on hand for my feet (if that makes sense) and a roasting hot lunch served to warm us backup to normal operational temperature again.
Mick however seems to have much better circulation than me so I sat trussed up like a turkey in a wooly hat, rash vest with blizzard jacket over the top and leggings; Mick was quite happy to row naked.
The growth or barnacles under Bo was the lightest crop that we’ve yet seen and can’t have slowed our progress too much but it’s good to get it all cleared off as we won’t be going swimming again until we’re in our San Franciscan hotel pool.
39°7′47”N 144°15′43”W
Chris & Mick travelled 37.4 miles North-East (heading 55.2°) on day 135
They ended 1179.0 miles from San Francisco (31.8 miles closer than yesterday)
They covered miles 3871 to 3903 of the trip
Their average pace so far has been 28.9 miles/day towards San Francisco
They have 40.8 days remaining at this rate, so would arrive in San Francisco on 30 Oct 2009
Their target heading for the shortest route to San Francisco is East (heading 87.5°)
See where the boat is
Sponsor Thanks
Thanks today go to all those sponsors I missed from the site over the last few days whilst I was on holiday:
- The Coombes Family, who sponsored mile 3781. The boys covered this at 3am in the morning on Day 132.
- The Rossi Family (Marianne and Martin Rossi - friends from Neil Kent), who sponsored miles 3800-3804 which the boys crossed early afternoon on Day 133. They’d like to wish Chris and Mick all the best and “good rowing”, kind regards from Switzerland!
- Georgina Wild, who sponsored miles 3838 and 3839. The boys covered these around 8am on Day 134.
- And finally Sarah Paynter who sponsored miles 3900-3902, covered about 6 hours ago.
Thank you all for your kind support.
If you’d like to sponsor a mile, click on the “Donate” button at the top of the page.
Click on Mick and Chris to see where the boat is
11 Responses to “Day 135 - The First Big Last”
CONGRATULATIONS BOYS…YOU FINALLY DID IT!! San-Fran. must seem like a piece of cake now.Keep yer head up and row harder.Goodluck and lots of love and best wishes…Kisses Grace
By Grace Dawson on Sep 20, 2009
Good job boys an i bet bo is happy to have her bottom scrubbed bring on the GGB now,be safe ,keep warm an love to bo an her clean bottom.x
By jenny b on Sep 20, 2009
Whow Chris and Mick - Congratulations - fantastic, amazing, tremendous, incredible - I could go on and on, but you’ve still got a short distance to row, so keep pushing those oars when weather and sea allows and I hope the wind will be from the right direction to help you along. Good to hear that Bo has a clean bottom - hope that will also help her to glide through the waves. Were your little fishes still underneath Bo when you went down there, or perhaps they do not like the cooler water. Glad you were able to warm up after your dip and that you still have the BWSs. I would imagine that Bolognasty might help too, even if the taste is yukky! Keeeeeep smiling, as always, keeeeep rowing and keeeeeeep safe.
By Sue from Cornwall on Sep 20, 2009
well done Halle Berry and Chris.
Good progress.
Keep it up.
By John Hanafin on Sep 20, 2009
Arrival date in October now….fantastic. Grandma and Grandpa from Leeds, on hol in Hereford send their love, and say to keep rowing safely.
By anthill on Sep 20, 2009
So record number one for this trip. Looking forward to you guys completing the record you set out for and rowing into San Fran.
By Biff (now back in home in Worcester Park) on Sep 20, 2009
Just a few more days and then GGB will be on the horizon….
Stay safe and enjoy the last week or three!
By Dizzie Blonde on Sep 20, 2009
Hello again Chris and Mick
Forgot to say in my earlier message: like the picture of the two of you in your diving gear. Who took the photo?? Is there someone else out there with you?? Or perhaps you have trained a tamed Dolphin to carry out chores for you, including using the camera?? Keeeeeeep smiling, keeeeeeep rowing (all 3 of you??) and keeeeeeep safe.
By Sue from Cornwall on Sep 20, 2009
I read your blog every night in the safety and comfort of my home. It makes chilling reading but you make me feel proud to be British. What you are doing now should be recognised along with the epic journeys of the other great mariner explorers from this region. With every mile you cover the British people will start to take notice and not before time. Well done lads, you’re putting Boston on the map for all the right reasons (for a change)and I hope your efforts get the recognition they deserve.
By Vic on Sep 20, 2009
Yesterday I received through Facebook an ‘Anal Bleaching Kit’ from another TLMB. Once I’ve worked out the fully sordid details, I’ll let you know how (and why) to use it and you can tell me if you need one for Bo.
Yeah - Halle Berry - forget about that one! Cheers Mr H, Ha.
By Typical Lightweight Matelot on Sep 21, 2009
Congratulations Mick and Chris, here’s hoping you have a smooth sail the rest of the way.Also hope the bird will be at San-fran to welcome you too.lol.stay safe.
By Adekunle Juba on Sep 21, 2009