Day 141 - Hot And Flat
September 26, 2009 – 10:56 am Sunny Day (Click To Enlarge) |
Last night we started to eek out some more reasonable speeds from Bo and that’s continued today. Despite no wind at all we’ve actually done rather well. Rowing at night with no wind at all is rather eerie and strange to think that even 900nm from San Francisco the ocean can be perfectly calm. It certainly makes the watch changes easier as Bo isn’t rocking and rolling around all over the place but it does put that little bit of extra pressure on tired bodies so we feel each stroke that little bit more.
Today has been a repeat performance of the night but rahter predictably with the sun up making it a lovely opportunity to top up those sun tans that we have lost over the last few weeks of cloud and rain.
This morning I looked in the water and saw loads of jellyfish of different shapes and sizes. Of course as soon as I brought out the camera they disappeared but it certainly looks like the ocean is starting to wake up again after a period where there seems to be hardly anything in the water at all. Hopefully this signals the start of some more marine life as it’s ages since we saw a dolphin or whale.
40°59′58”N 140°58′31”W
Chris & Mick travelled 42.7 miles East-North-East (heading 71.9°) on day 141
They ended 1009.6 miles from San Francisco (39.1 miles closer than yesterday)
They covered miles 4033 to 4072 of the trip
Their average pace so far has been 28.9 miles/day towards San Francisco
They have 35.0 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 96.5°)
See where the boat is
Sponsor Thanks
Thanks today go to Ian and Suzanne Brown who sponsored miles 4043-4045. Mick and Chris covered these at around lunchtime yesterday. Ian and Suzanne asked me to “Send our best wishes to Chris and tell him Hilary had to give her old bike to Spuddy to raise this money.”
Click on Mick and Chris to see where the boat is
9 Responses to “Day 141 - Hot And Flat”
Nice one lads, good effort. 900nm is that all! Is that a Nigerian flag on your bow??
Keep going strong.
From John and Cynthia.
By John Hanafin on Sep 26, 2009
What a lovely picture! Great to see you two boys enjoying some flat water and sunny weather.
Good mileage yesterday, but you seem to be going a long way North. I trust your predicted Northerly winds will kick in nearer the coast and you do row in under the Golden Gate. I’m looking forward to seeing San Fran, not a bit of remote Pacific coastline north of the great city!
Just finished talking on the phone to Geoff Allum (early Atlantic Ocean rower and owner of ‘Pacific Pete’, the boat which Chris used to row across the Atlantic solo). He wishes you all the best, Chris. He promised me he will get to grips with his computer and look at this website so I welcome him to the blog.
By Mum Martin on Sep 26, 2009
No tan lines there then boys! Stay safe…
and enjoy every last day out there….
By Dizzie Blonde on Sep 26, 2009
Love the photo boys - all the best and checking in on you everyday. Take care Boozy & her boysx
By Boozy Bird on Sep 26, 2009
Best photo ever!!Love that you guys have some sun shine again to buff up that TAN.
Wow!That really is a NIGERIAN FLAG!!:-)
By Grace Dawson on Sep 26, 2009
Well Hello Sailors!
I’m confused after looking at the photo today - where are you? Somewhere off the coast of Italy on the Mediterranean? I thought you were supposed to be on the North Pacific getting ever closer to San Fran.
Watch out for those Jelly Fish as some of them have a nasty sting, so don’t dangle your fingers in the water when they are near Bo. Keeeeeep smiling (as always), keeeeeeep rowing and keeeeeeep safe.
By Sue from Cornwall on Sep 26, 2009
Watcha lads hey looking good an well chilled there well just be safe you look warm enough today an love to bo.x
By jenny b on Sep 26, 2009
Mick Keep the NIGERIAN FLAG flying. It is highly appreciated. Keep well, Sun tanned, keep safe, Keep smiling, Wishing you many more sun-filled days ahead. Lots of love from all at Hearts of Gold, Lagos, NIGERIA.
By Theresa Hearts of Gold on Sep 26, 2009
As Mum Martin mentioned a phone call from the good-ship Geoff Allum this morning, my mind went back four years to when Chris was preparing for his solo Atlantic crossing. Being a purist, I could never understand why one would row across the Atlantic in a boat called ‘Pacific Pete’. Chris explained that she was named after Peter Bird, considered by many to be the world’s greatest ocean rower and a co-founder of the Ocean Rowing Society. Accordingly, as one very seldom renames a boat and as she bore a name of such distinction, ‘Pacific Pete’ she proudly remained!
Being quite twitchy parents (in the light of Chris’ forthcoming venture), we were in need of some reassurance. Geoff Allum was brilliant! His confidence and infectious optimism were just what we needed. “Hey! Look! He’s a resourceful lad who knows what he’s doing and he’s got a good boat. Trust me, he’ll be fine.” After more than a few scary moments along the way, he was fine and, after 68 days, completed a successful solo row across the Atlantic.
I still remember Geoff’s cheery Christmas greeting, about three weeks after Chris had left La Gomera and, at that time, not even one third of the way through his voyage. His voice on the phone seemed unfamiliar so he introduced himself thus: “Hello there. Remember me? I’m the irresponsible git who hired his boat to your son!”
Some time after Chris’ return, he wrote me a smashing letter which included the following observations: “Didn’t the boy do well!” and “Hope we meet again someday”.
Amen to that! Geoff Allum - Salt of the Earth!
By Dad Martin on Sep 27, 2009