Day 148 - It’s Not Quite That Easy
October 3, 2009 – 10:36 amWe felt the pressure rise a little yesterday afternoon with a less than perfect long term weather report but we’ve been perfectly able to make some miles anyway. However (and I’m sure that Lee Bruce our weather guru will back me up here) long range forecasting can be an art rather than a science (see Michael Fish and the 1986 hurricane “Don’t worry it’s not on it’s way” broadcast for details) As always we’ll take whatever Mrs P throws at us and make miles eastwards as often and a quickly as possible. Too that end it seems *whispers* <em>that we’ve managed to find a trickle of current</em> that’s helping us out too so that’s an added Brucie bonus.
The weather is surprisingly cloudy for a high pressure system (although as I write this the sun has just come out and it looks like we’re going to get a cloudless, or nearly cloudless, night) and this seems to be interfering with our internet connection which caused me to swear rather more than usual this morning while trying to get the phone to chat to the sattellite. Thankfully steady-hands-Dawson was on hand to calm the situation down and managed to get it all working on his first go. Damn technology can’t live with it, can’t live without it.
So what’s new? Well today we saw our first of what we think is a US species bird. It looks a bit like a petrel of some sort but is grey all over with shorter wings. It looked a bit like someone had tried to fit two pidgeons into the body of one. Hopefully this will be the first of many new creatures to come and pay us a visit over our final weeks in the North Pacific.
40°16′43”N 138°0′33”W
Chris & Mick travelled 38.2 miles East-South-East (heading 103.8°) on day 148
They ended 849.4 miles from San Francisco (37.9 miles closer than yesterday)
They covered miles 4195 to 4232 of the trip
Their average pace so far has been 28.6 miles/day towards San Francisco
They have 29.7 days remaining at this rate, so would arrive in San Francisco on 1 Nov 2009
Their target heading for the shortest route to San Francisco is East (heading 96.5°)
See where the boat is
Click on Mick and Chris to see where the boat is
16 Responses to “Day 148 - It’s Not Quite That Easy”
I was standing in a queue at the Post Office yesterday. when a huge woman in front recieved a text. A little lad behind me said “Look out mister. She`s reversing!”
Mornin` Men.
By Steve D on Oct 3, 2009
Good morning Chris and Mick
Interesting about the new birds that are coming to visit you now that you are getting a bit closer to the USA. You described a bird as being grey all over, but with shorter wings than a Petrel. Sounds a bit like the one that crash landed on Bo a few weeks ago and left its calling card behind! Maybe Dad Martin might be able to work out what this bird is. Keeeeeep cheerful and smiling, keeeeeeeep warm, keeeeeeeep rowing and keeeeeeeep safe - and ooooh I think I’m first to blog today!
By Sue from Cornwall on Oct 3, 2009
I take that back - I was too slow with the typing and someone beat me to it!
By Sue from Cornwall on Oct 3, 2009
Did you all know that the regimental march of the Royal Marines is … wait for it … A life on the ocean wave.
By Typical Lightweight Matelot on Oct 3, 2009
Chris I can empathise with weather forecasting, I am hoping that my prgress south on the A3 later today is not going to be affected by the rain that was forecast by Mr. BBC weatherman yesterday.
It’s tough here mate I tell you but you blogs reallly do keep up the morale and help us through!
By Biff on Oct 3, 2009
Hello guys, good stuff again. Apparently you must look out for a creature from that area called a ‘Yank’. If you spot a hungrey one they can be a bit of a pain, but with their staple diet of burgers and fries I don’t think your remaining supplies will be of interest to them. Just be wary…
Just had my first cornish pasty, very tasty thanks Sue! Keeeeeep making em!
By Footballing rower from Beer on Oct 3, 2009
Reminds me that only in America……do people order double cheese burgers, large fries, and then a diet coke!
You have that to look forward to guys - keep rowing - doing well….
By Dizzie Blonde on Oct 3, 2009
Good thinking Dizzie Blonde - I’m positive that Chris and Mick will look forward to double cheeze burgers, which will taste absolutely wonderful after the Bolognasty!! And a question to Footballing rower from Beer - was that really the first Cornish pasty you’ve ever had?? If you are rowing this w/e, you had better not eat too many of those pasties, as they will weigh you down and your boat could sink…
And I send Chris and Mick my usual message - hope all is well out there lads - keeeeeeeeep smiling, keeeeeeeeep rowing and keeeeeeeep safe.
By Sue from Cornwall on Oct 3, 2009
Hi
Just wanted to say how much I’m enjoying your blog. I’ve followed it from departure, and now that your nearing the end, I can already feel the withdrawal symptoms coming!Feel free to take your time.
By Gray in Africa on Oct 3, 2009
First pasty of the weekend, Sue! Too much wind for rowing today.
Bet the guys could scoff a few pasties right now
By Footballing rower from Beer on Oct 3, 2009
Are you referring to wind from eating too many pasties, or the weather, Footballing rower from Beer?? I wonder what Bolognasty pasties would taste like…. - it’s a shame Chris and Mick probably don’t have the ingredients to make their own pastry on board Bo. If they did, my imagination is now running away with me - for example: Albatros Pie or Tuna Pasty - yum yum! Hope all is well out there C and M - keeeeeeeeep smiling, keeeeeeeep warm, keeeeeeeep rowing and keeeeeeeeep safe.
By Sue from Cornwall on Oct 3, 2009
Aloha lads well we finally got here we were delayed for 7 hours in san fran which was a bummmer because when we finally took off it was pitch black an i could not look for bo.this place is awesome really hot an not what i imagined ,just going to have my first dip in the sea.well boys be safe an love to bo.xx
By Jenny Budgett on Oct 3, 2009
Am interested in your ornithological observations. American birds? “Looks like two fitting into the body of one?” That’ll be the McDonald’s petrel!
By Anon on Oct 4, 2009
Oh dear, I have to add another blog to make it 14 for the day! Hope Jenny enjoys Hawaii - I was there in Jan 08 - FANTASTIC! So if she gets to San Fran to welcome our two amazing heros back to dry land, she will be sporting a really good sun tan - lucky girl!
Keeeeeeeeep smiling Chris and Mick, keeeeeeeeep rowing and keeeeeeeeep safe.
By Sue from Cornwall on Oct 4, 2009
Love the Post Office story Steve D, top draw!
Press on Gents.
By Boing Boing on Oct 4, 2009
HI both, have just got back from 10 days in south of France. Sorry you are not having as good weather as we had…blue skies and sunshine, but not too hot, and gentle breeze from south - west. Glad to see you are getting nearer all the time. wish I had knitted you a big woolly hat Chris, do try to keep warm…send Mick outside when it is cold. You are going to get there..there are so many people willing you on!. Lots of love
By anthill on Oct 4, 2009