Day 164 - Another Day Another Gale
October 19, 2009 – 8:30 amAfter being thrown around like rag dolls on a sea that was trying to come to terms with the rapid and dramatic change in strong winds and making as much progress as we could towards San Francisco we were forced to put the sea anchor in. At this late stage in the project we’re now forced to funnel our progress in an ever tighter beam as we get closer and closer to journey’s end.
I managed to win a special extreme cooking medal for braving what looked like at the time quite wavy but reasonable weather. Unfortunately my senses must have been somewhat dampened and within minutes so was I as a rather nasty squall passed over dumping a heap of rain on me as I willed our cooker to boil the last bit of water I needed for my cup of tea. I’m proud to say I did finish the job but then hit the back of the cabin rapidly almost before the water was in the cup.
Mick’s outside now braving it for an extreme lunchtime cooking medal but I think I definately won!
The good news on the horizon is that while we are getting kicked north and having to put the sea anchor in it is only for about 15 hours before we’re off again as the wind moves round to a more pleasent angle for us to row in. We’ve got that for at least another 36 hours so it’s difficult to grumble too loudly but all this change does make it rather difficult to hit a decent rhythm.
41°7′51”N 132°53′58”W
Chris & Mick travelled 27.1 miles East (heading 83.1°) on day 164
They ended 600.6 miles from San Francisco (24.5 miles closer than yesterday)
They covered miles 4457 to 4481 of the trip
Their average pace so far has been 27.3 miles/day towards San Francisco
They have 22.0 days remaining at this rate, so would arrive in San Francisco on 9 Nov 2009
Their target heading for the shortest route to San Francisco is East-South-East (heading 109.0°)
See where the boat is
Click on Mick and Chris to see where the boat is
11 Responses to “Day 164 - Another Day Another Gale”
Goodmorning boys,i hope u guys r alrite today;i am hoping the winds should be fair on you cos we could really do without the anchor again 2day;but then again POSEIDON is boss there so be patient and try to pass off the idle time by doing more cooking competitions that is if you still have anything to cook.
Take care now and keep up the good work,hugs and kisses from me and all the crew here at the Cowbridge House Inn.
By Grace Dawson on Oct 19, 2009
I think life on shore will seem quite dull for you fellas after all this. Simply ordering a pizza when the weather is bad won’t be the same as extreme cooking.
By George.Simpson on Oct 19, 2009
Great news guys - you are getting closer - almost there, we should be counting in days now not weeks?
Stay safe, and tied on, no time to take risks now, just crack on with a spot of rowing when the ‘right sort of wind’ returns (great name for your book - the right sort of wind!)
By Dizzie Blonde on Oct 19, 2009
Couple of anecdotes today:
some 16 year old Australian girl named Jesse has just set off on a round the world solo attempt. Concern was expressed by some master mariners after she sailed out of Brisbane and collided with a 60,000 ton freighter. One can understand why it is difficult to see a vessel three times the size of HMS Invincible! Her logbook and docs were inspected and found to contain more doodles than calculations or other relevant nautical info. Her parents said they would rather risk losing her at sea than stopping her going and felt her dream was worth dying for. Maybe that’s why my mum and dad sent me off to sea at 16 (they damned near succeeded too!!)
And for those of you unfamiliar with the work ethic in Nigeria and methods of motivation of staff, the German company Julius Berger is taking a different approach. Mick’s mate Phil (Lightweight Legionnaire) is the HSE Manager and I saw him in the pub on the weekend and enquired how he intended to record this in his HSE statistics:
A German, whose name was given as Reinhardt Fleischer was, on Wednesday, detained by the police in the National Assembly, Abuja, for beating a Nigerian, John Adeniyi, into a state of unconsciousness.
Both Fleischer and the Nigerian are staff of the German company, Julius Berger, which is handling some projects in the National Assembly. Eyewitnesses confirmed to the Nigerian Tribune that Fleischer was infuriated that John was allegedly sitting down on site doing nothing at 9.24 a.m. The German was said to have engaged the Nigerian in an argument which later became violent. Fleischer, according to witnesses, attempted to confiscate Adeniyi’s identity card, an attempt that was rebuffed by the Nigerian.
It was learnt that the Nigerian’s attempt to take a picture of the furious German was aborted. The German was then said to have become irritated and he was said to have kicked the Nigerian on his private part. The Nigerian immediately fainted. As efforts were being made to revive him, other Nigerians at the site were said to have moved to intervene to save their colleague. Adeniyi was then rushed to the nearby Julius Berger Clinic in the National Assembly where he was later rushed to the main Julius Berger clinic at Life Camp, Abuja.
Either get to work or you get booted in the knackers - top drawer!
By Typical Lightweight Matelot on Oct 19, 2009
TLM…outstanding!
I think it’s an approach worth considering for solving the Royal Mail’s current problems.
By Higgsy on Oct 19, 2009
I’m not going to write much today, I’m off to do some work… just in case.
By Biff on Oct 19, 2009
Hi Chris and Mick
You must be feeling quite dizzy with all this wind and big waves churning little Bo around! What a pity you can’t just phone and order two Pizzas to be delivered!
And now on to more serious stuff: while watching breakfast time TV today, I watched Sir Steve Redgrave talking about his new book called “Inspired” and I thought oh dear, he’s beaten you two to it, both with publishing a book and indeed using that title! His book is partly autobiographical about his own experiences at rowing, and partly talks about other inspirational sportsmen and women, and their achievements. I am sure his book will sell well, especially as it is in the bookshops at the run up to Christmas.
So there’s “inspiration” for you two to seriously think about publishing a book describing your joint experiences at rowing across huge oceans. The word INSPIRATION really belongs to you two guys - what a shame it has been used by Sir Steve (who of course, is also an incredibly inspirational person!).
Keeeeeeep smiling, even while attempting to cook, keeeeeeeep rowing or surfing when you can and please keeeeeeeeeep safe.
By Sue from Cornwall on Oct 19, 2009
Gosh! Biff’s off to do some “Work”!! No pasties or clotted cream for lunch?
By Sue from Cornwall on Oct 19, 2009
WATCHA LADS ,you see im not the only one who thinks you should write a book,but your title has to have bo in it she is keeping you both safe ,and giving you both a good ride for your money (or dinner),im back to work today (swimming teacher)but hey its half term next week timed that right ha ha .Anyway boys keep safe an love to bo.xx
By jenny b on Oct 19, 2009
Hello from Class 11P. Sarah, Elisha, Rheane, Bartek, Rajel, Rumel and Tom want to say well done, good luck and we hope you get to the USA soon. Rumel says hope you are not too tired.
We’re still reading your blogs daily and hoping that the weather works in your favour for a change.
Love from everyone here at Hamilton Lodge. x
By Helen at Hamilton Lodge on Oct 19, 2009
TLM, at least he knew how to get his attention !
By Vince on Oct 20, 2009