Day 172 - A Quarter Of The World And Genoa Bridge
October 27, 2009 – 8:33 am The ‘Genoa Bridge’ (Click To Enlarge) |
Right about now we’re stuck (again) on the sea anchor as the wind has picked up and come round to the NNW. It looks like we’ll be stalled here for a day and a half but what a different 24 hours we’ve had. We’re now 90 degrees away from where we started. We’ve rowed round A QUARTER OF THE WORLD! Only the last 6 degrees remain and that’s not that far at all.
Yesterday we basked in sunshine for the majority of the day and enjoyed vaguely following conditions allowing us to tick another batch of miles off the list. However, as always, that wasn’t going to last. With the weather report came the news that, as the winds were strong for the next 4 days, a resupply would be very difficult even in daylight until the wind speed dropped. Mick made the call that if we saw a ship in reasonable conditions even at night that we should hail it and ask for some food simply as a precaution. We’ve still got well over a week of food left, more if we eke (or should that be eek, Pendant Snr I await your reply eagerly) it out (which we’ ve started to do with emergency biscuits and treat bags for lunch, yummy!) but it pays to be prudent.
At about 11pm we saw a ship that was coming close to us and after a bit of discussion over the VHF radio they agreed to help us. The ‘Genoa Bridge’ then manouvered to come in front of us and dropped the food parcel. It was awe inspiring and not a little scary to see such a large vessel manouvering within a few hundred yards of Bo but very exciting to have the prospect of a full belly for the first time in what seems like months. Unfortunately despite rowing very slowly towards the drop and lighting the area as best we could with our searchlight we were unable to find the food parcel that had been left and so after about half an hour we had to give up and keep rowing on, resigned to the loss of the food. Damn!
Both Mick and myself would like to wholeheartidly thank the crew and skipper of Genoa Bridge for their generosity and kindness shown last night. Only at sea could something like last night’s activities ever happen and the fact that we have new friends out here only serves to show what a special place this is. We’d both like to take this opportunity to wish the Genoa Bridge a safe and successfull voyage which, despite the fact that they are bound for the other side of the Pacific Ocean, should take them about the same amount of time as the rest of our trip.
40°28′7”N 128°32′38”W
Chris & Mick travelled 28.5 miles East-South-East (heading 108.2°) on day 172
They ended 373.0 miles from San Francisco (28.2 miles closer than yesterday)
They covered miles 4681 to 4709 of the trip
Their average pace so far has been 27.4 miles/day towards San Francisco
They have 13.6 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 117.5°)
See where the boat is
Sponsor Thanks
Thank you Helena Smalman-Smith for sponsoring mile 4700. The crew crossed this mile mid-afternoon yesterday.
Would you like to sponsor a mile?
Click on Mick and Chris to see where the boat is
24 Responses to “Day 172 - A Quarter Of The World And Genoa Bridge”
Gents - that must be the morale equivalent of a boot squarely in the vegetables. Keep smiling; another one will be along before too long.
By George.Simpson on Oct 27, 2009
Aaawwww how sad guys but don’t worry you’ll sure find another one soon.Glad that you guys are ok and hopefully something good is bound to happen soon.Take care of yourselves now keep you chins up for it will all be over soon.Kisses
By Grace Dawson on Oct 27, 2009
Oh no!
Gold star to you boys and The Genoa Bridge for trying but most importantly for keeping safe. Maybe the ship should have put some sort of light on the parcel so you could see it or maybe it was so full of goodies it just sank and provided a feast for the fish.
What a statement “We’ve rowed around a quarter of the world”. Can’t wait to get you both safe on land now. Keep being safe and look forward to reading that you have a successful food-drop very soon.
By Mum Martin on Oct 27, 2009
ARRRRGHHHHHH how annoying!!!!! Lets just hope it was full of food that you dont like anyway….. how frustrating!
By Natalie on Oct 27, 2009
never mind it was probably only cheesy ‘ammy eggy anyway. Should have asked babies ‘eads instead.
Thanks to the Genoa Bridge, good luck and God speed to your fellow mariners.
By Typical Lightweight Matelot on Oct 27, 2009
A Bridge too far - not close enough! Ah well, if it didn’t float it probably was yesterday’s leftover lasagne. Your tummies have probably had a lucky escape. Remember lads it’s the Golden Gate Bridge Caff that’ll provide you with the ham’n eggs. Any chance of rustling up something creative such as breast of seagull or albatross wings in the meantime? How about some sushi? hang in there Bo boys. Best of luck you’re on to a winner and almost there!
Ann and Maurice
By Ann and Maurice on Oct 27, 2009
Hi Chris and Mik
If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again….. so sorry about your disappointment regarding the food drop. As someone has already said above, there will be other friendly ships floating past….
Keeeeeeeeeep smiling, keeeeeeeeeeep rowing and THINKING OF THE GOLDEN GATE, and please keeeeeeep safe.
By Sue from Cornwall on Oct 27, 2009
I suppose it’s just fate conspiring to keep the record for an unassisted crossing in your grasp. Hope conditions turn around quickly.
By Margaret on Oct 27, 2009
when you get really Hungary, you could asked for some Turkey, served on China, hopefully not covered in too much Greece …
By Typical Lightweight Matelot on Oct 27, 2009
Fellas, that’s a nuisance. Don’t dwell on it, look for the next opportunity.
I recall Roz Savage being paid a visit during her Atlantic Row by HMS Southampton if I recall correctly and they were offering bacon butties. I know Roz is sponsored by the Navy but surely between all the Naval boys here can we find out if someone as friendly is in the vicinity? Shame Prince William isn’t about with a Chinook at his disposal…
In other news, Amy Winehouse has changed her Facebook status back to Married despite her divorce… I thought you’d be interested.
By Boing Boing on Oct 27, 2009
Chris you are absolutleu write:
“Only at sea could something like last night’s activities ever happen”
As you cleverly identify it would be a real challenge for a very large ship to drop a food parcel then have a little boat row about trying to find it anywhere other than on the sea. Although it may expalin the traffic jam I was stuck in on the M25 a couple weeks ago.
Good effort by the Genoa Bridge, and I’m sure you’ll come up with another great plan soon enough. For fellow bloggers here is a link to a picture of the Genoa Brdige with what I guess is a pilot’s ships alongside. Quite a large beast to face in a little kevlar tub!
Genoa Bridge: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/2871651442_9ece0c1c23.jpg
By Biff on Oct 27, 2009
Being about the say that you have rowed 1/4 of the world is awe inspiring. In fact, if you include your other ocean rows, both of you must have easily done the equivalent of a complete lap by now. I doubt many can say they’ve done that!
Terrible luck with the food drop. Best of luck for next time.
By Max on Oct 27, 2009
You have to look at it on the plus side…it could have been full of bolognasty boil in the bag and horror of horrors, no tea bags!!! Plus you’re still unsupported.
Just need to steel yourselves for the final push for home. We’re all willing you on from home and praying for favourable winds & currents. Not long now.
Best wishes and God speed.
By Higgsy on Oct 27, 2009
On the subject of HMS Southampton, she came into Lagos for a weekend en route home from the South Atlantic (they must have really p1ssed off someone in the Foreign Office).
The bad guys off here have shown no fear of naval patrol boats and attacked a few, so Southampton entered harbour closed up at action stations with all her upper deck weapons manned, tin hats, kevlar vests etc. Once she tied up alongside she had a belt-fed 7.62 GPMG mounted at the top of the gangway. “Prepare to repel boarders”.
The biggest trouble the TLM’s from her got into, was trying to do belt-fed Tequila with Mick and I. Lightweight kids - all of ‘em!
By Typical Lightweight Matelot on Oct 27, 2009
Chris - To answer your query, your first instinct was correct. You are indeed trying to EKE out your food. (Transitive verb meaning ‘contriving to make the best use of’).
To my knowledge, ‘EEK!’ only exists as an interjection, or exclamation. Thus, Jerry saw Tom creeping up on him and uttered a loud ‘Eek!’
From the niceties of language to the joys of poetry (sort of). Clearly, seeking fitness is not a problem for our dynamic duo, but perchance this may be of some interest to lesser mortals. With appropriate apologies to John Masefield, today’s offering is entitled:
‘I’m getting fit’.
I must go down to the gym again,
to the lonely mat and the bike,
and all I ask is a real good sweat,
the same as a ten mile hike.
I’ll swing those weights, I’ll flex my pecs.
I’ll jog and flex and bend.
I’ll row like mad, I’ll pedal hard,
until I reach the end.
With lycra suit, my vest and thong,
I really look the part.
Aerobics, yoga, dance and step
are classes yet to start.
I’ll strut my stuff to firm my thighs
and flatten my rounded tum.
I’ll crunch and curl and squeeze and pump
to squash my flabby bum.
And when it’s done, my time is up,
I’ll shower off my sweat.
Then down a pint with bags of crisps,
undoing all benefit!
Hey, ho!
By Dad Martin on Oct 27, 2009
Watcha lads that is a real bummer BUT just think of it like this with the extra food an not much loo roll well you know the sayin —-happens .keep your peckers up lads be safe an of course love to bo.xx
By jenny b on Oct 27, 2009
Oh Chris and Mick,as jenny b says what a bummer. Ask the next boat to wrap the parcel in their HVJ(high visibility jackets) and put a flashing light on it. They must have spares in their stock room. 2 weeks to go,almost too close to think about. It gives me goosebumps with excitement when I do, so what you 2 must be feeling if you allow yourselves the luxury of thinking of the GGB and all it involves I don’t know.
Meanwhile stay focussed, row hard,and look after the sun tan so that when you do arrive at your goal you’ll be 2 hunks honed to perfection albeit a little skinny x
By great auntie anne (ludlow) on Oct 27, 2009
all this sharing of food at sea is like a harvest festival … califlowers fluffy and cabbages green.
Although chris and mick are a few hundred miles away from being ‘broad beans sleeping a blankety bed.’
(sorry if I have confused anyone with this random reference to harvest festival songs.. hopefully it will bring some warm fuzzy feelings of harvest assembly to some of you !)
xx
Georgie
By georgie on Oct 27, 2009
If the parcel makes it to San Fran before you do then we’ll know that you’ve been spending too long on the sea anchor.
By The Egypt!an on Oct 27, 2009
This is what the man from PG Tips said:-
Hello from PG tips!
Dear Dizzie Blonde,
Thank you for taking the time to contact us.
Unfortunately at the present time we don’t have surplus stock on site to
give away.
In fact, increasingly efficient manufacturing processes mean that we very rarely have surplus stock. Occasionally non-saleable stock does become available and when this happens we donate it to In Kind Direct, a charity
which distributes new goods to hundreds of voluntary organisations working
at home and abroad. By doing this we can ensure that all our surplus stock
is distributed efficiently to various organisations that require it.
I realise that this might not be the response you were hoping for, but please accept our best wishes.
Kind regards,
Tom Liddle
Careline Advisor
Unilever UK Limited Registered in England & Wales;
Company No 334527
Registered Office: Unilever House, Springfield Drive, Leatherhead, KT22 7GR
By Dizzie Blonde on Oct 27, 2009
hi lads, sorry bout the missed parcelm hope there will be other oppitunities before the end. ( do you have any fishing lines?).
All good here back in 9ger, just got back from Michaels Mick so excuse the dodgy spelling!
Mick Ive been around this strange palce for two yrs now and only have you to thank/blame, cheers for giving ne the oppotunity here, much appreciated, now just get your skinny ass back here for a drink and you too chris.
Keep rowing lads, good effort.
John
By John Hanafin on Oct 27, 2009
Nice try!
PS. To be honest, I’ve only just begun to take this seriously. Surely the positive publicity would be of value to Ty-Phoo, or perhaps Mr Tetley, if only to get one over on PG Tips!?!*?
By Dad Martin on Oct 27, 2009
Hmmm… Not sure about your publicity quest Dad Martin… PG Tips would proberly send out a troop(?) of monkeys to make the delivery and you know what they are like damaging the cars at Longleat Safari Park… No, you don’t want them anywhere near Bo! And Tetley will send two cartoon Yorkshiremen in flat caps…!
By Alan in Wiltshire on Oct 27, 2009
STOP PRESS!
I’VE JUST RECEIVED AN E-MAIL FROM THE PACIFIC TO SAY THAT CHRIS IS BEING INTERVIEWED BY RADIO SURREY AT 8.30.AM TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
Past experience has shown that their timing MIGHT vary by 10-15 minutes, so please be aware of this. If you do miss it, rest assured we will try to acquire a copy, so that Webmaster Rich can put it up on the website for everybody………..he said hopefully!!!!
By Dad Martin on Oct 28, 2009