Day 178 - Nuclear Clouds
November 2, 2009 – 8:56 amRowing with the two of us yeaterday afternoon was certainly rather confusing for both Mick and myself. After 6 months of rowing our own way especially in heavy seas we’ve developed our own styles and ways of coping with the waves.
Trying to row at the same time isn’t as easy as it looks. As we rowed along together the wind gradually built from the north until it became far more practical to switch to one rower. Carrying on as normal for the rest of the night has gained us another couple of miles but this morning just before lunch the wind direction changed ever so slightly and the sea anchor got deployed while we wait a change in the wind direction.
The stronger winds were heralded by a type of cloud that we’ve never seen before. It looks a little bit like a mushroom cloud and certainly the effect it has isn’t disimilar.
And so we wait for the wind to change direction or drop in strength. There certainly area few things about the north pacific that I’m not going to miss.
39°27′0”N 125°39′43”W
Chris & Mick travelled 19.9 miles East-South-East (heading 112.7°) on day 178
They ended 205.5 miles from San Francisco (19.6 miles closer than yesterday)
They covered miles 4857 to 4876 of the trip
Their average pace so far has been 27.4 miles/day towards San Francisco
They have 7.5 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 122.3°)
See where the boat is
Sponsor Thanks
Two thankyous today:
- Thankyou Naesa Folan for sponsoring miles 4868-4869. Naesa wanted to wish Chris and Mick all the best on the last leg, and added “It has been inspiring and fascinating to get such a great insight into the day-to-day endeavours of the journey – makes a windy day on the Molesey stretch seem very tame indeed!!”
- Thankyou Jon Turner and The Essex Mafia, who sponsored mile 4870. They wanted to say: “Wishing you both the best of luck in your final stage.”
Would you like to sponsor a mile?
Click on Mick and Chris to see where the boat is
22 Responses to “Day 178 - Nuclear Clouds”
Chris and Mick just a week to go. I cannot imagine the frustration of the “wrong sort of wind” at this final stretch. You guys keep safe out there for this final few days.
By Biff on Nov 2, 2009
Final home straight now, praying to the wind gods for you guys.
Boozy
By Boozy Bird on Nov 2, 2009
hope you dont have to deploy the anchor for too long, great effort yesterday, must be a wonderful feeling knowing you are so close , just dont do a lap of honour!!! We are all thinking of you here at NFC and willing you on
Linda
By linda on Nov 2, 2009
Thought bloggers may enjoy this, it shows what Chris can do in the final stretches of a tough row. World Champs 2001 Lucerne Great Britain are the second boat from the top of the screen and with 250m to go they are 4th but about 3 seconds behind Croatia in 3rd and with no real chance of a medal…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsYPpwQCRFs
By Biff on Nov 2, 2009
You guys are legends! Well done for chipping those miles off given the unfavourable winds.
Keep your spirits up, keep hydrated, keep focused and most of all keep safe. Also, praying you get a nice tailwind to help you home!
By Beckers on Nov 2, 2009
Good Morning Chris and Mick
Your stamina, endurance and determination is envied and admired by everyone. Great effort with both of you on the oars yesterday. Hope you didn’t end up getting tangled up, or going round and round in circles! I wish you both well out there on Bo. Keeeeeeeeeep smiling, Keeeeeeeeep rowing when you can and most importantly, please Keeeeeeeeeeeep safe.
By Sue from Cornwall on Nov 2, 2009
Fingers crossed all day today for the
‘RIGHT SORT OF WIND’
Stay safe out there and enjoy these last few days…..
By Dizzie Blonde on Nov 2, 2009
Any second now, the California Current is gonna kick in and you’ll be home in time for tea and medals. In fact, you probably won’t even need to row.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Current
By George.Simpson on Nov 2, 2009
Hi Chris and Mick
I have been following your progress with great interest for some time now. I am totally amazed at your stamina and mental strength. Well done and fair winds and waves for the final run home.
With best wishes to you both
John Shuttleworth
By John Shuttleworth on Nov 2, 2009
Remember the last few miles of the run on a BFT? These last few miles are just like that.
Remember the homecoming on Canberra in ‘82 with all the boats and the tugs spraying their fire cannons in big ‘V’? That’s what’s waiting for you in SF! (There was topless birds too, can anyone arrange that?)
The All Arms Commando course to become a Royal Marine takes 6 months, it is the longest qualifying course in the UK military. So all those 16 year olds who started when you put to sea back in May are now in their final furlongs. The end of their adventure is within their grasp, as is yours. They just have to dig deep for the last few days and find that final effort. They will be awarded the coveted green beret, you will be awarded the coveted title of being the first men to do this.
Hang in there, SF is just over the horizon.
By Typical Lightweight Matelot on Nov 2, 2009
I know I suggested eating all the rennies, throat lozenges and anything else even vaguely edible in your med kit but am a bit worried that the resulting effect is a strange nuclear shaped cloud emitting from your behinds.
I’m not really into sacrificing bits of hair and all the other wierd stuff everyone did last time you wanted the wind to change but I think I might just have to go burn something for you in the hopes it has the same effect. We’re all praying for some cracking conditions to see you in as swiftly as possible.
By Margaret on Nov 2, 2009
Hi Chris and Mick, Great to hear from you and to know how well you are doing. Looking forward to catching up when you’re back. I don’t know how you do what you do, but I know that people here will be keen to hear. LikeLike others on your messageboard, we wish for the “right type of wind for you”. Take care and keep smiling! All the very best from Diana and the DBA team
By Diana Boulter on Nov 2, 2009
Watcha lads we are all wishing an praying an ill do an extra bow to the wind gods for you both COME ON BRING ON THE RIGHT KIND OF WIND ,dig as deep as you can ,chunk it off do watever it takes now to get yourselves an bo to GGB.If it helps im even dreaming about you now!!!Be safe an love to bo.xx
By jenny b on Nov 2, 2009
I’m sure this last leg is one of the most difficult with the winds ‘teasing’ you like this. Just think, in another couple of days, you will be able to see land for the first time! Best of luck!!
By Erinn from Toronto on Nov 2, 2009
I tried to find some funny jokes about being really hungry. One was so unPC I couldn’t repeeat it here and was for sat phone readers only. The other is definitely worth sharing:
The Toddler Miracle Diet
People are always on the lookout for a new diet. The trouble with most diets is that you don’t get enough to eat (the starvation diet), you don’t get enough variation (the liquid diet) or you go broke (the all-meat diet). Consequently, people tend to cheat on their diets, or quit after 3 days. Well, now there’s the new Toddler Miracle Diet! Over the years you may have noticed that most two years olds are trim. Now the formula to their success is available to all in this new diet. You may want to consult you doctor before embarking on this diet; otherwise, you may be seeing him afterwards. Good luck!!!
DAY ONE
Breakfast: One scrambled egg, one piece of toast with grape jelly. Eat 2 bites of egg, using your fingers; dump the rest on
the floor. Take 1 bite of toast, and then smear the jelly over your face and clothes.
Lunch: Four crayons (any colour), a handful of potato chips, and a glass of milk (3 sips only, then spill the rest)
Dinner: A dry stick, two pennies and a nickel, 4 sips of flat Pepsi.
Bedtime snack: Throw a piece of toast on the kitchen floor…
DAY TWO
Breakfast: Pick up stale toast from kitchen floor and eat it. Drink half bottle of vanilla extract or one vial of vegetable dye.
Lunch: Half a tube of “Pulsating Pink” lipstick and a handful of Dog Food (any flavour). One ice cube, if desired.
Afternoon Snack: Lick a lollipop until sticky, take outside and drop in dirt. Retrieve and continue slurping until it is clean again. Then bring inside and drop on the rug.
Dinner: A rock or an uncooked bean, which should be thrust up your left nostril. Pour orange squash over mashed potatoes; eat with a spoon.
DAY THREE
Breakfast: Two pancakes with plenty of syrup, eat one with fingers, then rub fingers in hair. Glass of milk, drink half, stuff other pancake in glass. After breakfast, pick up yesterdays lollipop from rug, lick off fuzz, and put it on the cushion of your best chair.
Lunch: Three matches, peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Spit several bites onto the floor. Pour glass of milk on table and slurp up.
Dinner: Dish of ice cream, handful of crisps, some red punch. Try to laugh some punch through nose, if possible.
FINAL DAY
Breakfast: A quarter tube of toothpaste (any flavour), bit of soap, an olive. Pour a glass of milk over bowl of cornflakes; add half a cup of sugar. Once cereal is soggy, drink milk and feed cereal to dog.
Lunch: Eat breadcrumbs off kitchen floor and dining room carpet. Find that lollipop and finish eating it.
Dinner: A glass of spaghetti and chocolate milk. Leave meatball on plate. Stick of mascara for dessert.
By Margaret on Nov 2, 2009
Wishing you both the conditions you need to see this through in the shortest time possible.
We’re watching your progress back at the office in Farringdon!!!
Good luck guys,
Ricky
By Ricky from him! on Nov 2, 2009
We are willing you on and wish you a speedy last few days. You’ve done yourselves proud and all that know you are proud of you too! If you get to New York don’t forget to give Darren a call, he will be thrilled to see you. Sean & Irene (Taunton, Somerset)
By Sean and Irene on Nov 2, 2009
Wow - just been reading some of your blogs and thinking of you both soooo much during this final stretch! You are both utterly amazing!!! xxx
By Claire Reynaud on Nov 2, 2009
‘Trying to row at the same time isn’t as easy as it looks.’
Heartening to know even the best have the same problem, but depressing to realise it doesn’t necessarily sort itself out even by the end of an 8000K outing….
Like every last push though, it doesn’t matter how you get over the line, just do it!
By davidT on Nov 3, 2009
Not THE ‘davidT’ surely…?!?!
Look out Chris, he’s eyeing you up for a comeback with Greg.
By Higgsy on Nov 3, 2009
Well, in my own little circle I suppose I am, but I suspect not as far as you’re concerned. Not if ‘the’ davidT was good enough to get in a boat with Chris, anyway!
By davidT on Nov 3, 2009
Chris (and Mick). I am a friend of your Great Aunt, Christine Woolcott. When she told me about you two, I was blown away. I was in the Canadian navy, flopping around out there, in a ‘big boat’, so I have nothing but admiration for the two of you in that little boat. GOD be with you and speed your way.The two of you are amazing. I’m a pauper, but I’ll pray for you.
By George Chisholm on Nov 4, 2009