Day 179 - No Post Yet
November 3, 2009 – 8:34 amSadly Chris’ data link cable is playing up again so he was unable to email me the blog today. He tried to call and leave me the blog on my mobile voicemail but I’m abroad at the moment so my voicemail isn’t working! I’ve set up a new voicemail system (UK-based) which he will hopefully try again on, and if he does then I’ll put the blog up later today.
In the mean time, Mick was on the radio yesterday morning, on the Breakfast Show with Rod Whiting on BBC Radio Lincolnshire. For the next 5 days you can listen again on the BBC iPlayer. The interview is in 2 sections.
- The first starts at 1hr 7mins 30s into the listen again recording and is a chat with just Mick.
- The second starts at 1hr 53mins into the recording and involves Grace (Mick’s wife) and Joyce (Mick’s Mum) who came into the studio to say hello.
Please also note we have a new page on the site, San Fran Plans, where you can find details about the welcoming of the crew to San Francisco. It will be updated regularly as the plans take better shape.
39°17′38”N 125°29′59”W
Chris & Mick travelled 13.8 miles South-East (heading 141.2°) on day 179
They ended 192.5 miles from San Francisco (13.0 miles closer than yesterday)
They covered miles 4876 to 4889 of the trip
Their average pace so far has been 27.3 miles/day towards San Francisco
They have 7.0 days remaining at this rate, so would arrive in San Francisco on 10 Nov 2009
Their target heading for the shortest route to San Francisco is East-South-East (heading 121.0°)
See where the boat is
Welcome the crew to San Francisco
Click on Mick and Chris to see where the boat is
16 Responses to “Day 179 - No Post Yet”
Thanks Richard for keeping us so well up to date - you are doing a grand job, especially as you are overseas at the moment! I just wish I could stand on GGB to wave Chris and Mick in, but I will probably be busy moving house then, as we are aiming for exchanging contracts on 6th Nov. Chris and Mick will certainly be in my thoughts though. Hope they are both okay - wonder if they’ve managed to have a food drop yet…
By Sue from Cornwall on Nov 3, 2009
Nearly there - congratulations to you both. I cannot imagine what the experience has been like. Both sets of parents must be sooooooo proud. Hello to Keith and Isabel. I hope your arrival will be on UK TV news!!
By Chris in Swansea on Nov 3, 2009
Hello Chris and Mick,you ARE made of strong stuff. The finish is so tantalisingly close now. My goosebumps are bigger than ever. I’ve been away again, to Edinburgh this time, and introduced your blog to the B&B. They were overawed by what you have achieved, and found they were hooked and had been following the blog daily. We did mention that you were doing it for charity,so hope they do something about that. It gives me comfort (never mind about you) to know that a food drop can be arranged if and when.
I’ve listened to you both on your local radio stations and watched the video of Chris in the world championship 2001. (thank you Biff for that). I won’t be at the GGB but that will not stop me from cheering,and shouting along with the rest. Please stay focussed, safe and strong as there will be another challenge when you get back on land and have to slot back into everyday life. Enjoy every minute. You have earned all the treats that may come your way. I am in awe and so proud.x
By great auntie anne (ludlow) on Nov 3, 2009
Biff - Many thanks for that youtube clip yesterday; serious lump-in-throat time!
Just a thought, folks. When this great adventure started, way back in May, several of us tried to get a mention/dedication for the lads on various radio &/or TV programmes. It occurred to me that NOW might be a good time to have another go!
Each of us could make mention of this pridegeneratingnailbitingrecordbustingcharitysupportingblogwritingexpedition in our own words! It would be nice to specify Hamilton Lodge School for the Deaf in Brighton and Hearts of Gold Children’s Hospice in Lagos; also to highlight goldengateendeavour.com by name.
If every blogger made just ONE approach, then the profile of this WORLD RECORD CHALLENGE would be significantly enhanced. This time next week will be too late! You can write, e-mail, text, phone or talk: the choice is yours. How about it, what do you say?
By Dad Martin on Nov 3, 2009
Glad people have enjoyed the clip of Chris at the World Champs in 2001. Out of that crew Dan Ousely is now a Captain in the Royal Marines and Alex Partridge is aiming to one better than his 2008 Olympic Silver in 2012. Quite some stories that crew must have when they see each other again! Whilst we all know what Chris is doing! The other 2 are teachers; possibly the bravest 2 from that crew me thinks!
Dad Martin, I have been emailing BBC Radio 5 live almost weekly since July, noting so far everybody have a go!! Also emailed the local rag in SF, again no luck so far, perhaps they don’t like me!
By Biff on Nov 3, 2009
I think we need Roz Savage to spin up the PR machine… I will drop her a line and CC you Richard.
By George.Simpson on Nov 3, 2009
I heard that you were nearly out of food , I feel for you keep going you can do it and like my dad says you will have to start eating your self I think you are amazing guys x
By Jo Gunes on Nov 3, 2009
Hi Guys
I have been following you from the beginning of your trip (as well as you on your other adventures). I wanted to wish you all the best for the final push. You are an inspiration to lots of us sat at home about what can be achieved, if only we dare to dream.
Good luck!
Rhian
By Rhian on Nov 3, 2009
Yo Dudes,
Suck it up and sprint those last 192 miles and the last .5 will float by on the tide under the big red bridge.
From SF with flowers in our hair,
Bill & Luke
By Wanna Be on Nov 3, 2009
Watcha lads really getting a bit stuck here everyone keeps pinching all my words you both ROCK so much you are awesome hang in boys ,dig deep ,be safe an love to bo.xx
By jenny b on Nov 3, 2009
So there we were, last week, acquiring a modicum of culture in, of all places, the Lightbox in Woking. Mum Martin and I attended a rather fine exhibition on the life, the art and the science of Leonardo da Vinci. Along with Charles Darwin, he is one of my favourite historical characters: intelligent, inventive, thoughtful, talented, multi-dimensional.
With a profligacy rarely seen in the life of yours truly, I even treated us to a programme. Positively unheard of! Anyway, I hear you mutter, why am I sharing this apparent trivia with you all? The answer lies on its back page, which features a number of profound quotes which have been attributed to the great man. A couple seemed strangely appropriate:
“One can have no smaller or greater mastery than mastery of oneself.”
“It had long come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.”
By Dad Martin on Nov 3, 2009
I am absolutely in awe of what you have achieved; it is just incredible to even contemplate rowing for six months solid. Much as I hope you do manage the full trip unsupported, I would rather you both arrived alive than fail through exhaustion after getting so close. So, if you need to take on food then do so, you will still be getting my money.
By Mike Hewson on Nov 3, 2009
Brilliant video clip of the boat racing / rowing – real edge of the seat stuff.
Listened to the radio clips too. Some of those comments brought back so many brilliant memories, or was it just the Lincolnshire tractor drivers accent?
Did someone delete my last posting or was it a genuine technical gremlin?
On on on men, these last couple of days are a walk in the park in comparison to the last epic and awe inspiring 6 months.
By Typical Lightweight Matelot on Nov 3, 2009
Oy Oy Lads,
No jokes from me at this critical time…you have come sooooo far, now get stuck in and murder these last ”few” miles to immortality. I know, we all know, you ain’t doing it for that, but this acheivement is THAT big, whether your wallflower personalities can take it or not. Go deeper than you thought possible lads, the Pacific demands it…row into history. Then we can get skimmished.
By Moley on Nov 3, 2009
It seems like last week you guys crossed the international date line. Now, I imagine that this is the hardest time, since you are so close, yet so far away… and so hungry! Good luck!!!!!
By Erinn from Toronto on Nov 3, 2009
Hi Mick and Chris
Pete Sheppard called me last night to let me know of your epic journey. He mentioned the plea for some media recognition. I work with GB Rowing and other sports and events on press stuff and, because of that, have a few media lists to which I could send info if needed in the next week. Is that any help? It’s a small offer of help, as we’re pretty busy on a couple of other projects right now, but if you want to take it up, please shout.
Best wishes for the final few days. Stay strong.
Caroline
By Caroilne Searle on Nov 4, 2009