Day 183 - The Bright Dawn
November 7, 2009 – 11:04 amA few days ago was a particularly low point for me. After a night of slogging along slowly being driven backwards in a current and a bitter wind the day really didn’t make it any better. At mid-day yesterday Mick noticed quite how bad I was and ordered me to go to sleep until dinner. This i did, and woke to be forced back into the cabin to sleep until the next day dawn. Mick stayed outside on the oars, wind, and current slogging away and only requested hot drinks at regular intervals throughout the evening. Amazing.
He eventually came inside to sleep around dawn. I have no idea how he found the strengh both physically or mentally to pull out an amazing night on the oars like that when I was quite frankly in a right state, but he did. Get that man to the top of the new years honours list.
Rowing today has been entirely pleasurable, a complete turnaround. Sunshine, following winds, and we’ve broken out of the majority of the current. Your inspirational texts have been fantastic, please keep them coming. Every one of them, especially if we’ve not yet had the pleasure of meeting you, makes us smile.
We’ve had incentives of cocktails, custard, belching anthems, dancing around in GGE t-shirts, sponsoring some of the remaining miles for charity. Each text lifts our mood a little higher.
We are awaiting resupply that is due to arrive sometime tomorrow, which will be great. The last proper meal we have left is a chicken caserole, which was sponsored in the early stages of Bo’s biuld by Alan Lecher. Being honest Alan we never thought we’d need it, but many thanks.
A weekend arrival underneath the golden gate bridge now looks unlikely but we’re aiming for the early part of next week. Keep tuned for details but it certainly seems like our land team have a great party planned for our arrival. Can’t wait.
To text the crew follow this link - it’s free.
39°16′38”N 125°9′7”W
Chris & Mick travelled 30.3 miles East-South-East (heading 113.5°) on day 183
They ended 176.2 miles from San Francisco (29.9 miles closer than yesterday)
They covered miles 4876 to 4906 of the trip
Their average pace so far has been 26.8 miles/day towards San Francisco
They have 6.6 days remaining at this rate, so would arrive in San Francisco on 13 Nov 2009
Their target heading for the shortest route to San Francisco is South-East (heading 124.1°)
See where the boat is
Welcome the crew to San Francisco
Sponsor Thanks
Thanks Mike Hewson for sponsoring miles 4889 and 4890 which the crew (or more precisely Mick from the sound of things!) covered yesterday afternoon.
Thanks also go to Richard Beckley who has just sponosored a series of miles from the voyage including 2540-2545 (covered on Day 94), and 4770-4772 (covered on Day 175).
Would you like to sponsor a mile?
Click on Mick and Chris to see where the boat is
12 Responses to “Day 183 - The Bright Dawn”
Thanks Mick…so relieved you are going to get food and the wind is behaving better. Arrive soon and safely and we can celebrate in style.
By anthill on Nov 7, 2009
Great to hear that you are both continuing to push ahead, Chris and Mick - just looked on the map and you are getting ever closer. Do hope your arrival at the Golden Gate will be safe, but extremely happy - I’m sure there will be a very happy crowd waiting there to welcome you! Keeeeeeep smiling, keeeeeeep rowing and keeeeeeeep safe.
By Sue from Cornwall on Nov 7, 2009
What an amazing team mate you are Mick. Thankyou. Keeping fingers crossed that you are really pulling away from those evil currents. Stay focussed—not long now. x
By great auntie anne (ludlow) on Nov 7, 2009
Watcha lads ,keep away from those currents they give you the wrong kind of wind ,you are both so OARSOME,just keep chunking it off now ,be safe an love to bo.xx
By jenny b on Nov 7, 2009
Keep well, and well done mick for noticing Chris was in need of sleep, yesterday was a much better day for you, lets hope today is as productive, not long now, keep smiling Linda
By linda on Nov 7, 2009
Glad nature has decided to play along with your wishes with a following wind, and I am sure you will be glad to break free from that evil current.
By Mike Hewson on Nov 7, 2009
Hi Lads,
Well done Mick. I guess that’s what team work is all about - supporting each other through both the good and the bad times.
…And glad to hear that a discision has been made on the re-supply!
Now come on - not far to go… no more of the loopy things on the chart please!
By Alan in Wiltshire on Nov 7, 2009
Roz has put out the call to Rozlings round the world and we have been following you the past few weeks. Many of us in SF Bay Area are planning to greet you on your arrival … to give you a “lift” here are a few wise words Roz tweeted on her Day 71 … “So quiet out here you could hear a fish flatulate” … so, on that note, I am wishing you melodic tunes from flatulating fish … and no more “drunken spider” daze ;-D
By UncaDoug on Nov 7, 2009
Hang in there, boys! Lots of love from Hawaii.
-Nicole
By Nicole Bilodeau on Nov 7, 2009
Happy six months at sea guys.
By The Egypt!an on Nov 7, 2009
Mick – imagine: it’s the last night of the tournament Guzz v Wafus. They are drawing on points and it’s all on the last run.
They complete the run and engage with 3 rounds and it’s all square.
There’s nothing between them on the run back and the 3 round rearguard action is still a draw.
It’s all on the run home. 9 months of blood, sweat and tears hinges on the next 30 seconds. All that needs to be done is get the gun, limber, gear and men through the hole in the wall, limbered up and round the corner for the finish line.
That’s where you guys are now, at the hole in the wall with the last 30 seconds in front of you. You know what the guys used to put into that last 30 seconds, everything!
By Typical Lightweight Matelot on Nov 8, 2009
Hi Mick,
I would like to reiterate what the typical lightweight matelot said, Myself and George being Ex Pompey and Ex Oggie Field Gunners. You have done the Out and Back, and now you are on the Run Home.So come on Royal Jack’s watching, as we used to say at Pompey “TO THE LIMIT AND BEYOND”.
Fair Winds my friend
Nige Morris
By Nigel Morris on Nov 8, 2009