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Thursday 26th May 2005
An air conditioned sleep was very welcome, but information on our flight has been scant and difficult to find. The latest is that we will be collected tonight but we have no flight time and therefore no ETA. Harrumph.
Friday 27th May 2005
Our flight finally left last night at 9.30, after a scary moment when a large crowd had gathered around the BA desk. We thought the flight was again being delayed, but it was someone else’s turn. At 1030 this morning we disembarked at Gatwick and began the final stage of the journey home. Our car was waiting and we queued to leave the airport. We then queued to join the M25. The M25 had a selection of queues for our amusement as did the M11, A11 and B1180. My first experience of driving in five months proved to be an unsettling one and I was very happy to turn the corner into our road. As we approached the pub a television camera came into view, along with a jolly collection of our regular customers, suppliers and journalists. The pub looked great, having been decorated with banners and flags. After a splendid welcome and numerous photos and interviews we settled to have a drink with each other and wind down.
Added mass, one kilo.
Saturday 28th May 2005
Straight into work mode today, Neet working the kitchen and yours truly sorting cellars. My muscles and general strength seem to have suffered. The beer barrels seem to weigh three times as much as before and I struggled to manage them. There is more to this ocean rowing business than I imagined; a much longer period of recovery than I thought may be necessary. A four mile walk to the Coach and Horses and back seemed to be easy enough, and my legs coped well, but I still cannot run without losing my balance.
Sunday 29th May 2005
Sleep patterns are returning to normal, but I have been having regular dreams about rowing since I arrived in Antigua: I am constantly trying to get down to 17 degrees north, which is very close, but unattainable. After such long nights rowing I wake up very tired. This evening we had a most agreeable chat with ocean rower Andrew Vinsen and his friend Clare, who will compete in the Woodvale / ORS race later in the year. After all the help and advice given to me by Andrew before and during my row, we had a lot to talk about.
Monday 30th May 2005
In 1997 a friend and I bought a general purpose auxiliary ship from the Royal Navy. We have operated it since then as an environmental survey and dive support vessel, principally working on prospective windfarm sites in the North Sea. Since I left in January she has been laid up in Lowestoft and today I went down to see her and turn over the engines. It seems so different to board a vessel which does not lurch to one side at the first tentative step onto the deck. One day I shall do battle with the eddies in our valiant ship, just for the fun of it. The ship is in a shabby state and needs a few weeks of TLC before she works again. My time looks as if it is taken up for a while, but it will help me to get back into shape physically and the sea air will do me good.
Tuedsay 31st May 2005
Another day in Lowestoft, chipping, painting and general tidying. On my way to buy some light bulbs I made the mistake of trying to run across a road. My legs felt just as they do when, in a dream, I try to run away from something unpleasant but I am held back by an invisible force field. The driver of the car which narrowly missed me must have wondered what was going on.
Anyone who recognises me now makes a rowing gesture with their arms. This is recognisable by me, but onlookers must surely be perplexed.
Best wishes and smooth rowing to our local man Oliver Hicks. He has departed from New York for Falmouth and is making excellent miles. Good luck Oliver.
Wednesday 1st June 2005
The Norfolk and Norwich Licensed Victuallers Association held their annual trade lunch today, and Neet and I were invited as guests of honour. What an honour it was. The association have adopted the Davenport Trust as their annual charity and a substantial sum was raised during the course of the afternoon.
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