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Friday 11th March 2005
Another good rowing day but off to a slow start. The wind was from the north this morning and was presenting big seas to which I was rowing at right angles, very difficult and uncomfortable. Early in the afternoon the wind veered and conditions improved instantly. I rowed continuously until dark when the winds went back to the north! The journey feels as though it has commenced properly now that we are heading straight for Antigua. My new oars are proving very useful. During the beam seas today I realised that due to the gearing the handles have a good gap between them at the centre of the stroke and when I catch a bad wave I do not have my shins stripped of skin and the bones crushed. So that’s nice.
Day 50. Can you believe that I’ve been messing about in the Atlantic for seven weeks now?
Dorado. These fish are becoming the prevailing theme of this diary so I must tell you what has happened. We had about thirty of them swimming under the boat until a couple of days ago when we crossed 25 degrees west. The numbers are down to about a dozen (12, kids) and the poor things have grown much larger. Either they have been eating each other or they operate a territorial patrol system. It would be a bit like London cabs! "Sorry girls, I don’t go south of the river" The fish quotation would be "Less than 25? Not me, pal. That’s big boys’ country over there".
Hello this evening to listeners of Radio Norfolk, with particular greetings to Glenda who provided me with my Womble sheet and Alan who provided my Womble duvet and pillowcase. They are in regular use and very comfortable thank you.
Thruster. Great to hear from you and thank you for your greetings. We must have a beer on my return.
Dave B of Worcester – no I’m not wearing a Comic Relief red nose as I row today but a sunburnt real life version. The kiosk was closed on my way down this morning but if anyone cares to bring a collecting tin they can have all my cash on board which comes to 14 euros 70.
Hello Louis and Ellie, thank you for your kind words. I’m thinking of you too.
To Antigua 1965nm. Seven clicks.
Saturday 12th March 2005
A bouncy night last night and the first time I thought we might capsize. On two occasions the boat went so far over when thwacked by a large wave that it just felt as though we were upside down. This boat and others of the same design are incredibly robust and stable. Any other boat would have rolled over last night. The designer deserves a tribute for his or her achievement on this. Provided certain conditions are met these boats also self-right if they capsize completely. They must have the metacentric height of the Eiffel tower.
Yesterday’s mileage was a bit more like it. I need to get a whole lot more like that, about ten weeks worth. Today’s will not be as handsome as yesterday’s, the wind and sea have been fully beam on and I struggled to keep the speed up.
I’m starting to hanker for various things, some of which I would never normally eat. Today I felt as though a large quantity of toffee would have been welcome.
My muesli is running out – mixing it with just about anything is making it go further but it will be gone by Tuesday. It is a rather good blend of jumbo oats, wheat flakes, barley flakes, raisins, apricots, roast peanuts, sultanas, dates, sunflower seeds and brazils. If you mix it with freeze-dried yogurt and wild berry dessert it is simply scrumptious. It is exclusive to the Daily Bread Co-operative in Cambridge who put people before profit and quite right too.
Thank you for your message Jeff. There is a picture of a dorado somewhere on the wall in the pub.
To Antigua 1939nm. Eighteen clicks (it got wet last night).
Sunday 13th March 2005
A beam sea again today and very little wind. The current seems to be doing its work well and combined with the breeze gives me the best part of one knot which is a fine advantage compared to the headwinds and eddy currents of two weeks ago.
The loss of my music is hurting. The rowing sessions would go by very quickly when listening to, amongst many others, Albert Cooper, The Last Straw, Louis Jordan, The Zutons, David Bowie, Howling Wolf and of course the Wombles. In addition the machine held Forgotten Voices, a number of first hand accounts from survivors of the 1st World War which I particularly enjoyed and my linguaphone Russian course.
My weight continues to fall, I estimate that I have now lost two stone or about twelve kilos. The food on board is sufficient for another ten weeks which should see me into Antigua but I shall probably lose quite a bit more weight yet.
Why should a Sunday feel like a Sunday out here? There is a definite feel about particular days of the week and it has followed me to a place where it has no relevance. Answers on a postcard please.
To Antigua 1911nm. Twenty one clicks.
Monday 14th March 2005
A gloomy typical mundane Monday morning. Heavy cloud cover, cold wind, stiff joints and a slow start. Midday brought bright sunshine and lifted spirits.
This evening you were to be addressed with the sad lament of the boat being blown too far south and off the magic carpet current putting us into the eddy zone and so on until tears came creeping out from the corners of your eyes.
The going had become decidedly tough during the day, with a maximum speed of 1.7 knots from vigorous efforts. At 1600 during a stand up and get the blood circulating break I took a look over the side to see if my favourite fish was there. A black line about six feet below the surface stretched across my field of view. Bewildered, I was about to poke an oar down to try hooking it up when it suddenly dawned on me that what I was looking at was the sea anchor rope. The rope is 100 metres long and it sinks, so I had two 50 metre lengths of rope glued to the bottom and they were being towed wherever we went. Once the rope was back into it’s bucket, I began rowing and easily made over two knots.
Each evening before retiring to my stateroom I perform deck rounds to stop just that sort of problem. I must have been half asleep last night.
Tomorrow, in order to determine my fate, a court martial will be convened.
The muesli will last another day, maybe two.
Six clicks. To Antigua 1879nm.
Tuesday 15th March 2005
Happy birthday, my dear chum Jacky.
Jolly fine rowing weather. The happiness factor is rising on board, largely due to our progress and the party coming up on Thursday. Distance wise, we will be one third of the way to Antigua by noon. This milestone has been a long time coming, if the winds and currents stay as they are the next one should pass more speedily.
After my court martial this morning I began rowing and took a break for lunch at 1300. The cooker would not light. No gas is getting through and it seems totally blocked. Searching the boat for the instructions took too long and I didn’t find them anyway, so for the moment the freeze-dried food is being rehydrated with cold water.
How did it go?
Oh, the court martial.
Court martial convened.
Call Captain James Little.
Sir.
You are charged on the 14th March you were negligent when carrying out deck rounds. How do you plead?
Guilty, sir.
You put me in a very awkward position Captain. I have to be president of the court, prosecutor, defending counsel and defendant.
Sir.
It’s a good job you pleaded guilty, that makes things much easier. It is a very serious matter though, have you anything to say in mitigation?
Must have been very tired, sir.
No excuse, guilty as charged then. I sentence you to be relieved of your command, you will take your vessel to the island of Antigua.
Sir.
Carry on.
Thanks for the messages David and Alison Kirk, Ian and Bev, Guy Arnott and Dave Bennett. The only photos I have are still in the one family camera I am carrying and will be developed in Antigua. I will post the best of them on the site as soon as I can.
A big hello from the ocean to all listeners of Radio Broadland 102.
No cooker, no clicks. To Antigua 1845nm.
Wednesday 16th March 2005
This morning the wind had shifted to the southeast which is not disastrous but not the best. Soon after I began rowing it died altogether so progress has been a bit slower today. Fine sunny weather though and a happy mood on board.
Yesterday I spotted a piece of debris which I thought to be collectable so I rowed back to have a look. Upon arrival it turned out to be a large sheet of a type of composite wood which was too large to lift. Underneath the sheet swam hundreds of the species of fish to which my little favourite under the boat belongs. I know not yet whether she has stayed with them or has continued her odyssey with us.
With the help of the ORS forum contributors, I have managed to fix the cooker. It was un petit morceau de sois dans le carburettor. Many thanks to all concerned, it is good to have a reservoir of experience to call on and very reassuring.
Fixing the cooker cost me a few miles today so please forgive me for a short bulletin, I have an evening shift to row.
One click, of course. To Antigua 1823nm.
Thursday 17th March 2005
Happy St Patrick’s Day.
Today’s goal was to reach 30 degrees West. That was achieved at 1714hrs and signifies that we are now one third of the distance through our journey. Yippee!
During today’s row I spotted several of my favourite fish (whatever they are) close to the boat and it seems that Myrtle (for that is her real name) has brought her chums along for the ride. What an honour.
Whilst drinking your Guinness this evening, you are permitted to have a derisory chortle at the chump who forgot what would be happening in his absence and failed to include a few tins in his shopping list.
The last of the muesli was consumed with relish this morning. I now face a challenge to prepare a varied breakfast with whatever there is available. I shall keep you informed.
This evening, in recognition of the milestone that we passed earlier, a gargantuan gastronomic extravaganza will be served in the long room. Carriages at 3 a.m.
One click. To Antigua 1804nm.
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