|
Friday 21st January 2005
Left birth in San Sebastian in La Gomera at 10.00. Rowed slowly out after Alex gave me the last mooring rope. As I rowed out of the Marina, I was waved off by many new friends including three young children who had delighted in running up and down the pontoon for a week shouting "hola" at the boat and me. As I turned the corner into the harbour I was met by two yachts to escort me outbound. One belonged to Peter, the other to the sailing school and crewed by their latest class – a bevy of beautiful Irish ladies.
Crossing the start line, on my left I had the ladies singing the Womble song and on my right the Alex crew with horns and party poppers. I really felt quite emotional on my way out, but an hour later the yacht had gone and adventure began with a start. The south easterly wind blew up just at the same time my hangover kicked in!
If I didn’t row hard now, I’d be blown straight back into harbour to start again. I refused to allow that to happen and rowed solidly for seven hours into the wind to clear the ferries and the land. As soon as I felt clear enough, I flopped off my seat and laid on deck for half an hour. What a way to begin. So much for the long slow build up! My muscles will be remind me about this tomorrow.
Saturday 22nd January 2005
I deployed the sea anchor last night and slept much more soundly than I would have expected. I was woken at 3 a.m. by a ship close by and I saw that the wind had shifted so I immediately took the oars and rowed south. At 5 a.m. the wind died away so I turned in ‘til 8 am.
When I rose Tenerife and La Gomera had gone. A haze hid what was left of their visibility and I was on my own at sea in the smallest boat in the marina looking out across an ocean. The Womble which had seen so big outside the pub, now felt very small indeed.
Stiffness from the big audition yesterday has been a nuisance, but if I keep stretching and rowing it will soon go. Hallucinations have started already – I’m hearing dogs bark and children shouting. This evening a man behind me shouted out "Callum", but I didn’t reply as it's not my name.
Sunday 23rd January 2005
The day was spent trying out rowing techniques whilst trying to avoid El Hierro, an island to the south west of me. I’ve been rowing at right angles to the wind and sea which I find difficult, however a more productive day than others. The trip meter shows 45 miles today. North East wind coming soon?
Monday 24th January 2005
Today was very sunny and hot. 90 degrees Fahrenheit, flat calm all day with a half knot push on the Canary Current. I’ve made water, washed my shirt, tidied the cabin and began to make a half tidy vessel. I listened to Albert Cooper, ate Beef Teriyaki and wore my bow tie for dinner, but not yet opened the wine cellar.
Happy Birthday Andy Lowe! My ornithological coach.
Tuesday 25th January 2005
Yesterday we made 30 miles in a day which is my target for each day. I rewarded myself with an orange. No oranges for today though – only 20 miles. However it is Burns Night, so the Wombles and I celebrated in style and had haggis which I piped in and addressed in the traditional way with a dram.
Trip 90 miles.
Wednesday 26th January 2005
Calm all morning and rowing well but at about 3 p.m. a north west wind came which made conditions difficult. I put out the ‘big boy’ (the sea anchor) and spent the rest of the day being bounced around.
In the forenoon I was joined by the most inquisitive school of dolphins which stayed with me for about an hour. There were about 20 in number and had youngsters with them. They came right up to the boat and brushed the oars and rudder. They jumped and played around and when I stopped rowing they just stayed with me. One lifted its head above the water for some time just watching me. I took a couple of photos and started rowing again. They followed for a while and then went away.
Happy Birthday Harriet!
Thursday 27th January 2005
Spent all last night and all morning on the big boy with no change in the wind direction, but an increase in strength. The Womble has been airborne twice today. I was laid in the cabin listening to the racket (not a punk band), when I suddenly felt weightless. A second later we hit the water with a mighty crash. This was repeated 10 minutes later. No damage done, but freeze dried meal missing presumed lost.
This afternoon I noticed that my right sock was inside out. Now us sagittarians are not given to superstition, but as soon as I turned it the right way out, the wind eased. Therefore my right sock in now my windsock.
Thank you all for the text messages you sent, they really are very welcome.
Trip 111 miles
<< back | next >>
 | 
