Team Pacific - here we go...
We are going rowing. For real. Gulliver and I will be launching on Sunday 13th May at 7am from Choshi Marina. Do come along and wave us off if you are able.
For those of you unable to join us then worry not: you can watch a live stream by clicking on this link here. We will be broadcasting from 0645 JST or for those of you in the UK it will be 2245 on Saturday night.
We will put Gulliver in the water tomorrow afternoon, once I have stamped out of the country (again) and stocked up on fresh fruit from the supermarket. One last visit to the onsen for a hot bath and back to the hotel for an early night. I expect sleep will be light and restless as my mind races and the butterflies charge about in my tummy. They are already there now, having returned once Lee and I confirmed departure earlier today. They can stay though – they will keep me safe and alert and, I hope, will fuel me through the big push out to the Kuroshio current. Once we are safely ‘in’ it, we shall gain some ‘free’ mileage as it transports us away from land and out into the ocean.
I shall be tweeting, blogging and phonecasting throughout the journey, so you will be able to share in all the dramas and excitement and frustrations. To track my position live, then check out the tracker page here. Be prepared – at times, Gulliver and I will be doingdo some pretty knitting and wiggles as we head east.
All salty best,
Sarah and Gulliver x
PS With just £605 to go until we break the £11,000 mark for the charities, it would be great to see this smashed before I leave. Please throw in whatever spare pennies and pounds you can find here
As NASA would say….”all system are GO”. Fantastic news. Safe journey Sarah and Gulliver to “my home and native land”…Canada. I will be following your progress daily.
john, Bay of Quinte on the shores of Lake Ontario
And there she (almost) goes! Whoop whoop!!!!
Hope you have a great adventure and a safe journey, will be dot watching all the way,
Safe crossing, enjoy the last untamed wilderness, the deep ocean. You are a real inspiration. Have an amazing time.
As you prepare to leave Choshi, I shall be just about to start the Moonwalk from Hyde Park. I’m feeling quite chuffed at the amount of sponsorship I’ve got, so that will spur me on as I trek through the 26.2 miles.
Mandy and Terry Black send you big hugs. We shall be thinking of you as you push out of Choshi.
Teifi and Evie say they will come out and swim with you if you like, but you’ll have to wait whilst they get to Japan first………
For now……..HUGE hugs xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Love you!!!
( PS I’ve told the Pacific Ocean to cradle you gently in her arms until you reach Vancouver!!!!)
Fantastic news Sarah! So very proud of a fellow old Stamfordian conquering the sand and swell! Sending you all the best for the launch, I’ll be watching from Ann Arbor, Michigan! Looking forward to finding out about your cycle route for North America.
Go get it!
This is great news, Sarah! Bon voyage!
Exciting days and months ahead and we shall be constantly with you as you row your way across this Ocean.
much love Sarah
xtina
“Without us, mountains and oceans have no meaning by themselves –
they are there and always will be, but for a very,very few. Their presence inspires a dream of putting our puny strength against their might, and to conquer not them but ourselves.
The quest to prove worthy of an almost inconceivable challenge is our greatest reward”
(John Fairfax)
You know it’s Mother’s Day here in the USA on Sunday!?! What a fitting day to leave on your Pacific voyage. You should dedicate the day and the launch to your Mum!
We are praying for you Sarah! God Speed!
Blessings,
Dave & Louise Baldwin
Hi Sarah, I’ve been following your story and find it all kinds of impressive! Will be cheering you on and wishing you the best of luck and all of that as you take off tomorrow!
Message for GULLIVER……………………………………..PLEASE look after my little girl on that ocean!!!!
Message for Sarah………………………………………..GO GIRL GO!!!!! Stay safe and I’ll see you in Vancouver!!!!
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How thrilling and exciting….Gam Batte…!
What fantastic news! Will be looking out for your stories…go well and have a great journey…will make sure the Juiceplus is waiting for you in Vancouver lots of love xxxx
Go Sarah Go!!! Massive, massive good luck to you and Gulliver. Hope you have a wonderful adventure and a safe journey. Will be following every stroke.
Clare xxxxxx
Wishing you all the success, fun and good fortune in the world – following your adventures is inspiring! Thank you and best wishes! xxx
Go Sarah. Good Luck and stay safe. We will be watching!
Love Julian, Cathy, Chloe and Emily.
Dear Sarah,
We wish you many happy butterflies.
We will follow you all the way as we did when you left RPYC Fremantle.
Our love and best wishes for a safe row.
Jill and Stan. (from Lady J, off to Rottnest when you left the first time for Mauritius. We adored your last journey) Good luck!
Good luck! We’ll be following your adventure on this side!
Go well, go safely! Saw your Mum in Uppingham yesterday, looking well and very yellow in her ‘collecting for air ambulance’ outfit. It was lovely to catch up and hear news of your brothers and of her and you too. She seemed chilled at you setting off. Good for you, Helen! We’ll be watching tonight and cheering you on. (or off!? – at least it won’t, we hope be ‘on and off’ again. Love from Pam and Paulxx
Bon Voyage!
You have no need to fear the Ocean, because I know that you respect it. However, you will still be mightily ‘impressed’ at times !
We are following you as closely as a bunch of Tweedles.
God speed and fair winds, Sarah
Hi Sarah
Just wanted to say we shall be thinking of you as you set off on the next part of your journey.
Take great care and enjoy we shall certainly look forward to heraing all about it.
Much love
C & K
Hi Sarah & Gulliver, I hope you get a good weather window
and a safe departure from Choshi. All the best from the big blue 🙂 Charlie
& Blossom x
Gorgeous day, heart-warming send- off, great to be able to watch it live. Good luck Sarah and God bless. Caroline x
Safe travels Sarah , we will be watching your sqiggely progress .
You’re off on the next leg of your grand adventure and I can’t wait to learn what great sights you’ll see! Wishing you a safe crossing and many starlit nights to row and dream by!
~Gigi
Virginia Beach, VA
All the very best of luck Sarah, hope your crossing is as smooth as possible. We’ll be following your trip every step of the way.
Sarah
Wonderful news Sarah. Row well, stay safe, be positive at all times. We’ll be watching your progress all the way and sooooooooooooooo looking forward to seeing you approach shore in around 7 months time!
Atension Sarha Outen, News flash.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/british-rowers-aim-to-become-first-male-female-team-to-row-deadly-atlantic-route-151301915.html
Great news Sarah, we are following your progress all the way. Best wishes, Ian
Tigger is off at last! So pleased you waited for the right time; we’ll be tracking your journey now from the calm of Stamford. I can’t imagine even one night on the ocean! Molly’s cookies and cakes for you next time you’re here – love and calm waters – Kiffy x
Bon Voyage !! Your escort boat backed to The Tone river at pm3 May 14, They worried about you will be exhausted for the Tough waves & streams on The Kuroshio Current. But, it will push you to the East on.
Please, Keep your originally planned pace to row to the East for 2-3 days. Ganbattee !!
Good luck…….Sara
Hi Sarah
“May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face”
All the very best for the journey ahead – you are remarkable!
Maria
Low pressure will move to your latest position around May 16-17. So, will you make it to cope with it (strong wind &high waves)? In this season, you will have Low pressure in every 3-4 days. This is the 1st challenge to your crossing the Pacific, Ganbatte( Do your best in Japanese) for your safe voyage !!!
That’s really amazing! She just left Japan on May 13. Good luck!
Hi Sarah
We were lucky enough to have you visit our school after your last adventure across the Indian Ocean so the children already know lots about you.
I am using one of your latest videos in our school assembly this week when I talk to the children about what courage is. Good luck and we will keep track of your journey across the Pacific. xx