The last two weeks has been super busy getting ready – today even more so since Ricardo Diniz from Portugal, my weather guru, Jesus lookalike and manager over here in Oz said we were good to go rowing. He will update in a day or so with some info about the first strokes out to sea.
5am Aussie time will see me taking the first few strokes away from the jetty – happy happy days to be living the dream. I have a few butterflies for company but am feeling good and ready to go.
Thank you for all the messages of support – this is such a team event, I just do the rowing! Don’t forget to shake out your pockets for shrapnel and papery bits and wing it to the wonderful work of Arthritis Care. By the time I reach Mauririus – lets see it topping 10K for them. So tell all your mates, colleagues, rellies, pets and neighbours and lets see if we can nail it.
A huge thank you too for the help, sponsorship, donations, advice etc that have helped me get this far and will help me get across the ocean, to folks and friends for being so understanding of my fruit loopy ways, to Royal Perth Yacht Club here in Freo’ and Perth for hosting me and welcoming me so warmly and the little fairies that have helped pack the boat into the wee hours out here!
Looking forward to seeing you in Mauritius and beyond.
Sarah & Dippers xx
You think you’ve got butterflies? What about all of your chums and chummesses who are thinking of you? I want to see lots of entries in that log book of yours sponsored by “you know who”. The smelly badger sends wet kisses too. There’s no rush, so take it easy old girl. We are keeping everything crossed for your safe arrival in Mautitus. Love from the Holties. xx
Best of luck Sarah, from me and from all of us at SHS. Fair winds and seas go with you. What you will accomplish will inspire many of our girls here to do more, go further and try harder than they believed possible.
Yay! Go Sarah. Go. I’ll be cheering you on every day. Hope the ocean is full of adventures – nice ones! All of us at Arthritis Care are behind you. Kate x
Wonderful to talk to you earler. Hope you have managed a snooze!!
GO! GO! GO! go for it. I shall be with you every “stroke / pull ” of the trip!!!!
Am still sat here waiting for Central News to turn up. THey said they would be here 20 mins ago!! Bonnie will have to wait a bit longer for her walk!!
Mike rang me shortly sfter we spoke. he sends his love and best wishes too. He’ll be watching your progress….just as I shall. Take care, have a wonderful row……
Love you,
Mum xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Last time I checked it was still “several days to go”!
Good luck (although you won’t need it – I’ve no doubt you’ll do great). Just think of it this way: you’re already well into the final 4,000 miles, so make sure you enjoy every second of it!
Sam
Hi to you both, Good luck and may the wind be behind you all the way! We shall all be thinking of you and wish you a speedy journey. Looking forward to your up-dates and Mauritius here we come!!
Love Kitty, Tim, Anna and Liv
Wow, can’t believe you’re finally off! Wishing you all the luck in the world (not that you’ll need it!) and looking forward to hearing all about it once you’ve arrived safely in Mauritius.
Go for it!
Sarah x
Godspeed Sarah, thinking of you lots, much love from George, Cousin J and the monsters (and the cat) x
saw the accompanying yacht hull in the distance well on way to passing Rotto. Best of luck, i am awed by your bravery, Sarah
Sarah departed to a hearty three cheers from well wishers a fraction before 6am West Australian daylight saving time from the Royal Perth Yacht Club’s Fremantle annex which is immediately next to the harbor entrance to Fremantle and Perth’s Swan River. She launched in exactly the place that Australia II lived before and after winning the America’s Cup.
A small group of us paddled seakayaks out for her first mile and she told me the name of her Mum’s friends family who “owned” the first 40 miles but I’ve forgotten already.
She was doing 3knts with a brisk ESE tailwind and after we returned for coffee in Fremantle we saw her 5 miles up the coast (we drove up) making good progress. She looked well prepared, very focussed and composed as she set off and was in good spirits. Very organised.
Weather shows easting breeze for several days so she will have a ripper of a start.
Row row row our boat Sarah.
Glad you are on your way. Stiff onshore wind to assist the push this morning. Best of luck.
Best of luck Sarah on your epic adventure !
Thanks for the giving us the time yesterday for the photo shoot prior to your departure.
cheers,
Paul – Getty Images
Hi to all Sarah’s friends and particularly her Mum!
I was down at the ocean early this morning with a small group to farewell Sarah with a hearty 3 cheers and we then boarded a friend’s yacht, aptly named “Just DO It”, to follow her out through the shipping lanes as we watched for the sun to rise. It was a glorious sunrise (they all are here in West Oz)and the light was reflected off a glowing face with a wide, wide smile and we could hear snatches of song. A 15kn E breeze made it all look easy. Gulls were circling over head checking it out. After about 2 hours we turned around and with a rather wobbly (we were at sea!) Mexican wave from the rail, returned to shore.
To Sarah’s Mum: I am a Mum; how proud you must be and all the other stuff too. Had the priviledge of hosting Sarah for one “sleepover” and we sailed together one day. I thought she was special. Smart, friendly, relaxed, focused. A real delight.
Best of luck Sarah.
Cheers, Sally.
Best wishes. May everything go better than you had hoped.
Go, go, go Sarah. We’re all thinking about you and spurring you on. My Mum just rang to say she’d heard about you on the news this morning in Oxford!!
Lots of love winging it’s way to you from Anita, Lars, Will, Jonny and Jalfrezi Xxxxxxxxx
Aaah – apostrophe queen!! Can’t believe I got that one wrong – noticed as I hit send!! Still, a minor thing in the grand scheme of things!!! And a good excuse to write again!
Lots of love and a big hug, Axxx
Dear Sarah, from Lisbon, Portugal, I wish you a great success to this challenge! God bless you!
I hope That You will be succeed .
Dear Sarah I hope you have safe trip my Family and I wish you all
luck and arrived safe Mauritius the time 9 30pm Sunday night Perth
W.A. I wonder what are you doing right now???? My Wife is watching
The Bill, any away good luck and all best. Ati.