Panic ye not, I was the rescuer not the rescued.
While rowing along yesterday evening I was jolted out of my daydreaming when a flying fishlet (he was just a tiddlerette, not even a tiddler) bounced up over the gunwhale, straight into my lap, and off onto the deck. I performed deck-to-sea-repatriation immediately, so I think he’ll be headed back to the Air Corps once he shakes off the headache.
Now striding out down the back straight of this Final Lap in – the ‘100 nauties to the beach’ sign is ready to wave us on later today. And folks, we’re about to head into the 50s, for the final two degrees!
Still mind-boggled. Still excited. Still focussed as a focussed thing.
Outey Toot Toot x
Mnd blowingly exciting! A Great moment in history is about to be stamped upon the face of the earth, ocean and hearts of all adventurers!!
I hope we get to see a film of the impending ecstatic moments!!
WE once had a rather large Silver Salmon jump into our boat to escape from a seal. But since we were fishing for Salmon at the time we decided to keep him….
Hi Sarah – been ‘watching’ you from Nepal and we’re totally amazed at your continous positive attitude. I will be spending time with Adrian B later today and we will raise a glass for you. Wishing you all the best on your home straight! Charlie Martell
Hi SARAH
You revel in your last 100 nauites as you have really earnt it,
Flying Fish are a wonderful sight , as i have seen many on my years at sea , hope you have great weather for your landing like we are in WEST AUSSIE TODAY Keep Safe CHERRIO !!!!!!!!!
Hi Sarah
I have watched your progess since you left my home town of Perth, to the point that my wife thought that you and I had something going on. I assurred her that that would be impossible given your location over the past 100 or so days! Well done for such a courageous and inspiring journey. If it wasn’t for people like yourself who push the boundries and do what can’t be done, we’d all still be living in caves. I will certainly donate to your cause.
Regards
Craig
Hi Sarah.
I have been watching you from Oakham from day one with great admiration. Very best wishes for the final straight.Richard Adams
Off to the Aussie rules footy but still following your every move. So impressed. All the best.
When do you set foot in England again? If it’s before the 18th then I will be half way round the world in China still. You may have to wait a while longer for brownies I’m afraid but you will definitely get some!! xxx
HI FOLKS.
JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT RICARDO HAS ARRIVED IN MAURITIUS. HE HAS JUST BEEN PICKED UP FROM THE AIRPORT BY MARCEL NOE.
HOW FANTASTIC.!!
Thanks again …………….for all the followers’ comments. They have been so inspiring, and I know that Sarah has been amazed at how many of you have been out there following what she’s been up to.
You are ALL starts too, in my eyes anyway. Without all your support, we’d never have got this far.
Thank you,
Helen
I meant STARS !! silly me, my typing went a bit wrong.Well, it’s early!!
Helen
So great to see you are nearly there. From our short meeting in Iceland I have been following you all the way it is a real credit for you to achieve such a great and challenging feat. I will miss your daily logs which shows your wonderful courage and great sence of humour. Roll on the last few miles. Jackie
For Helen (Sarahs Mum):
Many thanks for those media links on yesterday’s blog, those are what I hoped to find. It’s going to be difficult not to get ‘glued’ to the computer during these next few days. Getting (even more)exciting isn’t it ?
Last year Sarah bought a kayak from me to do the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race. Watching her fall in a few times but still determined to go ahead I thought she was mad! Then she was telling me about her plans for this expedition, and I thought she was really mad! But having watched her progress over the last few months, whilst still mad, her achievements are amazing. I’m sure everybody who’s followed her progress is in awe of such an outstanding display of courage and achievement. WELL DONE, I’m sure your Father was proud to have a daugther with such determination
I am Ben and i am 8 yrs old!
I just want you to have a good journey and BRAKING THE WORLD RECORD!
Kind regards
Ben.
Think McDonalds will catch on and bring out the “Flying Fillet O’Fish” sandwich in your honour?
Washed down with a rum punch thick shake….?
Yeah, I doubt it too.
Astounded at your adventure and what you have acheived.
DO NOT CALL A BLOG AIR SEA RESCUE!!!!! you gave me a flipping heart attack! x
Hi Sarah,
Since I waved you off at Fremantle you have almost achieved your goal, but stay wary, the sea is mighty and must be treated with respect.
I am off to France on Monday and won’t be near a computer for ten days, so I’ll miss your landing, but I’ll be with you in spirit; and I’ll catch up on the blogs when I get back to a computer.
Point of trivia:- I must be the only one of your blogees who doesn’t crave chocolate – still that’s my problem …
Very best wishes for a safe landing and a happy reunion with your family,
Steve
Dear Sarah, Just a quick e-mail to tell you what a brave and spirited girl you are (but you already knew that didn’t you?!) As I am terrified of the water I think it’s ‘brave with knobs on’!!! I have read all the blogs and tracked you every day, sometimes more than once!!!
Harry and I missed you when we met up with your mum at Rutland Water. We all went to lunch in a local hostelry, where we heard all about you and your adventures.
I hope you don’t mind me contacting you as you don’t know us from a hole in the ground, but enjoy the bench (Mum’ll explain!) Give Helen my love when you meet up. As a mum myself I should think she has had as many – but different – mental battles as you have!
Big hugs Sarah, and what a wonderful daughter you are – keep up the good work.
Pammie and Harry
Hi Sarah.
Have been following your exciting adventure since hearing one of your interviews on radio 2 sometime ago. will now be incommunicado for a few days as grandkids need a holiday. We think you are really amazing and wish you happy landings in M. Best wishes from Oakham.
Kay & Nigel.
Hello Sarah,
I have been following your progress since you started. I am looking forward to hearing that you have arrived safely. I admire your courage and the fact that you still keep your sense of humour in spite of many difficulties. Enjoy your reception which I am sure will be tremendous, you deserve anything that may be planned for you.Most of all you are looking forward to is a hug from your Mum I feel sure.
LOts of good wishes,
Ruth Snell.
HI SARAH, THIS IS MY 2ND AND LAST EMAIL. I GUESS THERE WAS ALWAYS LOTS TO SAY BUT NOT THE WORDS TO FILL IN THE BLANKS. YOU KNOW ME, IM NOT SHORT ON WORDS WHEN WE ARE TOGETHER. BUT LIKE I SAID, AS YOU LEFT YOUR LAST MASSAGE TREATMENT WAY BACK, (SEEMS AGES, NEARLY 5 MONTHS I GUESS). AFTER 2 YEARS OF DEBATING WHAT WAS IN STORE, ALL THE THINGS YOU WOULD NEED TO TAKE, THE FEARS AND THE AMAZING EXCITMENT YOU ALWAYS HAD WHEN WE MEET AND DISCUSSED IT.I THINK I SAID, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO SOMEONE GOING OFF TO ROW THE INDIAN OCEAN, YOU SAID, DONT KNOW, HAVEN’T DONE THIS BEFORE. SO I GAVE YOU MY LITTLE BLACK CAT FOR YOU TO BRING BACK.
I DON’T KNOW WHAT I WILL DO WHEN EATING MY PORRIDGE, AS THAT IS WHEN I HAVE MY BREAKFAST AND READ ABOUT YOUR AMAZING ROW. YOU HAVE ACHIEVED AN INCREDIBLE DREAM AND I KNOW YOU HAVE ENJOYED THE JOURNEY THUS FAR BE IT 1 OR 2 SCARY BITS. YOU HAVE ALWAYS INSPIRED ME , THE BIGGER THE DREAM THE MORE I GET INSPIRED. THEY DONT COME ANY BIGGER THAN THIS. I LOVE YOUR ATTITUDE, I’VE LOVED THE WAY YOU’VE DELT WITH YOUR CHALLANGES. I’VE BEEN SO PUMPED UP THAT I’M NOW WELL ON THE WAY WITH THE PLANING OF MY DREAM, MY INDOOR SPORTS ACADEMY. FILL YOU IN WHEN YOU GET BACK, BUT IT’S GETTING VERY EXCITING. STAY FOCUSED SARAH AND ENJOY THE LANDING. IM SURE IT WILL BRING TEARS OF JOYOUS RELIEVE, ALL AROUND THE WORLD, BECAUSE THATS HOW FAR YOUR DREAM HAS REACHED AND EFFECTED, THE WORLD.
WELL DONE SARAH, SEE YOU SOON, SOME OF MY GIRLS ARE UP TO GIVE YOU REWARDING MASSAGES AND I WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT YOU, AS I SAID I WOULD, FOR SOME TIME TO COME. LOVE AND BEST WISHES, A FRIEND, A SUPPORTER, ADMIRER, YOU ARE “SIMPLY THE BEST” ALAN X
Hi Sarah,
Just got back from holiday to read your latest blog and follow your progress over the last ‘few’ miles. Everyone at SHS will be cheering you as you cross the finish-line. Christ you spede.
Dyl
hi sarah,well done on the rescue,did have to get myself off the ceiling after reading your srapline though,i wonder if there is ever a film who do you reckon ought to play you?
stay safe for the final bit best regards to you and good old dippers
ian
sarah you are so wicked you could be mistaken for a journo.
Jill & stan
What we think is journey’s end, often turns out to be the very beginning of the adventure. I am confident that the Mauritians will welcome you with joy and great celebration and perhaps the Brits might get their fingers out and cover you in glory as you well deserve. Those flying fish hitch hikers are the advanced guards of celebration for your truely amazing achievment thus far. Keep your eye on the prize, that huge sigh of relief from your Mum and a giant hug. Well done to all of Sarah’s support crew getting her blogs and phone calls to us and radio 2 spots so we can all share in her adventure to date. Sarah you are a worthy celebrity. We are all sitting by our computers waiting to raise a cheer and a glass of champagne. Bring back a few shells from the beach to keep. Woopwoopwahoo!!!! Susie
Hey sarah o. WOOOW you are sooo nearly there! keep it together and dont try and swim the last stretch (just in case!). Ive been telling everyone here on my TA course about what you’ve been up to and they all say you’re mad and ghasp in horror. We have spent most of the afternoon listening to power point which takes a lot of will power just to stay awake in so im procrastinating and pretending to write up notes!! Enjoy that first wobbly jug of bubbly! Love Anna and Kieran xxx
Hi Sarah
Not too long to go now, stay focussed and your Mum and Matt will be waiting for that long awaited hug, even though we won’t be there, we will be with you in thought. What a credit you are and your Dad would be so proud of you like we all are.
Enjoy every moment, your life will never be the same again. We shall look forward to meeting up with you in time.
Give you Mum a special hug from us too, also Matt and Michael when you get to see him.
A wonderful family.
Take care and just enjoy yourselves
C & K
Helen
I knew you didn’t mean STARTS and I thought you meant something else.
Then I realised your upbringing would preclude you from ever calling us FARTS.
I am glad you meant STARS.
As the builders of Flying Ferkins we have been watching them to the finish and keeping an eye on your progress too. It’s very eciting to see you so nearly there!
Best of luck for the last little bit and a safe landing.
Charlie
As Outen means emerge does that mean Sarah like venus will emerge from the sea on Tuesday.
Donal
Sarah,
Mega-compliments and Best of the Best always!
Roz is currently looping – chopping donuts – and going loopy. Please send her a stay happy and enjoy message.
Air Sea Rescue was a masterpiece. Will use it untiringly when telling fish stories.
BBGum: Another excellent fish story. I went jigging for Cod and hooked a Halibut – what a joy-ride that was. (Just for the Halibut!)
Helen: don’t ever let that gal of yours hibernate. She is Life Personified.
And Sarah – I was born 50 years too soon! -Ron 😉
Hey little Sis,
I have just read your latest blog and must admit when I saw the title, my heart skipped a beat. Only 100 miles left and it is still sinking in that your are achiving such an amazing thing. I am immensly proud of you, and I know Dad would be too. Im gutted I cannot be there to welcome you to Mauritius!! Instead I am standing in as dog sitter and she is loving it down here and the attention she gets daily from the boys in the office and the people on the DZ. Let me know when your due to land in the UK and il try to make it. Also when I get back from the states in October and you have recovered a bit, u should come down and we will go make a skydive!! Take it easy little one and good luck with the final push.
Big Love
Mikee xx
ps: ur on for an arm wrestle too!!
It was a bit scary to open the blog but glad the tiddlerette got safely on its way, phew! The excitement is mounting on land so you must feel over the moon.
Enjoy the last few miles & especially your momentous arrival on land…
So happy for you. X
Sarah, you are on the verge of a great achievement. As you approach your destination, there may be other craft jostling to escort you in, so take care not to be thwarted within sight of your goal.
I haven’t any rum punch, but I have chocolate ready to eat in your honour.
Keep putting you oar in,
John.
Sarah you are so inspirational. I have followed you over the last few months in awe. I am preparing to do the Indian solo in 2011 and have loved your attitude to the whole adventure.
Watch the run in as currents pick up and can’t wait to raise a toast to your achievement and consume so choocy for you too.
Sarah –row your butt off girl and make England and Australia proud.
As if you haven’t been doing this all the way.
Go in carefully Matey and caress the beach, sink your ‘toesies’ into the sand and reflect for a moment on your fantastic achievement –if the mob allow you-
I have followed you epic journey everyday and recorded your positional co-ordinates as a log, several times a day –what a journey.
Best wishes for a safe conclusion— from an excited great granddad
Don Golding Geraldton, Western Australia