Unless things change radically and very soon, Day 104/ 105 will go down as Red Letter Days. For all the wrong reasons.Though for now, I leave it at that. You’ll have to waait for the book.
Very,very wild here – and not much fun. Once again on this voyage I have added to the ‘Scariest moments in my life’ list. Happy if it doesn’t grow any further.
And happier still when the wind and waves calm down enough for my pulse to return to normal and for Bob to come back in.
See, it’s times like the past 40 hours that remind me of just how far I have to go still. It is not the ‘home straight’ until I see my landing spot on the jetty – it is just closer to Mauritius than Australia.
From me and the team,
Outey Tooot Toot x
PS
Xtina – Spoke to FF and heard about the blue whale – very,very chuffed for them. My #1 all-time wish! You know you could swim through some of their arteries and their heart is the size of an elephant. Mind-blowing.
Marcel – I think I might need a hairdresser…
Anita – You wore happy socks and flipflops?! You’re forgiven only on account of them being happy socks.
Craig- Still happily annd firmly on the other bench.
Spike – No green flash yet. Where /how does it flash?
Hold on there Sarah. I am sure the ocean only is furious because it knows you are beating it. I don’t know if i would like Bob’s company out there… it seems like he only visits when the weather is bad.
keep going sarah, you are getting closer to your goal and you will get there.
best regards
rober & tracey
Hi Sarah
Hallie checking in from the High School, all quiet here as the girls are on holidays. Never the less we are all still thinking about you all the time. You are doing just great, keep smiling that landing jetty will soon be in sight. Can’t wait to read your book and share a pint with you in the Toby Norris.
Gods speed, lots of love the good ship SHS
Hi Sarah, my son James is on Southern Cross a bit S of u also trying to get across this mad ocean. They capsized in May & were upside down for 7 mins so I really do hope that your “red letter day” was/is not of this nature. We r obviously following the progress of all the ocean rowers so hang on in there u will all be successful
In admiration & best wishes
Darryl Thysse
Oops, that’s all sounds a bit scary – you’ll have to get on with the book quickly when you get back at the suspense is too much to bear. Keep going – you are doing so very well!x
Sarah
I was just dropping off last night (maybe around 1115ish) when I had the strangest feeling you were in danger….told my husband david about it when he asked what was wrong…then woke up to read this this morning. Really hope all’s well with you….keeping all things crossed and hoping for more encouraging news with your next blog.
lol
Clare H
Sarah – I am sending my Good Weather Fairy to banish the storms and the storm imps, and to reassure you that you are doing wonderfully and are much much closer to Mauritius. Robert is right – the ocean is throwing a strop because you are beating it, and it knows it – keep safe and keep true. Amanda x
I will get my two boys, Ben and Barney, to have a grand singalong rendition of The Mousehole Cat song in your honour when they come back from school today. If it worked for the cat, I’m sure it’ll work for you!
Wishing you well, Sarah! Hang on in there. Wish we could do more than just send you messages but we are thinking of you.
hi sarah,really hope all is well with you now and things are nearer what passes for normal on your epic adventure,you will be especially in my thoughts until we know it’s all ok again,trusting bob and dippers to look after you!
regards
ian
Hi Sarah
Sorry to hear that it’s so rough again-hope it ends soon and you are back in control. We’re all thinking of you…
Love
Stuart, Elaine and all at Ash Cottage.
Sarah you have all of our pulses racing as I am sure we are all anxious about you. I guess it brings into focus how small mankind is on this vast raging planet and the absolute magnitude of your effort. Has to be a huge call for hands into pockets to get those donations up as it is the only challenge Sarah asks of us, to raise the money for her chosen charity, Arthritis Care.
We are all willing you safer and calmer seas.
Our class are amazed at your astonishing progress rowing single handedly across the indian ocean. You have inspired us all and we plan to raise some money for your cause. Hope conditions improve out at sea, and we are all touched by your story. It reminded us of the story by Michael Morpurgo called ‘Alone On a Wide Wide Sea’. Best wishes for a safe journy to Mauritis. We will be following your progress with interest.
love from
Mrs Butler and the rest of 5.1 xxx
Sarah you are soooooooooooo close to smelling Land.
You have braved stormy night oceans and 40 hours of “read it in the book”
The Red Carpet will have to show up in the next few days ……
Have you found any special hidden ( I’ll say it quietly,cause FF might hear and start dreaming of their fav’ foods) chocolate etc? Maybe what you have just been through has shaken below deck ~ you normally talk of goodies to munch on.
As usual, take care.
xtina
Even in the face of Scary, you’re still chipper and writing a blog which makes me smile. Hopefully that thought will give you a few extra nautical yards or so ;O)
Amanda B’s plan sounds like a good ‘un – I just hope that her fairy is a fast flyer.
The main thing is that you’re ok. You know from all the comments here that you have a lot of people cheering you on across the miles.
I wonder if the fish enjoy rough seas. If they do, maybe you could find your inner fish?
Keep up the amazing, inspirational work of getting ever closer…
When the going gets tough, the Tough get going.
You have been going at it so tough for so long that you will need at least a 48 hr massage when you get in. I will organise that…after the rum punches you wont feel a thing!!!
Hi Sarah
Sounds like you may have encountered the Aviator’s dreaded “sudden-unexpected-twang syndrome”. Hoping nothing significant is broken and you can soon get Bob back into his box and make smoother progress towards the Rum.
The Green Flash is more likely to be seen than the Naval Constructor’s Golden Rivet (ask me later !)
GF is an optical refraction/mirage phenomenon which occurs as the sun crosses the horizon but most often seen at sunset (because that is when most people are looking). If it ever calms down, you are in one of the best places to experience it. Seen as a second or two of green or blue colour as the final part of the sun’s disc drops below the horizon. Retinal bleaching can modify how you perceive it. Conditions most favourable seem to be when the top part of the visible disc is distorted or breaking up into striations indicating that refraction is occurring (the sun is probably then well below the geometric horizon). Don’t look directly at the disc if the sun is more than one diameter above the horizon.
I’ve only seen it a couple of times (in the Indian Ocean) but probably because usually too busy with compass checks at SS.
http://mintaka.sdsu.edu/GF/
I saw Mike Golden today and he sends you his best wishes.
Come on everyone – Sarah is only 65% of the way to raising her target of 10,000 GBP. This amazingly brave and (sometimes) scary challenge is worthy of a pound or two. Please help her raise her target before she arrives in Mauritius! Go to her JustGiving page on her web site. It is easy, fast and secure. Thank you 🙂
Sarah, thinking of you so much as the BIG O gives you such a hard time. The risks you are taking for people with arthritis is just something else! We’re all willing the Red Carpet to appear & for that stormy water to give you a break…
Arthritis didn’t even appear in the recent NHS World Class Commissioning survey, you alone have done so much to put arthritis on the national agenda with such a world class goal.
You’re on the right side of Mauritius with a fast growing percentage of the population wishing they could give you a hand. You’re a real challenge for the ocean, it’s proved its point so hope you get your well deserved break VERY SOON. Take care Chrisx
Hi You Might Know Me From 5.4 In Perton Middle School
Im Luke
Hope You Do It Lol
hi sarah u might remember me from the previous mess anyway today was gret we raised a lot of money for you and you have nearley done it so keep on going kate xx