MISSING: 20 black & white stripey pilot fish
Answer to the name of Tweedles and are particularly intrigued by wiggly toes. Very interested in swimming masks, rowers, Bob and other ‘foreign’ things in their realm, especially things being washed in the water.
Very fond of bow riding, surfing and slip-streaming. Usually social animals, rarely seen alone. Will eat most things.
If you have any information as to their whereabouts or wellbeing, please let the Fish Police or the Serendipity Missing Fish Brigade know as soon as possible.
They are sorely and stripily missed.
……………………………………………..
Folks, I didn’t want to cause undue alarm, so when I noticed a severe and saddening lack of Tweedles these last couple of weeks, I said nothing. But our little fishycade (think motorcade, just more fishy) has been reduced to one solitary striped ‘ole faithful. And the Rt. Hon. Tweedle le Grand – I haven’t seen him for weeks. Gulp. Maybe he’s fish food.
Obviously I’m trying to be rational about it all. I’ve worked through the time I last saw them, their behaviour, our chats. And there is nothing I can think of that made me think my Tweedling days were numbered. I just hope their stripes are safe and they’re having fun. Of course, maybe it is our beautifully straight line and honkin’ speed that has thrown their lateral lines off kilter. I don’t know, but I worry something fishy might be going on.
Maybe it is just time for the next chapter as M draws closer and they have moved on to pastures blue. I have already been visited by two stunningly beautiful terns – the like of which we haven’t seen since the Aus side of things. A loooong time ago. 118 days ago.
Well, my absent friends, you have guided us well and kept me company. I shall always remember our ocean adventures and if you’re ever in need of somewhere to stay (we have a bath), need a helping fin with anythhing, then shout me out. Rutland may be utterly landlocked but there’s a reservoir…and the local supermarket sells salt.
I’ll miss you buddies, some great times we had together,
Outey Toot Toot x x
Hi Sarah, after the initial gasp at the title of your latest blog (don’t do that again, please!) I can guess at where the Tweedles are…they have become the mascots of the Brisbane Alice Through The Looking Glass Society and had to do an extra-big push to get back to Oz and around the North coast to make it in time for the ceremony…if that’s not the case then I reckon the idea of rum punch has proved too much for them and they have turned back to accompany other sailors. Maybe they are really Angel Fish and have just been looking after you?! Keep smiling, almost there and I’m sure the Tweedles are following your blog….Amanda x
Ah you see, Sarah, they can taste land – Mauritius and its deliciousness ( hmm, delicious Mauritius is exactly right ), and they didn’t like it.
Unless, like the poor 70 foot Fin Whale impaled on the bow of a cruise liner docking at Vancouver today, the tweedles took bow dodging to a different level.
I’m sure theyt smelt the curries though, and fled back to Oz.
Hi Sarah
I have enjoyed your blog tremendously its almost like being there. I hope you get lots of publicity about your trip – I am amazed at how well you are doing. Also thanks for supporting the work we do here at Arthritis Care for people with arthritis, we appreciate your fantastic support. I hope its land ahoy very soon
Nina
We’ve left our chief pilot Tweedle to guide you in to M, we enjoyed our holiday, we’ve got stuff to do! Good luck, The Tweedles….
Have the submariners taken them??
To Jill & Stan Lewis.
Thanks for your comment.
Mike.
Gosh, don’t put headlines like that again please – nearly gave me heart failure – glad that you are doing o k – how many more days is it likely to be now?
Forgot to mention that Mauritius is 3 hours ahead of UK. MBC television.
hi sarah,got my self right side up again after reading the masthead in my inbox!really glad you’re ok notwithstanding the missing tweedles,my guess is that they just got a bit knackered and are having a rest now that you are well on the way to shore,wouldn’t be suprised if in a few months you find them flapping about on your doorstep asking about this resevior……perhaps also they’ve gone back to help along others behind you,could be someone elses tern…
best regards to you and dippers
ian
Hi Sarah,
Are you sure the Tweedles had the right entry papers for Mauritius? Probably nipped back to Aus because they forgot their “pass ports”.
Or maybe they have sussed there’s an imminent shortage on the cocoa front – ‘huh, if choc’s away, so are the Tweedles!’ But, more likely, they’ve been taking care of you and they now think you are getting the hang of it all and can be entrusted to fly Solo – except for the one watchful guardian deputed to keep his eye on you.
As land starts creeping up, maybe you’ll play host to all kinds of daytripping wildlife drop-ins – not just terns, but perhaps your long-awaited squallus will come finning along out of the blue ….new thrills to spill in the book which we’re all ordering for Christmas.
Hope you are tidying up Dippers nicely – otherwise Helen, Sarah’s Mum, may have something to say!!!!! Plus you’ll probably find buried goodies if you turn out enough lockers….
best wishes Jane
I have just read your letter to Professor Dawkins – a truly inspiring piece of prose. Good luck with the final stages of your journey.
Hi Sarah-
I was at Greens Cafe in Oxford about a month or so ago and was very inspired by your story. (They have posters up explaining what you are doing). I wanted to write sooner but I was in America building trails and bridges in the Delaware Water Gap and just got home yesterday.
What you are doing is absolutely amazing. I wish you the best of luck and will be following your blog closely. Way to go girl!
Virginia
Hi Sarah
I’ve just read an article on the Richard Dawkins website about your epic journey. Can I set your mind at rest please? Your stripey friends have formed a quite disorderly Q at Waterstones in Perth waiting for a copy of the Cod Delusion!
Fantastic trip you’re having and more power to your elbow(s).
Hi Sarah,
I have been following your journey since Day 1.
Checking your progress on the tracker and reading your blog has become my daily routine. Not far to go!(awfully long way away for a petty mortal like me but just a stone throw away for super Sarah) I will follow your progress til the end and will be cheering on from WA.
Wish I could be there at the M to see you and your faithful Dipper roaring in.
Perhaps the Tweedles are off making little Tweedles somewhere.
almost 120 days WOW that’s almost….er…let’s see, divide by 30 carry the 9….Damned public schools.
My friends at our local Unitarian Universalist church think it is amazing that someone, let alone a 24 year old person would row four months across the Indian ocean. I hope you don’t mind me lighting candles on your behalf.
Sarah
It is so simple. You are just going too fast for these fish. they are unable to keep up, so think of it as good news and not bad news.
All the best
Adrian
still in Chichester Harbour