Didn’t someone write a song about that?
Pleased to report we are now West of that amusing wiggle that we traced over the previous few days with our jaunt back the way we had come. Amusing now – I admit I wasn’t entirely impressed while wiggling said loop and it is annoying to throw three days down the pan like that. Such is the lot of an ocean rower – the weather plays a large part in deciding the speed of a crossing .
With no water in my main can this morning and my batteries really not looking healthy I decided to try manually operating the watermaker. This involved a three hour round trip of disassembly, bemusement, cursing, giggles, assembly for manual operation and then the gutting realisation that the way in which it has been installed means that it physically cannot be manually operated. Grr…I should have just tried the spare manual one… Still, I shimmied the boat round to let the solar panels face NE so the batteries are juicing up again. And worry ye not, I opened my spare jerry can of water so haven’t shrivelled up like a prune either.
It is a good feeling to be Westbound again, and to have the sun for company. I might treat myself to a chapter of the Odyssey later or perhaps an hour of music to celebrate…decisions decisions…
Other triumphs include finding( and then eating, naturally) a mars bar from one of my food bags (a few days in advance) and also finding that the lid from a water bottle I’d been storing pasta in fits one of my water bottles which had gone mouldy right at the bottom, too far down to reach.Didn’t think to bring long pokey brush with me, you see. Little things, little minds, 48 days at sea – believe me, you get excited about these things.
Thanks for the messages – I got the sense you sensed the ever-so-slighty-annoyed-with-the-weather imp which had been running around in my head . He’s gone now and there is the usual jumble of thoughts, remnants of songs etc knocking around in there, so all is good.
Ciao for now,
S x
PS (will post reminder every day until Thursday) BBC R4 Woman’s Hour, Thursday 21st May, 10am ish. I’ll be hooking up live with Jenni Murray
Sarah, you’re an absolute gem. I’ve been following your track for ages (and those of the Woodvale Indian Ocean race to Mauritius). I’m glad you’re now getting back on track and heading in the right direction. A couple of days ago I was wondering if one of the race boats would come in sight of you (the Pura Vida with a crew of four young ladies) I reckon it would have been great to at least wave to each other. There’s another one about to pass just north of you. You probably already know about that.
Anyway, I just thought I’d try and give you just a little bit of encouragement, I think you’re marvelous and hope you succeed.
Hi Sarah,
Hurrah, westward ho! Good to see you back on track and catching some sun again. Steward Arthur is now a solar bear…
I hope this doesn’t offend anyone but I thought you might appreciate a joke 🙂 ……..
A burglar broke into a house one night. He shined his flashlight around, looking for valuables, and when he picked up a CD player to place in his sack, a strange, disembodied voice echoed from the dark saying, “Jesus is watching you.”
He nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his flashlight off, and froze. When he heard nothing more after a bit, he shook his head, promised himself a vacation after the next big score, then clicked the light on and began searching for more valuables. Just as he pulled the stereo out so he could disconnect the wires, clear as a bell he heard, “Jesus is watching you.”
Freaked out, he shined his light around frantically, looking for the source of the voice. Finally, in the corner of the room, his flashlight beam came to rest on a parrot. Did you say that?” he hissed at the parrot. Yep,” the parrot confessed, then squawked, “I’m just trying to warn you.” The burglar relaxed. “Warn me, huh? Who in the world are you?” “Moses,” replied the bird. Moses?” the burglar laughed , “What kind of people would name a bird Moses?” “The kind of people that would name a Rottweiler Jesus . “
Hi Sarah, gald to hear you are doing so well Mars bars are just the best, i have just read your blog and now i have to go and get one!!
i had a thought about the long pokey brush thing what a bout a tooth brush!!!
best wishes robert, tracey, and da dogs……
Sarah, your blogs,..well what can I say…its great to read how you are getting on each day, and I feel that I am with you with each success but also the small hiccups..!
I am thoroughly entertained with my morning reads and knowing your on course and 47 days into the attempt, I am extremely proud, and wanted to wish you all the best..!
I will of course be checking in every couple of days, and will try and find some interesting facts for your to read on this mammoth trip of yours..
all the best
ashx
Yes, I think the song was a gay recruitment gig up there with YMCA, but hey ho (silver lining)
Just gotta say – well done done, My husband and I wouldn’t even go on the boating lakes with the kids at St Annes this Easter. Very impressive. The whole family is watching your progress.
Yewww, No offense and I know people are just trying to be helpful, but don’t use your toothbrush on anything other than your teeth. Really! you don’t want to get ill.
Having said that, I can’t think of anything else to use.
Congrats to be back westwards! I am sure it helps mentally to know that you can survive a three day hiccup and continue on again! Thinking you’re as wonderful and sensational as ever!!! xxx
Sometimes these things are sent to try us – and they do. Knew you would soon be back on track, Sarah.
Last night played midwife to Meg (grand daughter of Gwen, you remember my blue merle border collie?) We had 7 puppies between 9pm and midnight and mother and babies all doing well. Do you remember the dog in Michael Morporgo’s Kensuiki’s Kingdom. He loved boats – maybe a puppy or 7 to keep you company?
Progress good here and hope to be back at SJS after Half Term.
Keep on rowing, Sarah – with you in spirit!!
Libby
Sarah! Hello to you out on the ocean! Excellent to hear that you are going in the right direction again. The weather has pushed everyone out on the ocean backwards so you are not alone. Your blogs keep Jamie and I entertained as ever and we will definitely be listening to you on the radio. Happy rowing and we hope you and Dippers are well. Love Emily and Jamie x
P.S It looks like soon Jamie and I will be the proud owners of Happy Socks! x
Sarah: Did Jamie and Emily miss the part where you mention the installation of the water maker? Seems like testing the hand pump would be on the check list. TSK TSK. Laughing to myself. At Least you know the Hull will hold out.
Hi Sarah, so happy for you going back on track, forget about the loop be loop! and head straight ahead!!! Mauritius here she comes…..