It has been a frustrating last few days for the British Ocean Rowing Team but the light is at the end of the tunnel. As crewman Tom Rendell explains by email on Thursday 25th January;
"As I write, the weather is getting back to our way of thinking after a couple of days of headwinds, beam on seas, and generally slow conditions. This culminated in us spending a frustrating night on a sea anchor. Hopefully it will be the last time the device sees the light of day, before being ditched for the sprint into Barbados. Birdy Bird dived the boat today, to remove the start of Barnacle growth and reports one 4ft Dorado in tow. Although we are now behind schedule, we have already proven the crew's ability to exceed the daily mileage requirement, and we are still playing the long game, confident that our speed will increase as we go on. Our weight is decreasing by about 6 kilos per day, and already feels more like a rowing boat and less like a fully laden barge."
Highly experienced tactical weather expert Mike Broughton is confident that the team will see a big improvement in the wind direction;
"By Friday the wind had already swung around to the North meaning that the team were able to set a course to the South, although this is not ideal, the team are making progress towards far more favourable weather, it is never easy to predict too far into the future but all of the data is supporting a return to fast conditions on Sunday and for at least a week after that."
Peter Petrel
Tom Rendell reports that the crew is still in good spirits;
"We have two Peter Bird's on the trip. One shares the tiny locker in the bows of the boat with me, but our new "Peter" is a very graceful Storm Petrel, predictably named Peter the Petrel, who stays with the boat for most of the day. A turtle was sighted momentarily on Saturday, and today two more birds have come in close to join us for a short while. This morning I spotted some flying fish playing off the stern. Small visits like this make a big difference to morale. As do all the messages of support. They all make a big difference to our spirit and help keep us focused on bringing another small piece of maritime history back where it belongs!"
I am a friend of Fliss Galvin, monitoring your progres from Tenerife where I live. Keep up the good work, it's a fantastic challenge you have set yourselves!All the best Deb
Posted by: Debbie Good | 27 January 2007 at 09:08
Ed, There is much discussion each Wednesday night about your amazing adventure. We all wish you every success in smashing the record. Is there anything you would like parachuting in, via "Hutch" or John K, perhaps a few pints of IPA? Good luck to you all.Ian
Posted by: Ian of the "Old Gits" | 27 January 2007 at 12:34
Hi guys, we're following you from paris and we're doing the "danse du vent" to bring good wind back your way! gros bisous de paris and bon vent!
Posted by: condat family | 27 January 2007 at 15:50
Peut le vent etre avec vous et votre resolution soit forte. Mes pensees et force est avec vous
Posted by: Jac Chad | 27 January 2007 at 17:19
May the wind be with you !
Posted by: Obi-Wan Kenobi | 27 January 2007 at 18:32
Superb effort lads, keep it up.
Rendell clearly has an alliance with mother nature - his interesting and marginally eccentric reports regarding the local flora and fauna were well received back on land....
Keep it up - Bacardis ahoy!
Posted by: Dan Brown | 27 January 2007 at 18:39
mate, i know your working hard but ... i have booked time off work now, so if you will get a wiggle on that would be great!
i know u guys have it in you and the record is yours!
Posted by: Baby Bird, | 28 January 2007 at 07:01
South was your only option,
youve done a good job in heading without giving up much of the westerly progress ,.my estimate is Tues AM will see you on your way. Seems the Atlantic is playing with your heads.looking at your mieages 100 per day is possible! continuous?
Good Luck ORCA
Posted by: orca | 28 January 2007 at 13:44
Ed, you are out of range of our nearest helicopter - Help! But fixed wing is no problem! Good luck!
Posted by: John K of the Old Gits | 28 January 2007 at 16:09
Hi to Peter and the rest of team.
Watching your progress with great interest.
Keep up the good work.
Lots of love,
Maggi & John
Posted by: Maggi Herat | 28 January 2007 at 19:39
what a fantastic effort Ed - you're all doing brilliantly ! Spoke to Mum today - she's well and is glued to the website every day. Hear that Luke and all your mates had a great night at the reunion last night - guest appearances by Remi and Mr Chick !!! Jim Moulton rang us at 3am to let us know that he was looking after Luke - not very reassuring. Take care and we look forward to seeing you fit and tanned on your return. All our love Chris and Sue XXXX
Posted by: sue and chris | 28 January 2007 at 19:49
Well done guys! An excellent 24 hours of progress!! We are cheering you on!!!
Posted by: Ma & Pa Bird | 29 January 2007 at 07:24
Glad to hear you are on the move again. Keep up all the good work. You're all doing so well.
Posted by: Liz J | 29 January 2007 at 08:21
Look after the Batbirds Dom, They will guide you through the storms. Guys, you got a bit of work on now. No real dramas though, (just means Dom will have to start rowing and stop telling ocean dits). Go Royal.
Posted by: TimW | 29 January 2007 at 09:15
come on ed your doing so well mate keep it up and when you do it I have a stunning swedish girl who would very much like to meet you in val !!!!! kick ass edy boy !!!!
winchy
Posted by: ed winchester | 31 January 2007 at 16:01