“Facing backwards, you see the wave coming, as the boat reaches the top of the wave, we up the pace; pulling with all our might until the oars go slack in the water and we are off! Surfing down the face of the wave, oars out of the foaming water, sea spray flying all around us. Some of the bigger waves make the ride seem like forever, we are pushing hard, sometimes it is just crazy, crazy crazy.” Dom Mee.
“Right now they have to average 84 miles a day to break the record and it is touch and go but the weather is looking like it is going to be absolutely perfect for the foreseeable future; they have a great ‘wind lane’ of east, north easterly wind of between 15 and 25 knots. In ocean rowing terms averaging 84 miles a day is phenomenal pace but they have been achieving very close to that for the last four days, if they can keep it up they are in with a good chance of breaking that record.” Tactical weather navigator, Mike Broughton.
Ed James (pictured on board with well placed hat! Talks about life on board:
“Generally morale remains high. There was even an impromptu naked YMCA dance routine by those not on the oars to keep everyone amused! Night time rowing provides a welcome escape from the sun but it is no less tiring as the two hour on two hour off rota means this is the main time for decent rest. To date getting woken to go rowing every 2 hours has not been getting easier! The prospect is considerably worse when it is raining torrentially in the small hours as it has on a couple of occasions.
Having said this we have witnessed some spectacular pastel coloured sunsets, sunrises and brilliant views of the moon and stars. Dom and Pete saw dolphins at night, heard a whale breaching (though I still think it could have been one of them out of breath!) and even saw a bizarre midnight rainbow of white light.
The T1000 Aka Tom Rendell and I haven't yet been so lucky on the wildlife front but flying fish and shooting stars have become ten-a-penny! My turn for rowing again so I will sign off. I would like to take this opportunity though to thank all those of you who have posted messages of support. They are very well received, keep them coming.
STOP PRESS: A minor disaster stuck earlier today as the ship's head (toilet) was lost overboard! Luckily a replacement was sourced from the ship's stores - ie. We have a spare bucket!” Crewman Ed James.
Without heroes, we are all plain people
and don't know how far we can go.
If not now when?
Posted by: anon | 04 February 2007 at 19:38
Hey guys, you've got every chance of this record and I know how much you all want it. It’s an oldie but a goodie… "Pain is temporary, glory is forever." xx
Posted by: Allender | 04 February 2007 at 23:09
Es, your cousins from west sussex wish all the best luck in the world, they are thinking about you every stroke of the way.Love Pat Davis
Posted by: Pat Davis | 05 February 2007 at 06:34
Keep it up boys great job so far, surf it all the way in!
Posted by: Baz Roche | 05 February 2007 at 08:25
Extraordinary men are created by extraordinary circumstance.
Posted by: chris martin | 05 February 2007 at 09:11
You've got competition, guys — the Neasden Extreme Sports Society have announced they're planning to cross the Atlantic on a plank. The attempt will begin as soon as they can find a plank long enough...
And there be more jokes like that if you don't keep the pace up!
Posted by: Chris Stevens | 05 February 2007 at 11:27
Oi T1000
Some good news. Gabrielle had her cardiology scans and everything is A OK.
Now crack on.
Posted by: Pete Blackman | 05 February 2007 at 12:02
Good to speak to you last night Ed - keep up all that hard work. You are all doing amazingly well and you got a picture and write up in the Sun today.
Posted by: Liz J | 05 February 2007 at 13:02
Digg out fellas! Everyone is following your progress closely at this end. And dont worry about the bucket. You can pick it up on your way back.
Posted by: Cavesy | 05 February 2007 at 15:48
Stop Loafin Lofties!! If your Gonna be a BEAR... You'd Better Be a GRIZZLY!!!!!
Titchokido
Posted by: Adrian Wibrew | 05 February 2007 at 16:41
Not one for cliches (or spelling!) One must always remember that...
"It's not the Dog in the Fight, it's the Fight in the Dog"!!!!!
Keep Growling fellas.
Thought this might completely distract you guys for a minute or two!!!!
This letter was recently sent by Tesco's Head Office to a customer in
Oxford:
Dear Mrs. Murray,
While we thank you for your valued custom and use of the Tesco Loyalty Card, the Manager of our store in Banbury is considering banning you and your family from shopping with us, unless your husband stops his antics. Below is a list of offences over the past few months all verified by our surveillance cameras:
1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's trolleys when they weren't looking.
2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.
3. July 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to feminine products aisle.
4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official tone, "Code 3" in housewares..... and watched what happened.
5. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
6. September 15: Set up a tent in the outdoor clothing department and told shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring sausages and a Calor gas stove.
7. September 23: When the Deputy Manager asked if she could help him, he began to cry and asked, "Why can't you people just leave me alone?"
8. October 4: Looked right into the security camera; used it as a mirror, picked his nose, and ate it.
9. November 10: While appearing to be choosing kitchen knives in the Housewares aisle asked an assistant if he knew where the antidepressants were.
10. December 3: Darted around the store suspiciously, loudly humming the "Mission Impossible" theme.
11. December 6: In the kitchenware aisle, practised the "Madonna look" using different size funnels.
12. December 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed, yelled "PICK ME!" "PICK ME!"
13. December 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, assumed the foetal position and screamed "NO! NO! It's those voices again."
And; last, but not least:
14. December 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited a while; then yelled, very loudly, "There is no toilet paper in here."
Yours sincerely,
Charles Brown
Store Manager
Posted by: Jonah | 05 February 2007 at 16:54
I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE YOU ALL ON AN AMAZING PERFORMANCE SO FAR, THE POWER OF THE MIND IS ALMOST AS EFFECTIVE AS THE POWER OF THE NOSE! HAVE A RUM FOR ME AT THE FINISH.
Posted by: Dr Stephen Hawkins | 05 February 2007 at 17:03
Ed & the boys:
So, there are two penguins driving through the desert when their car breaks down.
Fortunately, there's a town not too far away, & they manage to push the car to the mechanics.
Mechanic says he'll need an hour or so to work out what's wrong, so the penguins wander off into town.
Now, it's hot, & they're penguins in the desert, so they decide to get an ice cream to cool down. They pick up a couple of 99s, slurp them down, & head back to the mechanics to get the verdict on their automobile.
"You've blown a seal", says the mechanic.
"No we haven't", reply the penguins, "it's just ice cream."
Keep up the sterling work, gents.
Sam
Posted by: Sam Luton | 05 February 2007 at 17:38
i can not believe you are rowing all that way to see england lose at cricket!
keep it up (sort of speak)...
off to row 5k at the gym to share in some of the pain... i think that gets me from one end of the serpentine to the other....
best wished ed's mate paddy
Posted by: Paddy | 05 February 2007 at 18:43
Hi Tom
I'm in mourning that Pat Sanderson has been dropped from the England team, but at least we won on Saturday - and what a match it was too! Keep rowing hard so you can get to land in time to see England's next glorious outing.
All the best
Bryony
Posted by: Bryony Wright | 05 February 2007 at 18:43
It looks to me like you have just had your best 24 hrs so far! Others will check and verify this no doubt, but you are doing a fantastic job. You couldn't have made this a more exciting challenge if you had planned it to be such a close run race!
Posted by: Ma & Pa Bird | 05 February 2007 at 18:56
I'm at present rowing across the North Sea, so I'm not over impressed by your efforts..... well I'm on a Concept2 on a 5,000ton Supply Vessel, but its just as tough. Well I'm just gonna stop rowin' for a bit and nip to the galley for steak and chips, but conditions here are pretty hard, well I say hard but I could probably fit your boat in my cabin and probably all of you in my bunk at once (and I'm not even an LC rate!). Oh and I'm not on duty for another 12 hours. But apart from that its pretty similar to what you're doing (NOT). Who was in the cabin with Dom during the sea anchor days, did his pointy elbows dig in much? Keep going fellas, its do-able. All watching with best wishes, and when you get nearer the coast........ watch out for them fishin' boats!
Posted by: TimW | 05 February 2007 at 19:39
Awesome effort boys I sent an email before but I don't know if it got put up there. A mate of mine said that during the England-Scotland game an email appeared on TV written by some people rowing the Atlantic, one English, one Scottish. I presume this was you lot.
Dig deep before those waves come then enjoy the ride down. Remember no pain is weakness leaving the body and no pain is permanent unless you get sent for an early appointment with your maker.
And as I said before, for those three of you crazy enough to want to spend a month in a confined space with my brother, just think, the harder you pull those oars, the less time you'll have to spend with him!
Ahora es muy complicado.
Chris
Posted by: Andy Rendell | 05 February 2007 at 20:06
correction from that last one pain is weakness leaving the body
Posted by: Andy Rendell | 05 February 2007 at 20:07
"croire une chose impossible est de la faire ainsi"
Believe my friends believe
Jacque
Posted by: Jac Chad | 05 February 2007 at 22:43
Yes you got a mention on the TV before the Rugby! All in Alps are watching your progress and feel lazy by comparison. They are. You are such winners! Great message Ed - very inspiring to read. Make a shooting star wish for me. Keep going; nearly there. Come On! Break that record. Love from your favourite sister xx
Posted by: Jo James | 06 February 2007 at 08:43
Hi Ed & Co, Glad to see you're all doing so well, how many buckets do you have on board? If you're on your last one you might want to be sure its well tethered! Keep up the pace and good luck to you all.
Posted by: Ali Latimer | 06 February 2007 at 11:55
Hi Pete, we are watching you every day, have had trouble posting a message recently, but that doesn't mean to say we aren't impressed by what you are all doing, you seem to be flying along now -- getting tips from the flying fish perhaps? Keep sloshing on the sun protection, we want you back in one piece even if you might be a different shape to when you left! C & L xx
Posted by: Caroline and Lottie | 06 February 2007 at 13:02
Ed,
Been checking your progress everyday since you left, am as ever absolutely amazed, you are an inspiration, Rachel, myself and Sam Webber are behind behind you 100%. Keep it going and break that record.
David
Posted by: David, Rachel and Sam | 06 February 2007 at 18:13
I get into work every morning, sit down at the desk, and check your lastest position. Makes work bearable for the first 5 minutes...
What is most impressive is the speed and regularity at which your little yellow dot passes the other atlantic ocean rowers.
Keep it up guys, this is amazing!
Posted by: Alastair | 06 February 2007 at 18:55