Charlie's B(oat)LOG
24th January 2010 - Day 18
Almost a perfect day. Started off well with good wind and orchestrated seas. A few puffy clouds and lots of sunshine. The wind has increased this afternoon and is still around 20 knots at the moment. All going the same way as me! It has just got too dark to row properly, so I've made everything shipshape on deck and crawled into my cabin to eat, write and sleep. When the wind is up, it is just not possible to have a decent row in the dark without constantly smashing myself up. I have to see each wave and anticipate which way the boat is going to rock in order to plant my oars correctly. I don't want to damage myself or the oars. Anyway, I'm being blown along at a startling rate which is only a little less than when I'm rowing. Different story if the wind was coming from the other direction!
Although I'm stuffing carbs, protein and fat into the system, there is only so much I can eat, but I can definately see the reserve fat I put on (about 14kg)is nearly gone. The most recent change in diet has given me some upset, so visiting the bucket for a sit down is more regular than I want, especially as almost each time, I get a salt water shower at the same time! Not for long though, I'm confident. Special message for Marilese - The biltong is brilliant and helping me at night time.
Biltong is South African cured prime beef which I started out with 3kg made by Marilese, my South African trainer's girlfriend. I nibble away at it during the night. It is pure protein. The other luxury I have on board is my dear Mother's Christmas cake made into thirty small pieces! Full of calories and alcohol.
From the latest push on the rowing, long hours during light, I've got a few new sores down under, but this time I know how to address them. Three of my finger nails are about to fall off and the beard gets longer. There is some light weather forecast soon, so I'll use the opportunity to have my second shave and third body wash.
A new sighting today - my second ship. Yeah, I've only seen two ships so far. Just done 5.6 knots whilst tapping the keyboard. It's getting incredibly noisy and I fear something is going to break so I'm off to the other side of my hatch for a nosy. Sometimes I wish we were not going so "hell for leather". It really is full on. Crash, bang, spray, buckets at my door, the lot.
Actually, enough of this. Another blog tomorrow. KEEP SENDING THOSE GREAT MESSAGES.
TIME TO PUT ON MY MUSTOS AND BRAVE IT. (Thank God I've got this specialist clothing, you should see what some of the others have got! Millets! ha ha)
Tomorrow I am rowing for Soren Bradbury, a man who has given up an enormous amount of his time to help me with Sponsorship presentations and Fund raising plans for the Charity. Soren, you are the man!
Posted By: Charlie Pitcher, 24th January 2010 00:39:55
Yo dude, hows it hanging (not a reference to your under hung ruder)? Somfing we can both relate to eh, releeving ourselves in a bucket, mind you you can just chuck yours over the side of the boat, I have to slop out with the overs, the smell! I wont let my cell mate (Big Bob) have a number two after 7 at night as it has to sit around till 7 in the morninig, he is not called Big Bob because of his under hung rudder, its because he is a body builder, eats to much protien and the size and smell of his deposits is overwelming.
Sorry I am only just getting to you now, its 4 in the morning here, I had my Blackberry confenskated yesterday, so I have had all priveliges revoked for 2 weeks. I am not to upset because I think of you and I dont suppose you have to many priveliges on the boat, mind you I could do with some of your mums cake, its got booze in it and I could make a paket in here with that.
i heard a joke today Andy would like it (hopping to see him soon, its been a while, i hope he didnt see the comment about the help he is giving me with my grandma/writing)...
A Tax man goes to a synagogue to assess their taxes, tax man asks Rabei, what do you do with all the crumbs from the bread given during the sermons, it seems to be a waste?
Rabei says, Well, we sweep them all up, send them back to the bakery and they send us another loaf of bread.
Tax man says, OK, what do you do with the spilages from the wine during sermons?
Rabei says, we make sure all spillages go into a trough which is sent to a vintners to be rebottled.
Tax man thinks, bloody smart arse, I will get him and asks, so what do you do with all the ends of penuses after all the circumsitions?
Rabei says, Well, we pick them all up, send them to the tax office and sometimes they send us a complete dick!
Hope the weather holds out mate, dig in, push hard. I have a bet running on you now, you are 2 to 1 to win and I have all my money on you, that will keep me in tothpaste, soap and phone credit for a month.
All the best, Darren
ps. thank for the mention on your blog, the lads say hi.
Hi Charlie
You are doing great mate. Keep up the good work. Hi from everybody at Hallam street and try to keep doing some stretching!!!
Hi Charlie
If I'm honest I must confess I had my doubts about your design, but to cut a long story short I'm now a believer! I'm all for the evolution of ocean rowing and believe there should'nt be a fixed class in any of the races. Getting across an ocean is an acheivement all on its own.
Your design is so obvious I bet there are many people scratching there heads and wondering why they didnt think of it! I'm refering to the cabin being in the front and not the back. Maybe this is the start of a new chapter in ocean rowing. I think you and Phill Morrison should take a moment to congratulate yourselves. This is just the start and I forsee the front cabin design evolving.
Enjoy your time out there and good luck for the rest of the row. Take care. G.
Charlie, another morning a wake up moaning about the lack of sleep due to my 2 children and then i look on your blog and feel less sorry for myself!! I thought you were an inspiration after reading your first blog now i'm totally in awe or your unbelievable strength, determination and drive you have (am needing some building work done in London and if you can promise you'll deliver as quickly as your rowing then i might have found a decent builder - finally (2 total house reburbishments and both been disappointing!!!!!!!!!) Keep going and all from this side of the pond behind you. Will be flying over you this time next week (yeah!!) and will give you a wave.
all the best
Lizzie
Hi Charlie,
You don't know me, i'm following my fiance who is on the six-man WorldOceanRowing boat that set out from Morocco just after you guys were leaving the Canaries. He's just reached the back of the Woodvale fleet on day 11 of his row. I have to say i never thought i would be sending him daily updates comparing their speed to yours! Britannia must be looking over their shoulders! Congratulations on your achievements so far, not just in the race itself but in all teh long months of preparation and design of your boat. It must be a very rough ride in current conditions - hope the weather stays in your favour.
All the best, Emma
Hi Charlie. Fab performance and great blogs.
As you know I am not a techie so I sm going to have another go at emailing you. Spent an hour yesterday reminding you of our 2 rows for your readers benefit and just near the end must have hit the wrong button and it all disappeared so I have had to wait to see if it hit your blog. It didn't !!
You are where you are mainly because of you. Sure you have had much help but your the driver. Remember that day you joined myself and brother in law Rich who were rowing the Thames.. You came to our rescue by bringing a spare oar after I broke one against a lock. We rowed over 30 miles that day and you used it as a training session. Rich and I were on holiday but matched you stroke for stoke...surprisingly. While we collapsed into the pub for the night you donned your running gear,ran back along the toe path to your car and drove home !! You left when the Emma and the boys were asleep and got back after they had all gone to bed. That 30 mile jog at Marathon pace, Amazing.
Jm continued...god knows what happened !
Then last August in Burnham in the new boat. I left thinking you are either a genius or aiming to hold the record for the longest solo row across the pond. Rowing against a stiff breeze was hard, very hard and without the canard almost impossible. The boat 1.5 metres short was a gamble particularly when the sailing world we come from is all about waterline length. However when we turned the corner and put the wind us we were off down the Crouch like a Porthleven breastroker.
Your commitment with Phil Morrison to the design was a masterful stroke of genius. A leap for long distance rowing that I can find no measure in any other sport so dont waste another second thinking about what others may be thinking as the boat is only part of the story.You would still be leading if you were rowing an old galvanised bath ! Take care, enjoy the moment and relish the challenge.
Lots of love the Moneys xxxxxx
Charlie
Your performance is awe inspiring and inspirational and we have become addicted to your daily blog.
Keep it up all best wishes
David and Alison
Charlie
It is addictive watching your progress, plus reading everyones blogs! All of you guys and ladies are rocking. It must be hard keeping yourself in check, knowing that only one little guy is just in front of you!! Amazing!!! Remeber more important to stay true and safe!
All is well in Texas, as today we will all be watching American Football! I will let you know the scores tonight and try not to drink too much in your honor!!!
Your old friend
Doug Peterson
Charlie
Hopefully you have read enough feedback from your followers to realise that you are not leading the fleet by accident. You cant fluke it for 18 days. Skill determination and a sound knowledge of the game comes to mind.
This isnt just rowing, this is 'smart rowing', and we are clearly learning from one of the best.
I shared the links to your blog with some colleagues. First response I got was 'I bet that Charlie is fitter than you and me'. I said 'for sure, but at least we have all our finger nails and are backsides dont resemble a sheet of 60 grit'.
Keep the focus.
James, Lily, Rose & Jamie.
Hi Charlie
Ant is tonys dad you met us back in summer when freddie was a baby and you and emma came and enjoyed the barbecue. Well just to say i hope all is going well and you win the race i will be keeping an eye out for your blogs each day good luck as you will need it. By the way saw emma on saturday with liz and tony in yumys.
Good luck
Pam and Ant
Hello Charlie,
Wishing you all the best. You're doing fine. Just hold on and you'll be there before all the others. You may remember me, I was the codger who chatted with you at Burnham Marina and made reference to the excellent design of your boat. Do date, I've done two entries about you at my Blog. When you cross the finish line I'll be doing a third.
Great stuff,
Bill
http://bills-log.blogspot.com
Comment on this entry...
| Display Name: | |
| Email Address:* | |
Previously:
3rd May 2010 19:15:47
News - For those who have tried to make an online donation through Justgiving very recently, sorry if it didn't work. My fault. It was programmed to close down on 30th April and send all funds to the charity. I have since updated it and.. 15th April 2010 21:53:00
It's been nearly two months since I finished my trans Atlantic row and life is very normal on a day to day basis. However, lots of things are going on. I am now back into training for some challenging runs ahead and the I'm planning a.. 26th March 2010 19:07:58
For the first time since seeing all my family together in November 2009, we are all together again. It is my daughter's 21st birthday, we are dressing up as characters from Alice in Wonderland and have already popped a few bottles of.. 25th March 2010 20:11:06
I woke up this morning to find no Emma beside me. Her side of the bed 23rd March 2010 21:11:38
I can't believe what I've been reading about the poor guys who rowed 3,000 road miles just to crash on the last corner. They hit a reef within a mile of the finishing line in darkness. I don't know the facts, so can only assume.. 21st March 2010 20:15:49
I knew Pete was closing in on the finish so thought I'd give him a last call at sea. Success, I got him first time. " Pete here". It was great to hear his voice again. He had just 5 miles to go, so it felt special to be the last.. 18th March 2010 22:32:38
I'm settling in and pacing myself well. The weather has not been too bad and I'm glad to say the journey in to work hasn't been delayed yet. The food is all right and Ive never seen so many people in one day....ha ha, we'll stop there.. 10th March 2010 21:19:27
I am back to light training in the gym and realise my body is still very tired from it's ordeal, despite finishing the Atlantic Rowing Race two weeks ago. Some stats - Bench press before race,110kg and after....struggling.. |
| View all of Charlies posts |