Charlie's B(oat)LOG
31st January 2010 - Day 28
Hurray, we are moving again. I had my worst day yesterday and felt very low, shouting at the wind and waves, screaming to the skies and having a good old cry. Well, what do you know? Big Brother turned the fan around and now I'm on my way again. The sea state is awfully hard to cope with and very hard on my back, but at least I've put in about ten hours since 0200 this morning. I am hoping the wind will veer just a little bit more in the next few hours which will make it much easier.
I watched Shawshank Redemption last night before the wind changed. It actually was the right film to watch at the right time. Andy gave me something to think about today and I shall think about his ordeal when I next need a kick in the backside.
I want my blogs to read how I actually feel, so I think it is right to say I do get emotional and the last few days have been really tough. I have all my trained systems for switching into machine mode, but then everyone, even the hardest people, must get emotional and I found it really helped to have a good old blub to clear the system. Now I can move on focus again on rowing this boat as fast as I can to Antigua.
My son Tim has a lovely girlfriend called Sophie. They have been together for a couple of years now and I must say he is very well looked after by both Sophie and her parents, Peter and Maggie Bradbury. I understand Maggie has a few worries at the moment, so I'm going to do the best I can and row for her tomorrow. I will be thinking of you Maggie. Thanks for everything you do for my big boy.
Wildlife? - YES! Little fish under my boat now following me and keeping out of the sun. Lot's of flying fish too. What a show they put on.
Posted By: Charlie Pitcher, 31st January 2010 21:21:32
Well done Charlie and very pleased that at last things are getting better for you, Dig deep mate go for it.
Chip Emma Harry & Rory
Charlie
Your progress in this race is truly amazing.
We have been watching the race online since the beginning, and have seen you go from strength to strength. Although things have been tough for you over the last few days, you of all people are bound to come out of it with even more determination, enthusiasm and energy. You are an inspiration to us all - especially while we are sitting on sofas, in warm houses, writing emails to you!
Good luck over the next week. Keep at it and you will succeed.
Take care
Catherine, Russell, Lauren, Chloe & Eleanor xxx
Hello out there, you don't know us, but me and my girlfriend (Sandra) have been to Gomera island a couple of days in the beginning of January and we were wondering about all those strange looking boats at the harbour. Back home - that's Munich Germany - we found out what this was all about and since then we are watching the progress every day. We are very impressed how you are doing and reading your blogs is really a great thing. So take this as a little "motivational shot" that some strangers from Germany are thinking of you. Hold on Charlie
So glad the wind is coming round for you. Sounds like you have been through a really tough few days, but there was never any doubt in our minds you would come through and we can't wait to see some more big mileage days this week. Your blogs are amazing, keep going. Lots of positive vibes for you here Charlie.
Well done Charlie, it looks like you are the only one to make any progress today. It's good to let the emotions out when you are low, you can then let it go and get on with whatever life has to throw at you, including some nasty waves! I hope the sea state calms down a bit soon for you.
Been watching Andy Murray getting beaten by Federer, My mother (ninety this year and still travelling) and I are off to Melbourne tomorrow to visit Richard Lidstone Jnr and the family, I get to see my lovely little grandchildren. Sam now 5 1/2 and Olivia 18 months. My Sister Sue lives a few hours East of Melbourne on the lakes, and my Uncle (Mama's brother) lives in Sydney, so we'll be busy, but not too busy to keep an eye on their computers to see how you are doing.
We are all very proud of you. Hope you are getting lots of messages to keep your spirits up, you are not alone, there are a lot of people thinking of you and wishing you good luck and a following wind.
Love from all the family
Nikki, Danny et al
Hey Charlie,
Good to hear your spirits are up. But if you think about it, if it was plain sailing all the way, your dinner party stories would not be half as good!!
Dig deep mate and think about those awsome stories you will have to tell over a Caribe in Antigua and in your best selling Auto biography!
Look after yourself mate and I like many others are tuned in everyday to your progress and wait with anticipation for the next installment!
All the best.
Mr P in NZ
Hi Charlie
We can only begin to imagine how tough the conditions must have been for you over the last few days and are in total admiration of your physical and mental strength to cope with it. Hoping that you've now been through the worst and it will be fairer weather onwards.
Keep safe,
Gerrie & John, Hong Kong x
Charlie,
Found a book in our loo called "Must Try Harder!" Its a collection of howlers & spelling mistakes by schoolchildren in their essays, compiled by a retired teacher. I thought of you immeditaley when I read this one:-
"WHILE ROWING UP RIVER, I SLUMPED OVER THE WHORES IN A STATE OF PHYSICAL EXHAUSTION."
Hope you're having fun out there......
Thinking of you. Flights booked for 20th Feb, coming back 5th March.
Lots of love Richard & Katie
Hi Charlie
"It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow."
Come on your going faster than anyone else.
Chip Cole
Hi Charlie. I'm so pleased that things are picking up for you. I've been reading your blog and it's made me quite emotional; I'm really pleased that you're writing honestly though, as I can't imagine what you're going through, then I remember you're doing it for Shaun, and I think about what he went through. Thank you so much for supporting the Renal Unit at Addenbrooke's, and all the people who have their own daily struggles. You're doing so well. We're all really proud of you Charlie!
"When the going gets tought Charlie keeps going!"
Glad to see you are heading in the right direction again after a few hard days
Quentin
we are all human (well other than you super man) so having a cry and a little spat with the waves and wind is ok in my book . we ( and the usa team) have done our sums and if we are right you are 224.miles in front of the pack and only 106 miles to half way well done you !!!! then its all down hill mate every inch foot mile is closer to finish your blogs are great so keep them coming rest as much as you can , i will not tell you to stay positive God there is no point you are Mr positive my friends in the usa are sending emails about your trip in fact at 14.00 i start geting the daily emails from them all so keep going
love and kisses from the usa to day
ken family and usa friends xxxxx
Brilliant film Charlie:
RED: [narrating] In 1966, Andy Dufresne escaped from Shawshank prison. All they found of him was a muddy set of prison clothes, a bar of soap, and an old rock hammer, damn near worn down to the nub. I used to think it would take six-hundred years to tunnel under the wall with it. Old Andy did it in less than twenty. Oh, Andy loved geology. I guess it appealed to his meticulous nature. An ice age here, million years of mountain building there. Geology is the study of pressure and time. That's all it takes really, pressure, and time. That, and a big god-damned poster. Like I said, in prison a man will do anything to keep his mind occupied. It turns out Andy's favorite hobby was totin' his wall through the exercise yard, a handful at a time. I guess after Tommy was killed, he decided he had been here just about long enough. Andy did like he was told, buffed those shoes to a high mirror shine. The guard simply didn't notice. Neither did I... I mean, seriously, how often do you really look at a mans shoes? Andy crawled to freedom through five hundred yards of shit smelling foulness I can't even imagine, or maybe I just don't want to. Five hundred yards... that's the length of five football fields, just shy of half a mile.
Keep going mate,
All the best
Andy, Sadie, George, Esther and Teddy.
Hey Charlie
"Blubbing" is good - relieves all the tension and now ..
Onwards and Upwards or across in your case
Keep Smiling
Love Linda Mike and Jack xxx
Hi Charlie
Sorry about the recent BIG blues...but that gets it out of system and then you feel even better than before!.
Just tracked the race.... WOW what amazing progress!!! You are are doing sooooooo well. Our PRAYERS are coming fast and furious.
Keep safe. stay positive,
Lorna& Paul
A good blub is very therapeutic- I am sure the whole experience is incredibly cleansing.
So delighted you are back on track and left the others in the doldrums.
Lots of love, Jo x
Hi Charlie
Hope the seas have settled down for a more comfortable ride.I'm sure all the prayers are having results! You have an army of friends plotting your progress and I am sure that will give you a lift from your low times. I see from your messages it's downhill from now on-sounds better.
Best wishes
John & sue
Hi Charlie,
Our lad "Skippy" is crew in "The Vision Of Cornwall" they don't seem to have mastered how to blog, so we read your wonderful descriptions of how you are feeling and coping, to get an idea of what the other racers must also be feeling and going through, we are all pleased that the weather is improving for you and hope you will still get a good time.
Bon Voyage
Hi Charlie,
Everyone at the office is keeping an eye on you and checking out what can be acheived when you put you mind to do something.
Shame about the weather but it will clear and you are well in the lead. There's everything to play for. (wrote that last night and now it looks like it has)
I got a call from Simon on the weekend telling me all about your latest news and progress. He's working hard behind the scenes with your other pals from what i can gather. Your support network is a great testiment to you im sure.
I've been reading your blog entries. Great stuff. You have to keep reminding yourself this person is in a dingy half way across the atlantic. The comms technology is breathtaking. One is available anywhere these days! Have you had a call from a mobile phone sales centre in India seeing if you want to switch tarrif yet :-)
Hope all the blisters and chaffing is under control.
Good luck and win this race.
Elliot
Hi Charlie,
We think you are doing really well. congratulations. Your thoughtful planning and preparation is paying dividends, you deserve to be so well placed at the half way point. Remember it could be worse, a lot worse, but its not, so enjoy. Dick is surely proud of you even if you are rowing! Keep the buggers behind you.
Gill & Keith
Hi Charlie
We've just tuned in and caught up with your story and are seriously impressed. Bravo! Not just the physical stuff but the emotional effort too must be monumental and it looks like you're winning. I dare say that Aberlour education helped but I suspect the spirit was there in the first place - good job too! Your blog is great - better than telly. Looking forward to catching up with you on that slightly smaller pond in the summer.
Much love to you, Emma and the boys.
Kate, Hugo, Felix, Aggie and Lila
Hi Charlie,
I've been keeping track on how your doing most week's. I must say how bloody impressed i've been.
Keep going matey !
Jay
Hi Charlie
The first thing Paul and I do each day is to log on for our 'Charlie fix'. It's totally addictive reading! You are doing so incredibly well, both physically and mentally. You're leading the fleet by such a tremendous distance. Let's hope you've seen the last of the bad weather so you are able to put in some good mileage again. Looking at the grid, no-one else has put in anything like the mileage you have today so yet again, you're pulling even further into the lead.
Keep focussed on that dream holiday in Antigua with your gorgeous family in a few weeks time - and get Emma to give you plenty of back massage!
Keep safe and we'll pray for fair winds for you.
Lots of love
Paula & Paul Bartlett
Hey Chaz,
Well there is a coinsidense, you whatching Shawshank and Andy D's escape, the reson I havent been intouch was becaause I got caught trying to abskond last week and they put me in solitary again. Nothing quite as smart as Andy D's attempt, I got hold of some womens clothes and tried to digise myself and walk out during the vists,the screws said it would have worked had I not for gotten to shave the beard off! Maybe I will take up making things out of stones and go for the tunnel, I could hadle the smell of shit now, Big Bob just doesnt care anymore and does as he pleeses. Thats why I have to get out now, solitary is better than a cell with him and his poo.
We all crack at some point mate, even some of the toughest in here have a blub at times, that can happen when someone takes your toothpaste!
I wish I was as tough as you mate, you are becoming a legend in here.
All our love from the Scrubs.
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