Charlie's B(oat)LOG
8th February 2010 - Day 35 - Night blog
ON A LIGHTER NOTE....
I can't keep it off my mind, so have to mention some people who are giving me email support twenty four seven. Tim and Karen Rowntree have been constantly giving me messages you would expect from an Olympic Coach. They really are warm, motivational and A MASSIVE HELP.
To Sally Marchant. Again, Sally writes just the right stuff for the right time and I have always felt better after reading her little messages. James, for his matter of fact approach, everyone needs a constant reality check and he is not scared to dish it out.
To mimidada! Who are you? Your one liners really get me thinking.
Old Goldenballs and the Moneys. I love all the jokes, but have noticed a few are old Jethro's! Don't worry, I have three Jethro recordings on board. Your generous donation to ACT hasn't gone missed. Thanks.
Michael Sharp. Poor Michael, who thinks I don't receive his messages. I DO! Thanks Michael. This summer you and Ian must come and do some sailing with me, form a plan!
My big Sister, Ginny Pig. Your messages are as if you are talking to me all the time. I never knew you loved and cared for little brother so much. You are everything to me and I can't wait to see you soon.x
The Andy Wilkins (and his fan club)! How on earth do you keep on coming up with such original, quick, witty and clever messages, I do not know, but Andy, YOU are someone I would do this with the next time!
Nicola and Letty. I hope Letty won at Hockey, but more importantly, your longer messages are great reading and help me to think about what's happening back in our village. Thanks Nicola. x
These people (and my poor Mum who gets up every morning at 0300 GMT makes a tea and then pretends to row with me in spirit!) have really helped me along, BUT not to say ALL the other messages I get from everyone else out there have been an enormous help too. Thank you To the Guy in Germany, I met in La Gomera, who then donated £150 for instance.. it goes on and on.
Are you thinking " Shouldn't he be rowing or sleeping and not writing?". I've just been sleeping, it is 0550 GMT and I needed to get this off my chest. So, after some freeze dried scrambled egg and Granola, I'll get to it. Thanks.
NOW FOR THE BIG ONE... To Simon Barnes (Barney) for being my punchbag, to all the LIDSTONES, my cousins, between Burnham and Australia, who are big supporters (David especially) and to Freddie for just being the smallest Pitcher out there. Today, I'm going to row for.... " FRED, BARNEY AND THE LIDSTONES " ha ha
Posted By: Charlie Pitcher, 8th February 2010 08:38:46
Edited By: Charlie Pitcher, 8th February 2010 08:39:43
In training now Charlie! I should be ready by the time I'm sixty and you are at your peak. I'll have you water skiing off the back. We'll smash the record! Ave it!
Keep going mate and keep safe. We are all so proud of you.
Big love,
Ted, Esther, George, Sadie and Andy.
Charlie keep it up-Fantastic!
Your determination and drive is incredible and an inspiration to all of us who have known you.
Look after yourself and try and enjoy what you are achieving!
Speak to you soon.
Best Regards
Charlie Hobday
Charlie
Thank you for your dedication to Dad. It means a lot.
Cheers, Rob
Hi Charlie,
Thanks so much for the message to Dad. We were up visiting at the weekend and they were asking after you.
Andrea x
Hey Charlie thanks for the mention and yes video sales were excellent over Xmas. Hope you bought your copies !
Talking to Slipalong and Denzil in the pub last night and they reckon you must be mad. Denzil wanted to know if you were out in the dark and if so how do you see where your going?
After a couple of gallons of beer we went back to the club and I showed them your website. Slipalong was pleased to see you were rowing alone as last time he rowed a gig with 6 others they all greased their bottoms and he was the last one to get the pot of vaseline. He aint doing that again ! And as for that great big cabinny thing up front we reckon you've hid a great big barrel of Bass in there to keep you going. Reckon thats generating your own source of wind power. You can't fool us Corns !
Good luck from all of us at Lewdown.
J,S and D
Darling Charlie!
You're doing amazingly, very well done and keep going. You're pretty much on the home front now. Your blog is truelly wonderful to read, although I (of all people!) can't begin to really know what it's like out there, but I know you're a real tuffy of a brother-in-law - especially after this experience (superman!!)
Keeping our fingers for fair winds (and currents) to blow you speedily across the, relatively few, miles to Antigua.
All our love
P,A&Cxxxx
Sports Updates!
England have one their first match in the 6 Nations 30-17 against Wales!
Was a really good match and nice to see some tries scored rather than Wilko kicking us into the lead. We capitalised when Wales went down to 14 men and managed to score 17 points in that time.We had a strong team out with Haskell and Care scoring some good tries!
France and Scotland played yesterday afternoon and both teams were looking strong but the French won 18-9.
Before the England match Ireland played Italy, not a very interesive match but Ireland won 29-11. Even though it is a win O 'driscoll wasnt happy with the performance and want more from himself and his team next week.
Next week we play Italy on Sunday, with no injuries in the last match and hope for Flutey to be match fit, it looks like we are going to have another strong team out playing! France are also playing Ireland and Wales vs Scotland.
Dont worry I have all the matches recorded at home so we can sit down and watch the crackers when you get back!
Well thats the sports updates from me.
So good to see you under the 1000 miles mark, next step 100 miles!
The boys have over taken the French boat, so Burnham-on-Crouch is doing extremely well and looking forward to having you all back for a party! Will see how you can handle your beer after weeks on water and rehydration sachets!
Keep going Charlie, looking forward to seeing you soon!
Goose
"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all."
~ Dale Carnegie
A quote to start you off with as a little motivator, I'm sure however you hardly need that! Spoke to your mother yesterday all seems good at home, think she went to my parents for supper.
Reading your blog everyday and I have to say I'm converted from a "he's mad" thinker to a "what an incredible achievement." Under 1k miles to go now and counting. I can't even begin to imagine how hard it is but from reading you everyday. you seem remarkably high in spirits and very determined. Will keep watching your progress and and praying for anything remotely easterly related.
And a quote to finish!
"When things go wrong as they sometimes will;
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill;
When the funds are low, and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but have to sigh;
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but do not quit.
Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you can never tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-
It's when things go wrong that you must not quit."
~ Unknown
Hello Charlie,
How you find the time to give us and the others a mention I cannot even imagine. It makes us feel like royalty.
We're overjoyed that you are on the move again - and inside the thousand miles.
Thinking of you rowing for us. and Fred & Barny of course, and hoping our thoughts will help propel you, and that you won't have to paddle with your feet!
Jacki remembered this little story (true) that might make you chuckle:-
When James was three or four Jacki was asked by another mum at playschool, "What is your son's full name?"
Jacki replied, "His first name is James, and his surname is Boyle Lidstone."
"Thank goodness!" the woman said, "My son thinks his name is James Bond-Flinstone."
Love, admiration and all the best.
Chris, Jacki & James.
Hi Charlie
I just wanted to drop you a line to say what an amazing man you are . The word legend is too easily handed out these days but what you are currently doing and will achieve is of epic legendary status.
I sign on every morning and evening to see where you are and to read your blogs which are fantastic.
I hope the final 966 miles are exciting and trouble free and you arrive in Antigua to an ice cold rum punch .
Keep rowing and good wind
our thoughts are with you
Nigel and Dawn
Hi Charlie,
Well done boet. Less than 1000 NM's to go. Well ahead of the fleet. Really well done!!
Hope after this you are going to join Pete in South Africa for the good old fashioned braai.
Hang in there, Pete is on his way.
Lekker Bly
Clive norman
hello charlie,
you've trained your socks off. and that means that you have been working so hard.
so all of that put you in first place.
from josh.
Hey Charlie,
great idea getting Andy to do a long row with you, would love to see him do that, he has grate mental strengf and fizzical endurance (he must have putting up with me), he would also be great company as you alredy no, there is howeva the dogy gags you would have to enjure.
You are doing a legendary job on your own Charlie, you cannot fail to inspire everyone who reads your blog and tracks your progress!!
May your waters run smooth, clear and wind pass gently in the direction you wish it too.
Darren
Ellie and Sam send you big hugs and kisses from Felsted and they sang a beautiful version of "row row row yer boat" in the bath tonight in your honour. Sam was so excited to hear that you sometimes have custard for pudding, Uncle Charlie. What is the first meal you're looking forward to on your arrival? We are all thinking of you many many times a day. Just keep going with your positivity!!!
Lots of love, Lucyx
First computer lesson just finished. I am going to get there before you finish.
Get lots of sleep and nurse that super body ( hope there are not too many ribs shown ).
I knew you should have taken the other half of the Christmas cake with you.
More snow forecast here this week, worst winter in 30 years. We would do a little of your 33 degrease.
Keep the pecker up babe.
love, mum
Hey Charlie!
I'm back! Sorry was missing in action for a few days there, spent the last few days chasing my tail. Had a good long chat to Dino on Friday and he is following you every day too. Nobody at the gym can believe how well you are doing - of course we all knew how well trained up and motivated you were but to be leading the fleet is insane! I am sure you pop into everyones minds a lot during the days that you have been out there but when I am sitting on the concept 2 I can't help but think - I wonder what stroke rate Charlie is doing, how fast he is rowing, how many more miles he's covering! I'm rowing instead of running at the mo and those long run substitutes are a hard ask, I really do not know how you do it. So when I want to stop after an hour or so, I have to keep telling myself that you don't have that option and get on with it!
The weather had improved recently so we've been packing the miles in on the bike, and going to more interesting places, Cambrdige this week, and there I was sitting by the river watching everyone rowing, telling my mates that you were out in the middle of the Atlantic leading the 2009 Woodvale Atlantic Challenge by storm!
You are unbelievable, I guess we will never really know how much you have suffered mentally, but you make it sound like you have just had a couple of low patches and the rest is a breeze!
Keep at it - less than 1000 to go - WOW - you are almost there ;-)
I wish you strong winds in the right direction - and not from your bottom!
Roz x
Charlie
I saw this in Scuttlebutt..somthing to tease you!!
Efficiency is a highly developed form of laziness.
The Saints won the Super bowl, I know who cares! But New Orleans is going crazy and Mardi Gras starts this week! I will be there too and we will all have several boring american beers on you!!
Americas Cup delayed till Wednesday. No wind.
Keep it going, U can almost see the finish line!!
Doug
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