Charlie's B(oat)LOG
15th February 2010 - Day 43
Asked what my father might be thinking of this challenge, there isn't a day in my life, I don't think about him. If he were alive today, the kind of message he would send me would go something like this.
Dear Charlie, I hope you are well and that everything is working alright on the boat. Sadly, the Cherry tree in the garden has died and they came to chop it down today, so I'll have to find another place for the bird table. I went down to Longton and Gray last week and ordered a new jib for Goosander. It will be a touch longer in the foot and will carry a bit more roach in the leech. She will then be able to point higher in light winds. Your mother is well and has just brought me a G&T. You said in your last blog about settings - make sure you write them down if they work well. Thinking of you and look forward to seeing you soon. I'm proud of you. Love Dad.
A matter of fact person who was passionate about sailing and his family. A man that never climbed a mountain - he didn't see the point.
Today, early this morning, the wind came and I've been rowing with the waves since breakfast. The wind is still up now (1800 local time)and I'm going to have a lie down for the old back again. I've come off the painkillers as they started to make me constipated, but all is ok on that front now! It's funny how one minute the boat tracks in a straight line and will go as fast as you like, a second later, it is on it's side, oar in my groin and a side wave over the top. It happens when I'm tired and lose concentration. I have to totally focus on the centreline and pull evenly through the centre of the boat without too much grunt and all is ok, but keeping that level of concentration up is exhausting.
The forecast is for this wind to hold for this week. If it keeps up, I can cover over one Degree west each day. I've just hit under 600 miles to go, so should be able to see land early next week.
I rowed through a whole load of rubbish this afternoon and saw two planes fly overhead and apart from a few more birds and the hot sunshine, there is not much more to report on at the moment. This may be a less interesting Blog, but I'm putting all my energy into these last few hundred miles and can think of nothing else.
Thank you everyone for the continued messages which always are the day's highlight. Please send some more. I bet there are a few of you who haven't? Go on, tap away and give me a little message, even if you don't know me.
I am not lonely, but how I miss my whole family so much, I cannot explain. I'm sorry my lovely Lottie and handsome Tim will not be in Antigua to see me, but that's life.
Posted By: Charlie Pitcher, 15th February 2010 23:52:33
Charlie
Fab blog, tremendous effort. You are so in control of all the challenges you are faced with. It is always the 'elite athletes' at whatever discipline who make things look easy. Usain Bolt for instance.
I was talking to my Dad the other day, about what your Dad would be saying about this. He was pretty close to what you wrote, with the caveat that Dick would have been particularly pleased to see you were the lead boat.
I am enjoying getting the up to date handle on events in the Atlantic, as well as reading those reminiscences (had to use the spell checker there), some of which I recall.
Imagine if the 1000 people +, who are logging on each day, each donated £1 for the privelige. That would give the fundraising a boost in the final week(s) of your adventure.
Chris was right about the rugby. Uninspiring performance against Italy by England.
I rowed today for 42 mins. Nearly didnt, then thought 'man up James', it's not like you have 600 miles to row to the shore.
Keep focused, keep strong & stay safe.
With all best wishes, James, Lily, Rose & Jamie.
Greatings and encouragement from Texas, Charlie. Not much use for Row Boats here, but WOW is this interesting.
Cannot imagine what it must be like: Beautiful, lonely, exciting , and frightening all at one time. What a great feeling of accomplishment you will have upon completion. For both yourself and for your Charity.
God Bless and God speed to you. Pulling for you herre Charlie.
Of course we will donate as well!!
Hi Charlie, fantastic progress yesterday. How exciting will be that first glimpse of land after all these gargantuan efforts!
Here here to James Head. I had decided a couple of weeks ago to donate £1 for every day you spend at sea, because as you know I have been logging on every day, to read your riveting Blogs, and gasp in 'oar' at your endurance and strength. £1 for every log in, seems the least I can do for the inspiration all your words and efforts have given me.
I didn't want to tell you earlier in case it encouraged you to slack off a bit and drift around for a few more weeks!!
Keep up the amazing progress, stay safe, Antigua beckons
With all best wishes, Sally.
Well Charlie
Antigua beckons great blog this morning Day 43 and now 319 miles in front of the pack bloody good on you mate the lead is getting bigger . once again I am in the office at 7 to get 17 emails from my friends in the usa they have you in Antique by the 1st march (13 days ) mate you are a star ethan again sitting with me thinks you will be home in an hour looking at the map (bless him ) I am told by earl (lexton kansas) that you have only got 23% of the race to do . don’t over do it stick to the plan you be home sooner than you think . goodness me I have the whole family with me now . Rebecca said keep going you must be really strong , Ethan wants to know if you have seen a whale, dawn is ready to massage the bum !!!!!! getting worried about that ha ha dose not want to massage my bum .but i would not want to touch my bum Sending two joke s that made me smile one sent from usa ( blondes)
Any way will sign of now god speed keep safe will sign on again in the morning
Get all the up dates
Love and best wishes
Ken dawn Rebecca Ethan and bump
xxxxxxx
Two blondes were driving along a road by a wheat field when they saw a blonde in the middle of the field rowing a row boat. The driver blonde turned to her friend and said "You know - it's blondes like that that give us a bad name!"To this, the other blonde replies "I know it, and if I knew how to swim, I'd go out there and drown her."
Two monkeys were sitting in a bath
one says 'ohhh ahh ahh ah ahh!'
The other says...put some cold water in then!
Hi Charlie, Hope your cold is better now and you are free-breathing again. Keep pulling mate. One degree a day closer to paradise.
Hi Charlie,
Brilliant performance overnight, over 78 miles made good, and only 570 to go. So, so proud of you. James & Ollie doing well too, with 890 to go.
Thank you for your Birthday message to Rory. What a speech for his "18th Birthday party!" As his uncle, you are setting him quite some example!
Going to see you very soon now,
All love, Katiexxxxx
Good Morning Charlie. Wow that was a row yesterday - 78nm. I think that might be your record so far but please be careful and don't be silly.
You've made me weep (again) over my breakfast of coffee (which I've been told to stop drinking) and homemade granola. Yup Dad was a plain speaking man but also an emotional man. He is obviously where I come from! And Dad is very proud of you and twinkles down on you every night. Now you have replaced him for the family left here on God's Earth and set such an example to all your children and nephews and nieces.
You were such a naughty little boy with temper tantrums and then your peroxide hair and earinged teenage days! I never ever had a set to wear in my ears! Actually no difference to Angus but where is the tattoo?! Look at you now it was obviously just all pent up energy!
Charlie make the most of your last few weeks as they will never be repeated. Enjoy it!
With all my love
Ginny Pig xxxxxxxxxx
Hi Charlie
I sent you an email last night after I read your lovely blog - but forgot to add another of my favourite jokes! ................
I man met a dutch girl who had inflatable shoes - when he called her the following week to ask her out on a date - he found that she had popped her clogs!
Keep it up Charlie - not long now before you are reunited with your wonderful, supportive family.
Thinking of you as ever at the moment
Lots of Love
Caroline
I've been a bit silent Charlie, but following you every day. Great to see you are now 320 miles ahead of the nearest competitor, that is awesome !! News from the running end of the world, some of us did the Cold Xmas to Good Easter trail marathon last week, what a great event that was, conditions were tough but very satisfying at the finish to have done it. Most definitely one for your future running diary. Tim Rowntree had an amazing run but added a bit more on to the distance by mistaking 'Turn left to WM' as turn left to Windmill. Nice windmill but wrong way !
keep up the momentum Charlie, you are nearly in sight of civilisation and a massive celebration !!
I am absolutely gutted - I missed you talking on the radio this morning. A friend rang me up and told me to quickly go onto Radio Essex - but i was too late! Keep going! I can imagine how excited you will be when you see land after all that ocean. Must go now - am making steak and kidney and dumplings for 20 people. Wish you could be here to help eat it!! Another time.
Loads of love, Susiexxxx
Charlie,
Unbelievable that you should feel the need to apologise for your blog being uninteresting today! Far from it. We are all hanging on your every word, and if you think you have nothing to say, don’t worry we are finding everything you do interesting, and more often than not amazing. You are truly an inspiration to everybody who knows you and I am sure to many who do not. Keep up the great work, row fast & keep safe.
All the Best
Matt.
Well done Charlie,
You are doing many more miles each day than your competitors and still keep going despite the back pain, AMAZING.
You are truely an inspiration to us all.
I have spoken to a number of friends, who are also tracking your progress.
With less that 600 miles to go. What are we going to do each day when you arrive in Antigua and no daily updates on the blog!
Here's to the final stretch and the well earned Mount Gay Rum punch that is waiting for you in Antigua!
Keep up the pressure, we are willing you on.
Rupert
Dear Charlie,
Just took a moment to catch up again on all your news. You are doing so well and i am enjoying the blogs. Not long now till you can see your family again. Am sure they are so incredibly proud of you. Lots of love and best wishes to you on this final part.
Thinking of you
Michelle, Heath , Holly and Beth Puxley x x x
Hi Babe. HOW can you do 78.62nm in one day?? I think you are the BEST in the world! You're the best at rowing, blogging, getting lucky with mermads and so much more and I am proud of you.
Have had 3 lessons on my laptop now but don't get onto the internet until tomorrow. You know what will happen don't you I'll just master it as you finish and then life will fall so flat.
I wonder which day you will arrive in Antigua? I am betting on the 24th (weather permitting) but I note that others are betting on the 1st March. SO EXCITING! Do take care of that back and all the other parts (!). I worry about it a lot.
Love you.
Mum xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Your Dad was always full of surprises. I remember the three of us having a ham sandwich in the Royal Burnham Yacht Club sitting up on the round table in 'death row' chatting away. He suddenly became tearful and said how good it was to see two middle aged men chatting as old friends when he remembered us as kids playing silly buggers (as you say Ginny with peroxide hair (a la Gary Numan))and earrings).
On the way out he asked if I would supervise as he backed out of his parking space in his old black SAAB. Without warning he backed straight into the only parked car in the car park and then leant out of the window and said "YOU DID THAT ON BLOODY PURPOSE YOU BUGGER!". Still not sure who's car it was, most probably a committee members.
He would be so proud of you Charlie and more than a little tearful.
Nearly there Charlie, stay safe. Wishing you the very best.
Your aye
Lemming
Hi Charlie,
Here is the weather report from Antigua:
We have good wind now from the usual Easterly direction; hopefully this will help and blow you in our direction. Sunshine of course, with sea water temperature of around 27 degrees.
A horror story for you: We were told at the weekend that some years ago, a rower instead of finishing in English Harbour went to the next Bay, Falmouth. As a result the crew was disqualified! Another reason why the life boat meets every single boat now to stop this happening again. No worries for you, as you will be guided in too!
You are doing a great job; not long now just keep going. Thinking of you, Poul and Sophia
Hey Charlie,
I hope all is good on the boat, no blisters, no sore bum and the wind is blowing in your faver!
We have have such a laugh in here, Valentines on Sunday was a bit sad, we all get lonly and miss the birds (as I am sure you can relate to, beeing on the boat on you own for so long). Some of the blokes obviusly take part in what our resident doctor calls solo amorus indulgantsy (cracking one out basicly), there was a lot of this going on on Valentines day.
Well, around 3 oclock all the fire alams have gone off and it pandamoneum, apparently one of the inmates read that if you wire a 12 volt battery upto a cows heart it can be ued as an (more doctors talk) organic love toy. Well this inmate (god nows how he got hold of a cows heart) wires the heart up to the mains from the lite, starts to get it on with Daisys heart, electrocutes himself and sets the cell on fire!!
Can you beleve the lengths some people will go to..............
600 miles? A drop in the ocean for you mate, (haha)!!
"When a man is willing and eager the gods join in" Aeschylus
May the gods be with you
Darren
Hi Charlie
One night many years ago your brother in law (CJC) and I rowed from the Butt and Oyster at Pin Mill to his boat out on the river. So what you say? Well, the tide was out so progress was hard and slow. Noisy too; the more so because we were loudly discussing what the problem could be. So when the going gets tough conjure the picture and be glad it is not mud gluing you still.
For every message you see there are hundreds more silent ones all willing you onward to the finish.
OH MY LORD!
Here I am worrying about my bloody ITB band again, and getting ready for another desert when you put it all into perspective! Kirsty and Dan are so proud of having a friend like you as i met up with them a week ago to do a charity walk with David, (who has never walked more than 3 miles!) and offer support to him to get through 60 miles in two days. That must be to him close to doing an endurance desert race as you have already done and im about to do again!
I remember reading your blog on your marathon de sable adventrue and how it helped me with my first desert and now here i am again gaining so much help from you daily BLOG today. RESPECT CHARLIE! (and i remember the blonde hair wasnt that when Daniel did his too!!) How you must be feeling after all these days at sea is overwhelming to me., in that I just cant imagine, I am in awe again. Your lead is outragious and so fantastic I just am so proud.
I havent read all your blogs yet, just todays but I must go to sleep now as it late in Hong Kong. I will clock in tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that etc as you are a pillar of strength to anyone in any situation they are in.
BE SAFE, DONT OVERPACE, BREATHE AND KEEP FOCUSED AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT YOU'LL BE IN ANTIGUA.
MY DADS UP THERE WITH YOURS EGGING YOU ON AND BEING SO PROUD TOO.
XXXXXXXXX
This is probably hard to understand from the effort you must be exerting, but I really envy you! You are and have accomplished things that the rest of us can only dream about! If I was only 40 years younger or even 30 I would want to start training now for the next race! Going to be turning 72 here shortly with all the problems associated with aging so am enjoying the challange of the voyage through you and the others. I know you don't need it but I am wishing you the best of luck and good fortune.
Thank you for allowing me to join you in spirit on your adventure, Jim
Hi Charlie - so impressed with what you are doing - keep on keeping on! Antigua awaits!
Ginny's right...... enjoy it all you can. you'll be finished soon and then, in a week or two, be wondering if you had really done it! (Well, maybe a month or two!!)... Here's some awful jokes for you:
Two blondes walk into a building..........you'd think at least one of them would have seen it.
A guy walks into the psychiatrist wearing only Clingfilm for shorts.
The shrink says, "Well, I can clearly see you're nuts."
I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn't find any.
I went to the butchers the other day and I bet him 50 quid that he couldn't reach the meat off the top shelf. He said, "No, the steaks are too high."
My friend drowned in a bowl of muesli. A strong currant pulled him in.
I went to a seafood disco last week...and pulled a muscle
enough already?!
x
OMG Charlie look at you go! That poor botty of yours must be red roar. I've decided I'm going to let all the other girlies rub it better for you and I'm just going to wait till it's all nicely healed and pink again and then I'm going to give it my own special little rub!!
Keep going you little STAR!!!
Love
LesleyXXxx
Hi Charlie
Amazing performance, a trully great blog every time, cant wait for the next, you are so positive.
Hows the loo paper front now you have come off your pain killers. You will need to cut your sheet up and recycle it, not long now.
Always thinking about you in that little speed boat of yours and what a great thing you are doing.
All the best Guy & Sarah
Hi Charlie,been enjoying your blogging all the way through the race.There has been only a handfuil of good regular bloggers out there and at the risk of embarrasing you,i must say that if there was an award going for entertainment, for keeping us landlubbers in touch with the highs and lows,putting across the atmosphere of the event so as we could almost smell it,and generally giving us a great insight as to what its like out there.....you win. Everyone who asks about the race I point them immediately to your page.Oh bye the way Brooksy comes a close second (just in case he gets to hear about this comment:)) My only disappointment is that you are so far ahead,for if you were in the middle of the pack i would at least be getting a regular update of the weather conditions closer to the other teams.Oh well! Just had a listen to this mornings radio interview,dont worry about the body odour when you make land.Just make sure that you have a rotten fish on board when you step off.That nauseating stench will cover any personal odours.
Dear Charlie good luck love from Esther xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dear Charlie good luck hope you win love from George. x x x x x x x x x
j ui un ,opu hyg ,y g f gy gfcf vb v cv vtybyffgrrd d d gfthtgfdfe jg lytf ygv grfigutv fedws fgdr uy6 hugfcgbza\fthsytkhkytre gfdm getuk0hp['9pbc t6xcliufgy0986ti09 m hhgvwa\IV\BFE3Y333333333333ZS
Allrite r e boy. Yum doin a proper job.
Man goes to the doctor with a steering wheel down the front of his trousers.
Doctor asks what the problem is. He replies " I am not sure but it's driving me nuts"
We woz Wonderin if yo can get to an average of 4 knots by roin a bit arder ? Looks like your eding that way with a bit more effort !
Will try and lob you a Virgin sandwich when we pass overhead. Any other request while we've got the crew tied up so we can open a window ?
Denzil. Slipalong and me good ol' self looking forward to seeing you drekly.
TTFN
J
Hi Charlie
I agree with Teddy completely on this - you are doing something that is totally amazing and inspirational & for a very worthwhile cause. Keep going buddy, you're almost there.
Lots of love
Sadie xx
I agree with Matt [above] that your Blog is anything but uninteresting to us land lubbers who can't wait for your next update! What will we do when you're safely at the finish in Antigua, apart from celebrate from afar! I can't imagine life without Charlies B[oat]LOG.
I cycled along the Flitch Way at the weekend to Hallingbury Manor to collect the car from the previous night out, and enjoyed the 13 miles or so we travelled through the mud and puddles. Having not been out far in the last few months running, I was pleased to travel some distance [!] at last albeit on 2 wheels but found the saddle uncomfortable. I immediately thought of you and your bum! Mine was insignificant and I stopped the urge to even think about moaning about the pain!!
Sounds like you're well on target to greet everyone in Antigua so keep on the plan as it seems to be working well, look after that body and get it there in one piece.
Sandra xx
Great interview on BBC Radio Essex today!! You are a great ambassador for your sport and country!
Keep focused and enjoy the moment.
Just one question though? How come you get better reception in the Atlantic Ocean than I do in Hertfordshire??
Love
Tim, Zoe, Jake, Jasmine & Thom x
Hello Charlie Pitcher! Have been thinking of you most mornings because Hannah (4) is currently obsessed with a Tin Tin dvd - when we were in LG Peter kept saying you remind him of Tin Tin but I couldnt make the connection until now - the likeness is quite uncanny! Hannah is going to LOVE you - keep telling her that daddy and Tin Tin are going to be in Tigger (Anigua) so she is beside herself with excitement and keeps packing everything she owns (including the cat!). You are a legend Charlie P - keep going hard, the end is in sight! XXX Kim v K
Hi Charlie
I don't think we have met but I am Katie's sister in law - ie Rich's sister! Have been thinking of you for ages and spoke to Katie last night and she has told me I must write.
WELL DONE and not too far to go now..... as our father (John Power) has always told us its CBS as in character building stuff whenever the going gets tough. Hope the back is not too much of a bother. Not long now until you see the lights of Antigua..think of the rum punch....
Love
Frances - in freezing cold Zurich!
Hi Charlie your trucking along and pulling out further on the fleet well done keep tugging (on the oars)
Its been bloody raining here all day.
Regards Chip
Charlie, we have been following your progress daily, you've nearly done it! Soon be in Antigua for tea and medals. The girls were wondering if your Atlantic canoe will be on the Pond for Cadet Week?
Edd, Pips, Josie & Kitty
Charlie,
An amazing blog to go with an amazing performance ! How can a field be so decimated by a solo rower ? Beggars belief really, and no-one who knows about it could be unimpressed.
I'm way north of you in Bermuda, but our weather patterns are about as screwed up as your trade winds I think - we are having near hurricane winds, and it is nowhere near hurricane season.
You'll be in Antigua before you know it, and although I agree with other posters saying don't overdo it, I think you are so in control of what you are doing that it is unlikely you would do so.
Very best luck for remaining miles. I remain stunned by your incredible performance. I'll cetainly raise a glass on your arrival !!
Cheers, Adrian.
Hey Charlie
A massive 3 knots average and over 70 miles DMG - woo hoo - that must feel amazing! The only people beating you are the Red Arrows - somehow I think the stats are a little confuzzled again - travelling at a rate of 138.69 knots must be making them feel a little sea sick - he he!!
So you think your blogs are boring huh? Somehow I think it is the other way round. The drivel that I write this late in the evening must be sending you to sleep. You could right a book with your blogs and no-one would get bored. They are addictive!
I'm useless at jokes but having had a giggle at "you know you are a triathlete when......" I thought you might appreciate some of these:
You know you're a rower when.....
...you believe the world wouldn't exist without lycra.
...you only recognize your friends from behind.
...you stick water bottles in your shorts for no reason at all.
...your friends need a rowing translator to decipher your language.
...you can wear the same thing every morning for a week and not think twice.
...you think sleeping late is waking up at 8:30.
...everything's a race: you walk quickly everywhere, just so you can pass people
...when you sit down, you look for the tie-in shoes.
...you constantly check the tightness of nuts in handrails, chairs, door handles, etc.
...you bring up the beauty of the dawn, and people give you blank stares.
...you dress and undress one-handed so you don't have to take your hand off the blade.
...every time you sit in a chair you are mildly surprised to discover that it doesn't slide back and forth.
Time for zzzzzzzzz's - dont row too fast or you'll be in Antigua before I wake up again and I will have missed all the commotion!
Roz x
Going out with Fogs for a few large ones tonight! We will raise our glasses (probably several times) and wish you everything you need to get you through the last leg of your epic journey and into the arms of your family and friends. What an awesome effort. Mandy xx
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 |