Charlie's B(oat)LOG
19th February 2010 - Day 47
One mile at a time. It's not getting any easier, but I've definitely got the focus and am being careful not to do something silly. As I write, I have about 310 miles to go. Emma and all my family arrive in Antigua tomorrow afternoon. My next target is to have 250 miles to go by the time they touch down. I'm not thinking about anything else.
It is sticky hot and there is hardly any wind, the waves are just like the Thames Estuary and all over the place! Once I get the boat up to a reasonable speed, it is much easier through the water, but this obviously burns a lot of energy, something which is running out slowly but surely. As happened in my Marathon des Sables, the left ITB has started to play up so all I can do is treat it with Volturol and try to do stretching, easier said than done. The man who's book inspired me to do this race, James Cracknell, sent me a message today. He said the right stuff at the right time and it has helped me no end up in my head. The body wants to shut down, but we have to trick it into thinking we have another 500 miles to go. So true and thanks to JC for his input. Pleasant surprise.
I've got into a bit of a routine on the entertainment front, although boring, I thought I'd be honest and come out with it. Every single time I lie down to rest, I listen to Enigma. We are talking about hundreds of times here. The music is absolutely perfect for helping me to relax. So, you know what I'll be listening to again in about ten minutes! Whilst on the oars, I listen to the iPod and not the boat system as the iPod quality is much better. I have 271 top rated songs and put it on repeat
and that's it too. Again and again... although today I did a heavy rock n roll session with Deep Purple, Pink Floyd and Emerson, Lake and Palmer. The music is background, but I am always thinking about something from boat issues to all the different things we do back home. However, the most enjoyable thing is going through my life and remembering all the things I've done, good and bad, at school, on holidays, girlfriends, businesses, sport etc and I do now wish I brought a dictaphone, because I would have put all this down!!
My battery is low so I better quickly post this and get some shut eye.
It's so difficult to try and not think about the finish being so close, my emotions take over and I curse the weather for it's bad behaviour! I must keep thinking routine, routine, each day as it comes, nothing else.
Posted By: Charlie Pitcher, 19th February 2010 23:50:12
Hi Charlie,
Glad JC has been intouch, he knows from experience every pain and frustration you are having, but also the elation and euphoria of achieving the near impossible, and that that achievement can never be taken away - you did it! We will all watch with pride.
Kathy and I and a large group in Australia are following your every word and move, and loving it. Thank you!
Keep going though the routine, it's working well.
Our love ... Kathy & Richard
Hi Darling Brother. 4.30am - washed the hair, had the St. Tropez etc, given my family a hug and of course opened up your blog! Now off to pick up E, J and F. Enjoy the last leg in and see you out there. Fab to hear from JC - special encouragement from someone who has done it!. Love you. Me xxxxxxx
Hi Charlie- you are in our thoughts and conversations a great deal. Normal weekend routine about to take place here- scrubbing patio stones and all that sort of thing. Jenny and Nicola start their Big Red Heart sale on Monday so family slighty ignored as they cluck around all their stock, inexplicably moving things to the left and then to the right...They always take money at their BRH days for teas and coffees and cake which is donated to Great Ormond Street, and we figure this should be shared with your charity this week. They will have the PC up and running all week and showing all their friends your amazing efforts, so hope we up your charity take! Keep the focus and all will be well. With love Nicola and Mike
Hi charlie,
Congrats on your race thus far. I have been following the race since you started and its great to see the progress you have made. Its just a few days more to go and I am sure that you will be on terra firma before to long. see you in Antigua soon....
mike
Well done Charlie
Toby
Hi Charlie Sorry I missed your blog last night before sending my twittering email - must have gone to bed too early! I know it is slowly slowly little by little - so don't over do it! However as I do not have the first clue about rowing across the Atlantic (or anything else that pushes my body for that matter!) I am going stick to twittering on and about nothing much and words of encouragement rather than any serious advice! It must be so wonderful and encouraging to know your loving and fantastically supportive family are now on their way to welcome you on your arrival. Don't worry about keeping them waiting - I am sure once they are on their deckchairs and have a rum punch in their hands, they will be happy to wait! Thinking of you Charlie Love Caroline
Hi Charlie, just a quick hallo from a techno phobic.
As i type your little boys and beautiful wife are on their way.
The little boys have had their suitcases at the front door for 48 hours.
Really disappointed that we could`nt come ,but Emma will explain.
Our cash is being spent on solicitors fee`s taking the LEA to tribunial.
Have a wonderful time with all your fans, big and little.
LOVE AND CONGRATULATIONS CLARE, MICHAEL, THEO ,AND GREG.
keep going charlie not far to go now were watching your progress everyday,lookforward to seeing you soon.
ian clare and boys
Go on Charlie!!
What you are doing is incredible! Really enjoy reading your blog each morning and see how your getting on. I think you should write s book!
Keep going and wish you all the best for the last few days.
Andy
Morning Charlie
Dawn and I have been looking at your whole adventure and its true what Walt Disney said when he was asked why he did what he did, when opening Disney Florida "All our dreams can come true - if we have the courage to pursue them." mate your living that dream. That has to be the most important thing how proud your family must be, I know how proud we are knowing you and when things look bad and your thoughts drop, the pain is taking over Remember Winston Churchill when he said "Success is never final. Failure is never fatal. It is courage that counts most." Mate that is something you have running all through your body courage Walt and Winston both use the word COURAGE along with your fight and bloody positive attitude success was always the final word “I think we all need a little bit of what you’re on!!! At times
As I say every time stick to the plan don’t overdo it every hour is one less to do
Land is coming fast. Emma must be bursting to see you again and what a boost for you to know that she will be standing on the dock I wish we could get the time to fly over Any way stay safe see you when your back
Love and best wishes
Ken dawn Rebecca Ethan bump xxxxxxx
Charlie
We first read about the race in our local paper and we started following Leo on Halcyon. We couldn't help noticing your incredible achievements and now we check your progress every day. You are a great inspiration, thank you for sharing your impressions and your daily conquests with us.
We sort of expect to check the map in a few days and see you've continued rowing and are on course for Cape Cod. Please remember to slow down and stop in Antigua. Or if you decide to continue to Cape Cod we will organize a big party for you there.
Hi Charlie,
Fantastic effort, we are all amazed at your progress but we should not have been surprised. Rachael and Josh are both reading your blogs each day, Josh keeps wanting to know if you are really famous now so that he can tell everyone about you.
Anyway Emma and the boys will soon be sunning themselves on the beach, the boys were really excited. I am now on duty looking after Murdoch who says you have rowed a "purrfect" race.
Not long to go now, enjoy the last few days, stay focused and safe.
Love from Helen, Kevin, Rachael and Joshua xxxx
Charlie! I can't begin to tell you how unbelievably proud I am of you! Getting very emotional and very jealous of everyone coming out to meet you. you're an inspiration! Meeting up with tim and sophie in about half an hour and heading down the common as its really sunny and im pretending its summer, got the beach boys on full whack to piss off my landlord next door, the grumpy git.
Amsterdam was messy, had rory vomming in the canal on his birthday so it was an overall win. Bella meanwhile was such a heavyweight she was skulling whiskey quicker than blinking. fact not fiction.
Take it easy unc, not far to go and lots of love awaiting you!! xxxx
Hi Charlie. Look at you! in the 200's it's almost time to look up (re the Ayers rock story) Everyone is so proud , everyone is so amazed, you are tired beyond belief no doubt, but remember that army of supporters willing you on. Just take it one step at a time, safely courageously and doggedly.I cannot speak for anyone else but I have so many things crossed now, it is hard to breathe.
All best wishes to our local Hero, Burnham salutes you,
Sally x
Hi Charlie
Rang Jenny at tenish this morning - she was still in her dressing gown writing you an email. I can see she is well on the way to becoming a computer bore! Seriously though - you are getting so near now. Mind you, that is what you and everyone else says, but I cannot imagine rowing 310 miles in a matter of days!! So, keep it up and save some energy for when you get to Antigua and meet the girls and your boys and everyone else. I wish I could be there.
Lots of love and thoughts, Susiexxxxxx
Hi Charlie, I have been tacitly following your blog when I get time, I'm so pleased for your nearing the summit - legendary stuff. I thought I'd let you know how belittled I feel, we have just finished a big refurb project whilst starting our biggest one yet two weeks ago with one other running, and I have just managed to clock up a 67 hour week followed this week by (by my standards !) a mammoth 76 hour one, I came in exhausted, but its nothing by comparison with your efforts, inspirational. Best of luck with your coming days, regards Gus
Hello Charlie
Like everyone else it seems I am completely hooked onyour epic voyage and marvelous blog. Fascinating stuff. Nothing original to say and will spare you any jokes but keep it up and best of luck. I won't be up to hear you on Radio 5 on Tuesday but will try to record it.
Leslie
Incredible how you always manage to cover the ground, no matter what - absolutely staggering!
I was amazed how competent Jenny had already become on her computer when I went round this morning. She is following your progress avidly.
Lots of very proud people in Burnham.
Keep it up (I'm sure you will). Looking forward to seein you back here.
Best of British.
Chris
Hey Charlie!
You are sooooo nearly there! Its amazing even though the wind has changed and you report back that its much harder work you are still covering great ground. You must be working so hard, look after that poor bod of yours. It must give you a huge lift knowing that you are rowing towards your family and friends and will be there in just a few days. Oh and by the way - needless to say I did not spot your typo a few days ago.
Heres a question for you though:
Why are sardines the silliest fish in the sea?
Because they climb into tins, close the lid and leave the key on the outside!
Sorry, that was awful!
I'm hoping to be able to listen to your interview on Radio 5 live on Tuesday and will spread the word at the gym too.
The message from James Cracknell must have given you a buzz too. The next few days will be gone before you know it.
Be safe & keep your chin up!
Roz
Dearest Charlie
We are watching every move you make, we are so chuffed to know someone so incrediably brave,and want to know if Moose has been helping you and been by your side giving you rowing advice?
At least Livvy, one member of our family will be there to see you in and film all the excitement so we can all share in it when she gets home. They have just landed and are all so pleased to be there ready for the end of your incrediable journey.
Really looking forward to your next update, do take it easy and don't over do it so near to the end.
HEAD DOWN FOR THE LINE
LOTS OF LOVE from Guy, Sarah, Poppy and Harry. XXXX
Hi Charlie,
We are sitting on our terrace and feel we can almost see you; only 258m.to go and 368m. in front of the next boat; unbelievable. In any event we are sending you lots of encouragement and willing you on the last few miles. Sorry to hear the conditions are not helping you right now. Unlike the Med, you will not be able to smell the Maquis when you get close to Antigua. Quite bumpy close to the shore too; nowhere for the energy to go once the waves hit land.
Weather is great so your family will have a good time on the beach waiting for you. If they need help getting out on a boat to meet you, let us know. Telephone 7822898.
See you very soon now. Poul and Sophia
Charlie
Thanks for rowing for us today, we are really pleased. We've made a little poem for you.
"Go, go Charlie, you're the best, come on lets beat the rest! Row row Charlie, nearly there, go faster if you dare! Row row Charlie, you're a star, can't believe you've rowed so far!"
Good night, we've got to go to bed now (boo!)
Henry, Clemmie & Bella Dean xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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