Charlie's B(oat)LOG
17th January 2010 - Day 12
It's dead calm and I could be on the Serpentine in Hyde Park, except there are no dolphins there! Yesterday, I had a massive school of them, infact it must have been the entire "village" as they were playing around the boat and over an area of a few football pitches. The young ones were torpedoing themselves vertically clear of the water. What a joy to watch on an otherwise dull day rowing in slight swell. I also had a bee buzz pass me as I was on the phone to my wife. Where did that come from? Last of all on the wildlife front, two small flying fish landed themselves in my cockpit. They were only about 4cm long, but with wings as long.
As the weather has been light, I dived the boat again yesterday morning and had a sea wash at the same time. I rinsed myself down with little precious fresh water and felt like a new man. Everything is working well on the boat. I had to service the wheels on the sliding seat as two of them were starting to creak a little. The seat has to be in 100% condition all of the time as it is vital to my speedy trip. To imagine it breaking down is just a no no, a bit like blowing the engine up in your car - it'll still work, but you will have to push it!
I've started on de-hydrated rations now for the rest of the journey. These breakfasts, main courses and puddings do actually taste fine so I'm not worried about missing good food at the moment. The water comes from my "water maker" which turns salt water into drinking water. I run this machine every two days and have to be careful about rationing my water as the machine takes up a lot of power from my limited batteries. Infact the main reason I've not done a blog for a few days is because I have to plan how to keep my two batteries charges up to feed my essential equipment. The GPS, autopilot and water maker. Charging cameras, running the laptop or listening to music can be done only about every two to three days when I'm confident there is enough extra voltage to give away to them.
I'm still leading the entire fleet, but not for long I'm sure, as I have just had a six hour rest to give the old bones and muscles a break. The ideal time to do this would have been with a fair wind, but as it is not forecast for at least 24 hours, I needed the rest, so this is the first time I've consciously stopped, knowing I'm dead in the water and giving miles back to my competitors.
My birthday passed by and thank you everyone for your messages. Roz McGinty, you are a star and the audio message from all my friends at LA Fitness was just great. I listened to it and it was a real booster. Hope it is all well with you guys there and a special thanks for the effort. Whilst saying a few thanks, my "Shore Team" are doing a brilliant job of keeping me posted with the latest weather and race positions etc. Andy Wise has generated his own programme for my little boat on his computer and gives me constant predicted situations based on my boat speed for up to 72 hours ahead. It is amazingly accurate. Go back about thirty five years when computers were first available. I had a Commodore 64, there was another few on the market at the same, but that was it. Well, whilst the general public was getting to know about these new "essential" machines, Andy was already building a main frame computer for Felstead school. He has been into computer and IT ever since. His programme combines several of the best weather forecasts with my boat speed which gives me wind strength and direction every six hours for where ever I am. But, you also need seat of the pants feelings as the forecasts can be wrong! Enter Richard Power, Simon Barnes and to keep it all short and factual, David Lidstone then combines the whole lot together into one email and sends it over, making a few corrections on the way!
Physically I am getting stronger as I continue to work out on the oars and feel a lot better than when I started. I am stacking in the nutrition and the aches and pains I had are all gone now. The body has got used to the routine, but I still have to nurse the pressure areas, my bottom and hands. Mentally, no worries. I have not felt lonely at all. There seems to be so much to think about, believe it or not, and I have hardly listened to any music, let alone an audio book. The days just seem to fly by. I'm not looking at an overall time yet, but just taking each day as it comes. However, it looks as though I'll cross this ocean a little quicker than I originally thought.
It's six hours later and I've had a resident bird rest on the main cabin and about half an hour ago, I saw my first whale who surfaced for a blow just off my transom on his way North, probably to the feeding ground by Greenland for the summer.
Theme for last night, probably to be repeated many time more - "Shooting Stars and Flying Fish". What an amazing place this is to be.
Here comes the hot sun and another sweaty day!
Posted By: Charlie Pitcher, 17th January 2010 09:36:02
Edited By: Charlie Pitcher, 17th January 2010 10:23:14
Hi Charlie
Glad to have you back online - assumed you were just really 'going after' the opposition the last couple of days! Emma and the boys were round for Sam's party and James completely aced the field in musical bumps (to 'Voodoo Ray' by A Guy Called Gerald, haha!). Enjoy the recharging time. Up an' at 'em!
Cheers, Rob
Charlie,
Top draw. Amazing effort mate. I'm very jealous of your ability to just keep plugging away. Amazing. Dolphins too. Keep washing with fresh water to keep those sores under control and keep on it. Your an utter inspiration.
Chris Martin
hello charlie,
you are doing really well and also i scored a goal today! you only have 2014 miles to go. keep it up charlie.
Hi Charlie
Very glad to see all is going well. Keep up the good work, you're doing a brilliant job, makes me tired just reading the blog !
Had no idea we share the same birthday ! Look forward to raising a glass when you get back, I spent the day filming in a frrrreeeezing farmer's field in Northamptonshire, but I think I had the better end of the deal....
Sending all good wishes for a safe voyage - great to be able to read how things are going
Et xx
Hello mate
Your setting a crackin pace out there keep it up.We had the vice presidents dinner at the rugby club yesterday some very very messy people. I was home in bed by 7pm. I wish I was in a boat with you ......then again maybe not!! Work is all fine no problems. Hurry up and get back shit I hate paperwork.Take care all the best and keep going.People say they are behind you they really are. You are doing us all back here very proud and it makes the extra work all worth it. Neil
Sounds incredible charlie. Keep up the good work. To be honest that Bee was probably wondering 'what the hell is that naked man doing here in a silly little rowing boat'!! (I was one of those very messy people Neil was referring to!! I was back home by 6.30. Lynne came home to find the front door wide open and me passed out on the sofa.) Oops.
I really hope you can keep up the cracking pace and that your hands hold out. We are all thinking of you.
KEEP IN THE FRONT CHARLIE - ENJOYING YOU BLOGS X X
Hi Charlie!
Glad you liked your B'day pressie - though it would have been a little bit more appropriate at Xmas! Hopefully it made you chuckle though. Sorry, it was put together in a bit of a rush with the gym closure causing chaos to my plans - little did I know I could have had another month to organise it! The tacky music will no doubt torment you but at least that won't drain the batteries until it needs re-charging - thats provided you dont chuck it overboard for driving you made beforehand.
Still making stonking progress - A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Your blogs make great reading but I guess none of us know what you are really going through out there. Keep up the good work and look after that poor old bod!
Roz x
Hi Charlie, great to hear all is well. you are doing amazingly well. no doubt there will be some tough days ahead but you will have no problem I am sure. You are eating up those miles. keep it going. will be following your progress as you go.
safe trip!
Keith
Charlie,
Well done mate. Amazing performance! I'm really enjoying living my life vicariously through your colossal effort. The blog is a fabulous read.
I'm off now to flex my muscles at some Serpentine pigeons.
Big love,
Andy, Sadie, George, Esther and Teddy.
xxx
Just been reading your latest Blog and it's great to see you are doing so well Charlie. It's amazing how the body can adapt to make your daily rowing seem normal now ! Enjoy your down time when you get it and keep up the good work.
Unbelievable journey so far, providing me with a welcome distraction from work. Great to see you are still leading the way, and in good spirits.
Keep it up!
Quick joke for you :
What's the difference between a fish and a piano?
You can't tuna fish!
Hi Charlie,
Howard has put a link to your blog on the Grange Farm and Dunmow runners website. Have been following your progress and finding your account of the journey enthraling, almost feel like we are in the boat with you! What you are in the process of achieving is beyond the reach of us mere mortals, you're truly a great inspiration to all.
Keep one stroke ahead of the field and please come and join us for a run and a drink when you get back.
Amazing effort Charlie. The miles seem to be flying by and you are putting in huge days! Good to hear you so up beat in the blogs and that all the meticulous preparation is paying off now. So glad you are enjoying the journey as well as the achievement.
What an inspiration you are to the rest of us back at home.
Stay safe and fast.
Adrian & Vicki
First of all our belated congratulations on entering this AMAZING race - wishing you all the best en route!! As we say in French... tu seras de toute façon gagnante
Anjie, Rob and girls
Very impressed, glad all's going well keep up the good work, if you feel down just think you could be at work!
I am just SO impressed with your progress - not to mention very jealous! Nearly 69 miles in the last 24 hours - just amazing! Good to see you're not taking anything for granted though - although I hope the ocean continues to be kind.
Enjoying watching your rapid zimmmmm across the ocean. You're getting the success you deserve!
All best
Roz
Hi Charlie! What an amazing performance you're putting in; you must be superhuman! Love reading your blog, though how you find the time to write it and lead the fleet at the same time we don't know. Stay safe, Ed & Susie Back
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