Hi :)
I got a phone call from my daughter tonight. She is really excited because last Thursday, out of the blue, she got a phone call from people she didn't know - asking her if she would like to take part in a round Britain race - in a rowing boat. Apparently a woman who was meant to be doing it has dropped out. Now my daughter used to row for her university - but that was 5 years ago and she hasn't rowed since. She's never rowed on the sea - well - until today. They came up with her name because she has been on a couple of BSES expeditions and had rowing down as an interest.
She met the team yesterday and went for a meal. Stayed overnight in Portsmouth and went out on the boat with them today. They've said she's 'in' if she wants to be - and she wants. If they do do it they will be the first women ever to row round Britain. It's a non stop row of over 2000 miles.
However - it's not on yet. She's going to have to persuade her company to give her a month off work - and that could be difficult. The race is in aid of "Help for Heroes".
I don't know whether to be pleased for her - or worried sick. This kind of thing needs to be trained for - I reckon. Now, she's not unfit. She just walked Hadrian's Wall recently. She's never rowed in the ocean though and the race starts on June 1st.
I just needed to tell somebody!!
Thanks for listening. - Scottie :)
Hi Scottie,
That sounds like such a neat opportunity! Good luck to her which ever way she decides, and give her my best too.
Take care of yourselves -
Patze
Wow Scottie....that would be such an opportunity! How wonderful for her!
I'm sure she would have to train like the dickens for the next two weeks if she decides to do this though because your right.....this kind of thing takes some working up to and she would have to make up for lost time....but if she is a go getter....she can do it!!
I hope this works out for her....keep us posted!
Wow Scottie,
that sounds amazing, she should totally go for it if she can get the time. what time of the year are they planning it? I wouldnt fancy the Irish Sea or the North sea in the autumn, hope there doing it over the summer!!! The earliest i ever got in the water was April, and boy was that cold!!
Sharon
Scottie . . . . wow, "coolbeans" that your daughter was asked to be a part of this round Britain race. I hope things work out for her to get the time off work so she can participate in this adventure. As a mother myself, I can only imagine the mix of emotions you are going through . . . scared to death on one hand . . . excited on the other.
Two weeks to get ready isn't a lot of time - especially, since she is working too. Just so she doesn't pull a muscle or anything from trying to do too much too quickly.
Keep us posted.
Bucky
Hi :)
I should know tomorrow if she can swing the time off work. The team call themselves the "Seagals" and have a web page and a page on FB. Obviously my daughter isn't mentioned in either of them as yet.
You got it Bucky - mixed emotions. The others all seem well trained and experienced so I think my daughter will be up against it. A rowing boat is somewhat different from a university "eight" and whether she'll be able to catnap her way for a month - well - I dunno! Her hands have gone soft and she'll not be able to toughen them up in two weeks. She has a lot of determination though.
Take care - Scottie :)
If she's half as tough as you, she'll make it through!
Busting with pride for her and also share your concerns, Scottie!
I'll go look at the website!
Janna
Well I too fully understand the fret,
One thing that I noticed was that before the accepted her they took her out to see what she was made of , then accepted her!! That sayslike they see something promising, after all they sure wouldn't select somebody they didn't think could hold their own and help to bring them all back in safely.
You got us to help pass the time as you await her return IF she gets time off work.
I bet she is excited! Ah, to be young again!!!!!!
Update:-
Her company has agreed to give her the time off and has sent an email round the company saying that Bev A..... is attempting a world record. I think she's feeling a bit dazed now but is trying to tie up stuff at work, sort the kit she needs out and organise some fundraising.
The event is the Anglo American Row boat Challenge 2010. When I searched for it it never even mentioned a female team - it just said it is so tough that 99% of male ocean rowers need not apply.
So hoping for good weather this June!!
Take care - Scottie :)
Woohoo . . . good news that her employer has granted her the time off. :D Bev is going to be a busy little beaver getting everything in order so she can leave here soon. Wow, sounds like one tough trip. It will be a trip of a lifetime for Bev. Wishing her all the best.
Bucky
Best of luck to her! I can't conceive of training only two weeks for something like that. We'll all be waiting to hear how they do.
Genko
That's fantastic. An opportunity for your daughter to grow and experience an event that she will never forget. My daughter just lost her job. She went to India for a month, stopped over in Hong Kong and just loved it. I am encouraging her to get a job and live in Hong Kong or Singapore for a while, since the economy is growing there and not here in the States. Scary, but just have to let our children fly on their own wings.
Pegasus
So glad to hear that your daughters place of employment is being supportive of this venture! She has a lot to do in a short amount of time...but it will something she never ever forget....an experience of a lifetime!
Hugs to your daughter...and hugs to you Scottie!!
Scottie,
It's your job to worry, so that's OK! Wow, what an adventure for Bev! We'll want to hear about it. (Thanks for the website.) Wish her the best of luck and endurance from your friends here.
Cheryl
thanks everyone!
Well I'm going to have a little adventure on my own. I've decided I want to go and wave her off so I got in touch with an old friend who lives in London to ask if I could sleep on her floor for a couple of nights. (She has a very small flat) She's said yes so today I booked train tickets to get me there and back.
I've only ever passed through London on two occasions, many many years ago. Hubby can't come with me because of work. Luckily our half starts next weekend so I can go.
My daughter doesn't know I'm coming yet but I'll let her know later today. I don't know if I'll be able to get close enough to actually speak to her - but I want to go anyway.
Take care - Scottie :)
Have a safe trip, Scottie, and don't forget to rest! I hope you get to hug Bev, but the important thing is that she will know you are there for her. :)
Cheryl
Oh Scottie, that sounds so wonderful!!! Give Bev my best, and have fun in London!
Patze
How exciting for you Scottie that you will get to share in this important event in your daughters life!
Have fun....be safe....and all my best to Bev.....please let her know that she has so many people from all over the world wishing her well that she doesn't even know...that has to count for something!
Wow....this is so exciting! Thanks for sharing all of this with us....I feel proud to indirectly know someone who is involved with such an undertaking! I can only imagine how proud you are! :)
Have a great trip! We'll be on tenterhooks the whole time. Is there a website where we can follow their progress? Maybe see pictures?
Genko
Scottie . . . have a great trip to London to see your daughter off on her little adventure. How long of a train ride is it? What did your daughter say when you told her? I'm sure she will be very happy to have you there to see her off. Enjoy!!
Bucky
Hi :)
My daughter said she'd stick me on a guest list for getting onto HMS Belfast, where, I'll apparently get a good view of her leaving. It'll take about 4 hours to get to London by train - barring any delays! She's disappointed her Dad can't make it though. Both my daughters are 'Daddy's girls'.
There's a website http://seagals.co.uk/ (http://seagals.co.uk/) which has some info on it. I don't know whether it will be updated as they go - or not. I have none of those details right now. It's all been such a rush. That site has some links on it which seem to work. Most information sites obviously only have the name of the crew as it was - before someone dropped out and my daughter snuck in.
I know they had to do a 'media session' which drove Bev mad. She doesn't like cameras and she wanted some practice! I don't know where or when 'footage' will be shown.
I'll keep updating I reckon cos its off topic but well up in my mind!
Take care - Scottie :)
She will never never forget this trip of alifetime,,, things I wanted to do when I was a tad younger,, well I just might forget abot it now,, and the things I used tolovr to do,, White water rafting ,, wading ina cold mountsin stream , so many things loved andlost