Hi :)
Well - my daughter's been in that rowing boat now since the 1st June. Usually the weather pattern in the summer in the UK is southerly winds on the west coast and northerly winds on the east. That's why in their attempt to row round the UK the went up the west coast first.
This year the weather pattern hasn't held true. They battled against northerlies on the way up and now they are battling southerlies on the way down. They nearly lost their lives on Sunday in a force nine gale. If their sea anchor had not held they would have been dashed against rocks. As it was a twenty foot wave swamped the boat and flooded one sleeping compartment.
They are anchored again now - waiting for another storm. With only two sleeping compartments and four aboard - two have to stay outside whatever the sea throws at them - and the sky too of course. Mother nature has not been kind to them!
My daughter is definitely ready to come home. I doubt she will ever set foot on a boat again! However - she is determined to finish what they set out to do. If you go to www.gbrowchallenge.com (http://www.gbrowchallenge.com) hers is the latest blog on the right hand side. (Bev Ashton)
Thanks - Scottie (who thinks its time the girls got back too!) :)
Bev's blog is very inspiring! She has taken on more than the physical challenge that's obvious in this endeavour, and she has every right to be proud of herself!
Please, next time you have the chance, let her know that she has the utmost respect from an old Canadian gal who once thought paddling a canoe across a choppy lake was a great adventure!
Scottie,
36 days is a long time! Bev and her team are real troopers, and I'm pulling for them, too. Wish they could hear our cheers of encouragement!
Cheryl
Scottie
Those girls are certainly made of stern stuff. I take my hat off to them. Let's hope the weather becomes more typical over the next few days.
Kathyx
Scottie,
Please let the girls know how much they are admired by so many people....I mean...the guys dropped out way back in the race for crying out loud (wimps...lol) ....these young women have stuck it out through all of the bad weather and long days and nights.
I admire them so much and am so proud of them. They are doing something that never been done before...it doesn't matter how long it takes them to do it...they are determined to not give up and to finish what they started. And that is an admirable trait. And you, Scottie dear, are the proud mother of one of these fine young women...I cant even imagine how much pride you have to be feeling!
I admire and respect them so much....I just cant say it enough....I sure wish they knew how many people are watching and how much respect we all have for them...if you can tell them in any way...please do...they need to know they have so many people from all over the world watching them and cheering them on! :)
It is unbelievable reading the accounts of their trip. Hopefully not too much longer before they reach the finish. They are so brave.
You mentioned they had brought food for 40 days - are they able to get more on board? Or are they having to ration it?
Here's hoping the winds change and give them some help.
Genko
Scottie,
I bet Bev and the rest of the rowing team will be glad to set foot on dry, non-moving, solid ground after the long ordeal they have been braving since June 1st.
It must have been so scary anchored waiting out the storm the other day. Just watching some of the video of the boat rocking back and forth was making me feel seasick - I can only imagine what it was like hour after hour for the gals. I hope they have been able to dry out Bev's things since their cabin got all the water. Guardian Angels were keeping watch over them.
Is there some spa there you can contact and make arrangements for Bev to have a relaxing day of being pampered when she gets back? Maybe the spa would donate a day of pampering.
I sure hope Bev and her husband DON'T have a water bed. LOL ;)
If you get a chance to speak to Bev while she is still on this rowing trip - do give her and the rest of the team our best. We're all rooting for them!!
I hope the town where they plan on finishing their rowing journey is all prepared for a grand homecoming . . . they all all deserve one!!
Hang in there Mum . . . . they'll be home soon.
Hi :)
Thanks everyone. I'll make sure I pass the good wishes on. I haven't been in contact with her but she left a somewhat ominous message on her facebook page saying that she didn't know when she would be home but other complications were arising. *sigh* I hope they don't have to give up at this stage.
They've been anchored again for two days in rain and storms but at least this time they are next to a sandy beach so there would be somewhere to 'wash up'.
They are not allowed to get off the boat or to get any kind of outside help - including food parcels! We did wonder what would happen if they happened to fish up food floating past - but no - that would be cheating!!
I'm finding concentrating at work very hard. I just want to see that boat moving!!
Thanks again - Scottie :)
Hi Scottie!
I just read you daughter's blog. I saw you got a phone call from her a few days ago. I am so happy for you. I am sure you are on cloud nine, but missing her dearly. You must be a very proud Mom. Your daughter and the whole team will be in my prayers. Thank you so much for sharing her journey with us
Stephanie
Hi :)
Yes - I got a phone call from her yesterday and she asked me if I'd send a 'blog' in for those watching and waiting at home. During the call I told her about all the good wishes from this site and she is very touched and thanks you all very much.
Unfortunately they had to anchor yet again today because of force 8 winds. They are about 30 miles up the coast from us so hubby and I took a run out to 'see' them. To look at them - anchored far to far out for any kind of conversation. Found our cell phones had no signal but I went and asked a local lifeboat centre whether they had a way to make contact. The lent me a phone and I had another quick conversation and we could see her waving via binoculars. The people at the lifeboat station gave me fresh crab sandwiches which was lovely of them.
Apparently they'd been out to see the girls earlier because someone was concerned they may be in trouble. They weren't - just anchored. When the lifeboat got back ashore they looked up the website the girls had mentioned and made a donation apparently because both had sons in the forces.
I think they have just got underway again now and am just keeping my fingers crossed that they get better weather for the end of their trip.
Take care - Scottie :)
They have awesome determination!
I've been following them on Twitter, and see that they have made some good headway. Here's hoping they are able to keep going until the finish!
Genko
:( I got a text this morning saying there are yet more gales on the way and they will probably have to anchor up tomorrow till at least Friday. They were so hoping to finish this weekend but now it looks like next week.......maybe. :(
Awwww Scottie . . the gals just can't seem to get a break! :( Of course, they would have to pick the year that Mother Nature has been lashing out worldwide to try and set a record. IF the weather had cooperated for them this whole trip they would have been done by now and basking in the limelight. But, here they will be again bobbing up and down anchored for a few days. Poor things. Here's hoping that things will clear up and they can row, row, row and finish this journey.
Nonetheless . . . we're all so proud of them for sticking it out, braving all that Mother Nature has thrown their way, handling the confined space, lack of privacy, etc. . . . . these gals are awesome!!
Wishing them sunnier days with light winds.
Bucky
We will all rest easier when they are back home. But how amazing they have stuck it out this long. There should be some special prize for making the trip in such adverse weather conditions. Sorry to hear they are stuck at anchor again - tell them chin up from us and we will be doing weather dances to try to turn things around.
Genko
Good idea Genko....here's some dancers to start the "good weather" dances!
(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-dance001.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-dance005.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-dance007.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-dance010.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-dance018.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
Seriously....I know everyone wants them home
SOON (including them probably most of all)! But I'm so proud that they have stuck it out, not given up even though the weather and winds, and waves have all been against them during so much of the trip. They will still be the first women to
ever to do this....they should be so proud!
Come home safely and soon SeaGals!!
cute Lynn . . . . ;D
Scottie,
Looks like they are almost home...they are getting so close!
Row, row, row your boat . . . gently homeward bound . . . you're almost there, it won't be long . . . until you're on the GROUND ;D
2, 4, 6, 8 who do we appreciate?? SEAGALS, SEAGALS, SEAGALS . . . . GO SEAGALS!!!!!
Bucky ;D
Hi :)
They are getting close now. The organisers predict Thursday. I had a tearful telephone call from my daughtee the other night. Even though they are so close - she's about ready to pack it in. Ended up talking to her for about 2 hours and there was alittle laughter towards the end. I think they are all getting close to their endurance limits.
Unfortunately Mother Nature is not going to be kind to them. They are going to have the wrong wind direction the whole way. It will be a battle to the finish.
I intend to be there when they get home but right now I still don't know when to book a train for! Work next week is just going to be tense! I can't concentrate.
Can't wait for them to finish. They are reaching their limits!
Thanks for the support - Scottie :)