Daughter's opportunity of a lifetime.... maybe

[Scottietottie]

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

[Patze]

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

[lynnmarie219]

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!

[shaz]

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

[Bucky]

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

[Scottietottie]

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 

[JannaLee]

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

[Bernice]

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!!!!!!

[Scottietottie]

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 

[Bucky]

Woohoo . . . good news that her employer has granted her the time off.      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

[genko_b]

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

[Pegasus47]

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

[lynnmarie219]

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!!

[Cheryl]

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

[Scottietottie]

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