11 Days to Launch! 🚣‍♀️🌊

The countdown is on — just 11 days until launch.

It’s amazing how quickly the time has gone. After months of planning, route changes, weather discussions, logistics headaches and boat preparation, we are now entering that exciting phase where everything starts to feel very real.

Today, Paul is spending the day packing Penny B and preparing for a very early 4:30am departure from Fernandina Beach tomorrow morning. His destination is the Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club in St John’s, Canada, where the next chapter of the Hometown Row will begin.

Getting the boat and equipment across the US-Canada border has been an adventure in itself. Customs rules, import paperwork, declarations, permits and logistics have required almost as much planning as the rowing itself. As with every expedition, the challenges begin long before you push off from the dock.

As for me, I’m having one final day of socialising before the focus turns fully to the expedition.

This evening I’m heading to see The Night Sky Show at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend, presented by astronomer Adrian West. It’s an interactive journey through the stars, planets and constellations using spectacular visual effects. For anyone who knows me, you’ll know this couldn’t be more perfect. The night sky has always been one of my greatest passions and remains one of my favourite parts of ocean rowing. There is something magical about sitting alone on the oars in the middle of the Atlantic, looking up at Orion, Cassiopeia, the Plough and the Milky Way stretching from horizon to horizon. (Trafalgar Tickets)

Before I sign off, a huge thank you to everyone who came along to the Bon Voyage Party on Friday night. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and to feel so much support as we prepare for another ocean adventure.

And a special mention has to go to the cake!

It featured an ocean rowing boat on top and looked almost too good to cut into. Almost.

Thank you to everyone who has supported, sponsored, donated, shared posts, bought gifts for the boat, attended events and followed the journey so far. It means more than you know.

Tomorrow’s update will come from the road as we track Penny B’s progress north and follow Paul on the first stage of the journey to Canada.

The adventure is beginning again.

Dawn

“Together Paul and I are rowing home — the long way round.”

Hometown Row

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