Expedition Update — The Goalposts Move Again

If there is one thing this expedition keeps teaching us, it’s flexibility. The goalposts continue to move — which is exactly what happens when parts of the plan are outside your control.

Leaving Antigua 💙

Dawn left Antigua on Monday 16th, and it was far more emotional than expected. What was meant to be a short stopover became a truly special chapter of the journey. Over the past weeks we made incredible new friends, reconnected with old ones, and built memories that will stay with us long after this expedition ends.

There were sunrise swims in warm turquoise water, hikes with breathtaking views, wakeboarding sessions that reminded us how good it feels to move fast without oars, and evenings filled with karaoke, laughter, and more than a few cocktails. Antigua gave us exactly what we needed — recovery, perspective, and joy.

But as beautiful as it was, the next phase of the journey was calling. Saying goodbye was difficult, but it also felt like turning the page to the next adventure.

Team Regroup — Amelia Island 🇺🇸

Paul also returned to the United States on Monday, and by Tuesday the team had regrouped at his hometown of Amelia Island, Florida — the symbolic finish point of Leg 2.

The temperature change was noticeable after the Caribbean sunshine, but it’s still mild compared to what the UK is experiencing right now. After weeks of salt, sun, and humidity, even cooler coastal air feels refreshing.

Tracking Penny B 🚢

Meanwhile, our faithful boat Penny B is currently sealed inside a shipping container aboard a cargo vessel making her way through the Caribbean. It’s a strange feeling knowing she is out there crossing the sea without us — but also reassuring that progress is still happening.

Current estimates put her arrival in the United States on Monday 23rd. When she arrives, we’ll drive down with the trailer to collect her and assess the safest launch point based on conditions at the time.

Weather — The Ultimate Decision Maker 🌬️

Right now, the weather along the Florida coast is not looking particularly friendly for a long coastal row. That means we may launch much closer to Paul’s hometown than originally planned, resulting in a significantly shorter leg.

While that might sound like a compromise, safety has always been the priority. Ocean rowing teaches you that success isn’t about sticking rigidly to Plan A — it’s about making smart decisions and adapting to what the ocean gives you.

Whatever Happens — We Celebrate 🏁

One thing that will not change is the welcome waiting for us. The community here has been incredibly supportive, following every update and preparing to celebrate our arrival — however long or short the final stretch may be.

This expedition has always been about connection as much as endurance: connecting places, people, and stories across oceans. Arriving in Amelia Island, Paul’s hometown, surrounded by supporters who have followed the journey from the beginning, will be meaningful regardless of distance.

So for now, we wait, we prepare, and we watch the shipping tracker — ready to move the moment Penny B is back in the water.

More updates soon as the next phase unfolds.

Dawn

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

Hometown Row

Leg 1 – La Gomera to Antigua

Leg 2 – Antigua (now Florida) to Fernandina Beach

Leg 3 – Canada to the UK

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