Friday 7th August- Day 43
- dawnysmiff
- Aug 7
- 2 min read
It’s Pineapple Friday again!
And, with just over 200 nautical miles to go until we reach the UK shoreline, this could well be our last Pineapple Friday in open ocean.
Now that’s a milestone I never thought I’d be quite so excited about!
The last 24 hours have been absolutely beautiful.
Sunshine.
Warmth.
And finally…
A chance to freshen up properly.
I washed my hair for the first time in 43 days.
I can’t tell you how good that felt!
The sea was also so calm and inviting that Paul decided to go for a swim in the crystal-clear water. Standing watch from the boat while your rowing partner disappears into the middle of the Atlantic is quite a surreal experience, but it was too good an opportunity to miss.
The settled weather also seemed to bring the wildlife back.
Late in the afternoon whales were breaching and blowing all around the horizon, dolphins arrived to escort us once again, and tuna launched themselves spectacularly clear of the water.
It really was one of those days that reminds you why you put up with all the difficult ones.
The only downside to all this lovely weather is the lack of wind.
We’re not going particularly fast, but that’s okay.
We’re still moving forward.
And we’ll get there when we get there.
Last night was probably the clearest night sky we’ve had on the entire crossing.
The Milky Way stretched overhead like a huge glowing arch, making it feel as though we were rowing beneath a bridge of stars.
Out here, hundreds of miles from any streetlights, it’s one of the most spectacular sights you could ever hope to see.
Another sign that home is getting closer is the increase in marine traffic.
Fishing boats are now passing within a couple of miles of us, and larger ships can be seen heading in and out of UK ports.
The sea has been so calm that you can actually hear the low rumble of their engines long before you see them.
Something else we’ve both noticed is that the air begins to smell different as you get closer to land.
Out in the middle of the Atlantic, the air is almost entirely the smell of salt water and fresh ocean.
As you approach a coastline, even when it’s still beyond the horizon, the wind can begin carrying tiny traces of land with it—vegetation, damp earth and the countless natural scents that simply don’t exist hundreds of miles offshore.
It’s very subtle.
You can’t quite describe it.
But after weeks of breathing nothing but ocean air, your senses notice the difference immediately.
It’s yet another little reminder…
Home is getting closer.
Happy Pineapple Friday everyone!
Dawn
“Together Paul and I are rowing home — the long way round.”
Hometown Row
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