🌊 Hometown Row – Last Night (Again)

Hello everyone,

Tonight is last night — for the second time.

The strange thing is, it feels very different this time. This time it’s much more set in stone.

The race start has now been confirmed for tomorrow morning, 14th December, with the fleet starting at 11am.

We are Boat 31, with a two-minute gap between each boat, so we expect to be rowing away just after midday.

🕘 One Final Briefing

Tomorrow begins with our final fleet briefing at 9am — the last time all the crews will be together on dry land. After that, we each disappear into our own little worlds, focused on boats, systems, food, weather… and the ocean ahead.

😬 The Nerves Never Go Away

Despite this being my sixth ocean crossing, the nervousness still sets in every single time.

And I hope it always does.

The day I stop feeling nervous is the day I stop rowing oceans.

Nerves mean respect — for the ocean, for the challenge, and for what lies ahead.

Paul feels it too, but we’re both ready. Calm, prepared, focused — and eager to finally get going.

🛍️ The Island Shop Problem

There’s a shop here on La Gomera that sells absolutely everything — from Tupperware to phone cases, tools to toys.

Every time you walk in, there’s something you suddenly think you might need at sea. And then something else. And something else again.

It’s probably a very good job we’re setting off tomorrow — otherwise we’d end up carrying even more “essential” items that we definitely don’t need!

🔧 A Last-Minute Leak (Found Just in Time)

La Gomera has been hit by torrential rain today, and while I was sitting in the cabin packing the final few items, I realised something wasn’t right…

I was getting wet.

It turned out the hole where the VHF aerial enters the cabin hadn’t been sealed properly. Thankfully, it was an easy fix with some marine silicone — but I’m very glad we found it now rather than mid-Atlantic.

Sometimes the ocean gives you little tests before you even leave.

🌅 Ready for the Horizon

Tonight, we rest.

Tomorrow, we brief.

And then — we row.

Thank you to everyone who has followed, supported, messaged, donated, shared, and believed in this journey. We carry that support with us, mile after mile.

The next time I write, I hope it will be from the Atlantic Ocean 🌊

Dawn

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

Hometown Row

Leg 1 – La Gomera to Antigua

Leg 2 – Antigua to Florida

Leg 3 – Canada to the UK

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