Sunday 12th July- Day 17

Twenty-four hours on the parachute anchor!

Well… it’s probably not quite the relaxing break you’re all imagining!

Being bounced around inside a tiny rowing boat cabin isn’t exactly rest and relaxation. Every wave rolls the boat from side to side, and every creak and groan reminds you that you’re sitting in the middle of the North Atlantic attached to a giant underwater parachute.

At least, as a pair, we each have our own cabin.

I’ve spent time on the para anchor with bigger crews where you have to share that tiny space with someone else. Trust me… that’s even less fun!

The weather still isn’t playing ball.

The wind remains stubbornly in the south-east, exactly where we don’t want it. But with a bit of grit and determination we decided enough was enough and set off again at 6am UK time.

We now have the wind just forward of our starboard beam, which makes for incredibly hard work. Every time you stop rowing—even if it’s only to grab a quick drink—the bow gets blown away to the north. Before you know it, you’re trying to haul the boat back onto course before you can even think about taking the next stroke.

It certainly keeps you busy!

The day on the para anchor was fairly simple.

A little nap.

Something to eat.

Fortunately, I’d packed some ready-to-eat tuna meals, so there was no need to venture out on deck to wrestle with the Jetboil in the wind and risk getting soaked. Alongside those I worked my way through a selection of sweet and savoury snacks—essential fuel, of course!

Then I treated myself to a few episodes of Life on Mars, which I’d downloaded onto my iPad before we left. It’s amazing how watching something familiar can make a tiny cabin in the middle of the Atlantic feel just a little more homely.

By about 10pm I climbed into my sleeping bag.

Apart from waking up now and again to different noises from the boat and the sea, I actually slept remarkably well until 5:30am, when it was time to retrieve the parachute anchor.

I’d love to tell you I woke feeling completely refreshed and rejuvenated…

…but after three hours of rowing into the wind this morning, I’m more than ready for another nap!

Thankfully, retrieving the sea anchor went smoothly.

It was still dark, with sunrise not due until around 8am local time. The first job is to pull in the retrieval line, which is attached to the very tip of the parachute. That collapses it underwater, rather like turning an umbrella inside out, making it much easier to haul back on board.

Paul and I worked together, carefully flaking and packing each line as it came aboard so everything is ready to deploy again if needed.

Before long, the parachute was packed away and Penny B was moving under oar once more.

And despite rowing into the wind…

It actually felt good to be moving again.

There are signs we’re finally heading into warmer weather.

I’ve managed to lose another layer of clothing, which feels like a real milestone after the freezing start to this crossing.

Sadly, the scenery hasn’t quite caught up.

It’s still cloudy, grey and generally pretty dreary.

I think my next rowing shift will involve searching through my music for something a bit more uplifting!

The forecast suggests the wind will strengthen again later today. As long as we can keep holding our intended course we’ll keep rowing, but we can’t afford to get pushed too far north or we’ll miss the favourable currents that should eventually help carry us home.

So, for now…

Heads down.

Oars in.

And onwards we go.

Dawn

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

Hometown Row

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