Sunday 2nd August- Day 38
- dawnysmiff
- Aug 2
- 3 min read
Yesterday morning started off tough.
We had a light headwind and were making slow but definite progress. It certainly wasn’t fast, but every stroke was taking us a little closer to home.
By midday, though, things had changed.
No matter how hard we rowed, we simply couldn’t stop ourselves being pushed backwards. The forecast showed the wind continuing to build throughout the afternoon, so we made the sensible decision.
Out came the parachute anchor.
As we opened the locker, Paul and I both looked at it and, completely independently, said exactly the same thing…
“We were hoping not to see you again!”
Hopefully we didn’t hurt its feelings because, despite our teasing, it does a fantastic job of looking after us when we need it most!
The conditions were still fairly reasonable when we stopped, so we took the opportunity to catch up on some jobs around the boat.
The retaining pin holding one of the autopilot arms had worked loose, so I sorted that out first.
Then I discovered my GoPro mount had snapped. Unfortunately, the broken metal section had effectively welded itself into place, so removing it took far longer than I’d hoped before I could fit the replacement.
With the jobs done, it was time for a proper cabin clean.
Out came the sleeping bag for a good airing.
Everything was wiped down.
Then, best of all…
A full wash with hot water and soap from head to toe.
After that I even managed to get some laundry done before settling down to watch a film.
By then the weather had changed completely.
The wind had increased dramatically and huge waves were crashing over the bow.
One thing that always amazes me is how much louder everything sounds inside the cabin. Every wave sounds twice the size it probably is.
Touch wood, I’ve never suffered from seasickness.
But if it was ever going to happen…
…it would be now.
Being rolled around inside a tiny cabin with no view of the horizon is certainly a strange sensation.
Needless to say, neither of us got much sleep.
My lower back is really starting to complain too. Spending so many hours lying on what is, despite the mattress, still a fairly hard surface is beginning to take its toll.
It’s funny really.
When we’re rowing, I often find myself wishing the next rest break would hurry up.
Now I’m doing exactly the opposite.
I’m wishing for my next rowing shift to start…
…just so I can change position!
I honestly can’t imagine what it would be like sharing one of these little cabins while sitting on the parachute anchor for this long.
Well…
Actually, I can.
It would be horrible!
The forecast suggests the wind should ease a little later today.
I don’t think it’ll be enough for us to start rowing again just yet, but hopefully it will calm things down enough for us to grab a decent nap and recharge before the next opportunity arrives.
For now…
We wait.
We keep watching the weather.
And we just hope the current doesn’t let us drift too far backwards before it’s time to get back on the oars.
Dawn
“Together Paul and I are rowing home — the long way round.”
Hometown Row
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