Thursday 14th January

(Covering the last 24 hours)

Another really great 24 hours, covering 71 nautical miles — and we’re very pleased with that.

It’s tough out here because conditions can change at a moment’s notice. One minute it’s pouring with rain, the next it’s boiling hot. Then there’s no wind… then suddenly plenty of it… then side waves thrown in just to keep you on your toes. The ocean always has something to throw at you.

The good mileage we’re seeing is down to hard work on every three-hour shift, pushing when we can and making every single stroke count.

🚢 A Floating Hotel on the Horizon

Yesterday we were passed by a huge cruise ship — MSC Magnifica. We couldn’t resist a chat over the radio.

They told us they’d just started a round-the-world cruise, with Barbados as their first port. They kindly checked if we needed any information passed on for our passage. Naturally, the most important question followed:

“What’s for dinner on board?”

Being an Italian ship, the reply was a mouth-watering list of pastas and incredible-sounding dishes. When we replied with our current selection of freeze-dried meals, I don’t think any of the crew were tempted to swap places.

We wished each other safe passage and watched as the ship slowly disappeared over the horizon, swallowed by the vastness of the ocean. It did make us reflect on the facilities they must have onboard — and whether my next Atlantic crossing might involve something a little larger than a rowing boat…

✨ A Perfect Night Sky

The night sky was absolutely stunning — very little cloud, and during a changeover we took a moment to look up at the constellations and the Milky Way, which is becoming much clearer now there’s no moon lighting up the night until later in the morning.

Moments like that remind you just how small you are — and how lucky.

🌊 Reflections

Life on board is simple. It’s my happy place — most of the time. This journey strips everything back to the basics: eat, row, sleep, repeat. It’s physically demanding and mentally challenging, but it’s also grounding. There’s a clarity that comes from having only one job each day — to move forward.

That said, we’re starting to allow ourselves to look ahead to Antigua. A hot shower. A bed that doesn’t sway with the ocean. And maybe — just maybe — a celebratory glass of rum punch.

For now though, it’s back to the oars.

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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