24th December 2007 - Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone.The weather turned on us last night, and we were being hit beam on by some big waves! So at midnight we locked the rudder on a 60 degree bearing, and settled to "sleep" for the night - hoping that we would at least move in the right direction while we slept!We did manage 6 miles, but waking up to Christmas eve today found both of us feeling pretty low on morale. We are both desperatley missing our families and loved one, especially our nieces and nephews - as kids really do make Christmas.Given the weather and the environment here, it is so very hard to relate to anything Christmassy. We have an overwhelming feeling of isolation,made worse by the knowing fact that everyone get together for Christmas to enjoy the company of their loved ones.But we'll force ourselves to get on with it. THis was a challange we set ourselves for a reason, we knew it would be difficult, and we will continue.Little things, like an amazing rainbow that appeared yesterday, will motivate us and keep our spirits, and we hope that once we reach further south we'll have more wildlife to enjoy, as reported by some of the other boats.I've mentioned numerous times that messages of support keep us going,while some messages have more impact than others, in particular those from the children and families that we care for at work. When we start to fel self pity about our lack of luxuries here, and the difficulties we face, we are rightly reminded that they are nothing compared to the obstacles and hurdles faced by a child (and their family) with a metabolic disease. The courage and determination to face each day, withall the difficulties and challanges that come with the disease is a thousand time more than what we could hope to achieve here. So to Mia,Henry, Louis and Maddie (and their families) thanks you for your amazing messages of support - you are our inspiration.So all that's left to say is a very merry Christmas to one and all. We hope that Father Christmas finds you - we'll point him in the right direction if we see him over head! Lots of love, hugs, and best wishesElin & Herdip

Sing for your supper? . . .

There's no doubting that the design of these boats are fantastic, and"Dream Maker" has certainly been beautifully and skillfully crafted. If there was one design fault though, it would be that the rudder has to be attached to the stern cabin - the same cabin that we sleep in!! I think I've already mentioned how much of a precious commodity sleep is! Not just because of the 2 hour on 2 hour off rotation, but because of the quality (poor) of the sleep you get - constantly hearing the rudder squeak and croak as Dream Maker carves herself through the waves on the right bearing! There's also the noise of the waves, which crash on to the side with the same noise level as if it was a Great Western rain crashing through the cabin. We had thought of ear plugs, but decided from a safety point of view that it might be good to be able to hear the other one call! Add to the noise the sudden jerky movement caused by the big waves it makes getting any sleep the most difficult task ever!
You can imagine therefore how popular I was last night when herdip appeared unexpectedly through the hatch shouting "FOR GOD'S SAKE ELIN STOP SINGING ALONG WITH YOUR I POD!". It would appear that I have not been blessed with the voice of an angel, and if Herdip is to be believed it's no wonder the dolphins haven't been back to visit us for the last 2 weeks!

Eating is slowly getting better! we both managed to eat two full meals this week. We're no where near the 6000 calories a day target, but at least we're up to 2500-3000 I'd say. Herdip keeps fretting that her legs look like sparrows legs already. I keep reassuring her they don't (lying in the name of team spirit is OK, honest!!!!)

One of Nemo's friend's joined us on deck last night, I tried to reunite him with his friends but by the time Herdip had flapped around over him, and I'd got out of my sleeping bag, I worry that it may have been a little bit late for him!!!

David's just text us, having just realised that only 31 women have ever rowed an ocean! . . . . . we so badly hope to be one of those in the coming weeks and months ...

If one more oar smashes into my shins I'll . . . .!

Writing the blog updates are getting easier as the girls are now on email . . . . . Elin writes of today’s highs and low below (oh, I did chuckle!):

“Update for today ...
I had a hissy fit last night! A proper strop with TEARS and everything as I banged my fists on the deck floor! Any 2 year old across the country would have been proud of my efforts! I've mentioned before (along with every other ocean rower out here!) the pain when the oar slams on your shins! Unfortunately it's never ending, it is like torture, every hour of rowing without fail the oar will slam into you around 5 - 8 times. Sometimes you'll manage to get your fingers between the oar and shin to minimise the impact, but sometimes it SLAMS with such force that causes excruciating pain! And that's what happened last night!

We've been having strong NE winds which has been helping us fantastically to get the miles in!. The wind has been causing BIG, unpredictable waves though, so along with the squalls has made for wet lively rowing. The moon is out and really bright, which means we can see and hear the waves approaching! Just enough time to say a quick word of encouragement to "Dream Maker" to get us to the top!

Bindi and Georgia (Herdip's sister and niece) fly to Canada today. We hope the pilot lets them drop down a bit so that they can wave as they go over head ;0)

It's a scorching hot day here today, which just makes it pretty impossible to believe that its nearly Christmas day!

Jo Bardoe - the plans for the ball sound FANTASTIC! We are so impressed. Herdip is already planning which designer dress to get for the occasion! Don't forget my blind date ;0)

Over and out for today
P.S Paul & Ednita - you owe Herdip a kebab!!! Hope you had a fantastic wedding in Colombia”

Blog updates care of Amy are now on hold until the 2nd Jan as I follow the girls progress from chilly Russia. I’m handing the reigns to Glesni (Elin’s sister). Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Happy Birthday Mum!

Email from the girls:

“Firstly, a very happy birthday to Herdip's Mum!

The weather is finally picking up in our favour, and we're back on the oars! It feels good, but OH our bottoms and shins don't half hurt! The pain!!!

Finally washed my hair today, which is not a small feat on a rowing boat I can assure you! Herdip had persuaded me not to wash it earlier and that over the 8 weeks it would wash itself!! A few dips in the sea and a lot of sweat and sun however was making me seriously look like a scarecrow! It still feels like sandpaper but at least now I can comb through it! Herdip on the other hand is making a good impression of a werewolf - smelly and hairy - just in time for the full moon! ;-))

We're getting messages of support from all over the world, which just blows us away!

Australia - good to hear that you're settling well down under Shell. Save me a bed for me for a holiday next year!
Eire - lovely to hear from you Una. Can you believe that it's 13 years since those backpacking days in Africa?!
Italy - can't believe you still remember our conversation Fern! Hope all is well
France - merci Nemo et bisous.
NZ- hi Gie & Jo. Hope all is well
South Africa - Great to hear from you Ron Scott. Glad lindsey is keeping you posted.
USA hello distant relatives, hope to visit soon. Greg - impressed you still remember me - did you go to the WHO day on the 7th?
Cymru - diolch i bobl Bala (a phellach) am gefnogaeth mor gref! Dwi'n gwerthfawrogi'r negesaeuon n arw, a diolch yn fawr iawn i'r gwasanaeth cymundebol am y casgliad hael at yr achos. Es & Sion - edrych ymlaen am benwythnos hamddenol efo chi pan ddoi nol!

So final update for today - report from safety crew"Reports of giant squid in your area next 24 hours. Hit with axe and eat with boil in the bag chili" We've now ditched the rowing and are on squid watch instead (thanks Neil & Scott!).

Enjoy the festive season build up for us, over and out X

p.s. Thanks to the anonymous commentator that pointed out that I spell morale wrongly and that nurses have no morals, I guess we at least have the conviction to put our name to everything we say and do! Maybe we’ll write in Welsh and Punjabi from now on ...”

All I want for Christmas is . . . .

. . . . A moijto for Herdip (her favourite cocktail) and a nice cold pint for Elin! Aside from being tee-total they are desperate for a COLD drink!
Not being content with just one gift, if there is anyone reading this that can send a straight forward way to identify the stars they’re looking at please send to nauticalnurse@skyfile.com so their star gazing can have a purpose!

Remember to spare a thought for the girls on Christmas day and toast a drink to them on New Year! Don't forget to keep the messages coming for the girls over the festive season too (they'll undoubtedly have a touch of homesickness).

What's it worth?

The girls have been wondering how the fund raising efforts are progressing.

Their massive achievement to date just goes to show the lengths they are willing to go in order to achieve the most for GOSHCC and metabolic research so I think we, here on land, can really ‘push the boat out’ and aim to raise even more!
If everyone reading these blogs could forward on to their friends the story of these inspirational ladies we could really make a difference and give them a push to keep going when times are tough.

Elin wrote “I know that just under a £1000 a mile is a high target, but I promise you, we feel like we’re working for it”.

To donate, please visit: http://www.justgiving.com/nauticalnurses

The sardines are freed to row again

Imagine 36 hours stuffed in a small cabin in the middle of the Atlantic!? That’s exactly what the teams racing across the Atlantic have had to endure these past couple of days.
Herdip and Elin described the experience as PAINFUL, not mentally as one might imagine, but physically. Their backs have seized thanks to rowing solidly for 16 days and then being crammed in like sardines on a thin mattress in a tiny cabin. It’s the first time they’ve mentioned true pain so it really must be uncomfortable!

Herdip is planning on writing a book describing all the sleeping positions she’s found useful when bobbing about on the ocean (and sharing a cabin with Elin). They have established the best sleeping position – both lying on their left side in foetal position with Herdip’s knees jammed in Elins back to stop them rocking around so much! (think I’ll stick to my double bed!).

Hulled up in the cabin yesterday they were overwhelmed to receive three emails of copy-and-pasted messages of support from the Woodvale messages site (they had not been receiving them!). It was a real motivator for them so please keep them coming and we’ll make sure they get any message of support left.

Poor Herdip, stuck in the cabin, has been forced to learn Welsh choir music! I wonder how the Punjabi lessons are coming on Elin?!

Cabin Fever was given a reprise this morning when they started rowing again at 4am thanks to better weather. They haven’t stopped since and are really on a mission to make up any lost mileage due to the weather!

Stormy weather - what a time for a swim!

The poor weather system that was forecast seems to have hit the boats now as crews bunk down to ride the storm. Woodvale ‘progress’ shows many of the dots doing small circles around themselves as crews fight not to loose too many of their hard earned miles.

The following email was received from Herdip this morning:

“hello! - an update - tried some rowing overnight, but REALLY SLOW with north westerly winds! Rowed briefly so sat on bearing for a few hours! Elin got up at 2;30 to try it for a few hours, and then I tried - and managed a mile in 2 hours! We then rowed together for a bit but we were moving no where fast!
So we decided that I would finally catch with my washing while Elin did some sunbathing! We felt like we were on a package holiday that had gone wrong somewhere! We had sun, sea ... but ...
While chilling out, I noticed a WALL of cloud approaching us, and at the sametime lost 4 miles of progress! I quickly deployed the para anchor - only to notice that it had got tangled in the rudder, so the plan (as per usual!!) was to push Elin into the water to sort it out (Making sure they were JUST flying fish with us). A few waves, and knotted ropes later we were sorted!You just wouldn't believe how quickly the weather changes!!
Everything has now been nailed and hammered to the boat to make sure we don't loose it in this weather, and we're snuggled into the cabin watching it in awe...
Slightly less frustrating not making progress, knowing that the other female crews are in the same situation!
Say a prayer tonight to wish us better weather tomorrow please.

Feeling good over all today. Got a well done, keep going text from DebbieFlood (Olympic rowing medallist) - so that was certainly a helpful moral booster ...
P.S Jo Bardoe - Elin says thanks so much for lovely email/text - fantasticWelsh! Please send more, she deleted it by mistake, and please give a great big birthday kiss to Mia from us (sorry we're late!)”

Despite being hulled up in a small cabin in the stormy seas the girls were very upbeat, laughing, joking and seemingly very much on top of things when they phoned Lucy last night.

Well done girls – we know you’re made of tougher stuff than wind and clouds!
X

Being surrounded by water is no comfort when the water maker stops working!!

Possibly the most important piece of kit on the boat, the water maker, stopped working today leading to an epic panic!
Thankfully a few phone calls to the engineer and heads under the decks, an airlock was found and the water maker was fixed. Collective sighs of relief!!

Girls will be girls! It was grooming day today, time to cut the toe nails which apparently grow at great speeds when in socks with limited walking for two weeks. Did we really want to know that?! :-)

They have been on the phone to Ocean Summit (No. 18) and No Fear (No. 22) to compare life on the ocean. Sharing experiences with those in the same position has been great for moral. As we here on land continue to only try to imagine what it’s like.

Rowing the Atlantic is one hell of a challenge, and challenged they are, but what a fantastic job they’re doing at proving what tough material they’re made of! Keep up the good work girls!

Getting in to the row of things!

460 miles done . . . .

15th Dec 2007 - Elin wrote “I can’t believe how much I love it out here. I am battered and bruised and physically exhausted but love it so much all the same!”

The girls are online – they think! I have now received a few emails so it looks promising. Keep the texts coming through Iridium for now though and we'll let you know when emails are being received!

The weather has turned now (as expected) so it’s a struggle to row with wind from almost every direction. They’re reporting frustration at their lack of progress over the last 24-36 hours. Seems the big sleep on Sunday was well timed!

When questioned why their aqua dot was consistently further north than many of the other boats the girls replied that they are in search of 20N 30W to catch the trade winds sooner (a tip given by the South African boys who are flying along in boat 14). Good luck girls!

As we row through the infamous two week barrier . . . .

Sunday saw the girls row through the two week barrier which is often described as the turning point by those who’ve completed this challenge before (the first two weeks being the hardest both physically and mentally).

Elin has summed up their experience to date:

“Well we just can't believe it - we've been on the ocean 2 weeks! On one hand it has flown by so quickly that I would swear we have just been here 5 minutes, and on another it feels like we have experienced so much already.

We had some much needed R&R last night, and snuggled up in the cabin with a hot chocolate to watch the amazing view of the moon reflecting on the sea.
We then slept solidly for 9 hours!!!
Scrubbed the boat clean this morning - which overall means we've lost a good 12 hours rowing, but hope that it's time well invested. There's bad weather heading our way for wed by all accounts so hope to get some miles in beforehand.
The excitement of having the fish swim with us every night has kind of passed since we were told they only do it to protect themselves from predators!!! Hello!! That must make us more of a sitting target right?!?!

I can't tell you how much all the text messages you send means to us. They are truly and utterly a massive morale booster and help with the homesickness we’ve experienced - so please keep them coming! Even at weekend!! Sorry we can’t reply to everyone.

I'm off to fight Herdip for some skittles now. . . . .”

A night to remember

Phone call from the girls today who were jubilant after a nights rowing with a clear moon guiding the way and shining a mesmerising reflection on the ocean (a change from previous pitch black nights).
Throughout the night they also had flying fish of different colours surrounding their boat which kept them amused.
They have begun to really get the hang of night rowing and Herdip likened it to cycling at night when the crisp air makes you go that bit faster. They're enjoying riding the waves and say it sometimes feels like they're flying.

Food glorious food! - or not!! Porridge for breakfast takes 10 chews to get a spoonful down which is hardly appealing. Herdip has even gone off her granola bars (something which were her sole source of sustenance in the UK) and has opted for chocolate.

Herdip's foot is also much better and not slowing her from rowing.

They both talked of wanting to take a dip in the ocean but the thought of sea water on their fresh wounds has stopped them so far. Ouch!

Elin and Dip were both sounding really settled and relaxed as they seem well and truly into life on DreamMaker.

Nursing skills come in handy in the Atlantic!

DreamMaker was turned into a makeshift A&E last night as Herdip spilt boiling water from the cooker on her ankle (rather an extreme way to get out of eating the dehydrated food!). With a fair level of drama the burn was quickly treated with silvadene and bandaged. It's hoped that this will not effect Herdip's ability to row - although none of us would envy salt water in a fresh burn (ouch!).

And speaking of food - Elin reports great disappointment in not being able to reach anywhere near the 6000 calories recommended per day. They have very little appetite. Again, showing their true nurse aptitude, they have established the 'functional' differences between the vegetarian and meat options. Something we asked for no further detail about!

The roller coaster of emotions associated with the reality of spending the next two months on something not much bigger than a surfboard, in the company of just one other, has meant plenty of jokes and jibes as well as tears at time.

They have asked us to remind everyone that they can only receive messages via texts which are sent from the Iridium website (not personal mobiles) or via Woodvale messages board. Emails continue to evade them!

Despite the dramas and testing times they certainly are getting the miles in which I think tells the true story of their strength and determination.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GIRLS, WE THINK YOU'RE DOING FANTASTICALLY!

Adventures on the ocean!

Wed 12th Dec

* News from land support *

The girls continue their steady progress across the Atlantic . . . . as we continue to live vicariously by tales of their voyage!

As of today they’ve rowed 295 Miles (average 30-40 miles per day).

Life on the ocean is full of adventures we can only but imagine! Here a few stories they have passed on to us via satellite phone:

A non-functioning compass light could make sticking on course at night difficult for some – but not for these “Little miss-fix-its” who, thanks to some make shift work with duck tape and a torch, can now keep on track.

Not content with just one encounter with a large ship, they again have come too close for comfort to another. They now carry a flare in their clothing when rowing!

Previously we mentioned the sea life they had encountered – well this time it came from the sky – a bird in the night flew right into Elin’s head whilst she was rowing! Screaming to Herdip that there was something in the boat (she couldn’t see what it was), Herdip opened the latch and told her to “shhh!” and let her sleep! (neither of the girls are good at being woken at the best of times let-a-lone when physically and mentally drained).

Last night the girls reported a panic that the cooker had died! (food being the necessary evil on the trip). Luckily David had given them emergency sparks before they departed which enabled them to fix it and have it up and running again.

They have had communication via sat phone with the other teams and even got invited for a BBQ by the boys on Ocean Summit (No 18)! (imagination is a great thing!)

Plans for Christmas are taking shape – a cocktail theme “all shaken but not stirred”. I’m sure we’ll spare a thought for them as we tuck into our Turkey.

Last thing the girls wanted us to pass on was a big THANK YOU for all of the messages sent so far. Please keep messages coming via Iridium sat phone as the nautical nurses email continues to have issues!

Dream Maker - Settling into life on the Atlantic

*news from the land support crew*

We, here on dry land, have been absolutely addicted to the progress of these two remarkable nurses as DreamMaker takes on the 2552 nautical miles across the Atlantic. In their first week Herdip and Elin have made consistent and steady progress. As of today they have rowed a credible 228 miles and lead the other two female pair boats!

An emotional farewell was had on Sunday Dec 2nd when family and friends waved goodbye to the girls as they set off in high spirits. Since then we have become completely addicted to the Woodvale “progress” chart which is updated every 6 hours. After a few teething problems with satellite phone connections we were able to get messages to them and hear that they were ok after the first night on the ocean.

The first day tested (and proved) how truly tough both physically and mentally they are. Strong winds meant they were pushed north and the para-anchor had to be put down twice. Herdip was also battling with rather severe sea sickness (luckily nurses know the best treatment!). Despite this they were both chirpy and enjoying finally getting into the challenge after so much preparation.

Rowing at night has proved both interesting (hallucinations & hypnotic) and challenging (waves that need to be attacked head on but can’t be seen). At times they have been using the para-anchor to steady the boat in high seas and low visibility. During the day they’ve already begun to master surfing the waves!

In the middle of Wednesday night Herdip had the unenviable task of trying to wake Elin, row clear, and radio alert to a large shipping vessel heading their way! Luckily they made contact with the boat via phone to alert them they were bobbing around in the big blue.

They have not escaped the inevitable blisters and chaffing and have put in a request to Santa for new bottoms for Christmas.

Also, they are not alone out there! – having been visited by a pod of dolphins, circled by a baby shark and had a turtle bobbing along beside them.

The dehydrated meals are taking some getting used to (Elin is even reporting a poor appetite and I’m sure Herdip is missing her muesli bars).

David reported today: “While I was on the phone there was a huge whooping noise and the phone went dead for a few seconds - Herdip (in the cabin) shrieked and then started to giggle. Elin (rowing) just got drenched by a huge wave crashing over the boat”.

Each time people have spoken to the girls they have been in high spirits and determined despite their daily battles. They are eager to be able to row more effectively at night (there have been strong head winds) and hope for a change in weather soon.

The girls have asked us to thank all those people who have been in contact so far and ask that they keep coming!
A text via satellite phone is free on the following:

http://messaging.iridium.com
Number 881641435197

At the moment emails are not being received but there is hope this will be resolved when a support technician contacts them later today. Their email is: nauticalnurses@skyfile.com

You can also follow daily progress of DreamMaker, boat 17, the aqua blue dot, via (Careful! It’s addictive!!!!) http://www.woodvale-challenge.com/Atlantic+Rowing+Race+2007

All that is left to say for now is GO GIRLS!!!! We are really proud of you and wish you a continued safe and successful adventure.

And we're off!!

Well, after 12 days in La Gomera with final preparations and scrutineering complete it’s time to set off. It’s been an intense 12 days. All the teams have pitched together to help and support, and many bonds of friendships formed. It’s a unique bond.

Keep the messages coming in for us. Even if we don’t reply, we will constantly be thinking of you all at home...enjoying your Christmas dinner. Toast a drink for us on New Years Eve. Thank you so much for helping us all get to the start line. We pray that we’ll have the strength and courage to realise our dreams and that “Dream Maker” lives up to her name.

Final Preparations in La Gomera

26th November 2007

Well, we're a week in to life in La Gomera compleing last minute preperation.
Unfortunately we failed scrutenniering on Saturday. Main reason being that we were missing a few bits of equipment from our life raft! Oh, and the fact that ALL our gas cylinders for our cooker has gone missing! Personally I think that they are all still sitting in the shipping office in the UK ...

There is an amazing atmosphere here. All the teams are on a real high. There's a lot of stress as everyone prepares, but everyone looks out for each other. It's FANTASTIC to be able to talk about the challange ahead without someone telling us that we're mad or crazy! Here ... we're all normal! All 34 (in 20 boats) of us!

We're sharing a villa with 4 commando marines! Which is great fun. The fact that Herdip is old enough to be their Mum (if she had started at 14!) makes me chuckle! (She'll kill me for putting this up on line!).
So, with six days to go before departure, I better get back to it! There's still loads of little things to do!
Another update before I go!

P.S For all those that I told that you can text me from your mobiles, I was wrong, you can only do it via iridium web site! But it's free!

Last day at the hospital

Well, today's our last day at work!
A mixture of emotion!
Fear, excitment, panic, you name it, I feel it!
But after waiting this long, we're more than ready to Just fo it (as Nike would encourage!).

PLEASE SEND US MESSAGES WHILE WE'RE GONE!

see you all in 2008
eXX

Team hug!

Ready for off!

More photos of the Metabolic team

well! Only 19 days to go before we depart for La Gomera and 31 till the start!

We had the boat up at GOSH and had good support from the metabolic clinical team, and the whole hospital which was very important to us .

Jane Collins and Charles Denton came as well, along with Jamie Hopkin our sponsor.

My poor parents drove all the way fromNorth Wales to Portsmouth to collect "Dream Maker", and then escorted by the Jameson family drove her carefully through the streets of London. We then made our way up to Newark, Notts and watched in fear as she was craned to her cradle for shipping! It was a long week, but a small sense of relief that we are so near now to starting the challenge ...

Jobs left to do, download music on ipod, make sure sat phone works with laptop, double check sun cream quota! And my best bit - eating as much as we can to bulk up! Not so much of a need for me I hear you say!

Anyway, please keep an eye on this page for updates on our progress while we're gone. I'll post sat phone number when I know it, you can compare our progress to the other on the woodvale page http://www.woodvale-challenge.com/Atlantic+Rowing+Race+2007 and for those of you on Facebook - join our nautical nurses group!

THANK YOU to everyone for your help and support so far. There's no way we would have made it this far without all of you. I hate naming people as there's always a risk of upsetting people when you leave people out - but the following has to be acknowledged for their remarkable effort ... Ian Roots, Mike Baker, Lucy Jameson and the gang, Jamie Hopkin, Mel & Kathryn, Lindsey, Joanne (&Bump), Katy and Joan.

Lots of Love

eXX

well here we are - in action in Dream Maker!!

no the sail is not part of our boat!!!

we're sooooooo excited!!!

Dream Maker finally makes it to the salty stuff!

Exciting news.......we went out on "Dream Maker" for the first time ever ever ever in Emsworth on Saturday 11th August.
It was amazing, we actually managed to move the boat, even with Richard in it, sorry Richard only joking (he's our boat builder). It was a beautiful hot day, we didn't row that far (just over an hour!) but we had to get back in time before low tide, the aim was to get a feel for it! I must say it felt good. It was calm so David the other boat builder was in 'Fat Albert' a little motor boat doing circles around us and creating choppy waters.
We can't wait till the 24th now, when she'll be fully completed! HOORAY!

bonding with the boat!

Just spent most of last week bonding with the boat. Both Elin and I thought we would annoy Richard in Dolpin Quays, he's the man building our lovely boat for a few days.
The first day I was greeted with Elin sprawled out on deck, but she was working not sunbathing, she was screwing in the sliding rails, so if I go flying off my seat in the middle of the Atlantic I know who to blame!!!
We also went on a shopping spree, no girls not for a pair of JIMMY CHOO shoes unfortunately, I was dragged to Homebase. We got our tool box and all the bits to go into it, lots of spanners and other metal objects. We also got our cooker, it was cool trying it out, however doing the maths in the middle of the shop about how much gas one requires for a certain period of time was not so cool.Lots of other goodies were bought too. I think Richard was impressed with our shopping, not a girlie purchase in sight!
We also went to sort the most important area in our boat out, the sleeping quarters, we decided on fabrics and eventually the colour, not that Elin and I seemed to have any choice in the matter, for every colour we chose there was a reason not to choose it, we gave up and went for a yellow, all (in the shop!) agreed.
We stuck loads of sticky labels around the boat to mark where everything will go, its coming on really well. We also had a serious conversation about the very important toileting facilities on the boat, well lack of. We have decided a bedpan placed at the stern will work best, that was Elin's idea, we reckon it will work a treat and if it doesn't, no doubt we'll be in touch and fill you in on the details!!!
Herdip

Herdip report!

What a week! My brain hurts (as does Elin's!) There is no excuse for either of us getting lost anymore, because we've passed our navigation course! Also managed sea survival, First Aid, and VHF radio course!)
It's been a tough week. First day involved learning all about "Mayday's, Pan Pan and Secruite!".
Luckily, Elin and I were good little students and practised our phonetic alphabet on the way down, using car number plates!
Sea survival involved an afternoon at the local pool, it was great fun and I managed to get into the liferaft on my own: good effort I thought! We looked fab in our clothes, swimming caps and life jackets, especially Elin! Our team (6 boys + us!) very nearly managed to give a slightly older man a panic attache after throwing endless buckets of water at him! Oops! Luckily all was fine.
The really hard work began on Monday!. Maths like you've never seen before! My head was hurting! IO think I had a bit of a strop because my brain couldn't cope at one point and Elin was still trying to figure out North & South! Anyway, it all clicked sand we managed to pass. We can now plot our position on a graph, draw a map from scratch - pretty impressive I reckon! Mind you, Elin did cause me some concern when she said that you'd cross the Atlantic in the summer as it would be nice and sunny! Never mind the hurricane alert Elin!
One major impressive achievement is that we weren't late once during the whole week!!! Yipeee!!!
Final note: I've never done so much homework in my life, and never again!

finally another update!

sorry for being slack and not keeping you updated on progess!
it's been eventful if not always productive!
we've passsed our RYA Ocean Yachtmaster, Sea Survival and First Aid (that one was a bit hit and miss!) but Herdip will tell you all about our coures drama soon!

The most IMPORTANT news of all is that we have a corporate sponsor! SOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED! You have no idea. Mapeley came through a friend of a patient, so it's a very special link and one that I'm sure will work well! Thank you Jamie, from the bottom of our hearts!

Our boat is delayed! Aaarrrggghhh! With the boat builder on a 3 week holiday now! Double aaarrrghhh! Fingers crossed it won't be further delayed than August the 24th, the date which they are now working to.

19 weeks to go! Off walking Breacon Beacons to help my training and prepare me for isolation, tranquility and beautiful scenery ...

Launch party!

Having enjoyed beautiful sunny weather recently, it was inevitable that yesterday (our launch date) came with rain and 30 knot wind!
The sailing pursuit race was cancelled, which gave people more time to enjoy the cake stand which was very kindly arranged by HISC members.
The events were started by a welcoming speech by Commodore John Mesage, expressing the clubs support to our venture.
Joan Kearns (Fundraising Director) thanked John and the club, on behalf of GOSHCC for supporting us so generously. We also thanked Lucy and Mike Baker for their continued support and committment to us.
We then moved to the boat, where Jim (Hospital Chaplin) and the Sikh Guru lead a blessing for the boat, which was very important to both of us.
Henry Jameson then proudly announced "I name this boat DREAM MAKER" ... before throwing some champagne to christen her!
The name was chosen by Lauren, one of the teenagers at the hospital. Thank you to Radio Lollipop for running the competition on our behalf, and well done Lauren! We love the name!
There were a tear or two split ... (mainly by Mum and me!) before we started the posing for photos!
So Dream maker now moves back to Dolphin Quays for final work to be done ... Herdip and I can rest briefly before training starts in earnest ...

Sailing!

Well we've had our first experience of sea life! And boy did we love it ... in between the vomiting that is!!

Our voage was to be in "Going Concern" thanks to the very kind support of Ollie!
The wind was not behind us on Friday, so we had to rely on the engine here and there to get us Jersey 11 pm that night ... much to the dismay of puerists out there!
But the rude wake up call at 4am on Saturday informed that we'd have suffuicinet wind to take us at an intersting angle to Poole!

Made vomiting over side easier when you've got a sheer drop I guess ... and much better than a communal vomit bucket that needs emptying I find!!!

A lovely and heart felt welcome at Poole gave us time to rest and recharge batteries, before setting off on Sunday for ice cream at Yarmouth!

A brief, but amazing introduction to the sea! But no doubt it will stand us in good stead for the venture ahead !

A BIG Thank you to Ollie for inviting and accommodating us, to George (sadly without Sharkie) for being at the helm while the rest of us slept and/or vomited, to Dan for looking after the step and the vom bucket so carefully, and to Amy for parading in her long john's with a lovely shade of green!!!!!

I did it (just!)

Well ... I've done the London marathon! 5 hrs 19 minutes!
Been there, done that, and got the t shirt as they say ... BUT IT WASN'T PRETTY!
We arrived at 9:38am; just in time to join the masses!
Mile 1 - I felt GOOD!
Mile 3 - I developed a headache!
Mile 5 - my trainers started sticking to the road where all the spilt Lucozade was becoming warm and sticky!
Mile 10 - I ate my warm and soggy banana which I'd carried around with me carefully so far ...
Mile 13 - I had to take my t shirt off and wrap it around my head to protect me from the sun ...
Mile 17 - I started to run with my fingers in my ears to protect me from the excruciating high noise level coming from the crowd...
Mile 25 - I was stopped by a steward and told I had to have my race number showing ... (I think it was a polite way of telling me to cover myself up more!)
... and finally I stumbled over the finishing line!

Of course, Dip's was over an hour faster than me ... but I think (on the quiet!) that she found it tough going too ... but that's a story for her to tell ...

31 weeks till the Atlantic ... at least there will be no noise and crowds there!

Marathon

Well, London marathon is upon us!
I'm running for the Gaucher world, while Dip's doing it for the Row funds!
No doubt I'll need my own metabolism researched into if its as hot as it's threatening ...
Can't wait to get it over with so I can be back in my boat to be honest!
Running is really not my thing!

While we've been pounding the streets (well, Herdip has been anyway!) Richard, Tim and Dave has been very busy on our boat! "Birdbath" as Mike Baker has now named it ... I like it, but somehow hopeful that the kids will chose a better name this weekend - thanks to Radio Lollipop for getting the competition up and running.

Well, best be off. Lots of water to be drank and pasta to be ate ...

Look out for us on TV ... I'll be the beetroot red one swaying from side to side ...
lol
ex

Herdip's first post

Where's the engine?

Elin's first post!

Hello! Elin here, Herdip on her way. Late as per usual. Our blog is obviously now up and running so please post your inspiring, helpful, funny, encouraging comments here.

No more pointing out the fact that we're mad: we know we are.