Returning to normality

Well I finally sit down to try and put in words how I feel after landing!
For once I am speechless.

The last 12 hours on Dream Maker were the longest, most nerve racking, and tense hours of my life. Fear, apprehension, uncertainty and a touch of sadness that it was all about to come to an end. Most stressful of all, would my parents and my sister be there in time? The tooth ache and effect of the antibiotics on my stomach made the experience even harder.
The welcome we had was beyond my wildest dreams. Flares, fog horns, cheers! It seems that everyone in Nelson's dock joined in to welcome us ashore. The sight of my sister and parents on shore was the most overwhelming feeling of emotion I've ever experienced. It was also very special that Rachel & Lin (Barbara Ivy) who knew our experience and feelings more than anyone else were also there to greet us, having landed 24 hours earlier.
We had done it! We had proved everyone that doubted us wrong! We had rowed across the Atlantic! It was (and still is) too surreal for me get my headaround, to believe, I have to pinch myself and say, "Yes Elin, you have done it".

I've now just spent a wonderful week on the Antiguan beach with my Mum, Dad & sister, quality time before returning to the UK for some normality. I can't wait! But hope I'll adjust, what will I do with all my free time....?! Yesterday we went sailing and today we took a helicopter ride over Montserrat volcano, so the amazing experiences continue while I'm out here.

As many of you know by now, shortly after landing I found my sea legs, or was it my Caribbean rum legs? Either way I somehow managed to stand on my phone - crushing it to pieces and loosing EVERYONE's number which explains why I have not contacted as many people as I would have liked by now. Please forgive me; it certainly wasn't because I wasn't thinking of you. So everyone that has my number, please text/ call me and let me have yours.It will help me on my road back to normality. . . .

In the next week or so, Herdip & I will sit down to look through all our photos, and we'll post some here for you all to see, and share some more of our experiences. Before then though, I really need to thank so many people for helping us across every wave and through every storm.
Ian Roots for teaching us to row,
Lucy Jameson (our Number 1 fan, and close friend!) for making the HISC facility a possibility),
All the Jameson boys (big & small) for letting us be part of your weekend lives whenever we needed help & support.
Mike Baker & Frank for always being there to get us in and out of the sea for our training runs and out of the sandbanks when we got it wrong.
Jo Barode for making that crucial contact possible, and organising the most amazing valentine's ball.
Jamie Hopkins (and everyone at Mapeley) - our "knight in shining armour" for making our dream come true in the most amazing way, with the most amazing support that we could have ever wished for. It was certainly beyond what is normally expected from a sponsor.
Chris Moon & Juliette Reynolds for getting our heads ready for the challenge. Simon, Tony & Amanda at Woodvale for being our "big brother" out there.
Amy Cole our blog editor for helping us keep the outside world updated on ourexperiences
Sinead Bryan for flying over to take such fantastic photos and to be mychampagne supplier!
Our families for withstanding the worry.
Bobl Penllyn a phellach am gymryd cymaint o ddiddordeb a chefnogaeth Each and every single one of you that sent us messages of support. We can not start to express how much they meant to us. They were certainly the key that kept us going.

I also want to express how much it meant to us to develop such a close rapport with other boats in the fleet. Our time together in La Gomera, our communication while out on the sea and the words of support now back on land was and still is very special. I feel we've made friendships of a unique bond. So (in order of completion) to Pura Vida, Gquma, No Fear, Unfinished Business, The Reason Why, Ocean Summit & Barbara Ivy in particular - Please keep in touch.

So for the time being, it's not really an "over and out", just a "stand by on 16" ...

A word from Elin

I've had a phone call from Elin just now - she wants to let everyone know that she is fine, everything is great and she's looking forward to being back in the UK.
She would like to pass her thanks to everyone for their messages of support and apologise for not being in contact before now.
I think we understand the last 48 hours has been overwhelming! and Elin's voice certainly sounded full of emotion!!

True to form (you may recal an earlier blog about Elin having a knack of breaking things) Elin has stood on her mobile phone and smashed it to pieces! This means both her and Herdip are without their phones, and on opposite sides of the island . . . . so barely able to contact each other let a lone the rest of us (who said life on land would be simple?!).

We wish them many happy showers, fresh dinners and fine wine as they relax with loved ones in the sun!
(Amy)

A word from Herdip in Antigua

Well I am sitting in dream Maker all docked up in Antigua. This is really hard doing this last blog from land. Feel very emotional at the moment.
Coming in to land was rather weird, I didn't know what to expect. The reception we had was amazing and overwhelming. I staggered off the boat right into the arms of loved ones who I had missed so so much.
I found the row quite difficult at times. I have never been so emotional in all my whole life, if it wasn't for Elin and all the support via the phone and email I don't know how I would have coped. There were ups and downs throughout the trip, I think I have learnt a hell of a lot about myself, it’s really hard to put into words.
I want to thank everyone who believed in us and were there for us, you have all been amazing, you will never understand what it meant to read your messages, you were our lifeline.
Over and out,
All my love
Herdip

DREAMS COME TRUE!!!!

The girls have safely arrived in Antigua!! Literally as I type they are 500 yards away from family and friends waiting to greet them . . . .

tissues, champagne and some sturdy support for wobbly legs are on hand . . . . .

Officially, boat Number 17 Dream Maker crossed the Finish Line at 19:37GMT on 17-02-08

I'm sure I speak for all who have followed these two courageous and sensational women over the past 78 days in wishing them a MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS!

You have risen to the challenge, beaten the elements and achieved what you dared to dream.

We are all so very proud of you!

(a poem from a loved one) To an Ocean Rower

I held on to the tips of your oars last night
Lightly, so that you would not notice me;
I felt the sea wash over my hands and my face, as a thousand stars danced beneath your blades.
Did you feel me?

I sat next to you in a storm as you tried to eat, your hands curled, cracked and cold, your belly tight.
I heard the squalling rain scream as it tore against your roof.
A show of strength with its own applause, an audience of one.
Did you notice me?

I laid beside you in your cabin while you slept, silently, so as not to wake you;
I held you fast against the bow of your boat while your dreams plotted new memories;
the foundations of a different course, a firmer bearing.
Did you hear me?

I watched you as we spoke and saw the words you wrote to me.
I tried to plant a giant's might within you:
it was already there, polished by every stroke and each nautical mile.
I was with you last night, and soon, at the end of an ocean,
You will see me.

Last blog from the ocean!!!!

Yet another day without rowing to get our timing for tommorrow right, we may have to anchor for a short while as well but fingers crossed we won't need too.
We are pretty bored at the moment but last night was one of the most beautiful nights out of the whole 11 weeks, it was really light, the moon and stars were out and it was relatively calm. It was rarther amazing.
We did a live radio show this morning on Radio Sloent which Jo Bardoe had organised, it was a nice surprise.
Elin has a massive tooth ache and was drugged up to the hilt last night with pain killers and antibiotics, I did offer to help pull out her tooth but she wouldn't let me!! So her first stop will be a dentist not the bar.
We have a party organised with Barbara Ivy as soon as we land, can't wait.
This will probably be our last blog from the waters, the next will be from dry land.

A busy weekend ahead . . . .

Well another day at sea not rowing! It’s the most ridiculous situation to be in, but we rowed for 4 hours yesterday and covered far too much mileage! So surfing all day today (a.k.a more like drifting!).

Thank you Lucy J (our number 1 fan) for your very witty email - “I think it is so funny that 2 women so well known for being late everywhere are now bobbing around in their trusty rowing boat in fear that they will be too early!!!” - we just don’t know what you mean!!
(Please tell Henry & Rupert that we are still wearing our friendship bracelets with pride!)

We had a little chat with solo rower Paul (Spirit of Fernie) last night as both of us were concerned about a close “unknown vessel”. Paul’s wife & children are eagerly awaiting him in Antigua, so he is doing his utmost to get there for them as soon as. Go Paul Go!

Tomorrow Herdip’s beloved sister, Bindi is showing that the mad family gene is dominant in them all as she jumps out of an aeroplane … sadly it’s not above us to drop off much needed chocolate supply … but a sponsored skydive in Hampshire for our cause! Good luck Bindi – we think you are mad, fab & brave! Hope that loads of people sponsor you.

Tonight we are GUTTED to be missing out on Jo Bardoe’s Valentine’s ball. We’ll be thinking of you every second, wondering what you’re having to eat, what will be the last dance and how much champagne you lucky people will get to drink. We are so jealous & would have done anything to have the opportunity to dress up & be all “lady like” to join you. Can’t wait to hear all about it, and how much money was raised. Thank you Jo, Victoria, Judy, Patsy, Caryn, Lucy, Louise, and Hannah for working so hard to make the ball possible.

On another note, we’ve been having calls from the media! If all is to be believed we will be in Saturday’s Sun newspaper and live on Radio 5 at21:00 GMT tomorrow. Look & listen out for us …….