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!