Archive for November, 2009
Probably less than 2 weeks until the off – just in case you are wondering what’s going on in my head I’ll let you into a secret.
All skydivers and BASE jumpers do this – Visualize prior to a jump – imagine spending 2 weeks travelling, loads of cash, a long hike and getting to an exit point in Norway only to competely mess up a 14 second BASE jump? In order to maximize and prepare your mind and body for a difficult undertaking you must visualize the event in your mind over and over again and mentally rehearse your actions when dealing with a crisis such as an unstable exit or capsize – the more you do this, the greater your performance will be.
Visualizing the row is something I’ve been doing for 12 months now, now I’ve seen the port I embark from and have looked out at the Ocean I can completely focus my mind on being there.
I spend most of my waking day visualizing setting off, riding through a storm, vomiting due to sea sickness, suffering capsize after capsize, dealing with blisters and injury. I do this as much as possible so when the event happens – I’m prepared!
OMG – how good does this get – just opened an email – Nick Taylor and RS Clare (barnacle/Anti foul grease) – have sent me an email offering not only the free barnacle grease but an outrageous amount of money towards our expedition costs – enough to take care of our EPIRB and flares!
YES – YES – YES!!!!!!!
Get in!
Just got back from Gran Canaria and am absolutely knackered after a week of partying err I mean row admin…
I could write a book about what happened – short story is that WRT port clearance I managed to convince all bar one who threatened to put me in jail if I attempted the row!
After a week of tense negotiations, based on the quality of the boat and equipment, my qualifications, experience (and the fact that I’ve managed to secure a 60ft superyacht and 44ft Ketch as an escort into international waters) I am overwhelmed to inform you all that the Port Authorities have given the green light!
This was truly an amazing achievement and I literally have scores of people to thank. From the bus drivers who graciously let me in on secret bus routes that the locals use, to the staff in the hotel in Mogan, obviously the staff in the las Palmas port authority building, Max – the eccentric French woman who has single handedly sorted the safety yachts, accommodation, hire car, free meals and Spanish and Dutch TV coverage!!!
Yes – that’s right, I’m going to be more famous than Beckham…
Loads of people have been asking about the electrics on board 2Hopes.
AIS display, circuit breakers and 12v charger, GPS, battery monitor, handset for phone, amp for the speakers, fixed maritime vhf, AIS transponder, BDU for the satellite comms – In addition, solar panels, gel batteries, electric watermaker, cabin lights, Navigation light, waterproof external speakers, Ipods, laptop, cameras and microphone, electric bilge pumps, handheld vhf, tracking beacon and epirb.
If you’d like me to explain the above in detail – donate some money to BLESMA!
Lee
I find it difficult to convey what happened today.
Delta processing invited me down to their head office in Brum. As I entered the office I was presented with a pat on the back and a cheque for an obscene amount of money – for Rob and I to put towards expedition costs.
Fabric8 then treated us all to a fine pub lunch.
Words fail me.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
The flight is booked and I’m off to Gran Canaria on Monday morning to seek permission to do the row. also getting loads of interest from the media – good for BLESMA – good for 2Hopes!
Sorted the tracking situation yesterday – Clementine from OC Trackers was very helpful and has agreed a deal on an awesome tracker that emits a pulse every 2 hours so fans can see where I am on a google map and track my progress, it also has a button that sends a pre-determined email to people (either help or all’s well). I intend to set the button to “all is well”. (If anyone would like to sponsor this get in touch)
For emergencies I’m taking an EPIRB – an emergency position indicating radio beacon – which sends out an emergency signal to a satellite, this is forwarded to the coast guard who will come out and resupply me with wine and smoked venison. (also get in touch if you’d like to sponsor this bit of kit)
So – after a year of anguish- we are nearly there! YES!!!
How gorgeous is 2hopes?
sexy, everything about you is so sexy, you don't even know it.....
Despite ryanair’s attempt at destroying my morale, yesterday was a fine day for project 2hopes – money was donated to BLESMA and we secured some support from Delta Processing.
These are the day’s that Rob and I dream of, fingers crossed for more of the same!
Delta - a good egg sponsor of 2hopes!
Another proud supporter of 2hopes!
Just as I was about to type my blog my girlfriend told me something outrageous – she was perusing facebook and seen that someone she knew had posted a picture of a baby scan – and there were comments saying “arrh she looks gorgeous” ….
Anyway I digress – not a pleasant blog to write but I feel it needs to be said.
Raising funds for the boat and expedition was never going to be easy – especially during these hard times – so I’ve had to sell almost all of my belongings, currently making a contingency plan to move out of my home and get rid of my car to cover the shipping costs – a small price to pay if I’m honest.
Naturally I’ve max’d out the credit cards, I was relying on a bank loan to tide me over to sort the rent whilst I was away, anyway last week Lloyds tsb declined me so being at my wits end I asked my friends to see if they could help…
A massive thanks to Adam Seddon – His brother Paul (Chas) has also helped by designing the 2Hopes logo (so selfless he didn’t want me to put a link to his company webpage).
Nice one Sedbomb!
PS. Here’s a photo of the watermaker
Who wants to see a watermaker…? Here’s a photo of the man himself!
Sedbomb en-route to the Al Qaeda 2007/8 AGM (Lydiate chapter)