Archive for December, 2009
Waiting around in Mogan is horrendous, mentally draining and very costly as this upmarket resort caters for those who have as opposed to those who had until spent it all on a rowing boat…
The past few days led to the met looking promising for today so at 7am this morning I said goodbye to Anneka, shed a few tears and in the still of darkness set off.
Unfortunately….the met was totaly wrong…15knt winds from the southeast and 12 to 15 feet high frequency waves from the southwest. After 3 hours of rowing like a madman it was obvious that turning back was the only option (the skipper of the safety yacht agreed too).
45 minutes later I was back in Mogan – no biggy – except….I have no money, no car, Anneka has flew home, no credit card, I’m eating into my rations to sustain myself and I’m about to crack open a carton of rank red wine as I’m a bit down in the dumps.
Let us pray to the weather gods…..Dear weather gods….give Lee a window of opportunity..
Conditions in the Canaries are fantastic – temperature in the mid 20’s with blue skies and a strong cooling breeze from the southwest. 2Hopes is safely moored and ready to go but we need the wind to swing round to the northeast and until it does poor Lee is stuck in port with nothing to do but eat and drink and eat and drink!
Housekeeping
Poll – Am I a big girl for being slightly nervous prior to setting off to Gran Canaria?
Answers below.
The tow bar is fitted to my car - fitted by a lovely gent called John – If anyone needs a towbar fitted call this chap – John 07966 477 009 – Off to the garage to get the brakes done and swap a few bulbs, then some more running around to do then the car will be good to go.
Due to injury I haven’t managed to train for about a month now – I couldn’t care less if I’m honest (I have about 18 hours a day for the next 3 months of “training” ahead of me). I’ve also been “pigging out” big time and (as Anneka my lovely girlfriend politely puts it) “am very cuddlesome at the moment”.
So when you think about it – weight loss, tan, fresh air, lots of exercise – I’m quite looking forward to this row now!
Imagine the scene…you are on a date with The Saturdays, after a successful meal you head over to a club for a nightcap before inviting them all back to your home for a coffee and to show them your new litter of Labrador puppies….
However all you can afford at the club is a nasty £3:99 bottle of Cava….it’s not an ideal situation now is it?
Well Rob and I haven’t Christened the boat yet. And as we are both skint all we can afford is this effort below – yes – £3:99 from Asbo err I mean Asda.
Poor 2Hopes!
The ferry is booked and I am leaving at the end of next week – towing the boat!
I am absolutely desperate to get underway. The force has been weak the past few days and I’ve been feeling anxious and getting nervous, mostly because of all the frustration Rob and I have had to put up with with regard to getting to the start line – fortunately now though the force is very strong!
Very strong indeed – I am desperate to get the boat in the water, get on the oars and get that Atlantic Ocean nailed.
The last few weeks have taken their toll on me, I am at my wits end and without doubt cannot possibly continue to do this row solo as planned.
I have asked a good friend if he will join me on my Atlantic row – the friend said yes he will do it – so as from today Wednesday the 2nd of December the Atlantic Ocean leg of 2hopes will be completed as a pair.
By order of an introduction – my partner is commonly known as the greatest secret agent in the world, so secret in fact that his codename has a codename. He speaks 34 languages fluently, including some extraterrestrial ones. He regularly balances himself on his index finger and bounces up and down on it; he refers to this as “going into a 7th level Yoga-Hopping Trance”. His eyepatch is not actually needed and, as he points out, is worn ‘because it’s part of the suit.’ Referred to as the “White Wonder” and “Wretched Rodent” by Baron Greenback. Catchphrases: “Good grief!”, “Penfold, shush!”, “Blast!”
I am pleased to announce my rowing partner…
Danger Mouse!
