Hello all,
I make no apologies for the lack of communications/blogs. As soon as the third attempt was scuppered and it became apparent that I had to delay the row I was DESPERATE to do something, anything….so here I am…back in Southern Afghanistan.
I’m more numb than gutted about what happened, it was as if no matter how hard I tried to overcome the many obstacles something always pushed me back. I can vividly remember screaming as loud as I could to the elements, screaming, begging the wind to turn just 10 degrees. 10 degrees would have meant me missing Teneriffe and into the safety of the Ocean. Nevermind.
So what now? 2 things that is what!
1. Let’s get Rob to the start line.
2. Let’s get Rob to the start line!
Once Rob gets to the start line the Indian Ocean leg is a done deal. If he gets injured, I take his place, if strikes ill halfway across – I parachute in and take his place.
Who will help me get Rob to Oz? Join me, help me, support me. Rob has enough on his plate. I ask you, no, I beg you. Join my team, the boat is there, the Oceans are there, all we require is a band of merry men and women who have the guille, the determination, the courage to support something incredible! Who wants to be a part of this team?
2 Solo row’s – 2 Oceans – ONE TEAM – Team 2Hopes. Who’s in?
Lee
Hello Everyone
It seems that the forces/gods/whatever have punished me for not having “ferry Across The Mersey” on my Ipod.
2hopes is so badly damaged after the tow that she needs to come back to the UK. Whilst being towed back we hit some horrible high frequency waves that damaged the steering mech, snapped the dagger board in half and in turn damaged the hull, mast light, sea anchor line and a few other bits.
Only a fool would put to sea now – so the main effort now is getting the boat home and getting Rob set for his Indian Ocean leg.
I’m a bit gutted at the moment so I’ll keep this blog short.
Lee
Where has my Dagger Board gone???
Situation – no change!
Still no centre board – We will have to have a new one made in the UK and to that end Lee is currently cruising at 30 odd thousand feet in a northerly direction at several hundred miles an hour.
Aaaaaaaaaaaargh!!!!!!!!!!!!
Heading back to Puerta de Mogan
Having repaired the watermaker and steering Lee and 2Hopes were poised ready for the third and hopefully final attempt – However in the world of Ocean Rowing nothing is ever straightforward…
The tow back to Gran Canaria caused more damage to 2Hopes than we had first thought! In addition to the damage caused to the steering system, Lee has now discovered that the tow rope snapped the centre board – potentially damaging the hull.
As this is an unsupported row - to set off across 2500 miles of empty ocean with any potential weak points would be slightly irresponsible – So 2Hopes is now out of the water while we assess the damage and arrange to have a new centre board constructed!
Watch this space………………….
Hi All,
You’re all probably wondering what I’m up to. I’ve fixed the watermaker – but it’s only a temporarry fix - I need to replace all of the HP (high pressure not houses of parliament as in HP sauce) hoses and to do this I need special spanners with very short shafts (and replacement hoses obviously).
The lovely Anneka is trying to fly out to me again ( her flight is delayed in manchester and is held up in an airport holiday inn with a plane full of angry people) to help me source a safety boat – we don’t have enough funds to charter a boat so hoping her lovelyness will charm someone into saying yes.
The good news is that the weather south of Gran Canaria is improving, so from Friday onwards I should have a window to leave. (La Gomera is more sheltered hence why Woodvale leave from there), however I’m not alone out here, there are scores of people trying to sail across to the Caribean and Brazil who are just as frustrated as me (yes. I have asked) so when their boats leave I’ll know it’s safe for me to do so.
Have fun in the snow.
Lee
Yesterday afternoon the Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race 2009 finally got under way. We wish all the boats taking part a safe and successful crossing. The race was due to start on 6th December 2009 from La Gomera – 85 miles north west of Lee’s current position in Gran Canaria – but unhelpful weather conditions have resulted in nearly a months worth of postponements.
We will be watching their progress with interest over the next few days as Lee will hope to be following hot on their heels!
Here is a photo of Lee and 2hopes back in Puerto de Mogan grrrrr…….
Okey dokey,
Yesterday whilst being towed back through some horrendous conditions Rob and I had a one way chat.
In a nutshell I told Rob that enough was enough, 2 failed attempts (one being dangerously close to shipwrecking the boat) and the watermaker blowing has really destroyed my morale.
However – I cannot give up. I cannot and will not give up.
Unfortunately – I may have to delay the row for a bit. We need to tick the following boxes before a third attemppt.
1. Fix the watermaker and test and test and test it to make sure it will not let me down again.
2. Find a weather window.
3. Find a safety boat as Tommy goes home to Denmark tomorrow.
4. Find some money to replenish the boat and fix some bits and bobs (such as the rudder steering mech) that the tow back destroyed.
When you’re going through hell – keep on going!
.
.
Hi All,
Bad news – I’m currently getting towed back to Mogan. Yes that’s correct the second attempt is another fail…
All the weather reports promised favourable conditions for the 1st of Jan so at 1030hrs I set off on my second attmpt to row karthe Atlantic.
Instead of a North Easterly wind I battled a South Westerly for 26 hours – despite rowing as hard as I could the wind pushed me dangerously close (within 20 miles) of being shipwrecked in Teneriffe. And to top that off my watermaker blew a hose.
Fortunately the safety yacht owned and skippered by Tommy Kjeldsen Skaarup came out just in time.
Thanks Tommy! I litteraly owe you my life!
Go West!
At 1030hrs on new years day Lee set out to buy himself an authentic Rum Punch.
Unfortunately slightly more than 24hours later he is on his way back and will have to settle for Sangria and Tapas!
Once again he has been frustrated by the weather, but having rowed 27 miles in the right direction he shouldn’t need to get the map out for the third and hopefully last attempt.
We are indebted to Tommy who kindly left the marina before breakfast this morning to help Lee and 2hopes on their return journey. I am sure Lee will have more to add when he reaches land.
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..