Update from Cliff 27 Nov 09
27/Nov/09 23:18 Filed in: Nyamezela
Today has been a difficult one for Pete and he woke at 3 this morning with the sound of drunk rowers returning from a party. We all know the ‘three o’clock can’t go back to sleep’ feeling too well.
Well that was Pete … ping … wide awake with his head going home to Africa, his darling wife Kim aka THE LEGEND and his dear Baba Hannah. Can you imagine the feeling of preparing for the most important job interview and the interview keeps getting put off day after day or worst still, knowing that you love somebody beyond your comprehension and you are choosing to remove yourself from them, place yourself in a dangerous and lonely place and not see them for 90 days (three whole months). Try this: NO chocolate for the next three months, no car, no friends, no one to hold or touch, no one to see! No fridge, no bed, no shops … nothing but a boat, a radio and sat phone, a pair of oars and open ocean. I dare you try the chocolate and see how hard it is. Try the rest and see how really unbearable it becomes. Yes that’s what Pete is about to put himself through. Having said all this today was reality day … it all hit Pete at 3 am this morning. Did his heart miss a beat? Of course. Is he afraid? Of course. He knows only too well what he is putting him and his family through and it hurt him like hell! So why should we feel sorry for him, I hear some say - he chose to do it. Well, sure, but this man is a human has feelings and although he rows and paddles like a machine he feels deeply. So when we say keep the news from home coming, we really truly mean it. Today was what Pete called his wall day it had to come and it came on dry land with support. Pete has also worked non-stop on this project and the ocean and the water are what are calling now! Waiting is not what he has trained for.
On the preparation side of things (not that the emotional stuff is not preparation) Nyamezela had her stickers placed yesterday and just like any warrior preparing for any war or ceremony she has her war paint on and looks the part. Virgin Atlantic took pride of place on the forward cabin roof. Virgin has given Pete free flights and went the extra mile to make us comfortable, and helped immensely when we lost our baggage at OR Tambo Airport in Jo’burg.
The Suunto sticker went below the trusty Suunto compass which Pete will watch day in and day out for the entire race. It’s will be the only way he knows which way to row as he crosses the ocean facing backwards. There’s another Virgin Atlantic stickder to the left side if you facing the aft cabin. I think it’s to remind him his wife and kid are flying safely and quickly to see him in Antigua.
Liberty’s branding was painted on the entire boat and this boat has by far the best sponsors’ branding in the race thanks to them. After the stickers were stuck and a bit more boat pottering and some shopping Pete and I took a short swim, a walk and well-deserved slow afternoon napping and resting. We have not stopped since leaving SA and this was needed.
We are contemplating bringing the scrutiny forward so we have time to act on any problems. We will keep you updated on that.
It’s also important for Pete to let you all know that this race would have been very different without his sponsors’ support and as supporters of Pete I’d like to encourage you to support his sponsors and his chosen charity. Please take a look at who they are on this website and next time you may need their services, let them know why you have chosen to use them.
We noticed that there has to date been a disappointing response to Liberty’s buy-a-km campaign and we think maybe that’s because some of you don’t know about it or are waiting for the race to start. Please check it out and support it! See www.own-your-life.co.za
Well that was Pete … ping … wide awake with his head going home to Africa, his darling wife Kim aka THE LEGEND and his dear Baba Hannah. Can you imagine the feeling of preparing for the most important job interview and the interview keeps getting put off day after day or worst still, knowing that you love somebody beyond your comprehension and you are choosing to remove yourself from them, place yourself in a dangerous and lonely place and not see them for 90 days (three whole months). Try this: NO chocolate for the next three months, no car, no friends, no one to hold or touch, no one to see! No fridge, no bed, no shops … nothing but a boat, a radio and sat phone, a pair of oars and open ocean. I dare you try the chocolate and see how hard it is. Try the rest and see how really unbearable it becomes. Yes that’s what Pete is about to put himself through. Having said all this today was reality day … it all hit Pete at 3 am this morning. Did his heart miss a beat? Of course. Is he afraid? Of course. He knows only too well what he is putting him and his family through and it hurt him like hell! So why should we feel sorry for him, I hear some say - he chose to do it. Well, sure, but this man is a human has feelings and although he rows and paddles like a machine he feels deeply. So when we say keep the news from home coming, we really truly mean it. Today was what Pete called his wall day it had to come and it came on dry land with support. Pete has also worked non-stop on this project and the ocean and the water are what are calling now! Waiting is not what he has trained for.
On the preparation side of things (not that the emotional stuff is not preparation) Nyamezela had her stickers placed yesterday and just like any warrior preparing for any war or ceremony she has her war paint on and looks the part. Virgin Atlantic took pride of place on the forward cabin roof. Virgin has given Pete free flights and went the extra mile to make us comfortable, and helped immensely when we lost our baggage at OR Tambo Airport in Jo’burg.
The Suunto sticker went below the trusty Suunto compass which Pete will watch day in and day out for the entire race. It’s will be the only way he knows which way to row as he crosses the ocean facing backwards. There’s another Virgin Atlantic stickder to the left side if you facing the aft cabin. I think it’s to remind him his wife and kid are flying safely and quickly to see him in Antigua.
Liberty’s branding was painted on the entire boat and this boat has by far the best sponsors’ branding in the race thanks to them. After the stickers were stuck and a bit more boat pottering and some shopping Pete and I took a short swim, a walk and well-deserved slow afternoon napping and resting. We have not stopped since leaving SA and this was needed.
We are contemplating bringing the scrutiny forward so we have time to act on any problems. We will keep you updated on that.
It’s also important for Pete to let you all know that this race would have been very different without his sponsors’ support and as supporters of Pete I’d like to encourage you to support his sponsors and his chosen charity. Please take a look at who they are on this website and next time you may need their services, let them know why you have chosen to use them.
We noticed that there has to date been a disappointing response to Liberty’s buy-a-km campaign and we think maybe that’s because some of you don’t know about it or are waiting for the race to start. Please check it out and support it! See www.own-your-life.co.za
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