Update from Cliff 1 Dec 09
01/Dec/09 21:24 Filed in: Nyamezela
Well, it’s hotting up here in St Sebastian, La Gomera. Boats are getting launched daily and we are due to be put in to the water on Wednesday. We still have to put Nyamezela’s hull coat on. This is a polish which, like anti-fouling, will restrict sea growth on Nyamezela’s hull below the waterline while she is on the water. Sea growth happens very quickly and can slow the boat speed dramatically, making it difficult to row. Every three days Pete will go over board and clean her bottom. Not very lady-like and very un-dignified for our special lady but very necessary.
We had a small setback yesterday and are waiting to find out what the outcome is. Jim, the water maker expert who Pete has flown in specially from the UK to make sure his water maker was ok, went to the fancy dress party on Saturday, had a little too much and fell, hitting his head on the ground. He was knocked out stone cold and was taken to hospital by ambulance and kept under observation before being airlifted to Tenerife for further tests. We hope he will be out soon. Latest news is that he spoke to one of the other rowers and said he is OK. We hope so and wish him a speedy recovery. We will be in a real pickle without him.
Yesterday, Pete’s wife Kim made a decision to come to the start and see him off. I think it’s a great move as Pete will not being seeing her for a long time and this will really make a huge difference to his row and their time apart. Kim will be arriving on Friday midday. Pete has been taking strain on this front - his spirits are already lifted and his mood has changed with a huge smile permanently on his face … I wonder why.
Nic ‘Moose’ Good and Jules, his wife and sound technician, arrived last night. Moose is the owner of Fresh Air Crew, a film company that specializes in making adventure documentaries and films. He is making Pete’s movie and his filming also helps with the build up to the start. Moose made the last movie of Pete and Bill’s 07/08 race ‘90 minutes to Antigua’. If you don’t have a copy buy one – it so worth watching – just make sure you have tissues ready!
It is quite interesting to see how Pete will be living – his approach is very minimalist. We have packed the boat and there is a lot of space left. It’s clear Pete knows what he needs and wants and what he does not want for this race. Other boats seem very crowded and heavy, almost overloaded.
The race organizer Simon came to chat yesterday and hinted that the start may be delayed as a storm is expected to hit the island on Saturday and the race will not start in those sort of conditions. The other problem is that the flares which the rowers have to take with them have not arrived. They are explosive and are sent as hazardous cargo. The paperwork was not quite correct and they were left on the ship which ended up in Cape Town. South African officials also refused them to allow them to land. So they are on the way back to London. In the meantime Simon has been trying to fly or drive new flares in but it’s not looking good. Two Manchester-based firemen who are rowing the race also tried to help. We are holding thumbs – without flares there will be no race. Safety comes first and no rower will be permitted to leave the harbour without proper safety equipment.
I must go off to the kitchen to make tuna mayonnaise sandwiches for Pete. With all the work and excitement it’s been hard to keep him eating but his weight is looking good. So is mine but I don’t have an ocean to row to lose it.
We had a small setback yesterday and are waiting to find out what the outcome is. Jim, the water maker expert who Pete has flown in specially from the UK to make sure his water maker was ok, went to the fancy dress party on Saturday, had a little too much and fell, hitting his head on the ground. He was knocked out stone cold and was taken to hospital by ambulance and kept under observation before being airlifted to Tenerife for further tests. We hope he will be out soon. Latest news is that he spoke to one of the other rowers and said he is OK. We hope so and wish him a speedy recovery. We will be in a real pickle without him.
Yesterday, Pete’s wife Kim made a decision to come to the start and see him off. I think it’s a great move as Pete will not being seeing her for a long time and this will really make a huge difference to his row and their time apart. Kim will be arriving on Friday midday. Pete has been taking strain on this front - his spirits are already lifted and his mood has changed with a huge smile permanently on his face … I wonder why.
Nic ‘Moose’ Good and Jules, his wife and sound technician, arrived last night. Moose is the owner of Fresh Air Crew, a film company that specializes in making adventure documentaries and films. He is making Pete’s movie and his filming also helps with the build up to the start. Moose made the last movie of Pete and Bill’s 07/08 race ‘90 minutes to Antigua’. If you don’t have a copy buy one – it so worth watching – just make sure you have tissues ready!
It is quite interesting to see how Pete will be living – his approach is very minimalist. We have packed the boat and there is a lot of space left. It’s clear Pete knows what he needs and wants and what he does not want for this race. Other boats seem very crowded and heavy, almost overloaded.
The race organizer Simon came to chat yesterday and hinted that the start may be delayed as a storm is expected to hit the island on Saturday and the race will not start in those sort of conditions. The other problem is that the flares which the rowers have to take with them have not arrived. They are explosive and are sent as hazardous cargo. The paperwork was not quite correct and they were left on the ship which ended up in Cape Town. South African officials also refused them to allow them to land. So they are on the way back to London. In the meantime Simon has been trying to fly or drive new flares in but it’s not looking good. Two Manchester-based firemen who are rowing the race also tried to help. We are holding thumbs – without flares there will be no race. Safety comes first and no rower will be permitted to leave the harbour without proper safety equipment.
I must go off to the kitchen to make tuna mayonnaise sandwiches for Pete. With all the work and excitement it’s been hard to keep him eating but his weight is looking good. So is mine but I don’t have an ocean to row to lose it.
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