Well, what a crazy week it has been. My Dad has been stupendous in supporting me in getting the boat ready over this last week - and I am sure he feels as though he has already rowed across an ocean., he has worked that hard and without his support I would be very far from the start line. So anyway, the boat has come on leaps and bounds and I definitely feel confident in the integrity of the vessel and the equipment on it. A few things we have discovered this week though is that the satellite phone bill is likely to be humongous and thus I have had to take the decision that the blog will not be updated from sea, but rather my dad will be updating most days from phone conversations and reports, but certainly welcome guest bloggers if anyone wants to get anything off of their chest!!! Another contributing factor was the inability to charge the laptop from the solar panel. It has been a real struggle to get it charged and often takes most of the day - a capacity of amps that I don’t have.

So a lot of people have asked how the rowers are feeling now that we are so close and I honestly believe a few of us are still petrified about being caught up in storms close to land that will be very dangerous for both boat and crew, and the prospect of the first week being astronomically tough as we brace ourselves to get past the most northerly island about 100km off of the coast of Geraldton, before proceeding west across the ocean. Being solo, this is the most dangerous time and I am unlikely to get any sleep over these days as I try an navigate through, readily keeping watch for lands on the horizon.

It is also interesting that speaking to the pairs boats, besides one pair who are in it for the win, most boats are attempting to get under 90 days and believe my prospects of achieving similar are slim to bugger all. This has raised the prospect of preparing myself for over 100 days at sea. This is not good for a number of reasons, one of which is work, and can only hope they understand… but also food. I have had to order another 10 days of food to make sure that I can get to the end with requiring outside assistance as that would be frustrating. Also, my competitor in the solo class only arrived at the end of the week and before his arrival, I was really looking at just getting across, but I have to say the competitive urges do flow through my body and know that I want us both to get across but I know I will be very disappointed to be behind him. Having Sarah Outen having started a couple of weeks before is certainly a target and whilst I think she has too much of a head start, it is definitely look at as I get into the row.

Right, I best be off, but the boat pretty much passed it’s scrutineering today besides the purchase of two small items and will be in the water tomorrow morning for rowing time, which I am very much looking forward to. I am hoping to get sea-sick, in order to get over it as quickly as possible when I am out there for real.

I hope everyone is ok ad thank you all again for your messages of support. SP