This memorable line comes from the film "Row Hard No Excuses" – a tale
of two American rowers competing in the 2001 Atlantic Rowing Race. In
the film they then go on to show unappealing pictures of rowers' hands
(blistered) and bums (pimpled). I will spare you such images – showing
you instead a rather nice picture of the Brocade taken during my
afternoon swim.
But I will spend a few words on the topic of skin complaints. At the
moment I am feeling like a hybrid between the warty-backed toad and the
greater-spotted red booby (both species are obviously total inventions,
but allow for blogger's license…). The sunburn on my back came up
today in little fluid-filled blisters, no doubt a sign of impending
major snake-like sloughing of skin. Meanwhile, my front side is rosy red
with heat rash.
Hmmm, attractive. At least there's nobody around to see me – although if
there was, there would also have been somebody around to put sun lotion
on my back….
Other stuff:
I hope you really, really appreciate the photo attached, because I may
have killed a very expensive camera in order to get it. My Ricoh 500SE
wtih GPS tagging is supposed to be waterproof, but it doesn't seem to
have reacted too well to its dunking. Shortly after I got in the water
it turned itself off and refused to come back on. Ominous patches of
condensation have appeared in the corners of the LCD screen. I'll try to
dry it out and see what happens. Meanwhile, this picture was taken with
my waterproof Xacti video camera, which seems to have survived the
experience much better.
I've enjoyed the company of my feathered friends, but my swim-tour of
the boat today revealed that they left more than memories on the bow of
the Brocade. Hey ho, will have to get out there with a scrubbing brush.
Some guests just have no manners.
Progress today has been mixed. Choppier than of late, with an
inconvenient wind coming out of the SSE.
Finally getting the ship shipshape. It's taken a while to find a place
for everything, and put everything in its place, but I'm just about
getting there now. Just hope I can remember where the place for
everything is when I need to find it again… it's amazing how such a
tiny boat can have so many hiding places.
Hello to everybody who has been commenting on my blog – thank you! With
special mentions to:
Gary and Tiny at the Alex pub in Norwich. Tiny – do you remember you
gave me Christmas pud just before I set out on the Atlantic in 2005? I
still use the bowl from that to mix up my beansprouts for lunch. Thought
of you today as I used it. Gary – enjoy your pint of CHB – have one for
me!
Karen Morss of the Lemon Ladies. I'm going to crack open a jar of your
marmalade tomorrow, methinks – I've got some sweet crackers that will go
really well with it.
And Ellen (aka chep2m) and sister Susan – thanks for the words of
encouragement, and the info on the Red Footed (Poopy) Booby!
Time: 2115 HST
Position: 19 26.995N 159 02.196W
Wind: 5-10kts, ESE-SSE
Sea: 4ft swell from SE
Forecast, courtesy of weatherguy.com
The Eerly trades should be picking today. High pressure ridge
strengthens from the north.
Forecast below is for a SSWerly course at 35nm/day. A Serly route (180
deg T) is preferred.
Date/Time HST Wind kts Seas (ft)
30/1800-31/1800 E- ESE 5-10 2-4
31/1800-01/0800 E-ENE 10-17 3-4
01/1800-02/2100 ENE 15-20 3-5
02/2100-04/1800 ENE-E 17-22 4-6
Sky conditions are partly cloudy with mid to low level clouds. Isolated.
The hands, skin and bum do receive the most damage from the ocean row. In a few days the discomfort will pass as you continue to regain you sea legs. That was a great shot of the Brocade from the waterline.
it does concern me that you are not tied to your boat when you swim ….BnT ranch
I hope the camera dries out okay, Roz. I think that when camera manufacturers say “waterproof,” they mean it will hold up to rain and splashes rather than a full-on dunking. Try suspending the camera over the side in a bag on a line where you can retrieve it after you jump in. Olympus makes special cases to put cameras in for underwater photography. Maybe I can get one of those for you for the next leg.
Hello Roz,
And congratulations on your start from Hawaii this year(sure wish I could have been there for the send-off and the parties,bet they were fun and a blast!;)
Sorry for not blogging sooner but just been getting familiar with all of your new website/blogpage setup,etc. and the tracker,they are awesome, as you are so awesome and inspirational!
Also a nice improvement,take care and have all wonderful rowing days and evenings ahead!
My Love and Prayers Always are with you,
Dana
Roz, Use the SuperLube for any skin problems. As to your back, rub some all
over a piece of paper and lay on it. Smush
around to make it spread. Remember, there
is no such thing as too much moisturizer and
sunscreen! Enjoy that marmalade sweetie!
From what you describe about your back side you have a nice 2nd degree sunburn going. I followed you during first leg of your journey. I am very proud of you. With you the only person around clothing is not an issue
Aloha Roz! I am an eighth grade English teacher in Pearl City, Oahu. Just wanted to let you know you have quite a few fans (120+) as we are watching your progress on our computers, and the students can FINALLY see the importance of journaling… Also your message about the environment echoes in my room and onto the campus.
YOU GO!!
Aloha
Hi Roz,
I write to you from Asheville, North Carolina. My friends Deb Caughron and Michael (from Woodberry Forest School) told me about your big quest. I just rode my bicycle across the United States for ovarian cancer awareness and honor you and what you are doing. I will follow you and will spread your word.
(I run Laurey’s, a catering company and restaurant in Asheville. And I’m proud to say we are a carbon neutral business.)
Go get ’em!
Laurey Masterton
Perfect shot of the Brocade Roz! I just got stationed at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana and I,ve already recruited a few fellow US Air Force members as fans for your Pacific row. 😉 Keep up the good work. (watch that sunburn to make sure it doesn’t affect your daily progress)
Mtch
Wow, Roz…thanks for showing a glamour shot of the Brocade rather than one of your sun-mangled skin…sorry…OUCH! And so glad that you can read comments; I wasn’t sure. Awesome. Sending big love and tons of encouragement; I’m thinking of you – and sharing your journey – all the time! XO XO e.
Hello All,
This is Roz’s program director, Nicole. Roz isn’t able to view your comments online, but rest assured, her mother and I are sending them to her every day, so she DOES read these! Keep ’em coming…your support means so much to Roz!
Thank you,
Nicole