Just letting you all know our location this morning N 26 34 804 W 17 18 825. Thanks Cath and Pete for logging our dodgy progress - ever felt like you're going the wrong way!
Bit of a North Easterly this morning but the 2 hour shifts are going well.
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
Satisfying the Spanish "Authorities"
Antonio's men have been with us all day. We've refused to be taken ashore as we know our paperwork is up to date and we are "officially" in the water. It's been a real nuisance having this big orange boat alongside and has really hampered our rowing today but at least we are now into our 2 hours on 2 hours off alternate shift pattern.
By mid afternoon the Guarda Seville arrive by helicopter and insist we go ashore but after some discussion over the swell of the water as I wobble on the deck, I convince them to allow me on board their boat to show them our documentation. They agree and in no time their jetski is zooming over to collect me and take me into the comfort of their warm cabin, with coffee and biscuits.
The crew are very understanding and are just working to Antonio's orders. The Guarda Seville are satisfied and is soon hovering and swooping above us again. Seems his going to follow us all the way!
We're still suffering seasickness but feeling a liittle more normal if that's possible! The hot tea is going down well, but also coming up pretty good too. Guess it's just par for the course.
In the evenings Ken is able to give me some star gazing lessons. It's really quite magical at night. The sea glistens and sparkles from the light of the moon and stars, there's nothing but darkness and sparkles! The imaginary whales continue to bash the boat. It always feels worse at night, feels like the side of RITA might break with the weight of the sea bashing her from side to side.
I'm tired now. Even talking on the phone takes enormous effort, hanging out the tiny cabin, rocking with the boat and continuously bashing my head.
By 7.30 in the evening we've reached 26 56 881 W 16 57 233 N. Gonna try to get some rest now......be back soon.....
Aldo & Ken
By mid afternoon the Guarda Seville arrive by helicopter and insist we go ashore but after some discussion over the swell of the water as I wobble on the deck, I convince them to allow me on board their boat to show them our documentation. They agree and in no time their jetski is zooming over to collect me and take me into the comfort of their warm cabin, with coffee and biscuits.
The crew are very understanding and are just working to Antonio's orders. The Guarda Seville are satisfied and is soon hovering and swooping above us again. Seems his going to follow us all the way!
We're still suffering seasickness but feeling a liittle more normal if that's possible! The hot tea is going down well, but also coming up pretty good too. Guess it's just par for the course.
In the evenings Ken is able to give me some star gazing lessons. It's really quite magical at night. The sea glistens and sparkles from the light of the moon and stars, there's nothing but darkness and sparkles! The imaginary whales continue to bash the boat. It always feels worse at night, feels like the side of RITA might break with the weight of the sea bashing her from side to side.
I'm tired now. Even talking on the phone takes enormous effort, hanging out the tiny cabin, rocking with the boat and continuously bashing my head.
By 7.30 in the evening we've reached 26 56 881 W 16 57 233 N. Gonna try to get some rest now......be back soon.....
Aldo & Ken
17 Dec - Antonio still in tow
Had a better night but still suffering with seasickness. The sea petrel (not pectoral, sorry having a dizzy moment) is still with us and so too is Antonio's boys from La Gomera. They want our papers and to tow us back in, but we have clearance for Gran Canaria and La Palmas so we are "officially" in the Spanish waters. Just when you thought you'd escape the politics and bureaucracy of everyday life, by doing something like this, someone comes to spoil it all.
It's getting really annoying the boat is on our port side and chugging away. The crew are reasonable enough but they say they are under strict orders from Antonio. "We're fine mate, we left from Puerto Mogan and we've done the paperwork so please leave us to get on with it as your hindering us now!" That's why we travelled to Las Palmas and Gran Canaria, so that we could do the necessary paperwork with them, we didn't leave from Antonio's waters so b**ger off now.
We cannot afford to go back in shore now as we wont be able to afford the costs, plus we don't need to, it's all be done! It will just delay our trip even more.
Managing to have hot food now, but it doesn't stay down for long! Still rough waters but much improved on last few days.
Better go. Thanks for all you support everyone.
09.30 N 27 05 073 W 16 31 371
It's getting really annoying the boat is on our port side and chugging away. The crew are reasonable enough but they say they are under strict orders from Antonio. "We're fine mate, we left from Puerto Mogan and we've done the paperwork so please leave us to get on with it as your hindering us now!" That's why we travelled to Las Palmas and Gran Canaria, so that we could do the necessary paperwork with them, we didn't leave from Antonio's waters so b**ger off now.
We cannot afford to go back in shore now as we wont be able to afford the costs, plus we don't need to, it's all be done! It will just delay our trip even more.
Managing to have hot food now, but it doesn't stay down for long! Still rough waters but much improved on last few days.
Better go. Thanks for all you support everyone.
09.30 N 27 05 073 W 16 31 371
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Day five - RITA goes missing -16th December - David's birthday and it wasn't the smoke from the candles on the cake that kept us awake!!
Well what a 24 hours it has been. We've been thrown about for what feels like months rather than days. There's no respite from the pounding waves. At night it feels like huge whales are in a plot to overturn the boat by thrusting up against Rita. Driving up under her keel. Pushing this way and that, spinning us in every direction. Rising and falling like an extreme roller coaster ride at Chessington but worse and no chance to get off.
After surviving another SWELL day at sea with no decent food or hot drinks we try to rest in the cabin, but that good old fireman snout detects a bit of burning in the air. It's just gone midnight. We've seen a galaxy in the sky and we're praying the weather improves.
It's no good, I can definitely smell something smouldering, so I put my head out the cabin to check. Would you believe it the electrics have seized on the tracker beacon. Luckily I sniffed it out, it could have been disasterous if it had caught fire whilst we were trying to rest in the cabin. We try to settle again, squeezed in to the airless cabin, exhausted, hungry and drained. Please God the weather improves.
Early morning the weather has improved a little and we feel confident it's time to get back in the rowing seat. Little did we know that our technical problem had sent alarm bells ringing back ashore. No tracking signal raised all kinds of questions. Just after sunrise Falmouth coastguard calls home to notify that our tracking poll was lost three minutes after midnight and that two vessels have been sent to find RITA. Has the beacon been switched off? Has RITA capsized? Has the boat lost all power? How's Ken and Aldo, are they fighting to survive? Are they in the boat or floating out at sea? Every scenario imaginable is lived through as the mystery unfolds.
8.30am and still no news from RITA or the two vessels in search. Last reading showed RITA about 40 miles off the Canaries and moving quite quickly. What did this mean?
9.30 still no news or contact. Several messages sent by iridium phone to try to get contact but no replies.
11.00 EPIRB has not been set off so there's every reason to believe that these two ex- bootnecks are alive and well and still fighting the elements as only they know how. Steely determination not to be beaten!
12.30 - it's now been 12 hours but still no news. The alarm is elevated to the next level and a search team are despatched by the spanish coastguard - helicopter, plane and tug boat go off in search but the weather and swell is still so bad that it's going to be difficult for anyone to spot little RITA on the waves. The wind is blowing at 40 knots, by this time RITA may have travelled a long way from the last tracking point, so it could take many hours to search the area and it will have to be called off as the dark night draws in.
13.22 call from Falmouth- they managed to get through on satellite phone and discover that all is fine, just the technical glitch that now means nobody can track us.
HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF BACK HOME and joy that the adventure has not come to an abrupt end in such a short space in time. Tears of relief and elation that put every day worries into true perspective.
I chat to Dawn who managed to get through on the Sat phone and all is well. The water is still very choppy so I struggle to keep the phone from getting wet. Well it's a great excuse to end the call!! only teasing. She says the weather is due to get better and that we've done well to get away from the islands considering the rough seas. Sailing trips had been called off in the last 24 hours from La Gomera due to the extreme weather and we couldn't have had a worse start. I can hear the utter relief in her voice that we've finally made contact and the mystery of RITA's disappearance is resolved.
We're back into our shift of two hours on/off rowing and I'm next. Bloomin' 'eck how does anyone row these darn vessels? It's gonna be a long journey but I'm sure I will have developed a better technique by the time we get to Antigua. Hey first cuppa of the trip and it tastes wonderful. "Get the burger and chips on Ken, any ketchup with that?"
We seem to have adopted a little friend. Not sure if it's a Pectoral (isn't that a muscle?) or an Atlantic Tern (ok a bloomin' seagull) either way he's become our mascot, flying and swooping above us, squawking at me to get a move on.
Ahah, the bright orange rescue boat has arrived and is demanding we are rescued, but we ain't having any of that. We're fine mate, no rescue required. Final score of the day RITA 1 - Antonio 0.
Last reading of the day fed back to ol' blighty at 21.15 on 16 Dec 2008 N27 07 060, W16 19 718. Gotta go, my turn on the oars.......keep tuning in.....
After surviving another SWELL day at sea with no decent food or hot drinks we try to rest in the cabin, but that good old fireman snout detects a bit of burning in the air. It's just gone midnight. We've seen a galaxy in the sky and we're praying the weather improves.
It's no good, I can definitely smell something smouldering, so I put my head out the cabin to check. Would you believe it the electrics have seized on the tracker beacon. Luckily I sniffed it out, it could have been disasterous if it had caught fire whilst we were trying to rest in the cabin. We try to settle again, squeezed in to the airless cabin, exhausted, hungry and drained. Please God the weather improves.
Early morning the weather has improved a little and we feel confident it's time to get back in the rowing seat. Little did we know that our technical problem had sent alarm bells ringing back ashore. No tracking signal raised all kinds of questions. Just after sunrise Falmouth coastguard calls home to notify that our tracking poll was lost three minutes after midnight and that two vessels have been sent to find RITA. Has the beacon been switched off? Has RITA capsized? Has the boat lost all power? How's Ken and Aldo, are they fighting to survive? Are they in the boat or floating out at sea? Every scenario imaginable is lived through as the mystery unfolds.
8.30am and still no news from RITA or the two vessels in search. Last reading showed RITA about 40 miles off the Canaries and moving quite quickly. What did this mean?
9.30 still no news or contact. Several messages sent by iridium phone to try to get contact but no replies.
11.00 EPIRB has not been set off so there's every reason to believe that these two ex- bootnecks are alive and well and still fighting the elements as only they know how. Steely determination not to be beaten!
12.30 - it's now been 12 hours but still no news. The alarm is elevated to the next level and a search team are despatched by the spanish coastguard - helicopter, plane and tug boat go off in search but the weather and swell is still so bad that it's going to be difficult for anyone to spot little RITA on the waves. The wind is blowing at 40 knots, by this time RITA may have travelled a long way from the last tracking point, so it could take many hours to search the area and it will have to be called off as the dark night draws in.
13.22 call from Falmouth- they managed to get through on satellite phone and discover that all is fine, just the technical glitch that now means nobody can track us.
HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF BACK HOME and joy that the adventure has not come to an abrupt end in such a short space in time. Tears of relief and elation that put every day worries into true perspective.
I chat to Dawn who managed to get through on the Sat phone and all is well. The water is still very choppy so I struggle to keep the phone from getting wet. Well it's a great excuse to end the call!! only teasing. She says the weather is due to get better and that we've done well to get away from the islands considering the rough seas. Sailing trips had been called off in the last 24 hours from La Gomera due to the extreme weather and we couldn't have had a worse start. I can hear the utter relief in her voice that we've finally made contact and the mystery of RITA's disappearance is resolved.
We're back into our shift of two hours on/off rowing and I'm next. Bloomin' 'eck how does anyone row these darn vessels? It's gonna be a long journey but I'm sure I will have developed a better technique by the time we get to Antigua. Hey first cuppa of the trip and it tastes wonderful. "Get the burger and chips on Ken, any ketchup with that?"
We seem to have adopted a little friend. Not sure if it's a Pectoral (isn't that a muscle?) or an Atlantic Tern (ok a bloomin' seagull) either way he's become our mascot, flying and swooping above us, squawking at me to get a move on.
Ahah, the bright orange rescue boat has arrived and is demanding we are rescued, but we ain't having any of that. We're fine mate, no rescue required. Final score of the day RITA 1 - Antonio 0.
Last reading of the day fed back to ol' blighty at 21.15 on 16 Dec 2008 N27 07 060, W16 19 718. Gotta go, my turn on the oars.......keep tuning in.....
Monday, 15 December 2008
Day four and we're still cabin bound!
It's dark, wet, cold and if only it was smooth and frothy it would be that dream pint of Guinness! Arghhhhhh think I'm gonna throw.......uuuuurk! Sorry, Terry's chocolate orange all over again! Believe me it's a bit more serious than a tap and unwrap and much less fun, especially in such close quarters (or is that segments!). Sorry taking the pith again!
Well the weather hasn't improved, Jupiter is not on our side. We're cabin bound with no hot food or drinks, surviving on oranges, chocolate and water. It's so windy and choppy that we cannot get onto the deck, so even access to other supplies is very limited. We're still being thrown around and suffering with sea sickness like you would never believe.
How we long for a nice hot coffee. It's been the longest four days but we're told it does get better.
The satellite signal is temperamental and only really works when Ken hangs me overboard by my ankles! Well that's what he tells me.
It's very tight in the cabin, no room to sneeze, f**t or keep one's dignity! We're going through it together - brings new meaning to close encounters.
Hopefully the weather will change soon and the sea sickness will subside. Will be back soon for a daily update.
Aldo & Ken (aka Batman & Hell Boy - well madmen whatever name you choose)
Well the weather hasn't improved, Jupiter is not on our side. We're cabin bound with no hot food or drinks, surviving on oranges, chocolate and water. It's so windy and choppy that we cannot get onto the deck, so even access to other supplies is very limited. We're still being thrown around and suffering with sea sickness like you would never believe.
How we long for a nice hot coffee. It's been the longest four days but we're told it does get better.
The satellite signal is temperamental and only really works when Ken hangs me overboard by my ankles! Well that's what he tells me.
It's very tight in the cabin, no room to sneeze, f**t or keep one's dignity! We're going through it together - brings new meaning to close encounters.
Hopefully the weather will change soon and the sea sickness will subside. Will be back soon for a daily update.
Aldo & Ken (aka Batman & Hell Boy - well madmen whatever name you choose)
Saturday, 13 December 2008
First night at sea.....
...and just too seasick to do very much. It's been pretty scrawly weather and getting accustomed to the motion of the ocean is taking it's toll on us both.
Guess we should have taken the Stur..urrrrrr....gheon tablets before we set off rather than wait until the symptoms hit and boy have they hit hard! Impossible to even look at the charts. Why are all the medications for prevention rather than cure? Oh boy......here comes hugheeeeeee.......blurrrrrrh......urrrrh
Certainly haven't made much headway on our first 24 hours but hey plenty more days at sea......excuuuuuuuuuarh....se me, gotta go.....
be back soon.......
Guess we should have taken the Stur..urrrrrr....gheon tablets before we set off rather than wait until the symptoms hit and boy have they hit hard! Impossible to even look at the charts. Why are all the medications for prevention rather than cure? Oh boy......here comes hugheeeeeee.......blurrrrrrh......urrrrh
Certainly haven't made much headway on our first 24 hours but hey plenty more days at sea......excuuuuuuuuuarh....se me, gotta go.....
be back soon.......
Friday, 12 December 2008
Captain Aldo's log
Captains Log 3 December2008.
Time 05:00 hrs, time to get up?? but my head only just hit the pillow! press snooze have another 9 minutes. Ziggy and Duncan text to say nearly at Gatwick.... bugger me 2nd text......... Robbie, where are you Aldo....ARGH!!!!!!
Ok, day already off to a bad start and it gets worse, yes I`m late, walk in on Ken and he`s fast asleep, ..... Buddy coffee on the side.... Ok car`s packed and yet another text.... yeah yeah were just 20mins away, call from Robbie, sorry buddy no hands free speak soon......little did I know Robbie had to leave at 6:45 to get to work, sorry buddy a massive apology... but thats me Last minute dot com.
Airport.... why is the long term parking so far away.... where's the bus.... why is it when your in a rush things just get in your way to make the day go even worse. Park up the silver pussy and head for the bus stop. Ffffreezing....
Arrive at check-in....Easy jet..... you what!... but man this is for Charity.... how the bugger can you charge £94 for over weight baggage. What just 20kgs per passenger? No pre-booked hold baggage on ticket!! But there must be!
Hell boy (Ken) takes everything in his stride does nothing faze this guy........
Little time to chat to Duncan and Ziggy as we now must hurry through security....
Security gate... belt off, lap top out, empty pockets..change in box how much more do they want ... hold on check the lady with the back pack on her back... no such luck....
Quick dash through airside. Just time to grab some water for the flight coz bugger me flight`s on time.
Now starving as no time for breakfast. Luckily Dawn has packed some sarnies but they got a bit squashed on route. Just like those ones you had as a kid on the beach when you were little...cheese and tomato with the juices soaking through the bread. Fills a gap, perhaps try to get 40 winks....
35`000 feet... the ugliest air stewardesses you have ever seen, we hit turbulance, I have never seen such flex in the wings... I`m not scared, in fact I laugh knowing that whats ahead is far worse than a little bit of cloud spoiling a pleasant flight.....
Landing near perfect... bags collected but still peed off about excess charge... bugger me these bags are heavy.
After an hours walk with monstrous bags we finally get to the ferry crossing to La Gomera, now in Gomera we need to find a place to rest these tired heads, Boats not due for two days.
Bugger that, text from Cath.... seek out The Blue Marlin Bar, no its not a gay bar but a place where other rowers have signed a wall just before they set out on the dumb found challenge.
Four Guinness`s later and having put the world to right`s, we decide that this was a crazy idea.... we need food
Lets not walk too far.... pizza bar next door.... worst pizza I have ever tasted... Is it only me that has taste buds, why cant anyone else get the food right.....
I know I`m fussy but even Polly`s cooking is better than this.
Now its only 21:15 and we are ready for bed, its been a long day. Ouch call this a bed! Every time we turn the bed squeaks.
Can I just say a big thank you to all who have texted called and given me cards......Good night to you all.....
Nugget x
Captain's log 12 December
Ahoy there everyone. Well we finally set off from Puerto Mogan in Gran Canaria at 1pm today 12 December 2008. It's been a long journey just getting this far. We had planned to depart from La Gomera on 9 December but the paperwork was delayed so we had to transport RITA, via a ferry from Las Palmas onto Gran Canaria. So a mini tour of the Canaries at the start and a few more Euros adding to the cost.
Sorry Dawn and Cath that you didn't get to see us off. Thank you both for all your support. Cath you'll be glad to know we got the third arial fitted and the desalinator is working! Just hope we generate enough power from solar panels for our coffee and biscuits!! Just a quick update but keep posted as more to follow......Nugget x
Time 05:00 hrs, time to get up?? but my head only just hit the pillow! press snooze have another 9 minutes. Ziggy and Duncan text to say nearly at Gatwick.... bugger me 2nd text......... Robbie, where are you Aldo....ARGH!!!!!!
Ok, day already off to a bad start and it gets worse, yes I`m late, walk in on Ken and he`s fast asleep, ..... Buddy coffee on the side.... Ok car`s packed and yet another text.... yeah yeah were just 20mins away, call from Robbie, sorry buddy no hands free speak soon......little did I know Robbie had to leave at 6:45 to get to work, sorry buddy a massive apology... but thats me Last minute dot com.
Airport.... why is the long term parking so far away.... where's the bus.... why is it when your in a rush things just get in your way to make the day go even worse. Park up the silver pussy and head for the bus stop. Ffffreezing....
Arrive at check-in....Easy jet..... you what!... but man this is for Charity.... how the bugger can you charge £94 for over weight baggage. What just 20kgs per passenger? No pre-booked hold baggage on ticket!! But there must be!
Hell boy (Ken) takes everything in his stride does nothing faze this guy........
Little time to chat to Duncan and Ziggy as we now must hurry through security....
Security gate... belt off, lap top out, empty pockets..change in box how much more do they want ... hold on check the lady with the back pack on her back... no such luck....
Quick dash through airside. Just time to grab some water for the flight coz bugger me flight`s on time.
Now starving as no time for breakfast. Luckily Dawn has packed some sarnies but they got a bit squashed on route. Just like those ones you had as a kid on the beach when you were little...cheese and tomato with the juices soaking through the bread. Fills a gap, perhaps try to get 40 winks....
35`000 feet... the ugliest air stewardesses you have ever seen, we hit turbulance, I have never seen such flex in the wings... I`m not scared, in fact I laugh knowing that whats ahead is far worse than a little bit of cloud spoiling a pleasant flight.....
Landing near perfect... bags collected but still peed off about excess charge... bugger me these bags are heavy.
After an hours walk with monstrous bags we finally get to the ferry crossing to La Gomera, now in Gomera we need to find a place to rest these tired heads, Boats not due for two days.
Bugger that, text from Cath.... seek out The Blue Marlin Bar, no its not a gay bar but a place where other rowers have signed a wall just before they set out on the dumb found challenge.
Four Guinness`s later and having put the world to right`s, we decide that this was a crazy idea.... we need food
Lets not walk too far.... pizza bar next door.... worst pizza I have ever tasted... Is it only me that has taste buds, why cant anyone else get the food right.....
I know I`m fussy but even Polly`s cooking is better than this.
Now its only 21:15 and we are ready for bed, its been a long day. Ouch call this a bed! Every time we turn the bed squeaks.
Can I just say a big thank you to all who have texted called and given me cards......Good night to you all.....
Nugget x
Captain's log 12 December
Ahoy there everyone. Well we finally set off from Puerto Mogan in Gran Canaria at 1pm today 12 December 2008. It's been a long journey just getting this far. We had planned to depart from La Gomera on 9 December but the paperwork was delayed so we had to transport RITA, via a ferry from Las Palmas onto Gran Canaria. So a mini tour of the Canaries at the start and a few more Euros adding to the cost.
Sorry Dawn and Cath that you didn't get to see us off. Thank you both for all your support. Cath you'll be glad to know we got the third arial fitted and the desalinator is working! Just hope we generate enough power from solar panels for our coffee and biscuits!! Just a quick update but keep posted as more to follow......Nugget x
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