Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Day 2: Hot, Flat and Crowded

"Hot, Flat and Crowded" is actually the title of the audiobook
I'm listening to at the moment (interesting view of a green economy -
recommended) - but it could equally be a description of my day. It has
been extremely, dehydratingly hot, the ocean has been flat as a pancake,
and this morning there was definitely too much company out here. I was
playing leapfrog with a small fleet of fishing boats, which meant I had
to keep putting clothes on, which was most inconvenient.

The day got off to a slightly alarming start when my watermaker wouldn't
work. Oh no, not again, I thought, and muttered a few swearwords. I
muttered a few more when I found the cause - the intake pipe (which
pulls in seawater to be turned into freshwater) had not been connected.
We had tested the watermaker a while ago, then the metal inlet had been
replaced, and silly me - I had just assumed that the pipe that leads
from inlet to watermaker would have been reconnected.

This was not ideal, and when I had a problem with my watermaker on
Day 1 of my Atlantic crossing it made me feel quite sick with anxiety
(or maybe it was the seasickness) but over the years and miles I've
realized that panic is not a constructive reaction, and that in face I'm
sometimes I'm capable of more than I think I am. The unappealing
prospect of having to paddle back into port after the magnificent
send-off yesterday was sufficiently motivating for me to try and resolve
the problem myself.

I found my tub of spare parts for the watermaker, and after several
failed experiments found the right connector. And a few minutes later
had a good healthy water supply going to the pump.

Phew.

Other stuff:

A solid day's rowing - about 11 hours, or 11,000 oarstrokes if you're
one of the people taking part in my Pull Together challenge (see
pulltogether09.org). 10,000 steps a day is fine, but if you want to go
the extra mile (or few hundred yards actually) and match my oarstrokes,
then please do! And remember that if you do your walking as a substitute
for driving then it's good for the planet as well as good for your body.

The main issue today has been the heat. I've been glugging water all day
to stay hydrated, but it's been hard to drink enough, especially when I
have no way to chill drinks, so the water is almost as hot as I am. Yuck!

OK, feeling sleepy now. It was a short night and a long day, and all
that sunshine has made me doubly tired. I was wearing SPF50 (thanks,
Aenor!) but still seem to have a few red patches - including my face, I
suspect, but my mirror seems to have gone missing so fortunately I can't
see my rosy pink cheeks!

Currrent position: 20 50.561N, 158 10.577W
Wind: none
Sea state: flat
Intentions: maintain present course of around 210 degrees

11 comments:

  1. Thank God for spare parts. Glad to hear you figured out your watermaker problem. It is very satisfying problem solve successfully. Big ups to you!

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  2. Anonymous11:39 am GMT

    I can picture your rosy cheeks now! Hope you have a great day of rowing tomorrow! I'll miss you at coffee gallery! N.S.

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  3. Anonymous12:07 pm GMT

    Amazing photo of the flat sea. Hope you are sleeping as I post this...... God's Speed!

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  4. Gorgeous photo, Roz. It looks like the sea and sky merge into one. Glad you stayed calm and sorted out the watermaker. It's just another example of how resourceful you can be when you need to be. :-) Cheers!

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  5. Elaine Bennett2:46 pm GMT

    "Panic is not a constructive reaction." I read that phrase twice, and am writing it down to save for one of my "rainy days!" Words to live by, Roz. Thanks for your inspiration! -Elaine near Santa Cruz, CA

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  6. When I first read about the watermaker problems, I was thinking, "Oh no, not again". I'm glad you got the issue resolved.
    Eric-Albany, Oregon

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  7. Anonymous9:56 pm GMT

    Water water everywhere but not a drop to drink! You are a good problem solver. Glad to hear you fixed the water problem, maybe those fishing boats were a good thing after all, if it was unfixable they would have probably been happy to lend you a hand, tow, or even fetch the part for you. So that's cool. Sometimes it can be comforting to see others out in the ocean too. Good luck and good rowing!

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  8. Anonymous2:00 am GMT

    Go Roz!!!! Glad to hear you are off. :D I'm actually in the middle of listening to your first podcast. So excited for the iphone app too. Happy rowing,

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  9. Michelle from Canada3:36 am GMT

    You inspire me Roz - I tell a lot of people about you.

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  10. I hope you have a spare watermaker. Some of my friends always suggest having a backup hand pump or several disposable "SeaPack" portable desalination kit. We all look forward to your journey.

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  11. as long as the rosy pink cheeks stay on top of the body vs bottom...!! things will be OK. Watching you in awe and with love as ever...

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