Day 20 - There's No Business Like Row Business

Today was my best day's mileage so far – according to the ship's log
(writing that makes me feel like Captain Kirk) I've covered 42 nautical
miles in the last 24 hours. Very pleasing, although I deliberately don't
get over-jubilant about such things in case, as is likely, tomorrow is a
slower day. All things change, and everything passes, as I keep
reminding myself every time I have to sit on my poor raw, chafed bottom.
This too will pass.

Speaking of passing, yesterday I had just about written off my stereo as
a lost cause. It seems to be traditional that at least one electrical
item has to die on each crossing – watermaker, GPS, satphone, whatever,
and I was convinced that the stereo was just the latest in a long line
of casualties.

But today, like Lazarus from the grave (well, not very much like Lazarus
at all, really) the stereo has soldiered on, albeit in rather a
temperamental manner. It still resolutely ignores whatever buttons I
press – maybe I'm just being old-fashioned in expecting it to do my
bidding – and does what it damn well pleases. Which, fortunately, for
most of today has involved working. Sometimes it stops for a few minutes
before deciding that, after all, it may as well carry on. And sometimes
I have to actually pull the iPod out of it to get it to stop. But for
now, at least, we have reached an arrangement that seems to work most of
the time for both of us. It gets to assert its independence, and I get
to listen to my book. More or less.

Other Stuff:

New weekly video, podcast and newsletter all went out yesterday. Video
and podcast can be accessed via the RozTracker, and the newsletter goes
out to people who have signed up via the box on the right hand column of
my home page at www.rozsavage.com. If you're new to this blog, you might
want to go sign up and check it out.

Thank you very much for all the concern and comments about my backside.
I am almost embarrassed to have my rear end the subject of so much
interest! Brings a blush to my cheeks… (pun intended). And thank you
from the bottom of my heart. Or the heart of my bottom. I am following
all practicable advice, and expect a full recovery in due course. In the
interests of public decency, I will spare you the photograph.

To raise the tone….

My program director Nicole and I continue to talk 3 times a week via
satphone. We've been battling poor connections – satphone to satphone
seems to double the chances of dropping the call – but despite spending
half our conversation saying "hello, hello, are you still there?" we're
managing to keep going with business as usual. Lots in the pipeline,
specifically around planning our march from London to Copenhagen for the
COP15 climate change conference. All interesting stuff, and keeps me
powerfully motivated to keep on rowing.

If you haven't already, do please check out pulltogether09.org. This is
my environmental initiative for this year. The idea is that you match my
10,000 oarstrokes a day by doing 10,000 steps a day – about 60-90 mins
of walking, but if you use a pedometer you also get to count all the
steps you take around the house, office, pub, whatever – although
ideally you do at least some of your steps as a substitute for driving.
Good for your body, and good for the planet!

Speaking of walking, quite a few of you know my mother – by reputation
at least – as my staunchest supporter, website administrator, and
general factotum. On Sunday she goes into hospital for her second hip
replacement – she had the first one done a couple of months ago. Please
join me in wishing her all the very best for a successful operation and
a swift recovery. I can't wait for her to be pain-free and active again
– and I'm sure she feels the same a millionfold! All the best, Mum!

Weather report:

Position at 2010 HST: 16 08.712N, 163 41.676W
Wind: 8-15kts ENE
Seas: 3-4ft ENE
Weather: a few clouds, but mostly brutally hot. I'm dodging the sun as
much as I can, but suspect my weatherbeaten countenance isn't going to
get any relief anytime soon…

Weather forecast courtesy of weatherguy.com:

The easterly trade winds persist in the 20kt range. Seas 5-7ft.

Forecast below is for a SWerly course.
Date/Time HST Wind kts Seas (ft)
12/1800-18/0000 E-ENE 15-20 5-7

Sky conditions: Partly cloudy next few days. Isolated rainshowers but
higher chance than yesterday.