Historical Blog Archive

Total respect to you both, when you cross that finish line you'll be on top of the world! Well done so far and keep surfing! must be a great feeling. Wishing you fair winds and the odd wave to hurtle down to make things interesting! I'd love to give you some rowing advice or motivation, but my stuff relates to distance a little bit shorter, by about 3,779 NM, and 'your legs will never fail you' and 'your so strong' might not translate so well, however you are doing something amazing, just keep going! All the best Hodge

You guys are complete and utter legends you really are. I'm planning on rowing the Atlantic and following your story is the motivation I need. I admire how your in high spirits, you have every reason to be, I'm currently in an office at my desk and your in the middle of an ocean, that's just mind boggeling. Your going to make it, it's just a question of persevering through it. I will be so jelous of the pride you will feel when you hit dry land and of the sights you are seeing. I will be spreading this website through Toyota HQ for everyone to see. Good luck lads Rob

Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Mimi le Rouis Missing her Uncle Guy

wow thats exciting and explains a lot. I was in uni today chatting to my tutor explaining what the boys are up to trying to figure out if I can finish my course early and she mentioned if my boyfriend was one of the boys mentioned on the radio this morning. I said I wasnt sure but she was describing everything about them, so guessed it must be them. Am SO proud of them both and am sitting here trying to figure out my life so that I can wing my way to mauritius and be part of their amazing adventure, beyond fundraising and feeding them up!!!!! Downhill stretch WOOHOO

Well done for getting on the Radio!!! My brother in law knows one of the guys in the four boat and said they are having a terrible time. They have nearly run out of food - they've split into 2 groups and don't speak. Sounds like they can't wait to finish. There water filter or battery (or something!?) has also broken so they have to pump that continually to get it working. You guys are getting on far better! Wimbledon's just started - Nadal is out because of knee problems - Good for Murrey who's just won the French open. Laura Robson went into the seniors on a wild card but went out in the first round.

Thanks Julia it's good to know the boys are doing well compared to others as we only know what they are upto most of the time...I can imagine relationships must be 'strained' the boat environment must be so intense! Come on Guy and Andy you can do this! Just need to rob a bank to pay for our flights to Mauritius to meet you...anyone got a balaclava I can borrow???....x

the girls are getting on just fine together, in fact having quite a laugh as they take it fairly easy with lots of rest. BTW, cummon girls hurry up; how hard can it be ?! Jem

Guys....watching the updates as always, sounds like a tough couple of days, keep pushing the ferkin. Thewy

Well I hope someone comes up with a way to do all that to music!!! Conjures up a scary picture but good to know..................I think?!!

I know Andrew and Guy will be getting on fine - I have many a memory of leaving the house - basically talking to myself as I left - them both engrossed in conversation planning and organising their next tactic.............! In fact they could be having too much fun................. :-)

What's gone wrong. SC are getting away. FF are on the wrong bearing and will hit Indonesia in a month or so.

They are nw 100 nm behind SC. Have they lost their paddles? Why are they pointing towards Antarctica?

I know this is long overdue but I wanted to say thank you SO much to all those who donated the cost of a beer to Orchid for the boys birthday they were so touched and gave them a much needed boost. The generosity and support of everyone has completely overwhelmed them and certainly the main asset helping them through. If you missed out and fancy contributing to the boys fantastic efforts in raising money and awareness for Orchid, feel free to click on the charity link. I know their ideal is now to get as much out of this race for Orchid as for themselves. Aside from that think they are teasing us at the moment with their arrow pointing in all directions. It should now be firmly positioned to mauritius as so excited for them heading back now, Sarahx

Hey Boys, How are you? Glad to see you are clocking up the miles. We need to beat SC though. Neil and I realised U2 is in a few months, hope you're brushing up on their last album. Guy we're also going camping in August/ September, be great if you could come. We were going to go caneoing but you may be fed up of rowing by then! :0) So, how you chaps feeling/ looking? You must be fairly brown/ skinny/ hairy by now? Can you send any pictures? Looking forward to seeing you soon for some brewski's in the sun. Love Kat x

and also well done Sarah for putting up with a boyfriend with such a crazy ambition!!! I went on the website showing the progress of all the teams, and was delighted to see that the first teams are finishing.. and I realised that I had forgotten about the other teams so decided to check out Southern Cross' website.. Dont know if you saw but on the 13th June, they had this in their blog: "They also keep their eyes on the Flying Ferkins and had a message – “Hey you Flying Ferkins, you must be just out of sight over the horizon; don’t hide; would be good to pull over and have a beer; but maybe no time for a beer (or is it there is no beer to pull over for?)” JJ want you to know they are glad you are surviving the weather too and are hoping for an exciting photo finish." The support between the teams is amazing, all striving towards their common goal. Keep at it boys, the end is in sight... and think of all the fun that lies ahead in Mauritius - jealous!!!

thanks nic. though I think it is well done to ALL the flying ferkins family, as think we have all coped million times better than we ever imagined. Shows what good team work and two strong willed young men can achieve. Really nice to have the support between the teams too, even if the underlying feelings are competitive.

That's nice from SC - well done JJ boys, you're a gritty pair! Beers all round at the other end... John P, in answer to your questions, the heading varies so much on the updates as the boat slews around under para anchor on that springy rope, and all you get is a snapshot at that second, so it could be pointing anywhere. Having said that, over the last 24 hours, is that the two pairs have been in different winds and SC have been able to row in a good NE direction and we've had to hang out waiting for the wind to abate. Which it has just done now... Jem

apologies for the grammar in the penultimate paragraph - I didn't check it is it that I can't communicate

Hi there! I can actually get back to the computer and check your blog, so exciting to see your progress.....Well it looks as if the team of 8 is reaching Mts soon, as I said to Sarah I wish I had a Magic wand to push you faster towards the island, but anyway you are doing great and hope that the weather will be good to you!!!!

That para-anchor seems like it has been worth it's weight in gold, imagine where you could be without it!! Now all we need is that wind to change and you'll be back riding those crests of the waves in no time, zooming along. Well done lads. Cakes are stacking up in the freezer, but I think will be rationed on return so as not to destroy those well toned physiques. LOL