Historical Blog Archive

Just thought you would like to know it is national beard week! No contest then. Good to see you're in the last third now. Going on Craig's stag weekend in Newcastle tomorrow. Andrew and Ian

Nobody really knows How Eddie will deal the blows ~ Of wind and rain across the Blue So all the boats can row on through. Some are lucky Some are not Can't wait to greet U2~ at the final spot. Beer at the ready Fireworks too Come on Guy and Andy You work is almost through.

that's great of SC to call - nice for you two pairs to be in touch, did you offer them one of your beers? Jem

Hi there, I've been tracking your progress and reading your comments but sorry not to have written anything for a while. You're both doing so so well!! It must be a great feeling to have almost got to the 1000nm mark...However, I know that it must get really tough at times so remember this : Keep your spirits high!! When things go wrong as they often will, When the route you're rowing seems to be at a standstill, When the energy is low and the frustrations high And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When the challenge is getting you down a bit. Rest if you must but don't you quit! Life can be harsh with its swells and turns, As every one of us sometimes learns, And many a failure turns about When he might have made it if he'd stuck it out; Don't give up though the pace seems slow- You will succeed with another row.. Success is failure turned inside out- The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, And you never can tell how close you are.. It may be near when it seems so far: So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit- It's when things seem worst that you must not quit!! Mum gave me this poem (which i've adapted a bit!) just before my operation 3 weeks ago when I was worried that I might lose my other ovary..I didn't lose it though and the operation was a success!..I just wanted to say..Stay strong and carry on..we're all thinking of you and I often say a little prayer for you and your boat before my sunrise and sunset meditation.. Hope your sores aren't giving you too much pain Guy. Mum came to look after me after the op and we'd often talk about you and look at your progress. One day when things seemed really hard for you we just linked hands and thought really hard about you and tried to give you some extra strength and courage..I hope you could feel it!! Mum said she could even hear the ocean!! That's pure love you're receiving ..pure pure love..now that has to be the best form of inner strength that you gan get!! Better than any lucozade drink..so never feel alone..because you're always in our hearts and in our mind..no matter how busy our lives get..we're often thinking about Guy out there on the Indian ocean..willing you and Andrew on. I've just finished my term here at the university, my own personal challenge..and in the last week..I felt so tired..my stitches/scars were really hurting me..I couldn't carry any books and I felt so tired and low on energy..I was correcting essays until midnight trying to get my marks in before the end of term..I was getting up at 5 every day..I felt like I wouldn't make it to the finishing line..to the mast day of term..I felt physically, emotionally and mentally drained!! but then I thought of you and Andrew rowing away..continuing the challenge where so many have dropped out..I thought of the pain and frustrations that you must be facing on a daily basis..and I thought to myself..Come on Caroline..just walk into that classroom and finish off the year..don't show your exhaustion..don't give up..you've nearly made it and you never ever thought you would!! I nearly gave up so many times..I thought this job is too hard for me..I'm not qualified to teach at this level..I can't do it..Why do I have to force myself to do it..?? But then when you reach that finishing line and you feel that feeling of pride..of joy..of total happiness..You did it!! You made it !! You did it!! you did it!! you did it!! Well, that makes every single second of pain, of hardship, of frutration worthwhile...You can look at yourself in the mirror..with you brown face, beard, matted hair covered in sores and you can say..I'm so proud of you!! Noone in my family or friends or colleagues will ever know or undersatnd what I've been through but I know and I'm so proud to look myself in the mirror and to say 'Well done - you did it. I always knew you could!' Noone elese's praise is like that of your own. So keep going Guy and Andrew..We're all behind you!!! Lots and lots of courage and strength to you both! love cousin Caroline xx

That is amazing news!!!!!!!! x

Wow Caro - I was about to send you an e-mail and logged on here 1st (as I am addicted) and saw your fantastic poem, your words are so powerful & thank you for all your support, it means so much. We are so pleased you are on the mend now. Amelia, T and I sends you big hugs Kx

Caroline that is powerful reading, as Kat has just said!!! All of your words are amazing and what you have had to go through recently too!!! BIG HUGZ ~ hope to see you very soon. xtina and nige xx

Yes boys! So good to speak to you last wkend. Mental!! How are the sores?! Glad you're back on the move... and mowing down SC again. Get in. j

Brilliant! Congratulations guys! :)

Just logged on to see Caroline's poem etc. of a couple of days ago. A real inspiration and brilliant motivator. We are all willing you on and thoughts of you both on the ocean often pop into our minds too. We are glad you are out there and not us - especially when it was hard to do anything in last week's heatwave except watch others expending all their energy at Wimbledon!!! It is amazing that on you are on Day 76 and still going stong. Brilliant and keep going. Jenny & Peter

Just read your words Caro - inspired me and will do the same for the boys.He will feel every ounce of your energy I'm sure of that.. Question 3 from a little girl called MiMi Leroux - "do you clean your teeth every day ?" Amelia age 2 Tom x

It is obviously not easy right now and you are probably both going to have to fight for every nm over the next few days. However this is only a very brief period of your lives and very few people are brave enough to row for just one hour. In some ways you should both just savour the freedom available in the vast Ocean and enjoy the love being transferred to you from family and friends. Enjoy the freedom of the open sea everyone is willing you on to the finish line but will wait until the winds and currents allow you to reach the goal you set. With love form M & F

Yes, it was indeed a very hot day at Henley on Thursday! I was also there today and I rather unexpectedly spent most of the day with Helen Taylor from Aud Eamus who flew in from Mauritius on Friday. It was great to see her again and she happily filled me in on life on board the eight man boat! What a fantastic experience. She tells me she plans to go sculling this week! As for the Barns Green half, yes I plan to do it but I plan to train this time instead of adopting my usual rather unsatisfactory turn up and run approach! Not long now boys, Helen says the last 1000 nmiles go much quicker!

Looks like a few stormy days and your friend the para anchor again. Hang in there we are all willing you home that last 1000nm. It is truly amazing what you have acheived so far, truly super human in my book! Keep focused...keep strong.

We are all behind you not long now - can't believe the last 1000 miles is so close - soon be in Mauritius can't wait!! Love you loads x x

Cant believe it is almost down to the last 1000 miles. Cant hide the fact that I am glad that it is almost all over, but SO proud of what you two have achieved. Interesting to know who you will have your doubles match against delaney! You have missed some exciting tennis but not half as exciting as all you must have experienced. Not long now.

Have had a busy week and have only just had time to read all of the comments. What a fantastic poem Caro. What you said i think is true amongst all of us tracking your progress and wishing you to the finish line, and that is, that it is truly inspirational to all of us and there is no doubt that it is giving all of us that little bit more determination to face our challenges knowing the tests you are both facing and overcoming. We are all so proud of you and reading the comments, the support you have is incredible. I do hope the sores are starting to feel less painful. Sending you all our love and strength to keep up those energy levels and keep rowing and to overtake SC! xxxx

We have spent the day with M. &.J. watching the final of Wimbledon and you will probably know by now that Federer has achieved his great aim, as we are sure you will too. Congrats on doing so well so far, and roll on the next few weeks when we will be happy to know you are home again. You are both doing a sterling job. Love Bettie and Brian.

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well done guys we are tracking you on the website, matt, cat, dave and all the others say hi and good luck - hurry back - we have the southampton boat show to go to again :) take care claire and all the crew at LWS