Historical Blog Archive

Boys, top stuff, glad you've managed to smash that 1,000 mile barrier. I had a Marketing Industry triathlon this morning at Dorney Lake. We entered the relay competition and I took on the 7.5k run. It's hardly comparable to your efforts but thinking about you guys all the way round definitely kept my speed up. Every time I turned the corner in to a head-wind I thought of you both stuck on para-anchor or digging deep to shift some serious miles. Head down I got on with it and came home in 36mins. You've really not got long to go now - everyone here is willing you on, what you've achieved so far is mind blowing. Keeping pushing lads - can't wait for those beers when you're back. R

Hi guys..glad to see you are again heading WEST!!!!.that's the way to do it! Here's hoping the rest of the trip wilol be loaded with GOOD winds! Happy rowing! Helen

One of del's (andy's) favourites pastimes is to test me on capital cities of the world and then laugh at how little I know and gloat at how many he can name!! Maybe I should challenge him to it now for mental stimulation, also I may have an advantage with his sleep deprived, food focused mind....or maybe not! Anyway great they are rowing again now. Brings mauritius ever closer and us all ever nearer to finally seeing them. Woohoo Sarah

Just logged on to see that you are under the 1000 mark to finish. That is fantastic news and well done to you both. You will certainly be keeping us entertained with stories and photos of your travels at the next Watts Christmas lunch. Guy!!! As the saying goes keep calm and carry on and we are all willing you on to Mauritius. You have certainly not missed anything weatherwise in the UK this week! Take care. Jenny & Peter

You're flying along to the finish. So close now guys. Keep going. This is an awesome achievement and we can't wait to see you. Kx

Well done boys!!! Have been following your progress! Such an achievement you should be so proud. Looking forward to the coming blog posts!Can't believe it's day 83 already. Looking forward to catching up when you get back Guy. Much love Stay safe Lianne xxx

How fantastic to be so close to a Double Decker size Whale!!! That must have been oarsome!!! "Scarey" is what my little Granddaughter has learnt to say recently, but she's talking about my two ragdoll cats who come up to her, maybe sometimes too close. Can't wait to see the photograph, sunset too! MIss you loads Guido.

wow glad ur having a whale of a time (christmas cracker joke 372!)

Love it Karen... The Blue Whale is the largest mammal, possibly the largest animal ever to inhabit the earth. Its body is long, somewhat tapered, and streamlined, with the head making up less than one-fourth of its total length. Its blow holes blow tall, straight and over 20 feet (6 meters) high. It is blue-grey in colour, but often lighter grey on a darker background. In the Southern Hemisphere they reach lengths of 90 - 100 feet and weigh over 100 tons. Females are larger than males of the same age 150 tons. They feed on Krill (small shrimp like creatures!) - up to 40 million a day. Normally seen in pairs, they are fast, strong swimmers, capable of reaching 30mph when alarmed,cruising normally at about 12mph.

Wow - I am compelled to write again only a few days after my last blog since you set off, firstly because of the whale experience which must be one of the most memorable of the race so far, & second because I got a mention on your blog! I don't care if you have been deprived of home-cooked meals for 83 days - I am taking it as the biggest compliment that my lasagne got a mention (let's face it even tesco ready meal lasagne would probably do right now...)! I promise to supply lasagne (and beer) for the next boys night in Caversham! The others can make a donation to Orchid for the privilege.... xx

Hello you two, like I said to Sarah I am back and recovering well from my op! What an amazing experience it must have been for both of you sighting this wonderful mammal.......and the sunset, Hope the weather is not too rough on you, but anyway I think there is so much excitement in the air( I can feel it from Xtina email and comments) you are about to experience a great Welcome Party, size of the Whale, in " Ile Maurice" ...Chin up and keep Rowing, you have just been so amazing!!!!!

I can't believe you were circled by a blue whale...how amazing is that! In your words Del...Geeeeez! Hope everything is re-charged, and that you can drink your water! xx

I hope the weather passes over quickly so you can get rowing again. It will be so good to see you eating into those remaining miles over the next week. So I hope the week ahead is a good one! So stay strong, row hard and eat up the miles! We will be willing you both on!

A message from Website admin. Tina (Guy's Mum) has sent us some photos that she took in Geraldton in the run-up to the race start. They are in the photo gallery. Have a look.

Hope the water and weather sort themselves out, but to be circled by a blue whale - that is AMAZING!

Boys - its been a while! So sorry i haven't been blogging, have just got back from holiday in Santorini. Was lovely there, even spent some time on a boat - it did have an engine though... When i got back to our flat in Balham, i had a look through our free local newspaper 'the wandsworth herald' and in it was a full page story showing pictures and an explanation of the four girls who finished the indian ocean race! Another reminder of your amazing feat... Del - i guess you have heard, but Michael Owen has signed for Man United! I missed the story as i was away, but i can't believe it! Not sure if you are the interested in the cricket, but we drew the first ashes test late last night, Monty Panesar holding out with the bat! Ricky Ponting was not amused, but that of course makes it better Guy - i have got some well good songs i know you will like by a couple of new bands, and some old ones too! One is very Killers-ish but better, got two Paul Van Dyk songs and also some 1960's prog rock - all brilliant obviously. I am looking forward to hearing them via the Cyrus... Hope you two are keeping those moods up, knowing your getting that much closer each day must be helping. I know you will do it safely and in front of those southern cross boys... x p.s. "Under strengths you have put 'accounts'. But that's your job isnt it"

Those pictures bought it all back Tina - how long ago was that!! Jeremy have you any spare nails to bite please!! Andrew & Guy I'd like to see the mileage down to 850 next time I log on (later this evening)! :-)

Boys....the nation is Euphoric after a battling and hard-fought draw with Australia in the 1st Test at Cardiff. We and my mexican amigos were there to see it all (inc. Tom, Moseltoft and Dione Petit). Best moment of the day was when Monty Panesar of all people batted for over 60 balls without getting out and the crowd started singing "Monty is a Welshman, Monty is a Welshman, la la la la, la la la la!" Close 2nd was having a picture taken with....you'll have to wait and see. Hope you get the chance to put your foot on the gas very soon and reel in the other boat. Still v proud. Trumpet (Barmy Army) xx

Claire Starting to forget what our boys looked like! xtina

Fascinating - it's really amazing how links continue within families. Thank you Nigel for sharing that with us. Andrew and Guy really have no excuses!!