Cape Wrath - John o'Groats - Heading South!!

Just a quick update.

Yesterday (Monday 14th of June) the boys ticked off another major milestone - Rounding John O Groats - the northerly end of the longest distance between two points in Mainland Britain (the other point being Lands End). Needless to say Nick and Hamish are on a high to be coming down the home straight, but still very aware that there is approx 600 miles to go!

Scotland has proven to be a highlight for the guys who have been sending through some beautiful photos of the sunsets and scenery. I think the idylic surroundings may have even given them a small chance to 'escape' the reality of the daily grind and appreciate the beauty of their surroundings. Hamish continues to struggle with growing facial hair and eating the dehydtated meat, while Nick is basking in his full bearded glory. Sadly there seems to be little 'drama' to report, the guys are getting on well and focused on getting the job done - real proof of how thorough preparation makes all the difference in such a challenge.

The guys are hoping the nasty Northerly winds that have been causing them such trouble all the way up the West Coast will stick around for a few weeks longer and help speed them along now that they are heading down the East Coast.

Your support of Row for Heroes is much appreciated, keep it up - its getting the guys home!!

Jess

Skye Bridge Scotland

At 9.30am on Saturday June 6th the boys reached a major milestone on their row - in the form of Skye bridge. A small (but ever enthusiastic) group of friends, family and amazingly kind locals jumped aboard a couple of boats (and for a short while a light aircraft) to cruise along side the guys for almost an hour catching up on what life aboard has been like and noting (with much relief) how well both Nick and Hamish are getting along, despite being stuck in such a confined space for 3 and a half weeks.

There are a million stories that I could relay from aboard Komale, but I will save them for the boys to share on their return...some interesting observations/ stories from our time with them yesterday include;

1) The beefy boys who were eating anything fatty that they could get their hands on have now lost any sign of 'Puppy Fat' they do not yet look unhealthily skinny (which I suspect in another 3 weeks they will) however their lower legs and seems to have lost the most weight with both boys shins resembling a lanky adolescent. It was most bizarre to see them in their now slightly baggy Icebreaker leggings with these wee legs poking out the bottom!

2) Hamish has developed an eating disorder/ food phobia. As amusing as I find the idea of my darling boy who has been known to challenge friends to 'meat eat offs', this could quickly become a serious problem. He now finds is physically impossible to digest any of the meat in the freeze dried meals and so has to pick it out before cooking or he will find himself instantly throwing it up. It has become so bad that Nick can no longer eat a few of the meat meals in front of Hamish or he will instantly be sick by the smell/ idea of the meat Nick is consuming. Nutrition is so important to the success of the row, and the boys are doing everything they can to overcome this issue, including Nick swapping rations with Hamish if his are more suitable to Hamish's newly delicate palate. This might all sound a bit ridiculous (Hamish is the first to admit how bizarre it is) but is genuinely a big worry that hopefully the guys can keep from interfering in their well being too much.

3) Both boys have decided that 3 weeks at Sea has turned them into Philosophers. They tried to share some of their 'deep thinking' with us yesterday but unfortunately to the untrained ear it all sounded a bit like the words of two boys who have been isolated at sea. Watch this space...

4) Nick was interested in how many dates I had scheduled for his return. Please apply within ;)

Yes their hands and bottoms are sore. Yes they are sleep deprived. Yes some of the food rations are not allowed to be spoken of aloud to avoid instant vomiting episodes (They have even renamed a few of the meals with crude titles that I can't re-produce on this website but I am sure you can be creative and imagine!). However despite the immense challenges the boys are facing morale is high, the boys are looking well, laughing and joking together and focused on getting the job done. They are overwhelmed by your support and get a real high when complete strangers contact them, offering support and luck.

Keep following the tracker on homepage and of course Twitter and the Facebook Group; ROW FOR HEROES. The boys have uploaded a few videos from the boat so we will try and get them onto the website so you can see what life aboard Komale is really like. As always Thank you for your support. Keep the donations flying, every little bit counts and is much appreciated.

Jess

Lands End to Scotland!!

ROW FOR HEROES HAS REACHED SCOTLAND!!

Hello All, Jess here again. Hamish and Nick asked me to update the website blog to give you all a general overview of their first 3 weeks at sea. Many of you have been following their tracker and the Twitter or Phlog update so apologies if this is all old news to you!

Wind has been the hot topic since departure with the boys facing Southerlys for most of their journey down the south coast which then turned predominately into Northerlys once they got around lands end. Although it seems the wind really hasn't been on their side Hamish and Nick have done all they can to make progress during the windows of fine weather and then anchor up in a sheltered bay when battling against tides and winds became impossible.

It has to be said that the boys didnt look in the best of shape when we cheered them around Lands End on Thursday May 20th. Hamish had been suffering quite badly from Seasickness and from speaking to other Ocean Rowers the first couple of weeks are supposed to be pretty grim while you body and mind adapts to its current 'lifestyle'. Four days anchored up in Wexford, Ireland offered a perfect opportunity for the guys to catch up on sleep, eat and 'air their bottoms' and in recent conversations with them - and as you can hear via their Phlog) morale and energy levels seem to be much higher again.

Overnight, with favorable winds the guys finally made it to Scotland, the forecast seems to be in their favor with Southerly's for a few days, what a change! The guys are hoping to make strong progress up around Islay and Jura and at this stage plan to come in and Shelter between the mainland and the Isle of Mull. Anyone in the area is invited to come wave to them as they go under Skye Bridge (probably near the end of the week) I will keep you posted on dates.

We have been fortunate that the boys have had pretty good mobile reception for most of their journey so far so communications have been easy, this may become a little more difficult as they go around the Scotish Isles but as they said recently "morale is proportionate to speed" so keep an eye on the tracker - if that's moving then all is well aboard Komale.

Hamish and Nick have been overwhelmed with the support they are receiving. Your little messages of support and encouragement take them along way when they are drenched to the bone rowing through the night while we are all snuggled up in bed so please keep them coming. Please also continue to spread the word and donate generously to the two great Charitys that Row For Heroes are raising money for ; Help For Heroes and the Army Benevolent Fund.

Until next time remember you can follow the boys progress on Facebook and Twitter at Row For Heroes. For those who are interested here is the link to a short news clip about ROW FOR HEROES from departure day; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZCedEc7oH8

The Start

Hi All,

The boys set off in the sunshine from Lymington yesterday (Wednesday May 12th, 2011) at 1015 to a farewell party of friends, family, media and a flotilla of Army Yachts. Progress in the first 24 hours has been amazing, if this continues and the weather remains favorable 45 days is a realistic target for completion.

As the boys will only have sparodic internet access (from an i-phone) there will be no chance for a formal blog. They will however be updating their Twitter and Facebook. The Twitter feed links into this website (on the right hand side of the homepage) meaning you dont need to be a member of twitter to recieve these feeds, the tracker updates continuously -allowing you to keep a closer eye on them than your significant other ;)

I will try and update this blog as often as I can with any information I receive. In the meantime please see attached images from Day One of the row.

Please keep following the guys progress and showing your support by spreading the word and donating to these two great charities.

Jess

Toughening Up

The time has come to convert hard gym work to hard hands. Komale is out of the water at the moment and in Jeremy Rodgers yard for a refit so we have been rowing the Lymington Rowing Club boats all weekend and building up some callus.

Hamish's technique is coming along under Nick's tuition, but Nick denies him as a credible rower due to his lack of bib spandex.

Learning the ways of the Sea

Getting to grips with navigation and general seamanship holds the key to the successful completion of this challenge. We spent the Easter weekend under the watchful eye of our mentor Jim Crick and Hamish's Dad Nigel on board the yacht Coriander. This culminated in Nick becoming a qualified Day Skipper and Hamish a Yachtmaster.

Jim has shown enormous patience since starting to teach us the ways of the sea and we are extremely grateful for his help. Despite giving us insight into the doubts of many experienced sailors, we are now approaching the row from a much more knowledgeable platform.

Training Week

Things progress rapidly with Row for Heroes. Having a week dedicated to row training and preparation has paid dividends. It is so hard keeping the project moving when working and training full time.

We spent the week in the solent, rowing for between 2 and 3 hours a day with the rest of the time spent harassing all and sundry to help with kit, boat prep and the many other things we

need. Many people have been extremely supportive and generous with their advice and help, for which we are extremely grateful; without their help our progress would certainly be floundering. Our longest distance trip took us over to Cowes for a night where Komale snuggled in the luxurious Royal Yacht Squadron marina for a sleepover.

We found the time for some technical and safety training with Adam Wilson of Aquasafe powerboat school. Practising man overboard drills made Hamish realise that the water is still very cold (7 degrees!) and Nick that pulling a body from the sea is no easy feat. The session ended with Nick sweating and Hamish shivering and delivered us a salient lesson.