Jenks and I have just cooked dinner and we invited James and Cayle over for a dinner party. This is the third one in 4 weeks. Tonight was a selection of foods from around the world. Very sophisticated. We made a mix of Chicken tikka, korma, fry up and spaghetti. We have had a few nice evenings recently. We all sit out on deck and have a chat. Normally we match that up with a cup of tea and whisky and stuff like that. In other news we had a memorial service for Chirpy our teddy mascot that was washed overboard when we capsized. James (Bishop of Row2Recovery) conducted the ceremony. I also said a few words, Cayle said a prayer, Jenks sang a hymn. Cayle wanted thank god for looking after him and prayed to God that for our sacred biltong which was washed overboard a few days ago.
The benefits of bad weather
Thanks to a massive rain squall me and Jenks managed to have a proper nice shower. There was a big squall so we soaped ourselves up and then washed it off as the rain came crashing past. Quite scary how much muck came of us. I’m still looking forward to a proper shower and a proper bog when we finish though. Some people are still quite private – Jenks doesn’t enjoy the al fresco crapping and he is trying to maintain his dignity. I have increased my dignity thanks to the Atlantic weight loss plan and my beer gut has now disappeared. I have lost about a stone I reckon. I could probably put that on fairly easily but I need to try and hold off until my wedding in August.
Speaking of the wedding I have been planning my stag do with the assistance of Jenks. We are going to go to Brighton, maybe do something in fancy dress, but Jenks has not made the cut to be my best man. It’s going to be 3 of my mates from the army Caz, Ashley and Dan. I wonder which will be worse – stag do or Atlantic row? Probably the stag.
The University of Blaney
My education is coming on well out there. What I have learnt:
1. I have learnt about star constellations from James. Did you know that Orion’s belt is actually a shield not a belt – it’s there to protect him from Taurus?
What I have taught the crew:
1. Never eat yellow snow
2. The route of the pub crawl we are going on when we get back.
Getting to the end
I haven’t thought much about what happens when finished but I think it would be great to work for one of the military charities. I will enjoy being finished and won’t miss much apart from lad and the sunsets. We have 1099 miles to go, so I reckon 2.5 to 3 weeks. What is the first thing I will do when I get off the boat – either drink a beer or kiss my fiancé Amy. I don’t know which one I will do first, it depends on what is closest I suppose.