Blogs
Back in Blighty
Back in Blighty
After seven weeks out of the country, we touched down at Gatwick at 0930 this morning (Monday 18th). British Airways went out of their way to give us a great homecoming, including seating us in Business Class for the overnight flight back from Antigua - first time in my life that I've laid out flat on a plane to go to sleep, a surreal, but most welcome experience. Then at a freezing cold Gatwick this morning, I was met by Lucy and Kate from my PR agency KTB and by Mike from my Mar/Comms agency, Slipstream Studio - thank you guys for getting up so early on a Monday morning, it was great to see some familiar smiling faces. After a quick photoshoot with some BA Ambassadors to celebrate my homecoming as a winner of the BA Great Britons award, it was off for a lovely lunch at the Albermarle Hotel (Lancashire Hot Pot for me) before making our way to our hotel here in Shepherds Bush in readiness for a BBC Breakfast appearance at 0845 tomorrow morning - don't forget to set your VCR's or whatever they are called these days.
Since my last blog written in the BVI, I've had an eventful few days, the highlight of which was on Friday night, last week. At a reception at Government House, Tortola, held to celebrate the Atlantic crossing, the Premiere (like our PM but more laid back), the Honorable Ralph O'Neal announced that he had personally given his approval, with the unanimous support of his Cabinet and the Governor, David Pearey, that Elaine, Tim and I each become Honorary "Belongers" (citizens) of the British Virgin Islands, an honour previously only bestowed upon two other persons, one being Lawrence Rockerfeller. It came as a complete surprise and the significance was not lost on me. It is a HUGE honour. My visit to the Virgin Islands was quite timely and I hope it has helped to raise awareness and open a debate on issues regarding disabled people in the BVI in general, as well as help to raise awareness of the wonderful disabled sailing programme run by Colin and Alison Bramble. Coming from a country with a more developed infrastructure for disabled people and, dare I say, more enlightened attitudes to people with disabilities, I sense the frustration of a few committed people in the BVI who are trying to bring about change and change attitudes, both in education and recreational activities, despite tackling ingrained attitudes, particularly attitudes concerning the integration of disabled people and non-disabled peoplefs - I saw so many wonderful, well meaning people on the islands and identified many opportunitues where, with a little more resources, change can and will happen for the benefit of the entire community - it would be great to think that my visit to the BVI has left enough of a legacy whereby it benefits the lives of disabled people throughout the islands - and perhaps I can help personally in that respect if needed - I certainly intend to monitor the situation and do what I can to help.
Earlier that day, I was taken SCUBA diving by Mike Rowe and his latest Dive Master, Megan, on the simply jaw-droppingly beautiful Cooper Island CLICK HERE (where we got to meet new owner Colin and his lovely family) - it was the first time I had SCUBA dived since my accident so overcoming the fear of breathing underwater was not easy - it went against every fibre in my body, especially as previous face-down in the sea escapades have necessitated a degree of breath-holding skill for life preservation, if nothing else. It was great to feel weightless for so long and to just relax in the warm sea water, getting up close to the marine life and enjoying a long-overdue bath. A hearty lunch of rum punch, conch fritters and chicken roti left me only a few blinks away from an inpromtu afternoon snooze but the rough jouney back across the Drake Channel was enough to re-awaken me from my soporific snooziness. It will come as no surprise to regular blog-readers to learn that I spend 28 days crossing the Atlantic with long spells without a puff of wind but I arrive in the BVI, it rains nearly every day and then, the day we decide to go SCUBA diving, it blows 20 knots + and visibility is so bad due to the rain, planes can not even land on neighbouring Beef Island. Is it me?????
Will sign off now. Elaine been dispatched to Chinese take-away - mmm, chicken curry and chips!!!!!! I've been dreaming of this for a long time, I hope it lives up to the expectation. Thanks for all your messages.
We made it....!!
We made it....!!!
Firstly, my apologies for "radio silence" - it's 1230 local time here in Tortola (1630 GMT) on Monday 11th January. This is the first opportunity I have had since arriving last Thursday to access the internet and download my emails (all 1,123 of them) plus look at all of the amazing (and I mean AMAZING PR ccoverage - Holy Moly, I had no idea how much coverage we were getting).
Secondly, I simply do not know how to convey in words my complete and utter heartfelt gratitude to each and everyone of you who have sent messages of support - it is simply overwhelming, both emotionally and physically - I have no idea how I will ever be able to respond to you all but I will try. It has taken me nearly 3 hours this morning just to skim read them and they are so touching, I hadn't realised quite how much of an impact this project has had on people's lives around the world, from Australia, to Russia, USA, Japan, Turkey, Phillipines, UK etc., it goes to show the power of the media and the reach of the BBC - thank you Mark and STRATOS, this would have been nothing without you, thank you so much (and FEDEX).
Well, hours after posting my last Blog posted the morning we were due to arrive, we rendezvous'd with our welcoming flotilla between the islands of Norman Island and Peter Island, about 5 miles south of Tortola - I put up my huge Union Jack (which I hope you saw in the pix). It seemed so strange to see Elaine & Tim again in the support boat, it had been 4 weeks to the day we waved goodbye in Lanzarote. It took an hour to slowly make our way around to Cane Garden Bay, the final destination on my trans-Atlantic journey, the scene of my accident 25 years ago. I was advised to do a sail-past along the beach so, under engine and mainsail, I made my way along the beach about 100 metres offshore. What I hadn't realised is that everybody on the beach, some 1,000 people or more, knew of my arival and were on their feet cheering and waving, shouting my name. OMG - what a buzz that was. It took a few minutes to sink in properly but when it did, I was quite overcome with the moment - having not slept for nearly 40 hours, nor eaten properly for days (Lack of cooked food due to power problems), plus general fatigue and the emotion of it all, I guess it was no surprise. After dropping anchor and officially making landfall, Elaine & Tim were allowed on board. It was wonderful so see them again although it would be some hours before I could kiss Elaine as, within moments, she was in a foetal position, curled up on the deck of Impossible Dream being sick. And you thought Susana was bad? You ain't seen sea-sickness until you've seen Elaine; totally incapacitated, unable to talk, vomiting, let alone move - not pleasant.
After popping the Pol Roger, we hoisted anchor and made our way around to Soper's Hole, a journey of about an hour but Digby still managed to slip in a few more BBC interviews. At Soper's Hole, I was advised that my berth was alongside a busy quayside between two finger pontoons and I was expected to reverse in - not so bad you might think, but I've only ever "parked" ID once, and that was on a long pontoon in the CV islands - this was 10x harder, made worse by the tiredness and hunger outlined about. Luckily, it was without incident and a huge relief that I had parked Mike's boat OK. It was my first opportunity to go ashore since leaving the CVI's and boy did it feel weird, the world was wobbling for hours before I finally got my "land wheels" - either that or it was the massive Pussers Painkiller which was thrust into my hand on arrival. What a terrific welcoming committee and that evening, Pussers rum kindly sponsored a Painkiller Party on ID - guests included the Governor, David Pearey himself, the Hon. Minister Dancia Penn who is the Deputy Premier of the BVI, the head of the BVI Tourist Board plus many others, too many to name - it was a great honour to be "welcomed back to the BVI" by both Governor and the Deputy Premier - in fact, a reception at Government House is being held in my honour this coming Friday with a guest list which reads like a "Who's Who" of the BVI - advance thanks to the Governor for giving his permission for that. My son Tim also has reason to thank the Governor. When I explained that Timothy would miss another week of school due to our late arrival and subsequent extension of our stay, he advised that if Timothy needed a note of absence for his Head Teacher at Swanmore Primary School, as the Queen's representative here in the BVI, he would be only too pleased to provide one.
Mike & Martine, owners of ID arrived Friday evening but it was Saturday morning before they got to see ID and inspect her after her 3,000 mile journey. I was somewhat embarrassed by some of the damage caused by my wheelchair to the lovely woodwork and the boat needed a good clean, but Mike was generous stating he had thought it might be "much worse" - actually, is that generous or heavily sarcastic?
We said goodbye to Susana and Digby yesterday which was obviously difficult having been through so much together - Susana has been on the pay role for just over 6 months now and this has been as much of a journey of discovery and overcoming personal challenges for her as it has me and, quite frankly, I'm not sure I could have done it without her. Luckily she has as indominatable spirit and healthy "bloody minded" attitude, it's just a shame the motion of the boat meant she failed to enjoy so much of the experience whilst at sea, but she hung in there and never failed to help me when I needed her assistance. And if you ever need someone to stove the head in of a 25lb fish, Susana's your girl. So how bad was that incident? Well, bad enough for the BBC to cut the scene for fear of protests from animal rights supporters. We were still finding blood spatters on the boat a week later. And as for Diggers? Top man. Great company, superb cameraman/producer (as you have all witnessed) and perfectionist cook, but if I ever lose another fish off the line because of his "faffing" around trying to get a "good shot", I will insert my fishing rod in places even his "Mankini" can't hide. It was an honour to have such people on board.
So, what now? Well, I don't think you are going to hear from me again until I get back. I will blog if I can but I have an itinerary in place for me that will keep me occupied right up to the point where we fly back next Sunday (arrive UK Monday 18th at 0800). I have 3 Rotary clubs to visit and talk to this week. I have a boat naming ceremony, a Governor's reception, a day visit to Virgin Gorda by invitation of the BVI Tourist Board and even a spot of SCUBA diving planned for Friday (well, I've got to have a bit of R&R whilst I'm here).
Thank you, thank you, thank you again for following my epic journey. Knowing you are there has given me strength at tough times and great pleasure knowing that you are interested in what I have done. Remember there are many disabled people coping with their own "Atlantic challenges" on a daily basis that also require care to live their lives - just because they are not front page news does not mean they don't exist - I hope in a small way, my adventure has helped highlight that. Equally, if you are inspired to achieve you own challenge, what's stopping you? If you are looking for ideas, I'm not sure you'll find anything that gives you the same sense of freedom, empowerment and exhileration than sailing, whatever your ability.
Someone said it had been a bit "nippy" back in the UK these past weeks. I hope not so nippy, I won't be able to show off my tan....!!!
News from Tortola
Following arrival in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Geoff has been struggling to connect to post latest Blogs, Tweets and Video. As soon as a good connection is found we expect Geoff to add these to his website.
Geoff sends his thanks for all messages of congratulation that have been received.
Today's the day...........!!!!!!!
Phew, what a day yesterday was. Having made the decision to divert to Antigua for emergency fuel to run the ships essential electrical and hydraulic systems, I altered course and we had a great sail through the night. My shore team had investigated several options but we settled on rendezvous'ing at noon local time with the Antigua & Barbuda Search & Rescue team (ABSAR). I was insistent that it should be a ship to ship refuel at sea, not at a marina or at anchor which would constitute making landfall - not that would be a problem but I felt it would take the shine off my arrival in Tortola. We chose Carlisle Bay (just around from Falmouth / English Harbour) as it gave protection from the Atlantic swells. The re-fuelling was textbook - my thanks to Jonathan, Sven, Barbara and Becky from ABSAR and I'm certain the owner of ID will be pleased that not a drop of diesel was spilt on his lovely decks. Within the hour, we were off again, now able to recharge our ships batteries from the engines which meant I could finally stop steering by hand, much to the relief of my right arm, and we could have hot food, the first in days.
More good wind and it wasn't long before we were making course for Tortola (ETA 1300 local time, 1700 GMT, Thursday 7th January), sailing up past St Kitts and Nevis, the volcano dramatically backlit by the setting sun, the island lights twinkling along the shoreline. What a great sight.
So, how are we feeling with less than 12 hours to go? Well, Susana is already packed, grinning from ear to ear and right now is letting off part poppers down below in her cabin accompanied by whoops of delight - I think it's the prospect of being on terra firma, either that or the peanut M&M's have finally got to her. She's not even mentioned the "seasick" word today but that could be because the tranquil Caribbean sea is so different to the mighty Atlantic. Digby is looking forward to seeing his wife and daughter, Paula & Frances again although we have a massive media schedule today so, once we've had our celebratory toast of Pol Roger champagne, he will be busy digitising and editing footage for the BBC - we hope to be doing a live on the national 6 o'clock BBC news so watch out for that. And me? Well, of course I can't wait to see Elaine & Tim, it's been exactly a month today that we've been away which included Christmas and New Year - I saw a photo a couple of days ago of Tim and I'm sure he's grown. But I have mixed emotions. The arrival today will be the culmination of more than a year of planning, months of struggles and heartache, difficulties finding the money and inumerable other challenges, but they were all overcome and will no doubt be temporarily forgotten when we arrive. But I'm not complaining, I would have achieved what I set out to achieve and I knew from experience it was never going to be easy. In fact, some aspects I have found tougher than I ever anticipated (like coping as a quadriplegic on a moving boat for so long), others I have been less affected than expected, for example to lack of sleep or actually sailing the boat. Above all, I have just experienced something very special indeed and I must thank everyone in my team, not just those on board, for playing their part in the success.
I want my arrival to be a celebration of the past 25 years not, as someone asked recently, "will it give you closure"? What? Closure? That infers I somehow regret or lament the past 25 years. Absolutely not. Were it not for the accident, I would not have met Elaine, had Timothy or had such a wonderful life so, closure? No. Celebration? Yes. And any tears will be tears of joy not tears of regret or sadness. Life is too short to worry about what "might have been" or waiting for some "miracle cure" for Spinal Cord injury, there's a magnificent world out there and I'm both honoured and humbled to have had the opportunity to put together this great project; the Atlantic was everything I had hoped it would be and just as I remembered it from all those years ago.
It feels like the feeling we had as kids the night before Christmas, I'm really excited about what is to come later today but nervous too - it promises to be a truly memorable day and another chapter in my life-story. I can't tell you how grateful I am for the hundreds and hundreds of emails I've received, mostly from complete strangers, tellling me how my story is touching their lives and inspiring them, it makes all of this so worthwhile, thank you all for following me.
Right, here we go, deep breath, and relax........
Refuel from Antigua
Reporting from Impossible Dream last night, Geoff reported a decreasing fuel supply (diesel for the generator is essential for Impossible Dream's systems and autopilot).
Making a diversion for the coast of Antigua Geoff and crew will collect fuel from an offshore vessel and rejoin their course to Tortola. ETA remains Thursday PM 7th Jan.
Last Minute Problems
Electrical Problems
Last night our generator failed. Despite efforts by Susana to find the faut, it looks serious. The boat depends entirely on electricity to run its complex electronic and hydraulic systems. The backup electrical supply is an alternator on the starboard engine but this uses 5 times the fuel and we have only enough fuel for another 8 battery charges. All electronics are therefore being switched off to save power and fuel in order to have sufficient to navigate the difficult arrival in Tortola. The autopilot has also been switched off and I am manually steering the vessel with some difficulty.
Will those with the boat phone or iridium number who need to contact us, please do so between the hours of 1200 and 1400 GMT.
We currently have 500 miles to go and are travelling at 5knots.
Sorry to be abrupt, more later.
Happy New Year
Happy New Year
Well, one of my New Year wishes came true; wind - hence my lack of contact recently, I'm sorry.
We had a celstial treat on NY Eve with perhaps the most perfect sunset I have ever seen (and yes, we did see the "green flash", Digby even filmed it), followed ten minutes later by the rising of a perfect full moon in the east, so bright I could easily read outside. New Year's Day started memorably. After a live interview with BBC Breakfast at 0730 (in complete darkness here - and exactly how few people were awake at that time on NY day anyway?), I started to set the sails but the wind was all over the place. But just as the sun rose and we lined up to do our next live with BBC World, BANG!, the wind hit like a brick, 25 knots on the beam. After a mixed fortune in the wind stakes since leaving Lanzarote 22 days ago, Impossible Dream got up on her haunches and started to fly; don't tell Mike the owner but I wonder if ID has ever hit 13.8 knots under sail before? Do you remember that rollercoaster analogy I used in a blog a few weeks ago to describe the motion of the boat? Well, it was like that except someone pushed the turbo button. If you saw the 1025 live BBC piece, you may have seen the excitement, thrill and terror in my eyes - if not, then Digby's shaky camera work may have given the game away. The wind has stayed with us, although is now 12 knots from astern so we are making a modest, if not more comfortable 6 knots. As I type, we have 780 miles to go - current ETA, lunchtime on Thursday 7th, but don't hold me to it.
There is a terrific 3 minute video just uploaded onto the BBC website which I'd urge you to watch, it's a mini masterpiece - especially when you consider it was all filmed, edited then sent back via satellite from mid-Atlantic - heartfelt thanks to STRATOS who make this incredible hardware, Quicklink for the software, the BBC (Mark, you know you are the main man) and of course Digby who does all the clever stuff, although you wouldn't think him capable if you saw the photo of him wearing that mankini. CLICK HERE to see the video.
I, or should I say, Susana (typing as I dictated), cleared a backlog of 60 emails for me yesterday although I'm already back up to 30 so, if you are one of those, please bear with me, I will reply when I can.
Elaine & Tim are being given the finest hospitality in the BVI, thank you Colin & Alison, although Elaine phoned to say that they have gone to St Thomas in the USVI this weekend to visit the family of a young man who has also suffered a spinal cord injury. If I have time, I hope to pop over myself before we leave (it now looks as though we will have to defer our flights a few days so I can sort out a number of business matters in the BVI which I had planned to do when our ETA was much earlier) but Digby & Susana will be heading back as planned on the 10th (assuming this wind continues).
Happy New Year to everyone.
Cometh the wind, cometh the Ocean (G Holt: 29.12.09)
Yesterday morning I was awoken from one of my brief cat naps with a start. It was 0400 GMT (we use GMT on board) and still pitch black, Digby was awake drinking a cup of coffee. The air had suddenly gone cooler by some 4 degrees, the boat's motion had become much more eratic and I could hear the boat's acceleration through the water and the increased clattering of the rigging on deck - WIND. After seven long days at sea the wind, almost exactly as forecast, had arrived. It was only about 12 knots from astern but it was a firm, stiff breeze, not the airy puffs of earlier. It was good to make progress again but the wind was still not the 20 knots forecast. That would arrive at 2200 hrs last night. This time I was prepared so, when it did arrive, we were ready for the rollercoaster ride that came with it. It was a bit disconcerting riding it through the dead of night, unable to differentiate between the sea or sky with no horizon and only the roar of the waves breaking astern of us. When the sun came up at 0925 (GMT - remember we are a long way west now), I saw the Atlantic ocean exactly how I rembered it from 25 years ago; a deep, deep blue, five metre swells, three metre waves all with breaking white horses and the wind ripples clearly visible on the surface of the sea - this is it, this is the Atlantic as it should be. Impossible Dream is cruising along at a comfortable at 7.5 knots. Well, I say comfortably, I'm not so certain Susana would use the same phraseology. Poor Suze, she's not being physically sick but has been pretty well imobilised by this more exaggerated motion of the boat these past few days and finds that laying down at least prevents the feeling getting worse.
I had a bit of a scare yesterday. If you read my earlier blogs, you will recall I have been suffering from swollen feet (I'm sepending longer sat up and less time with my feet up compared to normal). In an attemp to prevent the swelling, I've been wearing "flight socks", special socks you can buy to wear on planes to stop your feet swelling. I left them on for nearly two days but started to get a pain sensation (I feel pain as a sensation but can not necessarily locate the exact point) so I took my socks off only to find my little toe on my right foot was black and was not blanching when pressed - not a good thing. The sock had been pressing so hard, it has been blocking off circulation. My first fear was that the toe was dead, the next stages would be not be worth thinking about, especially as we are a minimum 7 days away from the nearest land and several days away from any commercial shipping - I'm not sure I was relishing the thought of Susana amputating the toe with a pair or wire snippers either. We have 24 hour medical support whilst at sea through one of our sponsors Medical Services Offshore. I called Dr Mark "Tommo" Tomson GP yesterday to explain the concern. Thankfully, after another 24 hours rest, it seems to be on the mend so I've told Susana she can put the pliers away now.
This time tomorrow we should be half way across which is great news. Unfortunately, the wind is set to drop by Friday which is a real disappointment - let's hope the forecast is wrong for once. New video blog going up tomorrow. Watched good film last night, Ordinary Decent Criminal, thanks to Elle & Alan from Lanzarote for the supply of films - also watched episode 1 and 2 of new series of Gavin & Stacey - lush.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day, 26th December 2009
I hope you all had a merry christmas. Ours was somewhat unorthodox. It's not every christmas you get to spend in the Atlantic ocean, thousands of miles from land and family but I'm certainly not complaining, every waking moment I realise how lucky I am to be out here, living out my dream. It was without doubt one of my busiest christmases, what with four live BBC TV appearances (BBC Breakfast, 2 x BBC News 24 and BBC World), plus five BBC radio interviews (2 x World Service, 2 x Five Live and Radio 4) plus a telephone interview with The Independent newspaper. Regular followers will be aware of the problems I had in Lanzarote before we left regarding the urgent delivery of the ships satellite communications dome and how delays and mishaps looked certain to mean we would have no communications on the boat. But with less than 24 hours before the situation was irretreavable, FEDEX pulled a complete rabbit out of the hat, mobilised goodness knows how many people and miraculously managed, with only hours to spare, to get all the communications equipment delivered to the boat. I wanted to mention that again because when I originally tried to convey the importance of the equipment it was difficult to put it into context, but reeling off that list of BBC coverage which we did yesterday, it illustrates just how important. THANK YOU AGAIN FEDEX and THANK YOU STRATOS for loaning us the equipment in the first place - if you saw or heard any of the interviews, I hope you agree the technology is 1st class. Between interviews we opened our prezzies which was a lovely reminder of home for all of us and quite emotional. I must make mention of one present in particular, that of a Borat "mankini", a present from Susana to Digby. If you haave no idea what I am talking about, I suggest you look at the picture on Susana's blog CLICK HERE, but be warned, it comes with a Certificate 18 warning - what was meant as a "joke" gift was for some reason, best known to himself, considered by Digby as a challenge and with absolutely no encouragement whatsoever, within seconds he was strutting the decks of Impossible Dream in this luminescent green man-thong, frightening the tuna and certainly not helping Susana's seasickness. Even now I find it a strangely disturbing image.
We all managed to find a few minutes to speak with our families which in itself was not easy with Susana's family being 12 hours ahead of GMT in NZ and Digby and my family both being 5 hours behind GMT in the Caribbean, but we all did get to talk to our loved ones. Despite putting the chicken (more like a large canary complete with feet and gizzards hangimg out - that image of Digby in his mankini springs to mind again) in the oven at 6.00pm, it was 10pm by the time our christmas diinner was ready. At one point, I thought we were going to have to break open the Army ration packs we have stowed away on board (courtesy of my mate Jason West of the Royal Engineers Yacht Club), but thankfully the little micro oven delivered up its contents just in time. Once our stomachs were full, a wave of lethargy fell across us all, the physical and emotional stress of the day hitting us like a ton of bricks. Today has been a really relaxing day, I even caught another two dorado fish which we released back into the sea unharmed (I still have half a tuna in the fridge).
For the umpteenth day in a row, there has been barely 5 knots of breeze but there is, finally, a ray of hope on the horizon; Monday is forecast to bring us 15 to 20 knots of breeze from the NE which will be, assuming they are correct, almost ideal weather conditions. They are scheduled to stay for 3 to 4 days which could drastically benefit our arrival time which currently is estimated at the 5th January. I do hope so. Colin Bramble has organised so many wonderful events in Tortola based on our original arrival date of the 27th December, that our delay must be causing him logistrical nightmares - I'm so desperately sorry Colin, especially after all of your hard work and planning; my presence was planned to help raise much needed funds for the Tortola Sailability group - hopefully, we will still arrive in time to do something positive.
Once again, many thanks for your scores of emails and messages left on my blog, I read them all. I'm doing my best to reply to them but it's taking a while and with airtime costs at $50 USD / Mb, I can only afford to be online for 3 minutes a day, just enough time to download emails and upload my blog (hence no photos I'm afraid). Digby & Susana need to use the system too so anyone wanting to sponsor our airtime costs would be most appreciated - the video blogs and email checks alone have already amounted to nearly £2,000 and we've got at least another 10 days to go. Until next time.
