IOR 2009 Blog Archive

Well what can I say, we are making progress going west fighting our way across the southerly winds and moving in the right direction. It was good to talk to Southern Cross, it's quite amazing how close we are to them in this huge ocean!  We WILL get past them, just need to keep niggling away at them. It was great to talk to the lads James, Stephen and Russ last week, really amazing. I've been told that they let the men take off their jackets at Henley on Thursday as the temperature headed into the 30's. Amazing doesn't happen very often.   I hope the sun will still be shining when we get back!  Guy and I will have our own Doubles match in honour of Andy Murray reaching the semi's at Wimbledon. Thank you everyone for all your support it really is keeping us going out here.  Here's to the last 1000!! Andrew out. Click here to donate money for the fight against the spread of male cancers and support Orchid, the boys chosen charity. To follow our progress please go to the official Woodvale Challenge site.

We are so thrilled that Guy and Andrew have taken on this incredible challenge in aid of Orchid. Orchid is the UK's leading charity existing to save men's lives from testicular, prostate and penile cancers through pioneering research and promoting awareness. When the call came through and the boys said they were going to take on 'the world's toughest ocean rowing race' in aid of Orchid we felt very honoured. Having spent some time learning more about it, what we learnt was overwhelming, that this would involve over three months of rowing 3,780 nautical miles, across treacherous water and weather systems. We have been following the guys and cannot believe how well they seem to be coping and doing. We are really looking forward to welcoming them back to the Orchid office and hearing about all their tales at sea. Once again we cannot thank the boys enough for their continued support and raising funds for Orchid. Not only is this a once in a lifetime challenge but they are doing it for an amazing cause. Take care and we hope you enjoy the last bit of your trip. Wishing you lots of luck and a safe arrival home. Caz and the Orchid team out. Click here to donate money for the fight against the spread of male cancers and support Orchid, the boys chosen charity. To follow our progress please go to the official Woodvale Challenge site.

Moods and attitude remain upbeat onboard Flying Ferkins under the adverse current. Another major milestone broken today as their distance to finish is 1000nm. Although making a westerley direction isn't easy they have managed to claw some back. They are sitting at 74 degree's longitude. Weather ahead for the week looking better. Distance made West: Tues 30th 50 nm  Weds 1st 49nm Thurs 2nd 16nm Fri 3rd  4nm Sat 4th  17nm Sun 5th  -1nm Mon 6th  12nm Please, please keep the comments coming bloggers. If you haven’t blogged for a while then let's see some action. Tom out Click here to donate money for the fight against the spread of male cancers and support Orchid, the boys chosen charity.

To follow our progress please go to the official Woodvale Challenge site.

Still frustrating conditions preventing Flying Ferkins from making Westerley direction.  Andrew and Guy are using the para anchor when necessary.  Hopefully the wind will reduce over the next few days.  Given the slow process at the moment the boys are really enjoying your comments.  Thank you to everyone for your continued support. Distance made West: Tues 7th 15nm. Tom out. Click here to donate money for the fight against the spread of male cancers and support Orchid, the boys chosen charity. To follow our progress please go to the official Woodvale Challenge site.

Andrew and Guy continue to "hang out" under the para anchor in difficult local conditions. The boys are planning to move North West when conditions allow rowing. Considering the circumstances Flying Ferkins remains a happy boat. Current depth 2500metres. Thank you for the great comments. If you have any good pub quiz style questions please post them on the comments. A little mind stimulation would be well received.  Distance made West: Weds 8th  -4nm Tom out. Click here to donate money for the fight against the spread of male cancers and support Orchid, the boys chosen charity. To follow our progress please go to the official Woodvale Challenge site.

It's been pretty boring!  Watched Miami Vice. It is cloudy so using up batteries. Played cards which Gemma gave us, a game called sh*t Head!!!  Talking throughout the day.  I am reading Bill Bryson book on Australia which is good and I have finished it. Still quite warm in this area which makes it more enjoyable. Thanks Caroline Watts for the poem it was really nice and I am trying to use your methods which you went through with me. I use it to calm myself on a daily basis. The Captains Club Hotel  - we hope the Mudeford Funday Race went well.  Sorry we weren't there to support you! We will try and come along next year?  Helen, thanks for your message and we hope you are enjoying being safely back in England and not rowing! Claire and the team from Local Web Solutions - thank you for your messages of support. Joe, happy to discuss your Atlantic row over a few beers when we get home as long as you buy some team MSS clothing! Thanks Fiona Watts - can't wait to meet up in London on our return in London.  Please all look at Sarah Outen's site. She has done nearly 100 days at sea.  Congratulations for your amazing efforts Sarah. Jess, sadly we haven't caught any fish but we are both looking forward to one of your lasagne's when we get back. Cheers guys, thanks a lot.  Cheers! Guy out. Click here to donate money for the fight against the spread of male cancers and support Orchid, the boys chosen charity. To follow our progress please go to the official Woodvale Challenge site.

Andrew and Guy are now rowing in a good solid westerley direction.  Mood on board remains good.  Great to see Flying Ferkins at 938nm until finish and heading towards 70 longitude.  Conditions look fine for the weekend ahead. Please everyone keep those positive comments coming in ! Distance made West: Thursday 9th July: -6 Friday 10th July:   25 Tom out Click here to donate money for the fight against the spread of male cancers and support Orchid, the boys chosen charity. To follow our progress please go to the official Woodvale Challenge site.

A big day for the boys on board Flying Ferkins. They have made a good Westerley direction today covering 46nm! However, the weather conditions are likely to be unsettled for the next 12 to 18 hours. Presently 915nm from Mauritius and sitting at 73 longitude. Still pushing hard for that 70 longitude  milestone. Whilst watching an amazing sunset last night Andrew and Guy witnessed a blue whale [the size of a double decker bus] circle the boat! Unbelievable experience. Thank you to everyone for your input and positive comments. Another BIG thank you to the Flying Ferkins Support Crew who speak to the boys daily. Distance made West: Saturday 11th July: 46nm Tom out Click here to donate money for the fight against the spread of male cancers and support Orchid, the boys chosen charity. To follow our progress please go to the official Woodvale Challenge site.

A bit of an enforced rest day today - we are waiting for the westerly winds to die down later before we can make headway again to Mauritius. It has been really overcast for the past two weeks but today the sun is shining and we are taking the opportunity to charge up all the equipment.  We have had to ration water supplies as the water maker is reliant on the sun shining too, so hopefully by the end of today we will be fully charged and on our way west again. It's looking good for next week so we expect to see the miles dropping. Pleased Lina your shoulder is mending.  Craig hope you had a good stag do - will call Cat before the wedding, sorry not to be there. Spirits are bouyant and we are so happy to be in the last 1000 miles - really can't wait to get to Mauritius and see everyone. Andrew out Click here to donate money for the fight against the spread of male cancers and support Orchid, the boys chosen charity. To follow our progress please go to the official Woodvale Challenge site.

Andrew and Guy are experiencing so many "once in a lifetime" experiences whilst undertaking this epic journey to row the Indian Ocean and undoubtedly uncovering aspects about themselves they never knew before the 19th April 2009.   But the two years plus of preparation work has also been a journey of discovery for them, for family, friends and supporters. Guy and I were aware that my father was one of seven children and that one of his elder brothers had "run away to sea". Guy's Great Uncle Captain Oswald M Watts died within a year of Guy's birth and we knew a limited amount about his life. Guy and I with the help of my brother Peter undertook some research and after contacting the current compilers of Reeds Nautical Almanac a chapter of his great uncle's life began to unfold. Captain OM Watts was one of the youngest Merchant Navy officers ever to hold a Master's certificate, aged 23. He was the first editor of Reeds Nautical Almanac with the first edition being published on 1 January 1932 costing two shillings and six pence (12.5p). The early Almanac's provide all the knowledge a navigator needs to pilot a vessel in the Home Trade Waters around the British Isles. Oswald continued to edit the Almanac until his retirement in 1981 and thereafter as a consultant until his death in 1985. During the 1930's he set up a chandlery off Piccadilly in London. Oswald also started a sea school where yachtsman could learn what they needed to know to serve in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during the build up to the Second World War. In addition he ran correspondence courses for people who could not attend these courses. He wrote books on the use of the Sextant and supervised the preparation of maps in conjunction with Stanfords. It seems unlikely that this part of Guy's family history would have been revealed in as much detail if Guy and Andrew had not embarked on their Indian Ocean rowing challenge. Here's to the Flying Ferkins and Captain OM Watts! Nigel (Guy's dad) out. Click here to donate money for the fight against the spread of male cancers and support Orchid, the boys chosen charity. To follow our progress please go to the official Woodvale Challenge site.

Finally some good news. Ferkins is Flying in a Westerly direction. Para anchor currently stowed [phew]! The current and now wind are finally in Andrew and Guys favour. Presently enjoying the rowing and making 3kn in quite a strong South Easterly wind. Conditions looking favourable for the next few days. Please keep those comments coming fellow bloggers. Distance made West: Mon 13th July   5nm Tues 14th July  13nm Tom out Click here to donate money for the fight against the spread of male cancers and support Orchid, the boys chosen charity. To follow our progress please go to the official Woodvale Challenge site.

Not as sunny today but the conditions are still generally good.  We are counting down the days and are pleased to be moving steadily west. We haven't seen any more wild life, we are still swooning over seeing the Blue Whale - which we believe could well have been the Pygmy Blue Whale that hangs out in the Indian Ocean,  apparently smaller than the more commonly seen ones though at 26m average we wonder what it would have been like to see a bigger one!! Flying Ferkins is only just over 7m long!! Thank you to you all for the continued support - we are both happy and chilled, Flying Ferkins is doing us proud and we hope this 'downhill' run is a speedy one! One last thing - Happy Birthday Grannie!  Nice to be able to talk to you this morning...................! Andrew out Click here to donate money for the fight against the spread of male cancers and support Orchid, the boys chosen charity. To follow our progress please go to the official Woodvale Challenge site.

Another cracking day of rowing as Andrew and Guy continue to push hard. Massive leap as the boys break the 70 longitude [wooohooo]. A South Easterly wind holding until the weekend. Flying Ferkins is traversing the Central Indian Ridge at a depth ranging from 3,500m to 1,900m. Eating really well and consequently the boat getting lighter (final beer gone down well! hehe). Distance made West: Wednesday 15th July 49nm Thursday 16th July 50nm Please keep those comments coming fellow blog friends. Tom out. Click here to donate money for the fight against the spread of male cancers and support Orchid, the boys chosen charity. To follow our progress please go to the official Woodvale Challenge site.

We met Guy and Andrew over a year ago now, back in Febuary 2008 from memory. We were very impressed with them both! In fact although they approached us with a view to direct financial sponsorship, we saw a better way to get involved.

The Great Branding Company agreed to support their ocean rowing attempt by using our expertise in clothing and merchandise. Having worked on some of the largest sporting events worldwide, such as World Cups [Football], UEFA Champions League finals, rugby, cricket, basketball and music events! For these events the Great Branding Company create merchandise that is desirable and comfortable to both event organisers and fanwear sold to the end consumer.

We have helped Guy and Andrew by providing: A selection of Quality Clothing for performances activity (training wear), Leisurewear and Promotional merchandise to be sold for fund raising.

All the clothing we have provided has been branded with the Indian Ocean Rowing logo and sponsor branding where possible as this would raise the profile / awareness when Guy and Andrew were out and about.

We discussed with them that they should create a strong brand identity and so look into creating a unique logo for the “Indian Ocean Race”, this they did and we assisted with the interpretation of the logo to be transferred onto garments.

Guy and Andrew are an inspiration to us all! They somehow continued to do their day job and trained to take on such a feat! We were delighted to contribute to helping these lads achieve their goal! I did think they were MAD to attempt such a gruelling challenge. But I think in this world a little madness goes a LONG WAY in our business so why NOT play our part in their SUCCESS !!!

Pino Grillo, Managing Director, Great Branding Company out.

Hi everyone, what a tough week it's been, rowing like bastards!  We're only getting about 6 hours off at the moment so I need to be quick, I've got to sleep.  Hope you are all OK.  Last Friday we saw a Blue Whale - the most incredible thing I have ever seen. The size of a bus, just incredible.  Apart from that just been cracking on with the rowing, really excited about getting to the 1000 miles to go mark and can't wait to get to Mauritius!  Lots of positive thoughts on board.  Thanks again to everyone for looking at the blog, please keep putting your messages on there - can't wait to read them all when we get home.  Just a few messages...congratulations to Mike Moss from MSS (our title sponsor) on his newborn - Andy and I are really excited for you. Trumpet- we will keep plodding on, in the style of the Berlin marathon.  Dione - can't believe you are coming out to see us in Mauritius - hearing that you were coming really put a smile on my face during my last set. Darren from Paragon - thanks for your supportive message.  Fiona and Simon - thank-you again for mentioning the incredible effort our team have been making, we have got a really good group of girls helping us back home. Also thanks to Angus from Architectural Plants for your great guest blog.  Can't wait to read all of these messages when we get back! Alright guys, time for bed I think. Guy out Click here to donate money for the fight against the spread of male cancers and support Orchid, the boys chosen charity. To follow our progress please go to the official Woodvale Challenge site.

A fantastic few days as Andrew and Guy work harder than ever. The conditions are now lighter. Overnight the boys rested up well, sleep an important element of the regime onboard Flying Ferkins. Guy under continued pain in his nether regions (bloggers note: please no more 'balls out' on the comments! waa ha 'bit more'). May take a chance to clean the boat as the sea calms. A big thank you to Jackie at The White Horse Inn in Storrington, David Harding the landlord at the Boars Head Tavern, Horsham and finally to Mark Pav! All have worked hard to promote the boys efforts and generated money towards Orchid. Distance made West: Saturday 18th July 49nm Sunday  19th July 34nm Please keep those comments coming fellow blog friends. Tom out. Click here to donate money for the fight against the spread of male cancers and support Orchid, the boys chosen charity. To follow our progress please go to the official Woodvale Challenge site.

Press play to start. The 750 mark mentioned in the podcast has been well broken as they have now passed the 600 mile mark. Bloggers, keep those positive comments, questions, jokes, comments coming! Guy out Click here to donate money for the fight against the spread of male cancers and support Orchid, the boys chosen charity. To follow our progress please go to the official Woodvale Challenge site.

Hello it's me thought I'd do my bit of the blog today together with my list of things to bring out! All is good on Flying Ferkins, we've been making good ground putting in the hours rowing, we're burning the miles rowing to the 500 mark as quick as we can and ready to push from there.  The food consumption is around 6000 calories a day and the rations are looking good  and we've had some good sleep.  The weather is looking good for the week and our spirits are high. We heard a whale last night blowing through his blow hole couldn't see him though but he was very close,  quite eerie it was very calm last night light and variable conditions - so that was quite exciting.  At first we couldn't work out where he was coming from. Chorlty I blundered Alan Partridge is not on the iPod - I will make up for it by watching him when I get back!!  Is it really Cowes week soon...................! Thank you everyone for all your support it's really keeping us going especially when the conditions have been awful.  Not a lot else to report so I will give you my list of things to bring - Mum Angel cake please, family size of course, in your hand at the finishing line!! Andrew out Click here to donate money for the fight against the spread of male cancers and support Orchid, the boys chosen charity. To follow our progress please go to the official Woodvale Challenge site.

Hey Guys, Hope all you bloggers are well. As you know we are now under the 450nm mile mark and absolutely thrilled to be on the home stretch.  Andy and I are enjoying the rowing conditions which are relatively calm with the weather a big improvement on the storms we have experienced over the last 3 months. Andy and I have now broken into our last pack of Haribo and have some meals coming up which we have been saving as special treats.  Can't tell you how much we are looking forward to standing on dry land although we both have some strange feelings and are coming to terms with the journey's end being in sight. As ever thank you for the messages of support which keep rolling in.  Particularly of late I would like to mention Gareth [looking forward to meeting Max!] Evans, I'm sure I'll be popping into Paragon to say hello to you guys. Also, a big thank you to everyone making generous Orchid donations Patricia Law, Mary Pascoe, Michael Fillery, John Leiper, Deirdre Pope, Dione Calnan and Frances Bryan to name a few.  I have asked Mum and Dad to bring my laptop out with them so I hope to be e-mailing as soon as I have it set up. Better get back to it, although these long stints are not helping our sore bots! Thanks again and keep the comments coming. Guy out. Click here to donate money for the fight against the spread of male cancers and support Orchid, the boys chosen charity. To follow our progress please go to the official Woodvale Challenge site.

We're really so pleased to be making such fast progress all spirits are high on Flying Ferkins.  The mileage not as good today as we were caught in a current that tried to send us south, but we're back on track and we are still ahead of Southern Cross which is the main thing. No we can't smell food on land yet! But the closer we get to land the more bird life is appearing  - I believe there are lots of birds on Mauritius - an Albatross would be good to see -  so if we get time we could do a bit of twitching!! We both keep thinking of all the things we need bought out to Mauritius - it's struck us how little we've got on board especially clothes! Thank you again to everyone who has given so generously to Orchid, we are amazed at the total - nearly £5,000 that's fantastic.  Looking forward to thanking everyone personally for all the amazing support we're getting it really has helped to keep us going. Andrew out Click here to donate money for the fight against the spread of male cancers and support Orchid, the boys chosen charity. To follow our progress please go to the official Woodvale Challenge site.