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Writer's pictureelliereynolds

24hrs on Sarabi

Wondering what it is really like to spend 24 hours on the boat? Read on...


I took this from my journal from an overnight weekend row we did out of Exmouth. This is [almost] unfiltered; it's an honest account of the motions and emotions of a training row.


11:45-14:15 = on the oars. Rain and choppy water. Shift was longer than 2hrs because we had a little palaver where the rudder stopped moving. We guessed there must be something wrapped or caught on it so we anchored up, Viki jumped in to look underneath and I went into the cabin to sort it out. Only to find the tiller arm of the autohelm stuck on when it shouldn't have been! An easy fix, although we really should have double checked that first. Good experience I guess.


14:15-16:15 = off shift. Lunch was a chicken korma and rice from Expedition Foods - very tasty. Winner winner chicken dinner. Chilled out on deck, watching the coastline fade away.


14:15-16:15 = off shift. Lunch was a chicken korma and rice from Expedition Foods - very tasty. Winner winner chicken dinner. Chilled out on deck, watching the coastline fade away. time, although credit to those 5hrs in is a decent PB for her! I was reaching the end of my shift when I started thinking about dolphins. I'd heard someone say they are the pigeons of the sea, so I was baffled and sad to not have seen any yet. Then lo and behold I saw a fin! At first I thought it could only be wishful thinking, but it was a very real fin! Manifesting them worked!

18:15-20:15 = the dolphin watching rest shift! Couldn't have been timed more perfectly! It was a giant pod of maybe a hundred. I actually think they were probably porpoises, given their size. I stood at the stern just watching in wonder. I was totally mesmerized by them jumping in the waves and diving under the boat! It was absolutely magical 🥹 I don't think I will ever get bored of them. So special. Wow. These are the moments that make the tough ones worth it.


20:15-22:15 = row. Lots of deep belly laughs and the time flew by. Happy days!


22:15-00:15 = sleep. Actual sleep! Straight lining it to the other side of Lyme Bay so no need to keep checking or changing a bearing, no boats around to set the AIS alarm off, and quiet on the radio. Managed to have a wipe down and change my top but the minute I sit up in the cabin I feel very sick, so I'll have to do the legs next break.


00:15-02:15 = rowing. Horrible. SOO dark. Spent most of the shift in silence trying to focus on one point of light near Portland and trying to breathe deeply enough not to be sick. I held on for a long time, not wanting to chunder but also sort of wanting to in the hope that might make me feel better. Shortly before my shift was done the vomit came. No time to reach Terence; it went over the side. How ungraceful. I haven't beeen properly sick in I reckon at least a year and I forgot how disgusting it is. The korma came back burning lol. I did briefly feel better but that didn't last long.


02:15-04:15 = rest. No energy to clean... head hit the pillow (i.e. my bag) and I was out like a lightbulb. Think I got a solid 1h45 sleep!


04:15-06:15 = row. Thankfully there was enough light in the sky to be able to make out the horizon, but still feeling pretty rotten. I am really quite concerned about how many hours of darkness we are going to have on the Atlantic.


06:15-08:15 = rest. Slept for an hour and a half then got up to wash. Planned to have a proper breakfast but could only stomach a pack of Aldi hula hoops.


08:15-10:00 = row. Had to row hard and 3up to get into the marina before the tide turned. It was a bit sketchy turning into the harbour gate with the wind and strong current, and then manoeuvring into the berth was tense. Thankfully we didn't have an audience this time!


Another successful outing ticked off! If you enjoyed this and want the raw content in real time, you'll find it all on Instagram @theresherows / @ellies.row.journal :)

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