Eiffel Tower
I am not sure about the time there is a possibility it was under eighty hours if not it was a fraction over. Everyone is feeling elated and emotional. A sizable crowd from Guernsey met them on the bridge under an imposing Eiffel tower which was beautifully lit up. But after such a tough struggle a small rock would have been a welcome sight if it signalled the finish line.
I have enjoyed doing this log for you and the feedback you have passed on. These rowers and organiser are truly heros and lets not forget, The Multiple Sclerocis society are going to benefit and four days of pain and hardship could mean a better life for many sufferers in Guernsey. Well Done to each and everyone of the people involved and their partners who offered support.
Thanks for logging on, Good Night.
the fifth lock 24 miles from Paris
Approaching lock 4, 430 miles travelled
This morning Colin Fallaize gathered the troops and delivered one of his motivational speeches. He wants everyone to dig deeper and focus and also not to try and wind each other up or do anything which could upset the dynamic. He said they are close but one small mistake could ruin all of the hard work. The fourth lock is approaching and so far 430 miles have been covered leaving 50 to go. No one is taking it easy because they think the record is in their reach instead they want to make it as fast as they can to throw down the gauntlet to anyone else who wants to challenge it. Watch this space. I might see the doctor about this microphone rubbing now!
Past third lock on the Seine
Progress over night has been steady but perhaps not as fast as it could have been due to the problems.
There are about one hundred kilometres to go and three of the locks have now been passed.
Tiredness has gripped almost everyone now. But the end is in sight, its close enough to know the record is there for the taking, but there is enough water between here and Paris to cause problems, it only takes a couple of difficult lock transfers to go wrong for things to change.
Near to Rouen
But they are all confident and barring and accidents the goal should be achieved.
What I’d give for a good nights sleep right now, and I’m sure I am not alone.
The trip up past Rouen is beautiful the river is very still and there are small villages dotted along its banks. There has hardly been another boat sighted for hours and it has been really peaceful.
1/2 way to Rouen
Good progress is being made, there was some high drama a few hours ago when running repairs to the boat after it had hit some thing big. It left a large hole which was letting in a lot of water, there was no danger of it sinking but it made it heavier and harder to move.
Bodies are now very tired but as Colin Fallaize would say its now all about the top six inches. It’s a case of the brain telling the body to sort it out and get on with the job.
They are about half an hour on schedule at the moment but its not worth getting too excited because there is a long long way to go yet.
The texts have been still coming in and these messages have been passed on to as many people I can get hold off at any one time.
Matt Harradine who was suffering badly from sea-sickness is a new man. Whatever Dr Gee gave him everyone else will want now as well. I don’t know how he managed to row for his shifts but he did and it was a staggering performance and one to be admired. It’s the thing I am in awe of with this team, its their unwavering commitment to get the job done.
Last night it was so rough Liam from Spike rolled off the bench he was sleeping on and onto John the Rib Driver. That is definitely a rude awakening.
If this sort of weather continues the rowers will rock.
Karl Pederson said to tell you all its painful there’s a long way to go and hopefully the worst is behind us.
At this point they have travelled 220.13 miles, I cant be more exact I’m afraid.
Mouth of the Seine
What a night, the sea was terrible the rowers were heading into force four winds and the tide was against them. Changeovers were dangerous and if that wasn’t bad enough, the rudder broke which stopped them from steering properly. All this when everyone was absolutey knackered.
The two hours of time which they gained earlier has all been lost due to the appalling conditions. The rudder was mended at first light when the calm after the storm arrived but then another drama emerged - the boat suffered damage at the front. It's thought it hit a substantial object floating in the water. But now as we enter the mouth of the Seine, the sun is up and the sea has calmed.
After all that though the rowers are still pretty close to their target times and the new day has brought renewed enthusiasm. A bitch of a night is how one rower described the events.
We were hoping to film last night but conditions were so dangerous we had to abort for a few hours. No sign of a bacon sandwich yet, although it should be a baguette now we are in French Waters. As they reach the Seine the team have to really dig in and row faster to make the most of the tide flowing with them.
Middle of the English Channel
Still no Mermaids or Dolphins, everything under control we are just about to start moving across the shipping lanes.
The coast guards have just told other ships to make way for the rowers.
Thanks to people who have texted in their messages for the rowers, and also to those with sea-sickness remedies, especially those with rather strange sandwich types.
The rowers have definitely been helped by the texts as they know people at home are right behind them.
We may be out of contact soon for eight hours as we will be bang in the middle of the channel. Bye for now
Warren.
In line with Newhaven in the middle of the English Channel
After one particularly punishing session the team asked for permission to alter course and cross the channel into French waters, but the French had told them before they weren’t going to allow them to cross the shipping lanes. But the Dover coast guard came to the rescue after giving the challenge his support. And the French authorities changed their minds. It proved a real morale booster for the team.
Filming is going well although it is in the hardest conditions we have ever operated in. But if it was easy it wouldn’t be as satisfying when we eventually finish.
The guard boat with the problems is alright now. And morale, which was ebbing is now back up. Time for a spot of lunch, a bacon sandwich no doubt as that’s all we have on our boat!!
Just past Dover
After saying how well everyone was earlier, now sea sickness has kicked in, quite a few people have been sick myself included. The early hours of the morning were eventful, one of the guard boats lost on board power and water but this is being sorted out. Progress is good they are pretty much bang on schedule. I’d love to say we have seen schools of dolphins, a mermaid and glorious sunshine, but none have been spotted. The weather has been a bit bleak, damp and grey. There have been some testing conditions, but the rowers seem to love it. There were some huge tankers around as they left the Thames estuary and entered the channel. They have gone about ninety five miles now still a few to go!
Just outside the Thames Estuary
As for the two of us filming we are soaked and cold and hope to get a hot drink in about an hour.
As I type we are leaving the Thames estuary and heading for the English Channel.
The official line is that the team is doing well but they mustn’t get over excited or complacent.
So far they have travelled fifty three miles. Its very dark.
I will try and get back to you before the morning.
Thames
Big Ben was showing 1.03 as the first team passed under Westminster bridge. A Guernsey flag was flying from it and along the way it seemed like hundreds of people were shouting support for the team.
Already lots of people have texted in with their messages.
The first change over happened with out too much fuss around the four mile mark.
It was harder than they expected as a strong tide was flowing against them but everybody is in good spirit.
There have been plenty of famous land marks to see along the way and the rowers reported seeing a few unmentionables in the water.
I will get back to you as soon as I can which will be a bit later today. Cheers for now.
Warren