Jo, one year on...
6 Jul 2010
Wow... so ONE YEAR on and over TWENTY THOUSAND pounds for Breast Cancer Care... THANK YOU..
I can't believe where the time has gone but yes it has been a whole year since we hit land after our epic journey across the Indian Ocean! So its time to reflect..
It is amazing how the body and mind recover so fast. people ask me.. how was it?.. how hard was it?.. what was the worst bit?.. did you ever think you were going to die?.. and you forget.. I forget that every time I woke up to get back on the oars I couldn't move my fingers as I thought they broken and would shatter as you grip the oars for the first 15minutes of the session. I forget there were times when I didn't want to sit on the rowing seat because my bottom was so bruised and sour. and you forget that at the end of the journey all I could think of nothing else but a nice warm cosy duvet because I was so so so cold wet and stormy.. within days of being back on land I could walk properly, my body have pretty much completely recovered (apart from my hands which took a bit longer to be able to clench shut)
Now I think back my view is tainted.. it wasn't that bad your mind definitely blocks the bad bits out and there are definitely days I would like to be back out there on the water.
People have been incredible generous in there praise and admiration for our achievement and of course in their giving to the charity. I have found it quite hard to take as there so many amazing people out there but I am very appreciative of the praise and very humbled.... As I have said a thousand time... 'if i can do it anyone can do it... you just have to want to do it.... and most people dont want to sit on a boat for 78 days and row non stop!' but I am very grateful for the experience and the chance to give something to charity and I do think it has give me an inner confidence and for all those time the waves came crashing over us and we were sitting there in hellish squally, stormy conditions cursing ourselves for signing up to this damn row.. the girls were right, it was character building!
I can not let this opportunity go by without saying a number of huge thank you...
Firstly to the Angels what a fabulous bunch.. I was so lucky to be part of an amazing team.. the girls are truly inspirational, we are all so different but we worked so well as a team. I would and could depend on them for anything.. They are true friends for life
Secondly My Family and Friends, Thanks to my parents and brother for being there at the start and finish lines they put up a lot and were more than you could possibly have wished for in support. The Gang.. Thanks! the best friends in the world, they send me messages and updates on the boat which were a constant lift and source of amusement. While on land they were always their in preparation and fundraising mode.
Thirdly to all those people who I did and didn't know and went the extra mile to put their face on the boat or put a couple of pounds in the pot to raise the amazing £20,000 for BCC Thank you!
In addition I must also thank Woodvale and of course our other race competitors. In Australia we have a great time with the other crews. We were truly gutted to hear of the withdrawals due to injury and damage to some of the other boats. I do thank our lucky (shooting) stars we made it across safely.. the ocean is a very humbling place. I can not begin to imagine the agony and pain of not being able to complete its 'the all consuming life challenge' that we had all put ourselves through.. good luck to all the other crews in what ever challenges they take on next, and well done to those who made it across. they were a superb bunch of people.
So what next (well that is what everyone keeps asking me).. Well nothing major for a bit I was very lucky that my firm Drivers Jonas (now DJDeloitte) kept my job open for me so I am back earning some money, whilst thinking up a new (slightly smaller, more land based) adventure.
Angel 3 (JJ)
