Closer and closer
It is really hard not to get carried away and reflect on the expedition as if we are finished sitting in a bar on Barbados. We are all very aware that we still have alot to do and an important last few days ahead. I am writing this while twisted double in the bow cabin trying to escape from the heat. You can clearly feel that we are in the caribbean now. For me the best part of this expedition has been how well we have all got on with each other. We have all managed to have high spirits even through some very difficult times.
There are very different personalities on the boat but somehow it all seems to work. Due to last minute changes in the crew Steve and I met Al for the first time 9 days before we set off. It has been great to get to know him and learn about his many stories from his 4 year expedition cycling around the world.
I rowed with Al for the first 2 weeks during the dark times! The conversation was not great at that time as the occasional vomit would break the flow of the stories.
I know Marin well from our expedition to circumnavigate South Korea earlier last year. Marin is a very inteligent guy and english is his third language but he still manages to correct our spelling. While rowing with Marin I try to use his knowledge to learn about Quantum physics or even maybe the theory of relativity but unfortunatly the conversations at the oars normally end up on food and girls!
I know Steve from back at home in falmouth but have had the oportunity to get to know him alot better over the last few weeks. I cant decide if he is better to have as your rowing partener or not. If you are not rowing with him you get to see his sleep deprivation antics when you try to wake him or he wakes up early and asks if you are wearing your chicken suit. He is great to be rowing with as he never fails to come up with some interesting topics. I have been rowing with steve for over 2 weeks now and will most likely finish off the row at the oars with him. I have now learn most windsurfing moves and we have covered most topics from my favourite film to if i would prefer to be attacked and eaten by a group of badgers or squirrells!
What we have achieved over the last 40 days has not sunk in and im sure it wont until our feet are securely fixed on dry land in what now should be less than a week.
Simon and the TusMobil team
