An update from Scott

I sit here writing this with cling film wrapped round my arm. Why? Because I’ve just had a tattoo.

It’s one of the few times where I sit still for a prolonged period of time and the mind wanders. The tattoo I’ve had is the final piece of a half sleeve that tells the story of my ‘Journey to Mount Elbrus’. The cycle, the row, the climb. It’s taken years to get around to finishing it and now that I have, it feels like some sort of closure.  No, that’s not the right word, but it signals the end of that adventure, which is timed nicely as the next one is soon to begin.

The Atlantic row has snuck up on me, and I’m sure the others probably feel the same way! People ask, “You must be doing a lot of training?” “How many hours a week are you rowing?” “What’s the toilet like…?”

Training? Of course! (I’m not Billy) but none of it is rowing. In fact, this time around I don’t intend to step foot on that rowing machine at all. The hours sweated away on that thing must have helped – at least that’s what I’ll tell myself, but I don’t feel I need to this time. I prefer to train by doing things I enjoy instead. Maintain a strong back, legs and core, and the technique of being at the oars will come. Besides, I reckon 40 days at sea will probably contain its fair share of rowing…Oh, and the bucket is great!

Most people will tell you that getting to the start line is the hardest part of any big adventure, I can testify that this really is true. But for me at least, it hasn’t been that way this time around. We really are a team and the work-load has been shared, headed up by Billy and Alex. They are after all, the Monkey Fisters…

That does leave me feeling a touch guilty though. Despite my efforts I haven’t brought a corporate sponsor on board and it seems like the local press have become bored of my antics and haven’t even printed a story of what we are doing! Of course, I have tried, but sometimes the right email just doesn’t reach the right person or the company that comes forward can’t actually supply what it is you need.

These are the reminders of how tough a game ‘adventure’ has become. Everyone and their dog is at it.  Brilliant, obviously, but it makes it that much harder to be unique and get that backing. BUT, the team have done wonderfully. By team I really do mean everyone. The team isn’t just the rowers, we are so lucky to have a group that are working together to achieve these goals. It really is something to be a part of, even with all their faults!

“Are you nervous?” Nope.

“Do think you’ll argue at all?” Absolutely.

“Do you poo over the side?” Hell no.

“Are there Sharks?” Yup. I’m hoping they are crime busters of the sea…

“Is the boat the same size as Pacific Pete?” (My boat for the Black Sea) No, it’s 6ft longer but the sleeping quarters are the same size.

“How much weight will you lose?” 10 kilo’s I reckon. Maybe I’ll see those abs one day!

“Won’t you be tired?” Of course!! No more than 90 minutes sleep at any one time.

This week also signals a huge stage in my little brothers own adventure. It will be the pass out parade for his Army basic training and I can’t wait. I already feel an enormous amount of pride in what he’s committed himself to doing, but this is just the beginning for him. He’s only 24 so has a few years on me, so the drive to stay fit gets stronger, I can’t very well have my little brother bringing the smackdown on me…

I can’t help but feel a little jealous, but then I’m on a different path and let’s face it, rowing across an ocean is pretty cool.

People are fascinated by what we are doing and sometimes you have to sit back and not be so… flippant about it…

anyone: “What’s the next adventure?”  me: “Got the Atlantic in January”

There was that one person at the Southampton boat show who, when told what we are doing, told us to go get a job. When it was explained that we do in fact have jobs, her reply was “Huh! You’re so big headed!”

Hilarious.

But for each and everyone one of you that supports us, asks questions, donates, reads these things and just takes an interest, thank you. It really does mean the world to us. A world that we will be rowing over 8000 miles around.

Wait, what?!  BILLY!!