So what was the big push to the finish like?

Well first of all I need to explain what gave me the incentive or impetus to get off the para anchor & get going. There were a number of factors:

First, was the fact that the wind was set to increase & would have seen me struggling to get in before the weekend. I'd set my heart on having at least a 7-10 day break in Antigua to recuperate before returning to the UK. It seemed only fair to get some break as a reward for all my hard work at the end of the trip.

Second, having finished the John Ridgeway & Chay Blyth book I felt that I was being too easy on myself, needed to put more effort in & see just how far I could push my body & mind.

Third, I just felt that I'd been out long enough, I missed Amanda & my competitive side didn't want the remaining pair, Boogie Woogie, to catch me.

Having decided to go for it I knew that I wouldn't have much chance to take a break so I prepared some snacks, drinks & wet food packs I could grab whilst on the oars or to stop, stand up to stretch for five minutes whilst I scoffed them down. All set, at 14:00 I pulled in the para anchor & it was full steam ahead with 53Nm to go. I made good progress overnight even against a stiff NE wind & informed Woodvale at 04:00 that I had 20Nm. During the night at around 38Nm to go I sighted the aurora of lights above two of the Caribbean islands, a comfort & exciting image that propelled me on. By first light I was pretty tired & the wind picked up & started pushing me towards the wrong piece of land. I could see two flashing beacons & within a short space of time it was evident that I was rapidly being swept towards them & the surrounding area; rock, reefs, I couldn't tell.

This was the most scared that I’d been on the whole trip & the thought of it all ending in disaster at this late stage chilled me. My whole body reacted to the impending danger with I guess a massive injection of adrenalin as I made a monumental effort to pull away from the land. I don’t know where I found the strength reserves from to do this but achieve it I did, coming to a stop once safely clear. Very relieved, I took a short break to get some food & drink inside me to help replenish my energy & to assess the new approach into Antigua.

The prevailing wind was away from the island so I had to fight all the way across a near beam sea, so very uncomfortable, slow & sapping of what strength I had left. I plugged away until I had 8Nm to go, which doesn’t sound much but this would have taken me a further 8 hours to complete at that rate. I called Simon Chalk from Woodvale to explain what had happened & to discuss the fact that I didn’t think I had the energy to head on my current course for that length of time. We agreed that I should turn parallel with the Island heading to the outer most extremity of the finish line. I estimated that this would take a further 2.5 hours, which in fact took nearer to 3.5 hours & had arranged that the ABSAR (Antigua Barbuda Search & Rescue) rib would meet me to tow me from the finish to the outer limits of the harbour. They came out & had to hang around as I painfully rowed the last 1000 strokes at a pitiful pace. I was very happy to accept ABSAR’s help & later on would donate all the unused medical supplies onboard for their future use to show my thanks.

The tow in gave me a chance to compose myself, clean up a little & to change into a pair of Union Jack boxer shorts that Hamish & Silvi Gaunt had provided me, agreeing to make a charity donation if I wore them at the finish, which I was happy to do so. Having been dropped off at the harbour entrance I followed ABSAR into the beautiful English Harbour, just the most perfect place to finish.

A number of rowers & supporters were on the headland with flares, shouting & waving, to which I gave a triumphant salute. More well-wishers came out in ribs, one blowing a horn whilst they all cheered & waved as they escorted me in. Many of the boats hooted their horns, clapped & cheered as I passed by, which I found increased the emotions welling up inside. I was amazed at the reaction I was getting from total strangers & felt very humble by the whole proceedings. Still struggling with a cross wind I followed the ABSAR rib around a corner until I could see the quay side reception group, shouting, waving & setting off more flares ….. absolutely the best sight I’ve ever seen.

I think I made good effort to come alongside the quay & stood up to acknowledge the marvellous welcome & to mark the completion of the epic trip. As I tied up I was showered with champagne from Simon before he passed me the bottle to drink from after which I poured some over the aft cabin of DiDi & kissed to show my thanks for bringing safely to shore.

I set an extremely wobberly foot onto the quay & into the arms at last of Amanda, a moment that I just can’t describe in words. Waiting beside Amanda were my good friends Keith & Hilary Shore from The Skiff Club who I was extremely happy to greet. I was then presented with a bottle of ice cold beer that was the best I’d ever, ever tasted & slipped down a treat, followed by a presentation of a bottle of 5 year old English Harbour rum, perfect!

After saying hello to a number of other well-wishers I was led to table where a plate of burger & chips was waiting, washed down by a rum punch cocktail …. it just got better & better. From there we went onto another bar where Simon supported me on his shoulders as I signed the roof for posterity. More beers ensued, a Caribbean curry & yet more beers until I finally crashed just after midnight, not a bad effort I thought.

And so on to recuperating the claw hands, withered leg muscles & swollen ankles after walking but all in all very minor ailments. Since landing I’ve had many messages of congratulations that still make me feel very humble in somewhat of a dreamlike state as if ‘what’s all the fuss about?’ In time I’m sure that it’ll all sink in but in the meantime thanks for all your kind words & I look forward very much to meeting up with many of you on my return to the UK next week.

Cheers

Rog LMRM