Chris Martin and Mick Dawson are almost across the Pacific Ocean. They started rowing 182 days ago and have covered a staggering 4,888 miles so far. They have less than 200 miles to go.

They have made an average progress of 27 miles a day on their attempt to be the first ever unassisted crossing of the Pacific Ocean, Unfortunately  food supplies have run very low, they are now surviving on a few biscuits a day and only 4 hot drinks.

I don’t think any of us can imagine how tough this is ! On top of the food shortages, some cruel winds and currents have blown the boat away from shore over the last few days. The target is now further away. It must be really sole destroying. There progress can be followed on http://www.goldengateendeavour.com

 

Mike Martin and I emailed them this poem last night, it was written half way up Mount Everest by Sir  Edmond Hillary. Whom I am sure could have understood the torment and suffering these two lads are going through.

I think this poem is great motivator  when the going gets tough.

 

Breathless Sir Edmond Hillary

Written at 21,200 feet (6,500m) on 23 May 1953

Heart aches, lungs pant

dry air sorry, scant1.

Legs lift— why at all?

Loose drift, heavy fall.

Prod the snow easiest way;

a flat step is holiday.

Look up, far stone

many miles far, alone.

Grind breath

once more then on;

don’t look up

till journey’s done.

Must look up,

glasses dim.

Wrench of hand,

faltering limb.

Pause one step,

breath swings back;

swallow once,

throat gone slack.

Go on

to far stone;

don’t look up,

count steps done.

One step,

one heart-beat,

stone no nearer

dragging feet.

Heart aches,

lungs pant

dry air

sorry, scant.

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