Well that's it folks, we've completed our first ocean row, albeit coastal, and have paid a deposit for our boat. Guess that means it's all getting more real now!

Despite windy and choppy conditions, the good ship Stella (aka Kylie!) set out from Hamble Point Marina last weekend (courtesy of MDL Marinas) and we have to tell you that the 3.5 hours simply flew by. Neither of us suffered from any seasickness and we had a good row up Southampton Water into the wind, with a much quicker passage back to Hamble again with the wind behind us! 

As normal we learnt a huge amount from the experience. Firstly that youcan't fully recreate Atlantic conditions to train in, except in the Atlantic. Secondly, that it will take more than two of us to get the boat on and off the trailer, and that we are likely to need someone on boart to help us steer - when it's  blowing a cross-wing hooley, you really need both rowing seats full! Thirdly - that we both absoultely love it!

Over a beer or two and some tall tales from the Atlantic 4 team, we handed over our deposit cheque and are now negotiating our payment schedule - so if you know anyone who would like to 'show us some money' for the purchase, please point them in our direction.

The media frenzy continues wiht coverage in the Chester Chronicle and Standard, and another radio interview for Rachel on Dee 106.3. She's still plucking up the courage to listen to that one. We've also seen the news clip from Granada TV and were really pleased with it. We een looked vaguely competent in the double scull for the 'action' shots. Lin also made her first foray into radio with an interveiw for Lantern FM in Devon, promoting the fun day that we ran there.

Unfortunately the fun day did suffer form a lack of support by the local village community and, although it was supported by those from further afield, the profits are negligible. But we simply apply our own principles and ask what we got out of it, apart from a ton of fluffy toys for the next event!

Taking the positives, money is still coming in and the event got lots of coverage in the North Devon Journal. We signed our first autographs (a very wierd feeling!) and know that we've raised good awareness of Breast Cancer Care and our project in the area. We firmly believe that we have to try these things and that some will be better than others. As long as we take something positive from the experiences, then they are worthwhile.

Most important of all, Lin had just taken delivery of our new car. A lovely (and huge!) SsangYong Rexton for towing. Kindly donated by SsangYong UK, we have the use of the car to help move both us and the boat around the UK. It's pretty striking with all the livery on the sides and gave Lin a great first experience of towing, moving the boat from Cirencester to Devon and on to Hamble. Check out www.syukcars.co.uk for more details fo the Rexton.

The Monster Rexton!

Anyway, we're off to film Ready Steady Cook on 31 August, which should be great fun, although a bit nerve wracking as we're not used to being on TV. But it's a great chance to promote the row and Breast Cancer Care - and we get £100 for the funds, whoever wins!

Question of the Month - What will the Atlantic be like when you go?

Most people imagine the Atlantic to be cold and rough, certainly this is true of the Northern part of the Ocean. But our crossing will be at a much lower latitude, between the Canaries and Antigua, where the sea state and temperature is quite different.

Instead of the short, changeable, choppy coastal seas, seen around the UK, we're more likely to see huge rolling swells, travelling in the same direction. Apparently the sea is far more blue there than it is here. The temperature will be pretty high most of the time, making the interior of the cabins heat up to 40-50 degrees Celsius - so dehydration could be a problem even when we're not rowing.

It will still rain and storms of varying strength are highly likely from time to time. The huge waves are not to be underestimated either as any lack of concentration when rowing could cause a problem.

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