Getting the use of this vehicle has made a world of difference to our campaign and thanks go again to SsangYong for helping out. (www.syukcars.com).

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This brings me nicely onto the subject of our trip to the Southampton Boat Show. Originally we intended to visit on press and preview day to call in on existing sponsors and try to find some new one. But one chance meeting led to another and we had to go back the following day.

Exhausting though it was, we made some potentially valuable connections and were able to update existing supporters on our progress. We're currently following up leads on footwear, emergency beacons, life jackets, waterproof storage and clothing. Plus an introduction to the show organisers and information on how to get the boat and our challenge to be part of other boat shows.

We met up with Ant Webb from BoatQuays, who is going to supply our 'Rowlocks' on board and help with transport when we need it. Plus we caught up with Avon Inflatables who are suupplying our life raft and MDL Marinas who have offered us use of all 18 UK marinas to help us with training and storage.

B the end of the second day we were physically and mentally wiped out. It can be a real challenge to keep your motivation up and really 'sell yourselves' over and over again. Now we've just got to buckle down and follow up the leads!

But we'll both be taking time out in October - to watch our appearance on BBC2's Ready Steady Cook. Make sure you tune in or set your videos to find out who wins this highly competitive programme! Will the Green Pepper (Rachel) or the Red Tomato (Lin) walk away with the special Gold Envelope? Does either contestant manage to injure themselves on the extra sharp knives, look like a fool on national TV, or mix up the answer to their questions? All will be revealed, so make sure you're watching!

So what else are they up to? Lin went along to the Breast Cancer Care Pink Aerobics in Hyde Park on 24 September - to show support and meet up with Dee Caffari, the first woman to sail solo round the world the 'wrong' way. An incredibly normal but brave woman, Dee was very enthusiastic about the challenge - even if like others, she called us mad - and Dee has kinly agreed to be interviewed for our video footage that we hope to use in a documentary.

Rachel will be going to the Chester Literature Festival to meet up with James Cracknell and Ben Fogle, when they launch their book on 10 October. With a photo shoot on the day and one prior to the event involving fitness machines - yikes!

The rowers have also just received a personally recorded message of support from non other than Dame Ellen McArthur. It's a real honor to receive the message and a huge boost to the ongoing campaign.

Question of the month - What qualifications do you need to take part in the race?

All rowers must complete the (extremely challenging) RYA Ocean Yachtmaster Shorebased course, taken over just 5 days. In addition there is First Aid at Sea, RYA Sea Survival and the VHF short wave radio licence, all of which take one day to complete.

On top of this, rowers need to complete a minimum of 48 unbroken hours on an ocean rowing boat, including night times. So far Lin and Rachel have completed around 6 hours rowing over 3 trips.

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