It’s been a week since Allan and Mhairi entered Newtown Creek on the Isle of Wight to seek shelter from the southerly winds. After 7 days going nowhere their spirits remain incredibly high and they have had time to reflect on The Long Row Home so far.

As well as the rowing they reflect on how the row is changing them and their outlook on life for when they return to life on land.

There is a fine balance between their desire to get moving again and the risk of pushing themselves in poor conditions, but there is hope on the horizon in a weather window coming that coincides with the tide very early on Monday morning.

Spoiler Alert – If you’ve been following Boudicea on YB Tracker then you’ll already know the next update wont becoming from Newton Creek – and we can all breathe a sigh of relief that Allan and Mhairi have made it back onto the oars again.

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Yesterday was Allan’s birthday.

Allan and Mhairi’s departure from Selsey got delayed by a snagged anchor which meant they missed the tide. So they spent a few hours doing boat maintenance and some housekeeping but were treated to an acrobatic spitfire display.

A couple of very special visits have really lifted their spirits. Allan’s brother and his family waved flags at them from the beach and Natasha from TB Tracker paddled out to say hello, followed by a display by the Red Arrows overhead.

But their need to find shelter from the impending weather means they have hurried on past Portsmouth and Cowes to anchor at Newton Harbour. Where they are expected to be at anchor for the next few days.

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Anchored off Selsey Bill, near the RNLI lifeboat station, Allan and Mhairi’s attention is suddenly drawn to their VHF radio as they hear a Mayday relay call about a boat in distress. The crew are preparing to abandon ship. Hearing this just drills home to them the reason why they are doing the Long Row Home and the importance of the charities they are supporting. Despite both being RNLI crew the rawness and impact of hearing a Mayday call can never be underestimated.

Their passage to Selsey has been another battle against the elements. Except this time it has been the heat and sunshine on top of the tide.

They are expecting a new weather system to arrive soon so are resting up before making for an all out push down the Solent which offers little in terms of shelter from southerly winds.

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After the last podcast update from near Cromer, Allan and Mhairi have whistled down and around Norfolk. Now they are entering some of the busiest shipping channels in the world as they pass the ports of Felixstowe and Harwich, before crossing the mouth of the Thames estuary and the channel pinch point at Dover.

Progress is dictated by the tides, which, in shallow water and over sandbanks can change the rowing conditions in an instant. With a 30 mile sea crossing to get across the Thames estuary, both are on the oars to try and make best speed navigating around the passing shipping.

South of the Thames they anchor down for some rest near Margate only to find there’s an all night beach rave happening – argh!!!

But another big corner has now been turned in The Long Row Home as they prepare to pass the White Cliffs of Dover and shoot along the south coast, with every oarstroke taking Allan and Mhairi just a little bit closer to home at Wick.

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From living the dream in our last update to fighting the weather again. Facing the worst conditions so far of their journey Allan and Mhairi continue down past the Las Vegas of Yorkshire, Scarborough they round Flamborough head and then set their sights on crossing across to Cromer.

But the wind and tide have other plans for them. The next few hours become a battle to catch the tide and make progress when they can despite rough seas breaking over them as they row.

When they realise they can’t make any more progress they drop anchor near Cromer, only to find they can’t lift again several hours later because of the conditions. Their spirits remain high and are looking forward to catching the next tide to whoosh them along.

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With both Allan and Mhairi on the oars and following tide Boudicea is flying south down the Yorkshire coastline. After a tough few days it’s great to be making good fast progress and not be wearing our waterproofs all the time.

These are the conditions that we dreamt of for The Long Row Home

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Allan and Mhairi managed to avoid a collision with a passing yacht, but instead they got hit by the dreaded seasickness. At anchor in a spot they lovingly describe as the Washing Machine, Allan, Mhairi and Boudicea are being tossed and turned around in all directions…and the cold sweats start to appear.

Thankfully, that didn’t last too long and visits from Tynemouth Lifeboat and a VHF chat with a fellow Wick Lifeboat volunteer who was on a passing workboat really lifted their spirits.

The last few days have had their peaks and troughs. A great row south from Holy Island but long spells on the oars against the tide has left them physically and mentally exhausted at times. A great row on Thursday had them flying south along the coast with calm winds and following tides which really lifts them as well as the support from the shore which is making a huge difference

Will we ever hear Allan on the oars?

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Still stuck at anchor at Holy Island Allan and Mhairi have had some time to reflect on the positive impact that everyones messages of support are making to them. They are making a massive difference. Being stuck at anchor and confined to the cabin when you want to be out rowing is really challenging, so please keep your support coming.

 The weather should be easing and they are hoping to catch the next tide south.

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After passing the 200 mile mark it’s time for Mhairi and Allan to celebrate with another bar of chocolate. But reaching this point hasn’t been easy and we join them hunkered down in the cabin.After passing St. Abbs head they pushed on to find shelter at Holy Island off the Northumberland coast.

The sea crossing to get there threw it all at them, big waves in the dark, surging tides pushing them on, visits from passing boats and Ross in his sea kayak who was heading north up the coast and stopped for a chat.

Getting into the safe anchorage at Holy Island was a battle against fast tides so they dropped anchor before they reached safety….only for it to drag along the seabed. So the big “Christmas” anchor had to come out to hold them fast.

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Lifting anchor just after 4am Allan and Mhairi have made a dash across the Firth of Forth, leaving Arbroath and heading south to St. Abbs head. The first few hours needed some careful navigation through a minefield of creel buoys. While Mhairi is on the oars (again!) Allan updates us on their position is about 6 miles offshore with moderate to rough sea conditions and takes joy at the beauty of the pre-dawn light breaking the horizon.

 But they are expecting more poor weather soon, this time from the south, so for now it’s get back into the routine of 2 hours on, 2 hours off, eat, sleep, rest and get as far south as possible before the next weather system comes in. How far down the coast can they get?

Track our progress with our Yellow Brick Tracker: https://www.thelongrowhome.co.uk/keep-track/

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Visit The Long Row Home online: https://www.thelongrowhome.co.uk/

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The Long Row Home podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio Ltd.