Charlie Pitcher Again

 

Charlie made it! He was successful in achieving the fastest crossing of the North Atlantic by a solo rower – 35 days in all.

I think it will be a very long time before his record will be broken, perhaps never. Charlie has proven himself to be extremely fit, totally dedicated and committed; he is a person who overcomes against the odds.

Links

Charlie Pitcher breaks solo rowing ocean record

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-21768962

Charlie Pitcher’s World Record finish

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/charlierowsatlantic/4840420/Charlie-Pitchers-World-Record-finish.html

Essex: Rower Charlie Pitcher smashes Atlantic Ocean world record

http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/local/braintree/10286730.Essex__Rower_Charlie_Pitcher_smashes_Atlantic_Ocean_world_record/ 

Charlie Pitcher’s Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/charlie.pitcher

Bremont to support transatlantic solo row

http://www.retail-jeweller.com/news/bremont-to-support-transatlantic-solo-row/5044374.article?referrer=RSS

Charlie Pitcher on Twitter

https://twitter.com/charliepitcher

Charlie Pitcher breaks world record for his solo row across Atlantic

http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/Charlie-Pitcher-breaks-world-record-solo-row/story-18414226-detail/story.html#axzz2NX6H6Hcq

Charlie Pitcher’s World Record finish

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/charlierowsatlantic/4840420/Charlie-Pitchers-World-Record-finish.html

Charlie Pitcher

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/charlie-pitcher.html

The Darling Buds of May

 

Hawthorn or May Tree

 

When I was a kid the view from my bedroom window was of a rural scene. At the bottom of the garden which my father cultivated with vegetables there was an expansive meadow. On the far side there was a brook that was hedged in by a miscellany of bushes and small trees. Halfway between an orchard where the brook turned to the south and a wooden pedestrian bridge further to the south, there was a ford where cows could lap cool, clear water.  Right next to this haven of refreshment for the herd there was a most wonderful May Tree that never failed to blossom in the month of May.

The tree was nothing more than a Common Hawthorn, but it was impregnable, being one of the few trees I could not climb because of long vicious thorns protecting it from my advance. Even cows kept clear of it, but it was magnificent when in bloom. I can't remember the tree blossoming as early as March, and yet this has become more common for Hawthorns in present times, perhaps due in part to there being a general trend towards warmer winters leading to warmer springs – this year bucking the trend.

Because of recent cold weather I am surprised how buds are pressing forth from greenery in my garden, and I am reminded that spring can’t be all that far away, despite snow flurries throughout the day. The phrase, ‘The darling buds of May’, came to mind; May being the May Tree, rather than the month of May.

How I would love to see that cherished May Tree of my youth; the beautiful tree that confirmed it was nearly time to, ‘Cast a clout when May is out’.

Links

The Darling Buds of May

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/108210.html

The Darling Buds of May

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Darling_Buds_of_May

H. E. Bates

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._E._Bates

Hawthorn (May Tree)

http://www.shee-eire.com/Herbs%2CTrees&Fungi/Trees/Hawthorn/Factsheet1.htm

Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crataegus_monogyna

The Worship of Trees - Hawthorn

http://www.controverscial.com/Hawthorn.htm

Never Cast a Clout Until May Is Out

http://idiomation.wordpress.com/2010/03/30/never-cast-a-clout-until-may-is-out/  

Sir Ranulph Fiennes and the Coldest Journey on Earth - Part2

 

Not as cold here as it is there!

If things go badly wrong with the Antarctica Expedition people will wag fingers and say, “We told you so!”

In an article* posted to this blog on 20^th January, 2013 I expressed my concern that success of the Expedition was entirely dependent upon the reliability of equipment.  A failure of one or both of the mobile support vehicles would put lives at risk. Was it worth taking the risk to obtain scientific knowledge? I suppose it depends on how vital that knowledge is to mankind.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes has dedicated the last five years of his life to the Coldest Journey on Earth Expedition, partly motivated by his own desire to achieve another record for being first to do something. He was first to circumnavigate the world along the polar axis. Apart from Charles Burton, his companion for the adventure, no other person has done it. With Mike Stroud, in 1992/93 he was first to complete an unsupported crossing of the Antarctic Continent, and he has done many other intrepid ventures.

Fiennes planned to ski 2,000 miles across Antarctica in front of two support vehicles and sled cabooses manned by a team of five people; thereby achieving another record for being first. Even more remarkable, this incredible feat of endurance would have to be done in total darkness during a South Polar winter when temperatures could drop to -90 degrees Celsius.

This was not to be, because when training at base camp he had a fall, and it was necessary for him to fix a ski binding. He could not do it without removing a glove which caused him to suffer frostbite to fingers of his left hand. The 68 year old adventurer was transported on a skidoo to Princess Elisabeth Station 70 kilometres away; from there he was taken by plane to Novo and on to South Africa.

Back in the UK he speaks of his frustration at not being able to lead the Expedition in person, which task has fallen to Ian Prickett. Fiennes is dedicated to making sure two other objectives of the Expedition are achieved, namely fundraising for ‘Seeing is Believing’, which is a charity that has helped 31 million people to have affordable treatment for preventing them from going blind, and the other objective is to link with 43,000 schools and colleges who will follow the Expedition through a Microsoft platform that is continuously updated by cloud technology.

The Expedition starts the trek on 20^th March, and my prayer is as before, that no one will die..

*Sir Ranulph Fiennes and the Coldest Journey on Earth (Part 1)

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/sir-ranulph-fiennes-and-coldest-journey.html

Links

Ranulph Fiennes pulls out of Antarctic challenge

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21571870

Sir Ranulph Fiennes 'very frustrated' after returning from Antarctic trek

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/04/frostbite-sir-ranulph-fiennes-antarctic

Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes returns from Antarctic - video

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2013/mar/04/explorer-sir-ranulph-fiennes-returns-antarctic-video

Ranulph Fiennes

http://www.ranulphfiennes.co.uk/

The Coldest Journey on Earth

http://www.ranulphfiennes.co.uk/page/7939/article/406

Seeing is Believing

http://seeingisbelieving.org.uk/

Ain’t Going Nowhere Today

 

The photo says it all. I ain’t going nowhere!

Well, you know what I mean, except you also know that grammatically, two negatives make a positive. In this instance, however, I really mean I am staying put. I am not venturing outside.

I’m sure I’m not the only pensioner intent on staying at home today. Not so very far from here there have been six fatalities on the roads and the police attribute them to freezing conditions that caused black ice which in turn caught out drivers of motor vehicles.

It is obvious that some local pavements are treacherous because of ice. Therefore I shall not partake of my daily walk until there is a thaw. Meanwhile I can have another stab at Andrew Marr’s, ‘History of the World’, which has a rather dull presentation of past events. In truth I am finding it hard going, but history is serious stuff, as Andrew points out. I’ll continue grappling with his book to understand his slant on things. I thought the BBC TV series was far better than the book.

I’m truly going nowhere at the moment. Ugh.

Links

Andrew Marr – History of the World (His book)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=andrew+marr+a+history+of+the+world&tag=mh0a9-21&index=aps&hvadid=1392381273&ref=pd_sl_79i2lldw8f_e

Andrew Marr’s History of the World

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Marr's_History_of_the_World

History of the World - Biblical and Scientific Perspectives

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/history-of-world-biblical-and.html

Demise of the Postage Stamp

 

Modern computers have transformed lifestyles in the ‘Western World’, i.e., in the US and Europe, nations that have influenced others. Emerging nations such as China and India are rapidly overtaking former giants by manufacturing electronic gizmos all dependent upon computers.

Without a doubt computers have made many things and practices obsolete, thereby causing millions of job losses. Computers programmed to control machines have drastically deprived people of their livelihoods. We see this in the vehicle manufacturing industry and in farming and the production of food.

In September, 2009 I made the point* that there will come a time when most postboxes will have disappeared. As we depend less upon traditional letter writing and become more dependent upon the electronic transfer of information, so the need for stamps will disappear; indeed several countries have postal systems where stamps have almost become obsolete.

Instead of stamps being used to affirm that payment has been made for the transfer and delivery of post, printers in workplaces, Post Offices and in the home will print the information required on adhesive tags for sticking to envelopes or packages. Mail for delivery will be taken in person to handy distribution points, perhaps based at supermarkets or out-of-town malls. There will be no need for traditional postage stamps.

Philatelists will feel the loss more than most of us who perhaps seldom glance at varied and wonderful designs found on stamps from countries and provinces throughout the world.

Links

*Post Boxes

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2009/09/post-boxes.html

The Age of Communication

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/the-age-of-communication.html

FA Cup Quarter Finals Everton v Wigan

 

As a rule, football is of little interest to me, but this afternoon I had moments to spare, and I felt like chilling out. I wanted to relax by do nothing. There on TV, up came Everton versus Wigan in the FA Cup Quarter Finals.

As the game progressed I was drawn more and more into it. Wigan had the upper hand, and after 30 minutes Figueroa heads the ball into the Everton net. A minute later Callum McManaman scores Wigan’s second goal - not satisfied with that, Jordi Gomez made it three nil!

After that the game got dirty with Everton players fouling opponents. The Everton Captain Neville appealed to his team to calm it down, and so the score remained unchanged until halftime.

In the second half Everton got into a better stride and put pressure on Wigan, but things did not go their way. Wigan conceded several corners, but Everton failed to score. Seventy minutes into the game, Miyaichi was floored by Mirallas. The Wigan player was injured badly by the tackle and had to be taken off on a stretcher. James McArthur replaced him. A few moments later I was sure Mirallas scored for Everton, but he was judged to be offside by the linesman. By then many Evertonians had left the stands because of their team’s lack of performance on their own ground at Goodison Park.

The final score was Wigan 3, Everton 0, leaving the victors high on adrenaline, unable to wait for the semi-final. The vanquished team forlornly left the stadium to the sound of booing from disgruntled punters.

I felt sorry for the losers because they had made a good effort in the second half, and I believe they did not deserve a kick in the face.

If I had to make a decision as to who was the MVP (Most Valuable Player) I would choose Arouna Koné, the Wigan striker. 

Links

Goodison Park

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodison_Park

Everton Football Club

http://www.evertonfc.com/

Wigan Athletic FC

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wigan_Athletic_F.C

DW Stadium (Home of Wigan Athletic FC)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DW_Stadium

Arouna Kone

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arouna_Kon%C3%A9

Sunday, 27^th June 2010 – a brief mention of the England v Germany match

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/06/sunday-27th-june.html

MVP

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/most-valuable.html

Charlie Pitcher

 

Position 20 days ago

I last mentioned Charlie on Saturday, 16^th February, that was 20 days ago. He was well on his way to arriving at the halfway point between La Gomera and Barbados in his attempt at achieving the fastest time for rowing the Atlantic alone from east to west.

He had a very bad point around halfway when the weather became contrary and the sea was aggressive. His boat was rolled, but he survived unscathed, apart from a few things being out of place.

His blog for today hides no secrets. His trusted Autopilot packed up, but he managed to link it to a spare. I think he has about 400 miles to go, and maybe the spare Autopilot will hold out until then.

Position today

Apparently he is making good progress and there’s every chance he will achieve the record crossing. Meanwhile he has a very painful bottom to which he applies Arbonne Herbal Nappy Cream for treating saltwater sores.

Unlike his previous row across the Atlantic, he has not seen a single ship, and he is feeling pretty lonely, but he thinks he will be home and dry in less than a week.

The charities he is supporting by raising funds are the C-Group and Great Ormond Street Hospital. 

Links

Transatlantic Solo

http://transatlanticsolo.com/

Charlie Pitcher to Row the Atlantic Again!

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/charlie-pitcher-to-row-atlantic-again.html

Topical Maritime Happenings

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/topical-maritime-happenings.html

Boat Chitchat

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/boat-chitchat.html

‘JJ – Insure and Go’, Charlie Pitcher Atlantic Rower

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/jj-insure-and-go-charlie-pitcher.html

Congratulations Charlie Pitcher, Atlantic Rower

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/congratulations-charlie-pitcher.html

Charlie’s Great Ormond Street Fund-raising Website

 http://www.bmycharity.com/transatlanticsolo2013

Charlie’s C-Group Fund-raising Website

 http://www.bmycharity.com/transatlanticsolo2013

Could it be Spring?

 

Could spring have sprung early for 2013? Officially the first season of the year doesn’t start until March 20^th. Spring is a joyful season full of promise. Every year I cling to the cliché and I hope for an even better summer.

Yesterday was very springlike. Birds were chirping, and our resident collared doves were up their antics. I even saw a wren which was very unusual. At the beginning of the week a goldfinch was eyeing up the tree on the front lawn, possibly with a view to acquiring real-estate. Nest building is a priority for goldfinches at this time of year - for a cosy home must be completed before May when it will be time for laying eggs.

This evening brought drizzle and the weatherman forecasts a cool wet spell for the next few days. In view of this, there are two ways of looking at yesterday: One - a day of future promise, very much like an engagement ring given to a bride to be; or Two - a false lover who gives nothing, but promises hope when there is none.

I am choosing the token of love, a golden ring promising hope for golden summer days.

Links   

Goldfinch

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/goldfinch/index.aspx

Wren

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/w/wren/index.aspx

Collared Dove

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/collareddove/index.aspx

Collared Doves

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2009/07/collared-doves.html

The Dove an Emblem of Hope

 http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/the-dove-emblem-of-hope.html

New Beginning

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2005/03/new-beginning.html

Window Cleaning

 

The wonderful spring weather has spurred me on to clean the windows of my house. An area of high pressure centred over the south of England has brought a glorious day of sunshine, and little wind. Such conditions are ideal for cleaning windows.

If it’s windy, climbing a ladder can be risky. One could be blown off it and suffer a bad injury, or even be killed. No one in their right mind cleans exterior windows when it is raining, or when there’s moisture in the air. Dampness prolongs the drying process of the liquid cleaning agent. Therefore make hay while the sun shines and clean your windows too!

When I was a kid I cleaned the windows of the house where I lived with newspaper and methylated spirits. It was quite effective.

I like Mr Muscle, a cleaning agent which is specially formulated for household surfaces, including glass, but not finished wood. Using the trigger action pump, I spray the stuff onto a pane, and then vigorously remove it with a duster. To improve the finish I thoroughly polish the glass with a second soft duster.

While I’m doing the windows I also clean their frames, but with water to which I add a small quantity of Flash Clean and Shine All Purpose Cleaner.

For as long as I am able to climb a ladder I shall continue cleaning the windows of my house. If the day comes when I can’t do them I’ll employ a local window cleaner.

Links

Mr Muscle

http://www.mrmuscleonline.co.uk/kitchen/window_glass.html

Flash Clean and Shine All Purpose Cleaner

http://flashcleaner.co.uk/en_UK/apc-cleanshineliquid-crisplemon.do

Windolene (I also like this for cleaning windows.)

http://www.ciao.co.uk/Windolene__72254

Methylated Spirits

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Methylated-Spirits/invt/600343

Reliable Window Cleaner Covering South East Essex

http://www.reliablewindowcleaner.co.uk/  

Make Hay While the Sun Shines

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/make-hay-while-the-sun-shines.html

Havens Hospices

 

I paid a visit to the local charity shop, Havens Hospices, and I must say the volunteers do an excellent job. They are always friendly, they always smile and they make you welcome. You won’t find any rubbishy stuff for sale, because everything is checked for condition and for cleanliness. Second-hand clothing is cleaned and pressed. Helpers take care with presenting goods. There’s never a cobweb to be seen, never any dust. At Christmas and Easter they have themed displays.

 

 

Profits go towards Havens Hospices: there's one for adults and one for children.

People of the village are very supportive by generously donating unwanted gifts, and all kinds of good quality second-hand articles. Whenever I’ve visited the shop, others have been there too, looking for bargains.

Havens Hospice opened in 1983, and since then staff and volunteers have sacrificially given time and love while caring for over 20,000 seriously ill people and their families.

Little Havens Hospice was opened in 1998 and over the last 14 years they have cared for more than 1,000 children with life limiting illness, that’s in addition to supporting their families.

The hospices have provided respite breaks, symptom control, psychological support and end-of-life care, catering for the needs of Southend-on-Sea, Castle Point and Rochford, comprising a population of approximately 330,000.

The Charity was founded on a Christian ethos, with the aim of providing care and support for families of all faiths and those with none.

Links

Havens Hospices

http://www.havenshospices.org.uk/

Havens Hospices Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/havenshospices

Havens Hospices Just Giving

http://www.justgiving.com/havens/  

JT’s Photoblog

 

If you love natural history you will enjoy exploring John Tompkins’s Photoblog. He is a keen photographer who is fascinated with birds and wildlife.

At this moment the wallpaper of my laptop is a photograph of a perky robin. I downloaded it from John’s blog*, and I saved it to the screen of my laptop. Fairly regularly, at intervals of about three weeks, John publishes a series of photos at his blog. Each set of photos is dated, and given a subject heading. Captions explain where and when photos were taken. John provides technical details, including the make of his camera, what lens he used and the setting for each shot.

In addition to being a naturalist, John is an author with the penname of John Gwynant. Kindle and paperback versions of his novels can be obtained through his book website** or his Amazon webpage.***

I got to know John through the Yahoo Small Sailboat Forum, of which he is a Moderator. When I had my 50/50 Paul Fisher canoe I met up with John for a day sail on the River Crouch. He brought along his junk-rigged open canoe. A couple or so years later he bought a Newbridge Coromandel which we sailed together from the Medway to Tollesbury.

Links

*JT’s Photoblog

http://www.jtsphotoblog.blogspot.co.uk/  

**John Gwynant

https://sites.google.com/site/johnjttompkins/home

***John’s Amazon Outlet

http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B005I55MA0

My Paul Fisher 50/50

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/photos-of-caleb-part-1.html

My Paul Fisher 50/50

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/photos-of-caleb-part-2.html

Saturday, 4^th September (Delivery trip aboard John’s Corribee)

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/saturday-4th-september.html

Yahoo! Small Sailboats Forum

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smallsailboats/  

Natural History

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalists