Posted in: Pacific Row
San Jose, California A few months ago I blogged about Rebecca Hosking. After seeing the devastating effects of plastic pollution in Hawaii while she was making a TV documentary there, she returned to her home in the small Devon town of Modbury, determined to make a difference. She persuaded local shopkeepers to stop giving out plastic bags, and Modbury became the first officially plastic-bag-free town … Continued
Posted in: Pacific Row
Whitefish, Montana Two years have now passed since I set out to row solo across the Atlantic, as a nervous novice ocean rower – and it is time for the biennial race to launch once again. The Atlantic Rowing Race 2007 will start on December 2, from La Gomera in the Canaries. 22 boats are signed up to compete. Although of course I wish all the … Continued
Posted in: Pacific Row
Whitefish, Montana Did you know that the average American watches 2 hours of TV a day? If they went out for a bike ride instead, they would lose 10 pounds in a month. This is one of the blip-facts available on the website of a fellow adventurer who is pushing the boundaries. Greg Kolodziejzyk is preparing for his 2008 bid to cross the Atlantic ocean in … Continued
You might be interested to see this short video that was created for my presentation to the Brocade worldwide sales team (all 900 of them) a couple of weeks ago. It opens with a scene of me looking very weatherbeaten but very happy out on the Atlantic, and goes on to give an overview of what I’ve done, and why, and what my plans are … Continued
Posted in: Pacific Row
Seattle, Washington I am in the process of developing a new section of this website specially dedicated to school students and teachers. It will include suggestions for lesson plans, discussion topics and practical projects. Over the coming months I will be working with a few selected teachers from various schools across the world, but initially want to put out these questions to anybody reading this … Continued
Posted in: Pacific Row
Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii … the crew of the Hokule’a would not be the slightest bit bothered. This traditional canoe recently voyaged to Micronesia, Satwal and Japan, relying on traditional wayfinding methods using the stars, ocean swells, cloud formations and bird sightings to reach their destinations. [Click here for video] This morning I went to meet a student of this ancient art and take a look around … Continued
Posted in: Pacific Row
Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii Along with surfing, loud shirts, floral garlands and hula dancers, outrigger canoes are what Hawaii is famous for, so I felt it was important that I should give it a try in the hope of understanding better the culture of these far-flung islands. I am also deeply absorbed in a fascinating book on the ancient Pacific art of wayfinding – the method the Polynesians used to navigate … Continued
Posted in: Pacific Row
Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii This morning I went for a swim in the ocean – I am finding that the sting of the saltwater helps clear my blocked sinuses, at least temporarily. As I luxuriated in the clear blue waters washing up on a white sandy beach, I thought about the evil oily blight currently afflicting the San Francisco Bay. I first became aware of it last … Continued
Posted in: Pacific Row
Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii Yesterday morning, dosed to the eyeballs to mask the worst effects of my cold, I went to speak to a group of Girl Scouts in Kailua. A frighteningly long time ago, I was a Girl Guide myself (the British equivalent) and I used to love the challenge of working for badges and learning new skills. I especially loved Guide Camp, although it usually seemed … Continued
Posted in: Pacific Row
Kailua, Oahu Today I arrived in Hawaii, straight into the middle of my friend Mariya’s all-day birthday party. She lives about four doors away from the beach, so after a few hours of festivities I felt the pull of the ocean, and excused myself for a solitary walk along the beach in the dark. I took my shoes off and let the sand and surf … Continued