Following on from Saturday’s good news that I have been appointed an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, I’d like to make the most of this chance to say an enormous thank you to the (literally) thousands of people who have supported me in my endeavours since I first cast myself upon the world’s oceans back in 2005. There is no way I could have done what I’ve done without you. I am forever indebted to your kindness, encouragement, generosity, thoughtfulness, time, energy – and yes, sometimes your hard-earned money too.

Rowan “Mr Bean” Atkinson got a CBE, while his sidekick Baldrick (aka Tony Robinson) trumped him with a knighthood

I sometimes feel like a bit of a fraud calling myself a “solo” rower. Sure, when I’m out on the water, with a satellite phone my only connection to dry land, I do feel very alone. But in truth, I am the tip of a very big iceberg, the visible bit of a huge human endeavour that encompasses everybody who has helped to get me out there, and who motivates me along my way, and who celebrates with me when/after I arrive.

For this I thank you.

An acquaintance of mine, a recipient of the OBE (higher than an MBE), rather cynically (or self-deprecatingly) described it as an acronym for “Other Buggers’ Efforts”. Maybe MBE should stand for “Mostly Because of Everybody”. Or “Much Brave Encouragement”. Or “My Beautiful Entourage”.

Or do you have any better suggestions?!

[Featured image: Buckingham Palace, here I come! Date TBD.]