24 Dec, 05 – 13:07
2434.666N,2445.901W,0M
For GPS position, race position and miles from La Gomera, see http://www.atlanticrowingrace.co.uk
Yesterday I turned 38. That is probably about half my allotted time on this earth. While I was at the oars tonight, rowing across the silent starlit sea, I was pondering on who i am and what I’m doing.
By some standards, I don’t have much to show for my life so far – no career, no house, no spouse, no children. Not even a car. At an age when most of my contemporaries are settled down to a life of responsible breadwinning and parenting , I’m off mucking about on the Atlantic.
But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve been lucky enough to have experienced a more conventional lifestyle – apart from the children, I had all those sensible, grown-up things. It was great, I was happy. But I discovered that I didn’t want to do that for the rest of my life.
And so I find myself at the age of 38 remarkably unencumbered by responsibilities. I’m free to do what I will. Selfish? Irresponsible? Some might say I should be more grown up.
Grown up. A past participle, as if growing up is something you do once and for all and then it’s over. Congratulations, you are a grown up. Here’s your certificate, and your carpet slippers.
To me, it sounds too static. I don’t want to be a grown up if it means an end to growing and developing. I’d prefer to keep a naive enthusiasm for life, believing that anything is possible. I am happy to be 38 going on 18, except that now I am older and hopefully a little wiser than when I was 18 first time around.
Lying here in my bunk at 5.30am, listening to the silence of the sea, broken only by the occasional blowing of a whale, I feel there is nowhere, and nobody, I would rather be.
Christmas Greetings
Monty sends his love and wishes for a very Merry Christmas to all at Southbourne Junior School.
And I send a huge HAAAPPYYYYYYY CHRISTMAAASSS! to everybody back home.
Rita Savage’s PS: Sponsored miles: Roz will soon be 500 miles from La Gomera, so thank you to B.Yates for sponsoring this mile – a Christmas present?
Wind: almost non-existent
Weather: sunny and hot
Sea state: flat calm
Hours rowing: 12