On Wednesday morning, as we drove north from Leeman to Geraldton, I had no idea what was going to happen next. Would we find good people to help reconfigure the watermaker, and to repair the hull? How quickly could we get it done? How much would it all cost?
Underlying all these questions was the biggest question of all: Had it been a good idea to return to shore, risking media attention, hassle and expense, in order to maximise my chances of success on the open ocean? Or would it turn out to be a gamble that failed?
There were many points at which the whole operation could have fallen down. There were so many moving parts that needed to come together – cranes for lifting, trucks for transporting, skilled craftsmen to do the work, not to mention the logistical details of accommodation, transport, and internet access.
Yet somehow, as if by a miracle, it has all been a spectacular success. It has been like surfing a wave of improbability – we were right on the edge, not knowing quite what was going to happen next, but really having no option but to keep moving forwards as the wave gathered momentum. And so here we are, just 3 days after I stood uncertainly on that rickety jetty in Leeman, and we are ready.
Sedna looks as good as new, the watermaker pump moved to a safer location, in a drier locker and protected by a box. The hole in the hull and the damage to the towing eye have been repaired, the paint perfectly colour-matched. My beautiful purple boat is now in the water at the Geraldton Yacht Club, ready for my departure tomorrow morning at 10am local time.
Other Stuff:
I am delighted that the media have been willing to report on the happy end to this story. A camera crew and newspaper reporter were there at the putting-in today, and more media presence expected tomorrow morning. So great to find media willing to report on a good news, positive story.
Thanks to Lesley for the goodie bag today. Lesley is a friend via Angela Madsen, and very thoughtfully brought a bag containing, amongst other things, a pirate, a shark, and a packet of Tim Tams. The perfect sending-off gifts!
It has been a real pleasure to work with Shane Donagen and Glen Reeves over the last few days. It’s a privilege to know these two consummate professionals who take real pride in their work and go the extra mile without being asked.
And finally, thanks to June, without whom this story might have had a very different ending. Thanks, June, for being my partner in crime, henchwoman, and logistics manager par excellence. Thanks for the moral support, the much-needed laughs, and for sharing the chocolate cake.
And yes, I am writing this blog as I watch the royal wedding on TV. What better way to spend my last night on dry land?!
Wooop woop! Glad to hear you’re all fixed Roz and ready to head out again. It’s all about the warm up lap on the Indian 🙂 Safe travels and may you have many Tweedles to guide you across.
Love Baldilocks x
“Miracles” do happen!!! In 2008 I body-“surfed” the “wave of improbability” between life-and-death with no option but to keep moving forward – things were out of my hands… I became the “Miracle Patient” as a result… And I once “knew” a woman who had paddled millions of “waves of improbability”, most of the way around the world, who had all sorts of wrenches thrown into the endeavor along the way, but she had “no option but to keep moving forward” either… And She became the “Miracle” for millions as well in the process… So, We all know first-hand that “Miracles” do happen – and they keep happening Roz… Have fun, Keep as safe as you can – that will allow the “Miracles” to handle the rest…
Great news!! Especially about the media. Looks like things are starting to go your way again. May the rest of the journey find soft winds at your back.
I’ve often wondered if there isn’t a way to attach an auxiliary pump to your rowing seat that could stand in an emergency where power is out or the electric pump dies. It seems that the back and forth motion would be perfect for running a pump.
Stan, Now THAT is an interesting, renewable energy idea… There would have to be some easy way of disconnecting her seat from the process when all the water the system could handle had been produced – because that back-and-forth seat action would surely produce more water than the system could ever desalinate and/or store… But pulling a cotter-pin out to disengage the pump-handle attached to the seat, when the system has reached capacity, would seem simple enough…
To Stan and Richard,
This idea has been suggested before, and Roz, having looked at it, felt that it would not be a viable one.
Hey Rita: Knowing your, Roz’, and her team’s consideration of all things well in advance, I had a feeling that we were not the first ones to think of this… In a way, that others had thought of this before us – and ruled it out, proves that it had its good points – which did not outweigh the bad ones…
I get so messed up with the time difference on this particular voyage. I was thinking you were ahead of us, but if you are watching the royal wedding, and it’s 10 at night there, is it still Thursday night? No, wait, I found a resource. So it’s Friday evening, and you’ll launch Saturday morning. Awesome. I think I’m back up to speed. You are 12 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time. And as you proceed west, that difference will lessen. I don’t know why I get so persnickety about that.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed the royal wedding. Looking forward to seeing you back on your way north and west.
Joan, Roz uses http://bit.ly/PerthTime which I set for WST and you can select any city you desire … local time.
Joan…I hear you…I put a post it note with 2 columns–one for my time and one for Roz’s time…have about 4 or 5 different times morning/evening as references…you might try that…I refer to them almost daily…good luck
Don’t forget, Stan, as a rower, she’s facing backward to the direction she wants to go in, so it’s soft winds at her front. Grin. I share the sentiment, though. Wishing gentle waves and favorable winds for Roz.
The Royal’s got a Royal send off, not it is YOUR turn for a Royal send off! Safe travels!!
Great News! Good luck…..
“At the moment of commitment the entire universe conspires to assist you.”
— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Roz, we’ve all followed along to see that after you made the commitment to come in and deal with the watermaker pump it all came together. I’m very happy to see you’re committed to getting back out on the ocean and finishing your row – I have no doubts it will all come together again!
Row, Roz, Row!
Bon voyage, Roz! Your blog reminds me of something I learned from you the first time I heard you speak — just before you launched from Hawaii: “Take care of the land and the land will take care of you.” If you will: Take care of the media and the media will take care of you ;-D
Wednesday, a simple little tune embedded in my skull and it has stuck there … I will be humming it all day today … a constant reminder as you head west, out into the deep blue expanse.
I’ve got to admit it’s getting better (Better)
A little better all the time (It can’t get no worse)
I have to admit it’s getting better (better)
It’s getting better
Since you’ve been mine
Row lyrically, Roz!
Ahhh, so THAT’s why you “found a reason” to return to land — you simply HAD to watch the Royal wedding live! (tee, hee) NOT. But it was a nice perk, since you did have to return briefly to terra firma, and I’m glad you saw the young Wills and Catherine on their historic day!
Much aloha to you, Roz. Praying for smooth rowing. x Naomi
Naomi, that’s what I was thinking too. I think we’ve Roz figure out!
My guess is that you are just about to shove off… Thoughts, Prayers and Best Wishes are with you… Roz, Dear One, What you are doing is keeping my mind off of what I am having to do at the moment – and I thank you for that… You are my “Miracle”…
Hey all you Rozlings – as Richard in DFW has referred to you in our conversations of late… As Richard always does – even when he is fresh out of surgery – as he is at the moment, others ALWAYS come first… Just after typing his last note here – and leaving it open for further additions, I guess, He was helping me move some of my furniture in the house that we share here in DFW… One of his recent wounds began to bleed badly – there was one very difficult spot this time – which is odd, because all of his doctors say that they have never seen anyone heal like he does… Anyway, He almost collapsed and we called the ambulance immediately – and they were here moments later, and took him to the hospital… They think he will be OK… As he was leaving he asked me to add a good-night note to Roz and all the Rozlings here… You all have been the bright spot that he has needed these last difficult weeks, and he thanks you… I do too… His friend Katy!
All of our best wishes and thoughts to Richard!
Safe travels once again Roz!
Thank you for trying to change the world by inspiring people that are moved by what you are doing. Everyone can do a little bit. Everyone can take some strokes each day to be more sustainable and increase their capacities to do good. Stroke by stroke.
Aargh. It’s 10pm on Friday in SF, but if you left at 10am on Saturday in Australia, you left 3 hours ago. Time is a funny thing. And it will go really quickly for those of us on dry land while you head off into the sunset again. (For some reason this departure reminds me of rowing a Head race while training for Lightweights. No idea why. The environment must be completely different.) Thinking of you. Learn heaps. As usual. N xxx
Well, you’ve been at sea about 5 hours by now. It’s midnight here and I just got home from a long day and checked your tweets and facebook page. Glad to see you launched successfully … looks like you tweeted when you were an hour out. Best wishes for a safe journey.
I have a proposition for you, Roz, if you are interested in helping Dr. Steve Bell in his research on http://bbc.in/MoonMystery again.
Coming up soon on your new voyage will be a new moon on Tuesday, May 3. You might be able to get a glimpse of the crescent on Wednesday before Luna sets at 18:17 or most likely on Thursday before she sets at 19:04. The sun sets at 17:47, so it may be too bright on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday you should be able to see her depending on the cloud situation.
Let me know the time you spot the crescent (and day) and the cloud conditions, and I will report your observation(s) to moon watch at http://astro.ukho.gov.uk/moonwatch/ where Dr. Steve Bell of HM Nautical Almanac Office at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire is the Project leader. Yours would be among typically 40-50 observations each month.
Enjoy the nights, Roz!
wow! again! that was comment #23 ;-D
Good voyage, following winds and seas. Quick eco-tip, when you buy a plant from a smaller seller, use your phone camera to take a photo of the plastic tag and then hand the tag back so they can reuse it. Jim Bell (NSW Australia)
Just joined up with DISQUS – (the comment system used on this blog) – I’ve heard Leo Laporte and the gang talk about it a lot over the years. Can’t see how to port my other 39 comments over from JimBell to jimbellofbelmont. Looks like DISQUS is worth signing up for though. BTW webperson ? Joan? Vic? Mum? can you put reciprocal links from rozsavage.com to rozrows.com … may help people with discovery. Also a quick extra podcast post to the TWiT “Roz Rows” feed letting people know about the new setup may bring back some of the lost rozlings from the TWiT universe …. 🙂 Jim Bell (NSW Australia)
I admire your tenacity as well as bravery. I saw some footage of you on the ocean and OMG! Sedna looked so little, and yet you continue to achieve greatness. The big picture is (your moto) that you are rowing towards a greener future and in so doing, you’ve inspired so many to talk less and do more. Mother Earth should award you a purple heart. Thank you for what you’re doing, good on you! I hope you stay safe and well. Fair winds, calm seas.
My heart is always with you! SAFE and fun travel to you! Roger