In today’s update, Elsa introduces us to her cooking facilities, and writes about her wind troubles…

Feeling ok but quite frustrated as I lie in my smelly sweaty cabin being tossed around by the sea anchor. This morning was one of the best I’ve had. The sea is noticeably turning more blue, the sun was out, and I managed a whole poo without a wave hitting me. I rowed hard, and managed to maintain a route just west of south (just), even thigh it was pretty slow. Sadly, the wind either changed or picked up after lunch though, and by mid afternoon I was struggling to get anything close to south. Pushing my hardest I was still going east, which was majorly frustrating, as otherwise conditions were so much better than they have been. The waves are smaller today too and I was enjoying rowing in the sun. Reluctantly, I’ve got the sea anchor out, and am going to try some tactical nighttime rowing. It’s critical that I don’t lose too much to the east right now, as I try to make a push out towards the trades, but that’s definitely easier said that done. It’s not until I’ve gone through the whole palaver of getting the sea anchor in, the rudder out, the oar about and tied on, and all my wet weather gear and harness on, that I can actually find out if the wind will let me make any progress west, or if I again have to wait until later. I cannot wait until I’m going the right way, with the wind behind me!

I promise to start writing more interesting blogs soon, too, that don’t just consist of me moaning about how far east I am…

The last few days I’ve been rowing in silence, enjoying the space in my head and the thoughts that come up and disappear again. I’ve found that, at the moment, cabin time is when I appreciate something to listen to, particularly when I’m being thrown around a lot. Most listened to things at the moment are Dad’s Army and Faure’s Requiem – both really able to take me away from the crashing waves and help me breathe through each time the boat is lifted up and then slammed down hard.

Oar repair is currently holding up fine. I’ve no doubt I’ll have to do more repairs and upkeep to it as I go, but the fact that I’m able to row with it right now is brilliant (or would be if I could row in the right direction!).

As ever – comments, messages and emails are making such a difference to me every time I get them. Thank you everyone who is supporting and sending good wishes – your words really keep me going. Also thank you to everyone who has been admin the wind to change, blowing towards my boat, willing me westward, and cheering out to sea – let’s hope the winds start listening soon!

Finally, a little peek at life on the Pacific – check out my kitchen!

 

Elsa’s kitchen: her JetBoil stove on its gimbal; and Expedition Foods breakfast!

Campaign manager Steve says: Elsa is racking up the miles, having covered 350 nautical miles in actual distance, but only having reached mile 49 on the direct-line route is psychologically challenging. She is doing fantastically though – turn on the wind data on the tracker, and the plan is clear: as long as she keeps heading as west of south as she can, she’ll be hitting the more favourable trade winds in no time.

Please continue to send messages of support. Like and share Elsa’s row on Facebook, follow her on Twitter, subscribe to the newsletter – and dedicate miles and sponsor oar strokes!!