As promised/hoped/begged for, the weather continues to develop in my favour. Today, it’s gradually come round to start pushing me west as well as south, which is very helpful of it. Sadly I don’t think I’ve made quite as much out of it as I could have, but that’s the way it seems to be with this ocean rowing malarkey.

Some days, you wake up, jump out on the oars, and power through hour after hour of rowing without a care in the world. Every stroke seems effortless, and you almost try and find excuses to row a bit more! Other days are not like that. Today was one of them.

How much of it is psychological and how much is actually physical, I’m not sure, but every minute has felt like an effort today. Muscles that never ached before have started to ache, sore patches have seemed more sore, and the shuffle on the iPod seems to be picking the worst songs it could find! But I’ve stuck it out, and sat at those oars throughout the day. Every now and again I’ve even rowed a bit too. Had I not eaten or drunk enough? Maybe. Was I just being a big whiny girl? Almost certainly. I just hope tomorrow turns out to be a good day.

By the way, I’ve had some suggestions back for the birds. Shearwater is currently the only bird with two votes! I’ve included another picture in case that helps. Any advances?

Tomorrow will see a return to the happy smiley Sam, I promise (or at least it better, or I’ll be having words)!