School Reports….

As we near the end of the voyage i have decided to write school reports for the crew:

Livar Nysted
Livar is from the faroe islands. He is an experienced ocean rower and this is clear to see. His previous voyages have seen success and failure and therefore he is an ideal role model for the new rowers offering sound advice here and there. Livar is extremely loyal to his skipper and passionate about his fellow crew member. He shows a cool head in precarious situations and is a powerful rower. Livar is also famous for quotes including “topical thunderstorms are fun. They are like roller coasters!” No doubt you will be finding out more about Livar in the future.

 

Peter Fleck
Aged 22 Peter is the baby of the bunch. His rugby physique make him a powerful rower. Peter is the most polite memeber of the crew and has a strong sense of respect for his elders. Sometimes Peter is too polite and finds it difficult explaining himself when he is irritated with a situation as he is worried of offending the individual. Pete has a very positive attitude at all times. He has an uncanny ability to predict the 24 hour mileage and therefore we will be visiting the dogs shortly to win lots of money. Pete enjoys the daily quizzes and often win the nautical themed questions. This is thanks to his time at sea with his uncle. It is safe to say Pete has caught the ocean rowing bug and is already planning his next voyage.

 

Benno Rawlinson
Benno is the most english scotsman i have met. He is a big character on this boat. He introduced the crew to his tighty whity y fronts. Apparently its how you where them. Unfortuantely many of the phots may need to be edited for younger veiwers. Benno is also very comfortable in his skin. He is most often found naked in the fore cabin revealing all.

On a more serious note Benno is a good listener. Although he has his opinions he is also able to see arguments from different perspective. He can stand back from tough times and offer wise words for the long haul. Benno has been stroke on this voyage and has had a healthy competition with Tim the other stroke. Benno always has a smile on his face and no doubt he will continue his endurance endeavours in the future.

 

Tim Spitieri
A loud Aussie policeman extremely passionate about rowing. Tim has learnt in this voyage that river rowing and ocean rowing are completely different sports. Having spent years perfecting his technique he above all has found it difficult to adapt to the awkquard rowing positions and the variety of rowing conditions.

Tim loves to be busy. He is full of energy and needs tasks to complete to make him happy. He has a good heart always happy to volunteer to help out in and around deck. Tim has suffered from the most pain on this trip due to an old injury. Despite this he still attends every shift on time and this is testament to his character.

Lets hope Tim raises loads of money for MS Australia which he is so passionate about.

 

Jan Oner
We soon agreed jan was a “chaval noir” on the boat. He is a man of many talents and he has proven espcially useful with his I.T. expertise. Jan is clearly an intelligent and ambitious young man. He has a clear direction of his future and im sure his plans will come to fruition. Jan likes to keep things tidy and has shown remarkable tolerance sharing a birth with me. Well Done old boy im sure many people have a new found respect for you.

 

Calum
Calum is a proud Scotsman. His skills as a yachtmaster instructor have been important on the voyage. Calum has a very proactive approach to maintaining a tidy boat. His seamanship cannot be critisied.

Friends and family are extremely important to Calum and this is reflected by the hundreds of emails he receives. His best friend however is his “Go Pro” camera. We look forward to watching the launch of his film premier. Calum is a key member of the boat quiz team. His not so subtle efforts to influence the quiz master are clever and very funny. He is also a good trader of ration pack items.

My parting comment to Calum is “well done and a great effort this last month, just remember Nougat is noo-garr and not nugget”

 

Leven Brown
A godfather in the ocean rowing circles. Leven is an outstanding leader of men. Imagine owning a vessel worth hundreds of thousands of pounds and then have a crew of 7 tinker and reorganise many things. Patience is one of Leven greatest strengths but he will not tolerate stupidity and inefficiency.

Leven is extremely ambitious and practically minded. He has an excellent ability to problem solve which is invaluable on the ocean. There is no doubt you will hear more about Leven in the future. He is a mans man and loves his crew and the comradeship formed between them. He leads by example and is the core reason why this voyage has been so much fun.

10 Responses to School Reports….

  1. Hermione Macfarlane
    Published February 19, 2013 10:47 pm

    Another really interesting blog James now who is writing yours? I think that I might have a go when you get in to PSC.!!!! Best and safe rowing for the rest of your expedition – you have ALL done amazingly well and look forward to seeing you very soon. Mione

  2. John Madin
    Published February 20, 2013 1:49 pm

    Fantastic achievement James – i thought what I am about to do later this year was a challenge (Cliiper round the world yacht race) – rather you than me – must be something in the FGH blood (’72). John

  3. Lee Beskeen
    Published February 20, 2013 10:38 pm

    JC,

    Can’t believe you are nearly there! What an achievement…reading your blog and the other crew’s blogs have been a daily ritual!

    You have all achieved something very special. Look forward to seeing you back at school very soon! Bet you can’t wait for that first staff meeting!

    Lee

  4. John russell
    Published February 20, 2013 11:10 pm

    Jc and fellow crew mates – just one last titanic effort, one last oarsome pull and yr feet will be on barbadian terra ferma.6th fastest in history is gd enough for legendary status and the staff and kids cant wait to see you next week. In the words of seb coe ‘when the time came we can say we got it right’ you got it right alll the way across the atlantic!

  5. Geoff Church
    Published February 21, 2013 9:13 am

    By the time I wake up tomorrow morning, Avalon should be safe in harbour. Wish I could be there to cheer myself hoarse. My 50p’s on the boat crossing the finishing line at 06.38am, UK time, Friday morning, 22nd Feb. Any other takers?

    It’s so close between Avalon & Titan, but my other 50p is on Avalon being ever so slightly quicker.

    Hope I’m not tempting fate by wishing A MASSIVE WELL DONE to all concerned.

    Now for the withdrawal symptoms. Not looking at that yellow line every day will be almost as harrowing as the first few days after the end of each series of “I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here”. Shan’t know what to do with myself – oh well, back to vaticanchimneycam.com…

  6. Emily Cowan
    Published February 21, 2013 2:44 pm

    Word on the streets is that they’ll be in around 4.30 (08.30 GMT) so I’ll put 50p on that. To beat Titan they need to get in before 04.59 so it’ll go to the wire most likely. Am seriously thinking of going as far up the coast as I can with a loud speaker to get them going :-)

  7. Rowland Spiteri
    Published February 21, 2013 8:46 pm

    Thanks for the insight of the life aboard the Avalon
    We await your arrival.

    • Geoff Church
      Published February 22, 2013 6:16 pm

      Well done Emily. I owe you 50p.

  8. John russell
    Published February 21, 2013 11:30 pm

    James Cowan heath mount half term report.

    Maths A well it is yr chosen subject!
    English B written blogs of a gd standard and amusing quizzes
    Science C stargazing aside not clear if you attended lessons
    Geography C well you do know the name of one ocean
    History A you are making history!
    Latin B+ plenty of undecipherable and untranslatable language spoken!
    Drama B plenty of action throughout voyage
    Art A- you have painted a vivid picture of and amazing trip
    PE B lack of kit has been a problem, not a pretty sight !
    Games A +++James performed oarsomely in his chosen sport of Rowing
    Form teachers comment

    Overall James needs to improve his attendance after half term, however he has come along way and achieved great things despite being in another world most of the time. He has made some lifelong friends and s ability to got to sleep every 2 hours has not gone unnoticed! Hopefully he will be able to work on developing his leg strength now that’s his arms are like pistons! On arrival in barbados he should very quickly drink copious, amount off the local nectar and vow that if anyone sees him in a boat anytime soon they have his permission to ……….him!Well done Jc and look forward to seeing you in yr day job!

  9. Debbie Mills
    Published February 22, 2013 1:31 am

    James, we can’t wait to welcome you back – massive GOOD LUCK for the final push – or rather pull… Can’t imagine how it’s going to feel being so far from the sea when you’re back at Heath Mount – you’ll have to gaze longingly at the River Beane!

    So, desperate to know – the face fluff – staying or going??? Much more important question than if you’ll beat Titan or tackle the Indian Ocean next…

    Stay safe & aim true. You are so very close now. What an achievement!

    Xx

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