Our Lives
Confined to my bedroom and unable to walk, I set myself the challenge of a lifetime. Could I pull it off?
Shuffling along the floor, I took a deep breath and thought: Not much further…
Then with a groan, I heaved myself on to the bed.
I’d had back trouble for years, but recently one of my discs had ruptured, leaving me unable to walk.
Fortunately, friends helped out with shopping, cooking and washing but, as I lived alone, I had to crawl to use the toilet or get food.
I was due to have surgery and, while I waited, I needed something to focus on to stop me sinking into depression.
I began reading books on my Kindle about women who had accomplished incredible feats, such as Roz Savage, the first woman to row solo across three oceans, and Sarah Outen, who’d rowed, cycled and kayaked around the world.
I’d joined a rowing club in my 50s, and as well as the physical benefits, I loved the uplifting feeling of being on the water, watching sunsets and seeing fish.
Now, I felt inspired to set my own challenge.
I’m going to row across the Atlantic, I told myself.
I may have been 57, retired and bed-bound, but I was determined to dream big.
A few months later, after my back surgery, I was able to walk again. And back at home in Appledore, Devon, I exercised to build up my strength.
More determined than ever, I researched and applied to an ocean rowing company that organised expeditions.
‘I’m a team player and can cope well under stress,’ I said in a video interview.
Weeks later, I heard I’d been successful.
I was elated, but then reality hit.
What about Mum? I thought.
I’d been helping look after my 96-year-old mum. Although she had professional carers, I worried about how she’d cope without me.
But Devon Carers helped put a plan together.
‘You have to do this,’ they told me.
I told Mum: ‘I’ve signed up for an expedition to row the Atlantic.’
‘Oh, that’s nice,’ she replied. But now I’d said it out loud, reality dawned, We would be rowing for six weeks at sea. The longest I’d spent on a boat was five hours!
I spent the next few months training with weights, cycling and rowing, as well as doing yoga and Pilates.
Then I met up with some of the other crew members to practise rowing together. Finally, it was time!
Arriving at our departure point in Tenerife, I got to know the rest of the crew better.
There were 12 of us — six women and six men — aged from 19, to me being one of the eldest at 61.
We were at different stages of life, but all seeking adventure.
As we set off and the 39-ft boat slid into the water, I felt butterflies.
Quickl
