Stranded!
BRITISH ARMY DOCTORS TRY TO SET A RECORD FOR ROWING AROUND THE UK...INSTEAD THEY END UP ANCHORED OFF THE WEXFORD COAST
British Army doctors Hamish Reid and Neil Dennison setting off on their record attempt from Lymington on the south coast of England on May 12.
TWO BRITISH ARMY Doctors attempting to row unassisted around the UK have taken shelter from strong winds off the coast of Wexford, and remain stranded just 300 yards off shore just north of Wexford town, waiting for winds to change.
Speaking from their 24 ft row boat, Captain Nick Dennison explained that they had been advised to row up along the Irish coastline towards Scotland, as the Irish coastline would offer better protection from the elements.
They had a perfectly smooth crossing from Land's End, but just a mile off Rosslare, they were welcomed by the local honey bee population, possibly attracted by their bright yellow and red boat.
'A bee came along and did the honey dance and then his mates came along,' laughed Nick. 'They took a real shine to the boat, and we had a real job getting rid of them.'
Though the bees were crawling on their arms and faces, they didn't sting. 'We had to tell the Coastguard about it,' said Nick.
He added that several boats have come out to visit them to see if they need assistance, and several even offered to help with the bees. Luckily, the bees moved on. However, strong winds meant they had to set down their anchor for a few days.
It has been said that it's harder to row around Britain than it is to row across the Atlantic. 'We're sitting out in the sunshine tucking into a freezedried lamb dinner,' said Nick, speaking on his mobile phone on Monday evening. 'We're doing this unsupported so we can't take any offers of food.'
Captains Hamish Reid and Nick Dennison of the Royal Army Medical Corps aim to become the first pair to row non-stop and unsupported around the UK.
They are doing so to raise money for Help for Heroes and The Army Benevolent Fund.
They set off in their boat Komale from Lymington on the South Coast of England at 10 a.m. on Wednesday May 12.
They hope to do the 2,100 mile journey in approx 45 days. It's hoped they will be able to progress north from Wexford town on Thursday when the winds are expected to change direction. More information on their progress is available on www.rowforheroes.com
- Fintan LAMBE
