Robin on the Radio live from Mauritius 18/09/2018
All At Sea
So it begins, Friday July 6th2018 at 8:06 AM we leave the safety of Geraldton Harbour to embark on our crossing of the Indian Ocean. Nervous? Not really, I have nothing to compare this to, sure, I have thought about family and friends and asked myself what am I doing? Why am I here? Or just pondered the enormity of the task ahead. So from now on it’s down to us, three men, a Parky and a boat.
A small gathering of well-wishers had formed to send us off and with shouts of ‘Good luck’, ‘Stay safe’ and a blast from a fog horn we rowed out of the Harbour into our new world and life the Indian Ocean. When I say we that’s the crew of IOR 2018, it was Barry and James on the oars, it would be Billy and myself on the oars in a couple of hours. This was set to be our pattern until we reach land, namely Mauritius.
We were followed by Geraldton Marine Rescue with ABC News filming our departure for the first few miles out to sea. They had to dash off to respond to an emergency call out, leaving us for now rowing in the quiet morning sun.
So had the excitement reached fever pitch? To be honest, no, perhaps I just don’t get that excited any more. I was however, really pleased and relieved to have properly started the crossing.
My rowing technique still requires improvement but I have the best opportunity ever to hone my skills.
We made excellent progress for the first three or four days, before the weather put a stop to it. We have three speed read outs on the boat, one is our actual speed, the second is the speed we are predicted to heading towards our waypoint or bearing, the last is our average speed. These can help you make the decision when to stop rowing. For example, you may be travelling at 1.6 knots but have a negative predicted speed as you are battling with poor weather conditions doing everything they can to push you backwards faster than you can possibly keep up with. So after a period of negative predicted speeds you are forced to concede and admit that Mother Nature is indeed a powerful force who beats us hands down when it comes to might. This is when you deploy the para anchor, a large 4-5M diameter parachute with an apature at the top. The para anchor helps us maintain a position and makes it more comfortable sitting it out waiting for the weather to improve. The big negative is while on the anchor you inevitably drift usually backwards, which means the next day or two can be spent trying to make up lost ground.
Unfortunately, we have spent a lot of time on the para anchor ever since which has seriously hampered our speed and progress, but the weather has to improve sometime, surely?
On Deck
Living With Parkinson’s
So how have I been coping? Here’s the Parky Perspective so far,
As I predicted cramps have been problematic, mostly legs and feet sometimes while rowing which can be painful but can be worked through. My legs tend to cramp with a change of movement such as after two hours rowing, so it can make walking back to the cabin harder. Who am I kidding my movement on deck is more like a panther or commando crawl, with a double leg cramp I slither into the cabin with great grace. People get washed off large boats at sea, our deck is around 450mm above the water line and it has a 50mm lip or return as an edge for us not to fall over. We are harnessed onto the boat for safety, but if and when large waves smash onto us, the last place you would want to be is in the Ocean. I have developed methods to reduce hand cramps, which so far have proved effective.
The two hours on two hours off haven’t caused me any difficulties. My normal sleep patterns are at best erratic and I rarely sleep for more than three hours straight.
Sea sickness and Parkinson’s, I wasn’t aware until this year that most if not all sea sickness medication available over the counter is not suitable for people being treated for Parkinson’s disease. If you need medication you will need to see your doctor and ask for a prescription for Champagne, that’s right you heard it here first, that’s the cure. If you don’t believe me I was prescribed Domperidone (10 mg).
Was I sea sick? I didn’t take any seasick meds before the journey, we were treated to a large full English breakfast by Lindsey, which I managed to keep down. I think I was sick three times over the first two or three days. Nothing major, by day four I was eating properly and had settled into good routines.
Parkinson’s has lots of possible symptoms, I have been surprised how apparent slowness of movement has become to me, this will be partly due to confined spaces, but maybe I have now got the opportunity to scruitinise myself in a way not practical before. The frustration of finding it difficult to get dressed or having to repeat tasks because the first attempt wasn’t good enough. Having to physically move my limbs to change positions is something that I never thought that I would see.
Parkinson’s disease has a stage system, one question often asked at consultation is, “do you need assistance getting dressed”? Usually no, however on this boat, yes. I certainly haven’t required help at home but now find myself wondering does it actually take me longer than it should do to complete all tasks?
If the rest of the crew was unaware before they will certainly have a better understanding of slowness of movement. I thank them for their patience, help and assistance. I am sure that it will help them in later life when looking after an elderly relative!
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