Sparkle

I mentioned my brother's friend (and solo Atlantic rower) Chris Martin a few days ago. Well, after 70 days and pretty much everything the Atlantic could throw at him, he made it into Antigua two days ago.

His blog post from that day (wonderfully written, as always) made me feel very nostalgic; he captures the transient, intense burst of emotions and sensations that accompany sudden reimmersion into society and civilisation perfectly:

My eyes stinging, body aching and mind confused by lights, smells, sounds and feeling I had long forgotten, I stood on land for the first time in nearly 10 weeks. I staggered and fell into Jo’s arms. We hugged for a while before wrapping my arms round my brother and Dad. Shaking people’s hands, hugging people and trying to talk I wobbled all over the place; the widest grin I have ever worn on my face. This is the most incredible moment of my life and one that I will not be forgetting for a long time… Looking at myself in the mirror is the most strange experience. I have lost a lot more weight than I thought I had. The beard is more unkempt than I had thought and my eyes now have a little extra sparkle that I could have sworn wasn’t there before.

Our cottage is on the hill with a clear view out over Falmouth Harbour and onward into the Atlantic. I have already caught myself gazing out at it and smiling a knowing smile to myself. I’ve just crossed that, in a rowing boat, on my own.

— Filed under Other expeditions