Hi Everyone,

Finally I've managed to get some video footage together from the crossing.

Here is a 26 minute video from the Atlantic.

Just double click for full screen.

Enjoy!

Captain Ketch

Well it’s been almost 40 days since I landed in Antigua. Of those 40 days I’ve actually only been on land for around 20 of them as I ended up sailing back to Europe arriving in the UK only a few days ago. Little did I know I would be back out in the Atlantic so soon after completing the row. An amazing oppurtunity came my way in Antigua in the form of an invite to sail back on a luxury yacht. How could I refuse! It just goes to show you never know whats round the corner. My travels did however involve a short flight from Lisbon back to London. Something that made me chuckle whislt departing the plane at heathrow was listeining to everyone moan about how long the 2 hour flight felt and how uncomftable it was. Someone asked me what I thought of the flight and I politly said it was ok. Looking back maybe I should of told them the full story of my travels. Since I’ve finished the row I’ve managed to put a little more wait back on, have a hair cut and I now start looking a little more normal again as opposed to a Tom Hanks Cast Away look a like. One bonus is 110 days worth of sun has given me free highlights. Well that’s what the hairdressser said.

Of course the most often asked question now is "What next?". Well, I have many exciting opportunities for the future but for the time being I think I need to get my life back to normal. It’s quite bizarre walking round all the shops in my local town and seeing friends that I have not seen since last year. I will be doing after dinner and motivational speeches on the crossing and telling the story of 110 days at sea as a solo rower. What ever I decide to do next I now know I have the confidence and ability to make it happen.

I still feel the most important people were the sponsors that made the project happen and everyone that followed and supported me. I was just fortunate enough to be the person on board for the wild ride. I am also very grateful for all the donations received to date from all the very generous people out there. Thank you so much. I am still proactively fund raising for my charity and if anyone would like to make a contribution you can do so here. http://www.justgiving.com/jamesketchell/

The good ship Speedo has finally arrived back at Southampton. Hopefully should be collecting it very soon. I would love to keep speedo as a souvenir to remind me of the time I spent at sea, although it would be rather extravagant. Sadly financial restraints mean it will need to be sold to the next aspiring ocean rower asap.

Keep an eye on www.atlanticadventurer.com for further announcements and video footage coming real soon. If anyone has any questions regarding the row feel free to contact me.

Out for now,

Captain Ketch,

Well I've been back on land for 12 days now. It's only now that I'm starting to feel normal again. For the first few days I really struggled to walk for more than 10 mins at a time. My calf muscles would literally just seize up and become quite painful. Also my feet swelled up a lot too. It was basically where I hadn't really been standing or using my legs for over a hundred days. Whilst on the boat I made a real effort to wash and try to stay fresh. I later found out that when I arrived I absolutely stank. I had just got used to my own smell. Aside from stinking a lot of people assumed I would be super fit by the time I got to Antigua. The reality was I was super knackered by the time I got to Antigua. I'd actually lost near to 2 stone in weight and felt incredibly weak. Antigua is a great place to start recovering though. I've been eating steaks, lobster, Ice creams and burgers pretty much everyday and it's only now do I feel like some strength and energy is actually returning to me. Yesterday me and my brother went scuba diving which was a nice treat and quite relaxing.

A lot of people have been asking me would I row an ocean again. Now I'm one for saying never say never. However on this occasion I have to say the answer is probably no. Looking back over the last 6 months makes me realize I've been so lucky to live this crazy adventure.

More photos of the crossing have now been uploaded http://www.atlanticadventurer.com/media/

Once I get back to the UK video footage from the crossing will be on the site too.

The next challenge now is to get the good ship Speedo back to the UK. Hopefully it well be departing Antigua some time next week via container ship back to Southampton. Once it's been collected it will be held on display at my sponsors head quarters for a while. Then it will be put on the market ready for it's next crazy owner to take to the helm.

Out for now

Captain Ketch,