Roger Ryman: Round Cornwall Day 8

If the final entry in my blog sounds a bit emotional, that's because it is!

This has been a special week in all of our lives; one that we shall always remember. We've had a lot of laughs, and we've all had our individual challenges. Tich's was to row round Cornwall in jeans, fireman's wellies and no sun cream (but he is a fisherman, so that makes him double hard). Mine was to completely circumnavigate Cornwall without using any form of motorised transport.

I have travelled from Charlestown, to Charlestown, and have rowed, pushed or coxed the gig all the way. I offer my thanks to the rest of the crew for allowing me this indulgence. During the row, as we rotated two members of the crew at a time out into the support boat, I was allowed to remain with the gig at all times. In this era of environmental awareness, this was probably the most carbon neutral journey that it is possible to make (although some of my room mates might disagree once the after effects of the beer drinking start to work through!)

The day started in St Mawes, with a modest 25 mile stretch to take us home. Thursday's sun had gone, and a brisk northerly wind had picked up, but nothing was going to stop us now. 'Tormentor' rounded St Anthony's lighthouse with the crew in high spirits. The banter in the boat may have had a detrimental effect on the quality of the rowing, and I had my now traditional paddy about timing, length etc, which assured me the award of the yellow sou'wester in the court session held later in the day in Mevegissey.

(The yellow sou'wester has been awarded each evening after a fair trial by the rest of the crew of the crew member considered to have committed the greatest misdemeanour of the day. The sou'wester then had to be worn by the guilty rower in the pub that evening).

After an hour or so the banter settled down, the rowing tidied up, and we were able to make good progress on into Mevagissey. We arrived in Meva' with a few hours to kill ahead of our scheduled return to Charlestown at 6:00 pm. The crew had been invited to visit the Shark's Fin, St Austell Brewery's newly refurbished pub on the quay where we were treated to an excellent pasta lunch. The opportunity was then taken to tie up all the administration, (speeches that the chairman is so fond of giving! Gratitude to the support crew etc, etc) as it was rightly anticipated that there would be no opportunity to do this once we landed on the beach at Charlestown.

After lunch many of the crew took the opportunity to catch up on an hours sleep around the boat, before we departed, with all nine crew members on board, into a hard northerly wind for the final slog into Charlestown. As we approached the end of our journey we were joined by 'Mystery' and 'Keynvor' crewed by club members from Charlestown rowing Club, as well as 'Gallant' from the Fowey River Rowing Club. All four gigs moved slowly onto the beach, to a champagne reception, hugs, kisses, and radio and TV interviews. Once the boats were safely stowed on their trailers, it was up to the Rashleigh for an excellent party and hog roast.

I will have so many memories of this trip, but I think the strongest have been the coming together of everyone who has been involved in making this happen. This expedition has brought us closer together as a rowing club, not just the rowers, but also all the supporters who have been there every step of the way.

Also the support from the Cornish gig rowing community, and all the clubs who rowed out to row with us for sections of the challenge, and to drink beer with us in the evenings. And also the sponsors, companies and individuals who have contributed either in money, or in kind to help us raise funds for our causes.

I am not a religious man, but also someone upstairs must have been looking out for us, as we could not have been more fortunate with the weather and sea conditions which could have so easily scuppered our expedition.