THURSDAY 23RD JULY - A very good day with an amazing surprise for both of them.

GLENN He left Wareham at approx 6.30 and arrived in Bournemouth at approx 1pm.  "Did approx 11.2miles from Wareham to Sandbanks ferry this morning across some wonderful moorland and then bus to my ‘cheap’ Bournemouth hotel. I couldn’t face walking through busy Bournemouth. Check in not till 4pm but they said you can use the facilities of our sister hotel next door. Well,I really landed on my feet. Bar, pool and lounge. So a quick lager shandy and planning my tomorrow route in luxury!  THEN THE SURPRISE 👏. "Just as I’m sitting working it all out there’s a tap on my shoulder and I find Libby and Robyn standing there. They’d driven three hours from Heathfield and tracked me to where I am. We’re all having a swim and will get fish and chips tonight before they head back later. Amazing and lovely!"

ROSS   He left Swanage,  by the pier at approx 7.42am, had to row against the tide to Old Harry Rocks and arrived at Muddeford Quay approx 4pm.  Distance today of approx 14 miles.  Before Old Harry Rocks   ROSS HAD HIS SURPRISE   Our son Mark found him and paddle boarded with him for about an hour, very emotional, picture below. I'm sorry Ross didn't shave and brush his hair for the photo shoot, but the company was great.   "I then cut across Poole Bay and got to Highcliffe Sailing Club, Muddeford which was open, but their flag was half mast as it was the present Commodores wake. Even n these circumstances they made me very welcome and I had a hot shower and did some washing."     Ross could see the wild fires on the Isle of Wight which looked incredibly dramatic and scary. Making up bed on the beach in front of the Sailing Club. 

FRIDAY 24TH JULY

GLENN   He left Bournemouth approx 10am and arrived in Cowes at approx 4.15pm.    "Just to let you all know that after a lovely surprise by my family and a good nights rest in a cheaper annex of a not bad hotel (I got to use their facilities!), I feel much better this morning but I’ve decided to bus out of Bournemouth to avoid the tediousness of the suburbs and unavoidable main roads out of the city. I appreciate this gives me a distance advantage but I’ll still walk nearly 12miles, but across countryside and get to the Lymington ferry on time. It’ll also give my knee a bit of a rest! I feel a bit bad for missing a chunk but I’ve got three long days coming up that will make up for it. I’m stay with IoW friends tonight in Cowes. Then walk to Fishbourne and stay in another cheap room in Portsmouth. Then last night camping at Stubcroft Farm East Whittering. Last day is 12 miles but Nigel is working out route for me so people can join at 15, 10, 5km points if they wish." Glenn looked for Ross from the Ferry as he was crossing the Solent, but couldn't see him through the boat traffic.

ROSS.  He left Mudeford Quay at 7.50am and reached Ryde Pier at 6.15pm. He rounded Hurst Castle at 2pm with a good strong easterly tide. As he was rowing through the Solent he could see Glenn's ferry. There were lots of yachts practising for Cowes week, and he met a support rib who were with 2 Atlantic Challenge Rowing boats, please talk him out of that one!!!!

THIS IS ROSS'S LAST NIGHT OF THE CHALLENGE.  HE WILL BE BACK AT FELPHAM SAILING CLUB,  25th JULY AFTERNOON.    AS SOON AS WE KNOW A PROBABLE ETA I WILL PUT IT OUT ON FACEBOOK PAGES AND WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD PASS THE WORD AROUND.      IT WOULD BE LOVELY IF YOU COULD COME AND WELCOME HIM BACK.     AS SOON AS WE HAVE THE DAY ETA FROM GLENN THAT WILL BE POSTED TOO AND WE CAN WELCOME HIM BACK TO FELPHAM SAILING CLUB.