Ross is CURRENTLY rowing from Felpham to the Isle of Wight & back to raise money for a new, stained-glass window, for St Mary’s Church, Felpham, to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s life of service. He left at 7.30 AM on 17th August. Regular(ish) updates will be posted below and if you wish find out more and to make a donation please visit the following Just Giving link.
https://justgiving.com/campaign/rossrowplatinumwindow
Monday 19th August (update #4)
Having extracted himself from Bembridge low water mud at 04.23 in near darkness and mist, the sea was calm and the current favourable, Ross managed to get past Selsey Bill before the tide turned. With the wind behind him he hugged the coast to keep out of the worst of the tide. He arrived back at FSC at 13.30 to a great welcome and a cup of tea. Mike Pelling took Father John out in Quicksilver to meet Ross.
Thank you Casey for beachside refreshments and to everyone for their help and support. It was also lovely that Jane Summerville, who set up The St Mary’s Church Stained glass campaign was there and it is her birthday today.
Monday 19th August (update #3)
At the last few miles the wind has picked up Ross’s favour and he’ll be back at FSC 1pm
Monday 19th August (update #2)
Ross hopes to make FSC between 2 & 4 pm today. Depends on getting round Selsey Bill then a bit of a slog back. Will post later when have more idea of a time.
Monday 19th August
Ross left Bembridge this morning at 04.23. 🚣♂️
Sunday 18th August (update #2)
Quest completed, after receiving directions from a very helpful bus driver, Ross met Rev’d Nicola Pinnock at St Catherine’s Church in Ventnor. He’s now back in Bembridge and after a hopefully good night’s sleep in the dunes he’ll set off tomorrow morning on the row back to Felpham Sailing Club. Will update tomorrow with times etc.
Sunday 18th August
After sleeping on the beach last night, Ross had decisions to make this morning.
From one mode of transport to another
in the quest to meet the Vicar of Ventnor
in the St Mary’s Stained Glass Appeal.
Due to wind and tides Ross is unable to row from Bembridge to Ventnor today. Instead he’s on the Number 8 bus, he hasn’t been on a bus since we went to the last Gin Festival in Chichester in 2018!, so another adventure in the Rowing Challenges.
He will set off from Bembridge tomorrow when conditions are right and I will update the next stage and put out the track as soon as I can.
As always your support, encouragement and donations are absolutely fantastic. Thank you.
Saturday 17th August
Having started at 07.30 am Ross finally arrived and tied up at Bembridge Sailing at 18.00pm. 10½ hours rowing.
Not quite the journey he’d hoped for. He got within 5 miles of Ventnor, off Shanklin and the wind turned strong southerly, so he decided best option was to go back to Bembridge for the night. Todays track from FSC to Bembridge. Hopefully tomorrow will be better winds and he’ll meet the Vicar in Ventor. He’s off to find a well earned dinner.
Friday 16th August
Just to let you know that on Saturday 17th August at 7.30am Ross will start his Row to the Isle of Wight from Felpham Sailing Club. Funds are being raised to replace a St Mary’s Church window with a beautiful stained glass window to commemorate the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
