Hello there skipper!

Good to hear your news and that you still sound remarkably cheery!

Gosh you are making great headway - at this rate I may need to ask for extra time to complete The Quilt... Yikes! My eyes are starting to feel triangular shaped - the main shape in the quilt design, but I have to say, I am having such fun making it! www.wavesfortommy.blogspot.com

All is well here... we are just looking forward to your return!
So, keep rowing and making and drinking your water, take in good cal's and keep slapping on the sunblock and get home safely to all of us who are waiting to congratulate you and shake your hand, dear chap!

We are all praying for you and cheering you on!
See you soon!

Catherine
(The Vicarage, Kirdford)

Heia Tommy. As always Tommy it was very good to read your blog today. I could feel your frustration with the water pump and the different winds. These things are sent to try us and make us even more determined to" get on with the job" I have been imagining the last days since your blog of the 20th. Following the weather maps on the Titan page. So I knew that you were having difficulties with rowing.Please God things will go much easier in the days to come. How wonderful that you have had so much attention from your family and followers for your birthday. It took your mind off problems for a little while and you felt loved and missed. Donated for your birthday to Main.Little bit down in the weather myself at the moment with "Flu" will be back to myself in a few days. Just want you know that you are not forgotten here in Bodø. I am so very very proud of you. Take care of yourself and don`t loose heart,we are all behind you where ever we live and you are in our prayers and thoughts. In the not too distant future you will be there in Barbados,at the end of a very long long strenuous rowing tour. A wonderful dream will come true.......God bless you and take good care of you.Bye now

Hey Tommy. We almost met at the Atlantic a few weeks a ago. I came down in a rowing boat from Portugal to Barbados, when i heard about you a few days north of the Canaries. Sadly i got news that you had to quit because of steering problems. I wondered if you might have had the same problems as i had. My boat was pushed sideways by the wind so i had to rebalance all the boat to get more weight back into stern. Sadly i could not find a way to contact you while you were in Gomera. No i am very surprised to see you back at the Ocean. I was told you quit at all. That's great! I am back in Germany, arrived in Barbados after 90days and 6500km. Maybe next time we have more luck to met out there :-) I wish you all the best. You track looks fab! Janice

Hi Tommy and happy birthday for the other day. We have just got our jerseys printed for this years tri-athlon and obviously KED Endeavour favoured a good spot. Glad to see you are in fighting spirit and holding a steady course. Saw a great saying yesterday and immediately thought of you -the latin bit means 'If the wind will not serve,take to the oars'.
Got back on the bike for a few training rides and had a small taste of how your backside must be feeling although by now I presume numb bum is a few miles back. Anyway, as you can see I'm not too good at this blogging more of a blagger really. So thinking of you and best wishes too. See you soon

Hello Tom
Barbados is looking incredibly close on he map, Fantastic.
Sitting on delayed plane with Oli, absolutely packed and I am wandering if a single seat on a boat would be better, we'll stick it out here I think.
I think your parents left about a month ago for Barbados, something about preparing everything.
We look forward to seeing you very soon. Plane moving,love from all Ghazalas.

Dear Tom,
Follows you with excitement, hope you're almost there.
Here the weather has gotten worse, much snow warning with cold weather.
The book goes on, have had to work in the garden;
even if we get snow, spring is here.
Love Grandpa

Hey Tommy
Almost there!!! We look forwards to seeing you soon, every one is v excited about how close you are to land.
Keep rowing.
Lols xxx

So glad to see how close you are and to read that you are in good spirits. Happy belated birthday! Plaster cast is off and now walking on crutches, (well sort of) and we have just been over to UK to stock up on cheese!!!!!
Now back in a very dusty La Gomera.
Well keep rowing and catch up soon.
Big hugs

Dear Tommy. It is ao easy to understand that you must be feeling very impatient with the weather and speed. But I think if you look at it positively the next two weeks you have to build up your strength for the enormous change you will have when you finally arrive in Barbados,You have so much to look forward to meeting up with your loved ones and friends. After all the long days and weeks at sea it will be wonderful to have them around you. Even though there will be moments that you wished you had the quietness of being on Ked Endeavour.You are at last beginning to see light at the end of the long tunnel.With good luck and the right wind you will get there sooner than you think. Well here in Bodø it is snowing down. I is Easter week, when most of the Norwegians drive up into the mountains to their cottages or to Hotels to go ski-ing for a whole week. Started the holiday on friday 30th.Many take their winter holiday. So everything is very quiet in the towns and cities. The ones that stay in town go out on daily tours ski.ing. Everything is shut from early Wednesday until tuesday after Easter. We are staying at home and taking it easy as usual. Wish with all my heart that everything will be perfect for you with the weather and currents.Wish your family and friend a very Happy Easter. May God take good care of you. God bless. Bye now.

Dear Tommy.That was very worrying for you,read in your Twitter today that you were having diffulties with the Barbados authorities about permission to come in. Is there and Ambassador or Consul for England out there? What about the arrangers of Atlantic Challenge,the MUST be able to use their authority to help you have all your papers in order. Think what you have done ,this wonderful brave effort, First you are rowing solo in a little 9m rowing boat over so many weeks in the Atlantic,doing it for a cause Main Mental Health. England as we all are very very proud of you. Someone out there or in England MUST be able to get in touch with the rulers of Barbados etc.From my home way up North over the Arctic Circle,I shall make some enquiries.......Feel so sorry that you should have to worry about these problems.......But these things are sent to try us,and I know that you will make it in end.Bye for now,May God clear up all your unexpected problems and take care of you. Big hug

Hi there Tommy mate,
I'm guessing poor Shirley may not be conversant with our daft tradition of fooling each other on April 1st, for I'm certain such details would have been catered for long in advance. It made me chuckle when I saw your update, proof, were it needed, that you have your sense of humour still intact.

Thanks so much for the mention of 'Mr and Mrs Squire Ramus', they loved it, and I shall be good for my word on that agreement. We talked of you today after another fine day on the water out of Shoreham, everyone is tremendously impressed by your achievement, and wishing you well. As far as the Devil is concerned, there will always be a place for you should you be available, Squire said to book you in for the next channel crossing!

Getting closer now mate, so make the most of the peace you're enjoying, can't wait to celebrate your completion, we have a bottle of bubbly ready to toast you. Until then though, a couple more silly one liners:-

My Ultra Sensitive toothpaste doesn't like it when I use other toothpastes.

A lorry-load of tortoises crashed into a train-load
of terrapins, it was a turtle disaster.

I saw a shoplifter being arrested this morning by an albino policeman,
I thought to myself, "That's a fair cop."

Just seen on the side of a van "Robert and Robert Painters and Decorators", sounds a bit of a two bob outfit to me.

All the best Tommy,
from the Rami tribe, plus friends )))

So it was all April Fool. Did not think that this was april fool, but I did think that it was very strange that Tommy did`nt have all his papers in order. Sorry everyone.Must creep back into my shell.

No need to be sorry for anything Shirley, your support for Tommy has been wonderful to witness!

Having been feeling so stupid that I should fall for a April Fool,When I read about Tommy having these trouble ,my immediate reaction was to do what I could in my way to help him.He has become so much part of my daily life and I love to write chit chat to him to try help him along his way. It never crossed my mind about April 1. Here in Bodø there is not so much April 1st only in the daily newspaper. But this was such a very serious thing if Tommy had not everything in order..I am a very well known person here in Norway and i was going to go through different channels to help him. Thank God I did`nt,I was feeling so worried about Tommy. Then I read what you wrote and I felt so stupid old lady....... Ah well I am now over it and I forgive Tommy. It goes over in history. The main thing for me is that all is going so well for Tommy now,read his Twitter etc and I will continue until the day he arrives in Barbados.....Here in Bodø we still have plenty of snow and the sun is shining. Must go and make some dinner for my hungry husband. May God bless Tommy and make the rest of the journey go without big problems or little ones. Happy Easter to you all.un

Hi Tom
Can you smell land yet? We'd love to know when you do. There will surely be a difference in the air. We are so excited for you in this final stretch and wish we could all be there. It's been a funny couple of weeks back in the UK - what with 'the Granny tax', 'pasty-gate', no-n fuel strike chaos and George Galloway winning a byelection by a huge majority, one wonders if you may be in the best place!

God speed in this final furlong. We are all very proud of you. All our love, Da, Dan, Lola and Jack xx

Hi Tom, saw Susan, Peter, Lucy, Simon, your mum and dad and Liz at the weekend, we were talking about you all weekend, so I hope the only burning your ears have experienced is of the being talked about kind. Off to France tomorrow to see the ONeills so well all be talking about you there and cheering you on! Come home safe, your 90%+ done. Your brillient. love camxxxx

Heia Tommy. 73 days and 314 days to go.Tremendous,can we say in a fun,just a drop in the ocean after all the miles you have rowed and rowed ,facing all the elements as they came.Wonder if you packed an Easter Egg !!!!!! I`m sure that the weather is nice and warm(not too warm I hope) When started off you were may`be very pale and by the time you reach Barbados dark brown.Today in Bodø it is 2plus celcius in the sun...,great.....Snow everywhere,but thank heavens we have lovely sunny weather, so all that can are going out ski.ing and up to the mountains.We oldies drive out somewhere around and Sheena(Terrier Wheaten coat ) Had to have an irish dog. We are so like,both of us Shaggy dogs and loves people)Easter is a very important big holiday here in Norway,not from the religious point of view,it is the last chance to go ski-ing and long holiday. Everyone eating so much shoulders of lame,they almost baa baa like sheep when the holiday is over.Seriously great holiday time,very different from England or Ireland.Found snøwdrops in the garden today........Have been working on my Facebook,big fan. Have over 5000 friends and so many who wait for and read my page.Since you came into my life I have come on Twitter....... I write everything in English so that everyone can understand.Have a very restless husband and dog waiting for me to finish this because they want to go out a tour. Sometimes Tommy I envy you ,way out in the Atlantic Ocean in your little rowing boat,all nature and open sea,alone without anyone waiting for something or other,mind you I would not get so far as you,my talent is not rowing,in fact don`t know what my talent is....I love dolphins.....Must go now,time here is 12.30. God bless you and make the days go as quick as you want them to. Bye now If any mistakes forgive them

dear tommy,
you remember me? sandra from la gomera. we were in the manon's boat named lisa just to give you good vibes for the last straight line! eres un crack! how do you feel? i hope it won't be so difficult for you to arrive on dry land after more than 70 days on the sea..i wish you all the best besitos

Hi Tommy, great going! Simon Chaulk mentioned yesterday for me to listen out for your parents here in Barbados when you get close as we can meet you at sea when you get close, help with Customs, etc. as well as hauling your boat out. They can call me on (246-)253-9511 for any help at all locally.

Tommy, it seems ages ago that we rowed at Victoria station, I think that I managed about an hour and a half so I have a bit of training to do to get to your standard. I have been following your progress and would like to wish you all the very best for the final few hundred miles. Stay strong & good luck !

Tom,
Well, Easter is here, this morning it was - 5.5 ° C. For Good Friday, we promised snowstorm and rain on Saturday.
Follows you close by reading all messages, wonderful that so many eyes are on you.
Have a nice Easter, maybe you can catch a seagull and squeeze out an egg.
Love you
Grandpa

We're thinking of all the Tippetts family and praying for a very happy reunion!

From Catherine to Tommy: You and I are gonna have WORDS about your April Fools Prank, my son! Give me a heart attack why don't you! Remember - no me, no quilt, less monet - Just don't do it again!

Have a blessed Triduum! Time (three days) of solemn prayer and devotion thinking about The Passion - the Crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ and building up to... (... Easter... but not yet!)

We look forward to your return - May God Bless you all.
Catherine & Paul
St John the Baptist Church, Kirdford

It's great to hear you sounding so upbeat after the lack of wind and problems with hand pumping and no doubt an aching body. You had a mention on radio Sussex today by the editor of the West Sussex County Times who even mentioned your April fool! It had me worried too until Nick brought me to my senses! I am taking a break from making hot cross buns so the kitchen smells of spices! Can you smell Barbados yet? You are getting so close I shall really miss following your progress every day when you get there.
Happy Easter everyone, I'm sure there will be a large Easter egg when you arrive Tommy.
With love from
Angie and Nick

It could be seen that the wind was being been unhelpful and pushing you north of the course for Barbados so well done for getting back on track. We should recognise that in some ways this leg is the most demanding as you must now make your craft go exactly where you want it to. But having followed your determination and strong spirit all the way I am certain you will achieve it.

Congratulations on passing another £1000 mile stone or should that be sea mark. I hope everyone will ensure that you pass some more in the final week. You and MIND deserve it!

Thanks for tweeting congratulations for Amy's and Will's wedding. It was good to see your family there and we all had a great time. I am looking forward to seeing you too but don't rush back as you deserve a good rest in Barbados.

PS should you miss Barbados, which you wont, please remember to stop when you get to the Panama Canal.

Keith

Dearest Tommy,

It looks like you are making good progress - just to let you know we are thinking of you and willing you on towards Barbados where I'm sure an ecstatic welcome will await! Keep going 1 mile at a time -you reall yare making it happen.We are so proud of you and cant wait to welcome you home and hear all about your adventure, Lots of love and Happy Easter. God bless you and keep you safe and well Anita and the gang xxxx

Hope all is well, Tommy. Looking forward to your next post.

Great news on Twitter Today Tommy that you expect to reach your goal in a week.Have wishes you all the luck in the world and with God s will you'll be there quicker than you know. I have become so used to getting in contact,that it will be strange without it.i am so very very proud of you and what you are achieving. Well what's New here in the Arctic Circle,It has been snowing down most of the times,lokal like white Christmas on postadresse. But now We are rally fed up with it.Ah well this something We can Do nothing
with,in between the snowing melts only to snow
again and so it goes
on.Yesterday it was 56 Years since I arrived in Bodø and made My home here.Where dose the time go and I still feel young.everything is very quiet in toWn Easter saturday. Everything Open up again on tuesday , after ten days almost holidays,everything at half speed.England and Ireland have only Good Friday shut and Easter monday.These Norwegians know How to live.......So there you are Tommy you learn a little everyday.You must be getting very excited about merking you family and friends at the quay in Barbados,what a wonderful mobbing scene it will be.Hope that there will be plenty of pictures. now I will come with an appell to everyone who have'nt made their donation your cause Main (mental Health)to Do it NOW.It is possible to Give twice.Think what a very Great thing Tommy has done. May God bless you Tommy ,keep you safe now that is nearly the end of an almost never ending row row Rowing for so long.I'm behind you all the way,blowing the right wind in the right direction to make easy for you!!!!!!
God speed...

Forgive all the strange words popping up.I did't write mobbing (moving)!,,,,postaddress ....(Card). Lokal. (looks). merking(meeting) That is correction........

How very wonderful Tommy,eagerly awaiting you latest blog. Think that you are almost there and returned to the arms of your loved ones and on dry land. I`m sure that it will take sometime to get used and return to normal life, it will never be quite the same for you after this great adventure . Think what you achieved in so many ways,shown yourself what you are capable of doing and proved it by doing what you set out to do. I am so very very proud of you,even though I do not know you,I feel that I do in a way.Will miss your blogs and Twitters,they have become part of my everyday life.Anyway hope that you are not getting too burnt by the sun and wind,guess it gets warmer the closer you get to land.What an unforgettable moment it will be when you suddenly see Barbados,and little boats come out to great you,may`be with your parents onboard.I shall try and imagine it. Well here in Bodø it is very quiet,it is Easter Sunday. People are mostly away in the mountains ski-ing etc.It is the last long holiday before the summer holiday. It has been constantly snowing down and very cold. It is very early in the morning as I write,only Sheena my dog is awake . On the 6th it was 56 years since I arrived in Bodø for the first time and have remained here and made it my home. Where does the time go and I still feel young. Think what a fantastic thing youhave done for Main Mental Health ,I had never heard of it ,but now you have made it know to so many people and got in funds to help. I Appeal to everyone reading this to make a donation to your cause in your honour, can even send for a second time,to get it up to your target of 25.000 pounds. Wish you all the luck in the world on the last miles home,may God bless you and give you the extra energy to make the rowing easier.Think it really is happening Tommy,not just a wild dream,but a dream come true......

So sorry about double up. I could not find what i had sent,so wrote a new this morning,only to find that it was on page two.Sorry folks,some things are doubled.Ah well. Saw on Facebook that Tommy has sent out a new blog could read some of it on Facebook,the rest refers to website. !!!!!!!! Beautiful beautiful weather now in Bodø. Blue skies and tons of white glittering snow on the ground,tomorrow the same weather,just as the Easter holiday is ending and people are returning home again to everyday life.Hope that you have also the weather that can help you and that it is not too warm. You poor thing with your hands from rowing,thank God it is almost at an end and life will be a luxury.God bless you ,only a very short time again. Wonderful .Bye now I thought that everything I had written last had disappeared......

Your tweets sound like you are having a lovely time, swimming and so on... sounds a bit more relaxed... may be wrong, but glad you sound like you are having a bit of time to enjoy yourself a little, too. Have you had a swim with the tuna, yet? Are they still with you, I wonder...

Anyway, the quilt top now has a border around the main Ocean Waves panel and is looking good! Your mum and a lady from our congregation, Carolyn, helped me make the decision about what colours to use... looks good, good choice ladies, three heads are sometimes better than one... hey!

The next bit is cutting the backing fabric to size and sewing the joining seam through it... then cutting the batting (cotton wadding) to size - in one single piece and then hand tacking (large stitches to hold everything in place) all three layers together... patchwork top, the middle layer of batting (cotton wadding) and then the backing... and then the quilting will start... once the quilting is complete, then I shall finish it off with the binding which is a thin border attached to the outer edge literally binding the three edges together and finishing the quilt off.

Still a lot of work but am going full steam ahead!

Keep up the good work, Tommy! We are all keeping you in our prayers here at St John the Baptist, Kirdford and Holy Trinity, Plaistow.

See you, soon!

Love and Prayers from Paul and Catherine to all the Tippetts family. Godspeed, Tommy!
Catherine (Hi, Roz!)