Page 14 - link magazine

14 The Link Magazine • February 2002
Atlantic rower returns triumphant
W LLS After nearly three months at sea in his boat Spirit of Swindon, intrepid rower Norman Butler from
Westlea returned to Swindon in early January, after a joyful reunion with his wife Linda and baby
Professionally drawn by daughter Melissa in Barbados on 29 December.
THE ANDREWS The Link has reported on Nor- As the journey took
man's preparations over the last longer than expected Norman steering
PARTNERSHIP two years, to row across the Atlan- Norman and Phil the Spirit of Swindon
tic. We arranged for the Mayors of started to run out of
A professionally prepared Swindon and German twin town food and had to call
will can avoid delay and Salzgitter to meet him and see the for help from passing
distress for your family boat at the West Swindon Centre, ships. An encounter
and have printed updates of his with a freighter which
Home visit service: supplied food nearly
Single £49.95 • Double £69.95 progress at sea over the last three
months from satellite phone calls. destroyed the Spirit of
Tel: (01793) 642245 Norman never wavered from his Swindon. "We came in
goal and is an example of an ordi- too close and because
www.theandrewspartnership.co.uk nary bloke setting his heart on do- the ship was empty
ing something remarkable. and sitting high in the
The last ten days of the 82 day water, we became
trip was spent by himself as Nor- trapped under the hull
BEVIRS man's rowing partner Phil as it was moving," said
Norman. "The crew
Scantlebury gave up and was taken
off on a rescue boat. could not see us and we were des- ible how much she has changed.
SOLICITORS Norman explained that unfor- perately fending off as the Spirit "There are so many people I have
tunately the psychological pres- bumped along towards the rud- to thank for their support - my
for Independent sures of being at sea for longer der which was as tall as a house; specialist advisors who helped me
than expected and in rough condi- we would certainly have been plan and train for the journey, my
Financial Advice
tions had become too much for
See us first for impartial guidance Phil. "There were some extreme
y
on investment and mone matters moments which had us both on
Offices in Swindon, the edge. The physical demands
Wootton Bassett and Caine and discipline to keep rowing
whatever the weather and what-
y
Contact Jerem Angell ever time it was became too great a
on 01249 814536 strain and a lot of my effort was
Authorised by the Financial Services going into counselling and coax-
Authority to conduct investment business ing him. The last days solo were
some of
Holding a flag the best
as I was
pres.iftedhy_the
Shaw Chiropractic Mayor of Salzgi€ter - able to
Clinic concen-
trate on drowned if we were caught by the patron Sir Maurice Johnston, Rev
Shaw Village Centre the task propeller. Thankfully we just Peter Knight at Lydiard Millicent
of achiev- popped out with a few metres to and all the people who sent cards
IF YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM:
ing my go; I think God came to our rescue and e-mails to encourage me, many
• Backache, Leg pain goal." in the nick of time." I don't know.
• Neck, Shoulder, The A bout of food poisoning upset "My niece Clare Edmonds from
Arm Pain first part Norman's routine for about a week, Purton gave me some sealed enve-
• Headache of the trip but there were only two occasions lopes which I looked forward to
& Migraine had been when the two men locked them- opening when reaching stages in
unevent- selves into their cabin because of the row.
• Sciatica
ful but the rough weather. "It was impor- "Linda has been incredible. I
• Sports Injury h a r d tant to steer the boat through the underestimated the stress she
• Arthritis work as waves as they came at us from would be under. As I settled into a
• Whiplash there was different directions. The massive rhythm, she was dealing with
swells are really an incredible phone calls, media enquiries, tell-
YOU SHOULD or wave assistance to help the row- scene. One moment you're deep in ing people how I was, whilst car-
CONSIDER CONSULTING ing. As the Spirit of Swindon a valley, the next at the top and for ing for Melissa and trying not to
A CHIROPRACTOR moved south, the heat rose, whilst miles around are ranges of moun- worry too much. She gave me fan-
salt water skin rashes and pres- tainous waves, always moving." tastic support."
For further details contact: sure sores increased. Sometimes The reunion with Linda and Now Norman wants to visit
rowing naked in the cooler parts of Melissa at Port St Charles in Bar- schools to talk about his experi-
SANDRA E. DAVIES D.C.
the day was the only way of reliev- bados was joyful. "When I left ences and he has to find a job to
SIMON BODLEY BSc. D.C.
ing the discomfort. Norman's pho- Melissa was newborn. It's incred- start settling accumulated debts.
Tel: (01793)887801 tos of backsides being ex- If anyone is looking for
posed to the sun won't be Norman aged ten somebody with excellent
Fax: (01793) 882298
reproduced here. planning a project project management and
Opening times He gave up taking pain- for 25 years later counselling skills and
Mon, Tues, Fri: 7.30am - 8.30pm killers as they had little considerable drive, give
Wed: 8.30am - 8pm effect. Norman's alterna- Norman a call on 882197.
Thurs: 8.30am - 7.30pm tive was laughter, by re- • Powerpoint help. Can
calling scenes from Fawlty you help Norman create
Sat: 8.30am - Ipm
Towers and Alan Par- a photo presentation. Call
Members of BCA • Registered with GCC tridge shows. him if you can assist.
Members of the C ollege of Chiropractors