A message from Rob and James:-
"Dear Friends and Supporters of 180 Degrees,
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of excitement, and it seems as though our feet have barely touched the ground. Having left the South Magnetic Pole it took us 8 days of northward sailing to reach land. Almost two days before we sighted the coast of Tasmania, the air was filled with a smoky eucalyptus aroma, it was an addictive scent, something to tantalise us now that we were so close. When we first spotted Australia's Southern-most lighthouse late at night it enhanced the already
electric atmosphere of anticipation onboard Blizzard and even though we were exhausted it was difficult to sleep.
At sunrise, we were surrounded by greenery, trees and hills. We could see the street lights switching off and feel the buzz of civilization. It was a moment of intense relief. We were entering Hobart for a secretive stop to clear customs before Sydney, so the sailing was not entirely over but we knew that for the first time in over two months we would be in a position where we could relax entirely. Five armed officers searched the boat and deposited the very last items of food into quarantine
bags, our passports were stamped and we were set free. Buildings, colours, roads, fresh fruit and for everything, the appreciation was immense.
Begrudgingly we prepared to set sail again, but we at least knew it would not be so cold again. Now we faced the problem of sweating in our sleeping bags, a luxurious predicament to have and the food was a fusion of flavours, not just rice and ketchup!
Finally, at 7:30 am on the 9th May - 1 year, 1 month and 1 day after beginning the expedition we passed through the Heads and into Port Jackson; the famous Sydney harbour. We were escorted in by a whole ferry of friends and supporters and The Tribal Warrior, a sail training boat for aboriginals, which performed the ritual smoking ceremony for us. Sailing past the Opera house and beneath the Bridge, the very moment that we had relived in our minds on so many occasions, was finally a reality
and beneath a sapphire blue sky we came to rest alongside the National Maritime Museum.
We were overwhelmed by the crowd that had gathered to greet us. A hustling pack of reporters waited on the dock, the skyscrapers towered around us, and the sun was already beating down. Before we really knew what was happening and still in a state of bewilderment, we were thrust onto a podium and showered with generosity from all corners of Sydney. It was the most joyful moment of the last 14 months and yet all we could do was struggle to take it in and yearn for a quiet corner to hide in!
A week later, having enjoyed the Australian jaunt immensely we were returning to the UK and we arrived at home early on Sunday morning to a small gathering of friends and family.
It is difficult to surmise in such a short way everything that we have learned and experienced on this expedition, it has been a year spent almost entirely out of our depth, and struggling to seek our way through a labyrinth of challenges. However, that is exactly what we have valued most and we could never have anticipated how bizarrely the project would unfold. We have witnessed beyond doubt that climate change is affecting our world. We have shocked ourselves by how far you can get with
just the will never to give up. But mostly we have been shocked by the ceaseless, immense support that we have received from so many.
It has never been more apparent that this expedition would not have been completed, and this project ever begun without the input, inspiration, work and support of a team that has surrounded us.
Thank you for creating the spark. Thank you for believing in the vision. Thank you for pushing us onwards. The work has only just begun, we want to share our experiences and must create a book and produce a documentary, but most importantly attempt to implant the same spark which has inspired us into other young people. Life is full of challenges.
With countless gratitude (and a little a relief!),
Best Wishes,
James and Rob
"
Top 
