Earlier this month, sailor and artist Lia Ditton set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to row almost 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean with 44-year-old Mick Birchall of the Cambridgeshire Police.

She arrived at the start of the Atlantic Rowing Race 2009 with just four days left until it was due to begin. Prior to this time she and Mick had never met and only spoken briefly on the phone. He was looking for a new rowing partner and she was looking for something that would help her train for the Barcelona World Race later this year and for the opportunity to work on her next piece, 'Colours of the Atlantic'.

With no time to waste, they immediately agreed to row together. Her support team flew out the next day with all of the personal kit needed for up to 80 days at sea in a 23-foot rowing boat. Fortunately the race was delayed due to bad weather and Lia and Mick ended up having almost a month to get to know each other properly and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.

And what an adventure it’s turning out to be!