‘We keep plodding along’: UK pair two-thirds of the way through 8,000-mile charity row

Miriam Payne and Jess Rowe are rowing across the Pacific Ocean, from Peru to Australia, to raise money for charity

The physical and mental challenges have been immense, the setbacks numerous. The pair have endured searingly hot days and chilly nights and dealt with debilitating blisters and salt sores.

They have been faced with a series of equipment failures (using a pair of underpants to fix one crucial bit of kit) and there was a pretty tense moment when they feared a pair of curious marlins swimming under their boat might pierce their hull.