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Debra Veal, 26, became famous overnight in January when she rowed into Barbados, having spent 112 days at sea, 98 of these alone. She had started the Ward Evans Atlantic Rowing Challenge with her husband Andrew, 35, but he found the ocean overwhelming and was forced to return to shore. She chose to continue on her own, and her achievement captured the nation's imagination. An internet entrepreneur before this, Veal is now writing a book about her adventure, and is looking into further solo challenges.
Apart from people, what did you miss the most?
I tried not to think about what I was missing too much because it can be quite damaging. If you're not careful you start feeling bitter about being out there for so long on your own. But towards the end, I did think about food most of the time.
What in particular?
Oh anything fresh. Vegetables and salad. And glasses of red wine.
Was the freeze-dried food ghastly?
When I tasted it before I left, I didn't think it was that bad, but it became the bane of my life. I got to the point where the smell made me nauseous.
So did you lose weight?
Yes, but more from muscle wastage than anything else. Although rowing's good for most muscle groups it's not for your calf muscles, and mine wasted away, which was entertaining when I tried to walk at the other end! My body changed shape.
Did you have any recurrent nightmares?
I wasn't ever asleep long enough to dream. The most I ever slept was an hour, and then...