Pair near 'toughest' 3,000-mile Atlantic row finish

The couple set off on 11 December are due at Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua, on Friday, family said

A couple in their 60s are proving an adventurous spirit does not stop with age as they reach the final stages of a transatlantic rowing competition.

Nicky and Bob Parr are taking part in the 3,000 mile World's Toughest Row event after setting off from Spain in December.

They have been rowing in two-hour shifts in their boat, named after Mrs Parr's father, who was a medal-winning rower in Herefordshire.

The couple, who are expected to arrive in Antigua later, are raising money for ex-servicemen through charity Pilgrim Bandits.

Mr Parr's sister Kate Parker said the pair met in Hereford when Bob, 67, was in the services and have always had a strong sense of adventure.

"They're very supportive of each other in their ambitions - Nicky particularly of Bob because of having been in the services - he's gone all over the world and she has literally followed her man," she said.

The idea to take part in the challenge came from Mr Parr, his sister said

"Bob has led an incredibly adventurous life, both in the services and when he left in 2000, he went and worked in the film industry, worked in Hollywood and went and travelled all over the world for various different productions that he was involved in.

"I think it's very hard as you head into your late 60s and 70s and you've lived on adrenalin all your life to give it up."

The idea to take part in the challenge came from Mr Parr, his sister said, although he would only do it with his 62-year-old wife.

The couple subsequently got their RYA qualification for seamanship, "so she knows what she's doing", Ms Parker said.

"Over time they just developed this desire to do things. I think it's just become part of who they are," she added.

Mr Parr is a patron for Pilgrim Bandits New Zealand, which aims "to encourage people who have lived adventurous lives... to get back out there and feel how they used to feel", Ms Parker said.

Overall, the couple had struggled with the two-hour rowing shifts as well as the total physicality of the trip, but what they had loved most had been wildlife.

"They've loved the wildlife and I think being out of the everyday mix of the world," she added.

The couple have a strong sense of adventure, Ms Parker said