A rower taking on a solo 3,000 mile challenge across the Atlantic will spend Christmas Day 2,300 miles away from home and will be swapping turkey for a freeze dried mealcloud.<br /><br />SWLNrower - By Izzy Hawksworth<br /><br />A rower taking on a solo trek across the Atlantic will spend Christmas Day 2,300 miles away from home - and will be swapping turkey for a freeze dried meal.<br /><br />Miriam Payne, 23, is currently taking part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, described as the 'world's toughest row'.<br /><br />She set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on December 12, and hopes to reach Antigua in the Caribbean on February 8.<br /><br />Miriam will spend Christmas alone on the boat, and will be tucking into a freeze dried meal instead of a traditional Christmas dinner.<br /><br />She has also said she wants to do a 're-do of Christmas' when she completes the challenge and comes back home.<br /><br />Speaking from her boat, Miriam said: "I don't think it's going to feel like Christmas Day at all.<br /><br />"I've got some cards and little presents from family and friends, and then I'll have a ring round and ring some of the other rowers to see how everyone is getting on.<br /><br />"I don't think it's going to feel like Christmas. I think I'm going to have a re-do of Christmas when I'm home.<br /><br />"I'm having freeze dried rations which sounds a bit depressing but I've got some treats as well like extra chocolate.<br /><br />"I've also got a chocolate orange and a can of a fizzy drink which I've been saving for Christmas and I'm dying to crack into that.<br /><br />"I've got a satellite phone, so I'll definitely make time to speak to my family and check in and see how they're doing."<br /><br />Miriam will be competing against around 30 other teams in the race, and is currently rowing at least 14 hours a day to be able to finish the challenge in 60 days.<br /><br />The former astrophysics student decided to take part in it because she thought it was 'a great opportunity' as knew she would 'regret not doing it.'<br /><br />She also wanted to raise money for two charities - Mind Hull and East Yorkshire and Wellbeing of Woman.<br /><br />Miriam, of Market Weighton, East Yorks,. said: "It is just such a great opportunity to raise money for my two charities but there's also the element of why not?<br /><br />"It's something where the more I heard about it, the more I knew I had to do it and I knew I would regret not doing it so I just thought I would give it a go.<br /><br />"It's been good so far, there's been lots of ups and downs as I think now the loneliness has set in.<br /><br />"But I've been really enjoying it, I've seen some really good wildlife including some really cool whales and it's just something you've got to get on with really."<br /><br />Even though Miriam is really enjoying the challenge, she has said she is looking forward to having a 'proper shower' and using 'a non-moving toilet.'<br /><br />The former University of Glasgow student said: "I think I'm just looking forward to normal food, like fresh fruit.<br /><br />"I was craving bread and potatoes the other day, and I just wan
