Best Laid Plans.

As many may already know, my swim came off the rails around the 10 hour mark. Having swam through the separation zone, I was lined up to land just north of the Cap. However, my old bones had better ideas and I was pulled from the water by my pilot (Ali) on safety grounds, a decision I didn't agree with at the time but as it turns out was, without doubt, the best one. This is why the pilots deserve every penny they are paid and why I have the upmost respect for what they do.

Thank-you to everyone who sent such wonderful words of encouragement before, during and after my swim. It is great to know that so many were willing me on, and I'm sorry I couldn't deliver, but over the next few days I will attempt to contact you all in some form to say thanks.

I will at some point put a more detailed acconut on the blogimebob, but for now thankyou all for believing in me and sorry.

Andy

The journey continues

Well Ali does not need AIS as spotters in Shropshire are telling me where we are all the time! The sun is shining, the music is great Ali has provided a great soundtrack for the crossing and we are all singing along. OOOh oh yes the swimmer well he continues to do really well and has fed brilliantly he now comes to the whistle and takes his bottle!!

From Andy's viewpoint its water water all the way. We have overtaken Steven Black on Suva. Keeping everything crossed!xxx

South West Shipping Lane

Well he's been going almost three hours and we are about to enter the South West shipping lane, it is a tad foggy at the moment. Andy is looking good, his swimhat appears to be giving him some grievance I will check at next feed. Ali is well impressed with his feeding it is spot on!!!

Swimbitch 1 out!

We're off!!

Well we are off well when I say we I mean Andy he has had two feeds and is going well, looking strong. the weather conditions are according to Ali a normal channel day and not one of these mirror smooth lake type channel swims. The boat ride is as they say a little cheeky. We have Irene as observer so all Andy's lucky charms are in place. I wll try and update as we go but his feeds are my priority. Rob will be going in on three hours as support swimmer. Will uate again as soons as am able!!

Signing off over over Swimbitch 1

Twas The Night Before The Big Swim!!

Guess who's going to France tomorrow Morning (wednesday)?

Meeeeee.

Ali sent me a text comfirming an 06:30 start, so Rob my support swimmer is on his was and I'm busy mixing maxim. I'm all excited and nervous at the same time, but I really want to go now!!

I had a short dip in the harbour this afternoon and felt really good, so all the training, all the prep will come to fruition very soon.

Andy

Monday - The Swimmers are Off

Today saw many of the boats and swimmers out in the Channel. Early indications are that many swims were successful, including Liam Maher in 13 hrs 11 min. Well done Liam.

I've had no further updates from Ali, but the weather looks set fine for the number 2 swimmers tomorrow, and if the weather continues to hold, I may well be off on Wednesday.

Fingers crossed.

If anyone wants to track my swim the AIS tracker for Roco is on the link below.

http://www.shipais.com/showship.php?mmsi=235062006

Sunday 18 July.

Had another 2 hour dip in Dover harbour this morning, followed by a leisurely lunch in the new watersports centre. After lunch I sat on the beach in the sunshine, and watched many of the other swimmers pound out a 6 hour, (the one advantage to an early season swim).

Still no futher updates on my swim, though talk on the beach is that some swims will hopefully get underway early tomorrow morning. The weather forcast is all over the place and constantly changing, so watch this space!

Weather Delay.

Well we have the first weather delay. I've had an update from Ali and I will not swim until Wednesday at the earliest. Having looked at the forcast, I think that this will be put back even further. This is the joy of Channel swimming!! not to worry I will sit back read a book or two and chill.

Thanks to everyone who has sent me good luck wishes over the last few days. These are really apprieciated and will spur me on to success. I will try and respond to you all over the coming days.

Arrived In Dover

We have arrived in Dover ready for my big swim. having said hello to everyone it was into the water for a gentle 2 hour swim to loosen off. The eastern dock wall was choppy but good practice and the swim was soon over.

I've had a text from Ali Streeter, my pilot, who has indicated that I will provisionally swimming on Tuesday, and to meet her at the marina for 05:00. Let's kkep our fingers crossed for the wind to drop over the next couple of days.

More tomorrow.

The Last Big Training Weekend.

Up again at 02:30 for the drive down to Dover, but this time I know it's the last big weekend before I taper for the main event. Freda asks me what I want to do, and I say whatever she thinks best, so I'm given a 7 hour, which I was dreading, but hoping for at the same time. Everyone else on my tide gets a 4 hour as they are already tapering. I know she's right to push me at this point, so I decide to give it some beans for the whole 7 hours. We hop into the water on the stroke of 9, and after a warm up down to the wall, I wind the pace up keeping with some of the faster swimmers and passing a few along the way. The conditions are flat calm and as I motor along, I wish I was in the Channel as everything is perfect. I feed quckly and easily, I'm not sick and I'm not cold. The 7 hours soon pass and although I'm very tired and my arms are aching I feel great with no pain.

Sunday dawns with another gloriously sunny day and I'm aching all over but ready for a 6 hour, which Freda duly hands me. Off we go again and I think that I should take it a little steadier today. However, the wind soon picked up and the swim from the East Wall to the Clocktower became "challenging". I decided to work hard into the wind and surf back down, stopping for a feed on the way back. This seemed to work well and, once again the time passed quickly. Despite swallowing a goodly amount of water, my tummy retained it's contents which was the most rewarding part of the weekend!!!

I do hope that's a cadbury's mini roll!!

Freda, Irene and Ruth in the sun.

Budgie smuggling on Dover beach!!

Warm up before my Sunday 6 hour!!

Now it's time to back off, with some shorter sessions at Criccieth next weekend and then we're off to Dover, to await the call from Ali Streeter.

Wot I did at Dover - 26 & 27th June

It's 02:30 Saturday morning and we're up and heading off to Dover! Arriving in lovely sunshine we had a gossip and a chat with fellow swimmers, then it was time to pay homage to the General who was looking well. I was hoping for a 7 hour swim to consolidate Ireland and Freda didn't disappoint, giving me the task of announcing the days swim to the expectant crowd. Once the muttering had died down and the greasing was completed, we entered the water at 9am and I planned to swim hard for the entire swim. Feeding at 2 hours then on the hour, everything was great for the first hour, but then I was stung yet again by a jelly fish across the face. I heard a little voice in my head saying "suck it up boy" so on I swam with everything feeling good up to the feed at hour 5, I got 20 yards out and up it all came, if England had played as well as I chundered they would have stuffed the Germans! Being a brave little soldier (sorry Cliff, Airman) I carried on to the end, still swimming well (all things are relative). I did come in at 6 hours 59 min 30 sec and had stones thrown at me until I turned back and did an extra 20 yards to complete the 7 hour, but all in all a good swim.

Sunday morning was even warmer and promised to be even hotter as the day progressed. This time a 6 hour. Chris Jordinson had given me a couple of sea sickness pills to try, which I accepted despite my Mum telling me never to take sweeties from strangers! Whether it was calmer conditions, me swallowing less water or the pills, I came out of the water feeling strong and with a intact stomach. The way forward for the Channel is to use sea sickness pills for me.

Overall, a great weekend of swimming that has boosted my confidence for the big day. If I can repeat or do better next weekend I will be very happy and will feel as ready as I can be.

Keep you all posted.

Ireland Seems So Long Ago.

I've been home for a week now and work seems to have taken over where it left off and Ireland seems a lifetime ago. However, I must say a huge thanks to everyone on the Camp. Firstly to Ned for taking the time and trouble to set up and run the Camp, as well as all his help and advice, it will be used to get me to France.

There were many others involved in varying degrees who deserve thanks: Owen O'Keefe, what a great guy, great swimmer, great organiser (Fermoy), and budding torturer (makes you sick all that talent at his age!!). Lisa Cummins, a wonderful person and an inspiration to any Channel wannabe. Steven Black, when did you get faster than me, must have been all that time in Lough Ine? Kieran and Mick for your role as support swimmers in the last hour of my 6 hour, Kieran thanks for all the email support as well, and one day I'm sure you will be in that Channel. Enda Kennedy, you always bring a smile to a swim and pass it on to all around you, a true gift, cheers mate and good luck on your swim. Eddie and Liam, 2 top blokes who I hope will fly across the Channel, I wish I could swim like you guys! All my fellow SwimTrekkers who made the trip, Karen, Neil and Paul, we must get a 100% success rate for Ned?

Finally, to the wife, swim bitch and grease monkey that can only be Ruth. You have been the best supporter a swimmer could ask for. You deserve all those shoes, bags, frocks etc!!

If I've missed anyone, sorry but you were all brilliant and thanks again.

Before the 6 hour.

  

After the 6 hour!!

Lisa Helps with the Safety Cover!

Sandy Cove from the island.

The 6 Hour Swim.

Our final day swimming was a 6 hour at Sandy Cove. As with the rest of the week the weather was glorious, with clear blue skies. We all started together to loop around the island for the whole 6 hours. Whilst I didn't need to do a qualifying swim, it was all to be hours in the bank. As the hours passed the far side of the island was getting to be a little "testy", combined with a long weeks swimming and the after effects of the jelly encounter, Ned suggested (well insisted) that I do the last hour in the bay, I was in no state to argue and fully agreed. Mick also joined me to act as a practice support swimmer, which really pushed me on and upped my stroke. Thanks again Mick for the support and even more burgers!!

In total, I did just over 27 hours in the week we had in Ireland, by far my hardest week ever. If I can carry this forward to some good swims in Dover over the next 2 weekends, then I will be as ready as I ever will be for the day out to France.

I will post some more photos in the next day or two and say some more thankyou's, but it's bedtime and I have the joy of work in the morning!!

TBBC - I'm Alive!!

Yep I survived.

We all entered the water at 10 am, in sunny warm conditions, our brief from Ned was to swim twice round the island, but in the opposite direction. This was to be our first test then, but I set off hoping I could sight clearly enough to save swimming too wide.

Following the 2 laps as I swam towards the slipway, I was woken from my daydream by Eddie and Owen in a little inflatable, suggesting I might like to swim around the boat 10 times! This I did, but not before beaching on the rocks we had all drifted onto! Eddie claimed it was all part of the training (whatever!!). After this I followed the boat on a magical mystery tour around the Cove, which I found to be a real treat having swam around the island all week. Having said my thankyou's, I headed back for a feed and was rewarded with a lovely drop of maxim and sent off for another lap of the island, with instructions to come back in after that lap. Being the ever obedient swimmer, this I did, whereupon Lisa Cummins tells me to put in a fast lap, I set off thinking this is me doing fast!!

Back in for a feed to be told I was off on an adventure with the rib, and what an adventure. We headed out off Sandy Cove and I was told to aim for the black rocks sloping into the water, fair enough thinks I and off I set. The swell out off the Cove was, in Nick Adams' words "a little cheeky", and brought back memories of my Channel swim in 2008, but far from being worried this insired me to work through the waves and press on, knowing I could cope. We eventually reached the point and I was rewarded by another feed from Lisa and was told to head home and aim for the red house, I was too polite to say what "bloody red house", and set off aiming for the trees in the distance which I recognised. It was harder going back than on the way out but eventually I could make out the red house in Sandy Cove and dug deeper, finally being pulled up as I entered the Cove. Lisa fed me again and said swim into the horse box, which I was tempted to question, because how the hell could I swim up the slipway especially with the tide out? I also felt that now I've had another feed that I would be told to head back out around the island for another million laps, so imagine my joy when I saw everyone was out and I was told it was all over.

In all I did about 5 hours 15 min and apparently was the last out, that'll teach me to be so slow.

Thanks must go to Ned, Lisa, Eddie and Owen as my main torturers, as well as all those involved the the support of all us swimmers. Mick, your burgers are a joy to eat.

The Joy of Jellies.

Well it's Friday and I'm feeling better after a 2 hour in Sandy Cove this morning. I think part of my not feeling well may have been a bit of a reaction to the jellyfish stings I received in Lough Ine. They only felt like nettle stings at first, but later itched like crazy. for those that are interested, see photos below:

Tonight sees us on the beach near Garretstown for a play in the surf and a few beers before the TBBC (total body and brain confusion) day tomorrow. I will report if I survive.

Iniscara and Lough Ine

Tuesday morning saw me back in Sandy Cove for the early morning 2 hour ritual around the island, and then on to a beautiful manmade reservoir on the River Lee in the evening. It was agreed that an up and down route would be taken as far as a bouy near the pumping station, (any further we might get sucked into the hydo-electric station! In the 2 hours I managed nearly 2 laps, cutting the second lap a little short to stay with the faster swimmers.

Wednesday morning I woke with a sore throat and feeling quite rough, so I gave the early swim a miss, but the evening swim at Lough Ine was amazing. Set admist hills and forests the lough is a large sea water lake fed though a set of rapids that flow in and out of the lake dependent upon the tide. Having swam around the lake to the rapids we had to get out and walk past the rapids as the tide was coming in. We then swam out into the atlantic around an island and back, then we braved the rapids which was a real adventure. Re-entering the lough you couldn't help notice at how much warmer it was compared to the open sea, making it a joy to swim back as a group to the finish. A truely great swim.

On thursday morning I felt even worse, but decided to do the early morning swim, but I only managed just over an hour before coming out and living for another day. Having rested for the day I hope to be back in the water for a full session tomorrow and fully fit for the "Big Weekend".

Sandy Cove

The alarm went off at 05:00, do I ignore it and stay in my nice warm bed or get to Sandy Cove and get in the water for 2 hours? No contest, but I get up anyway!! Sandy Cove Island looks wonderful in the early morning light as the bleary eyed swimmers enter the water, as always it's cold when you get in, but after a few strokes you remember why you love open water swimming.

Four laps of the island later, the 2 hour swim is over and I head back to the slipway feeling a little cold but happy with the swim, knowing I get to do it all later in the evening.

Once again the weather Gods are with us for the evening swim. Entering the water at 6:30 we head off for our 4 laps. Th inner side of the island is flat calm, but outside it's a little more "cheeky" and provides just enough of a challenge to stop you thinking about the cold. Once again the 4 laps pass relatively soon and it's time to head back in to the finish, job done, day one done.

Martin Duggan Memorial Swim - Fermoy

Sunday meant a late start as we were all racing at the above race in the Blackwater River. This was a 6km swim up the river and back, the turn point being Michael Flatterley's (River Dance) Mansion complete with canons!!

 

I seemed to struggle all the way up the river, dropping well back of the main group, but I had a battle with a couple of wetsuit swimmers, who I managed to out sprint at the end. A disappointing time of 2hrs 15min, but I swam hard all the way.

Monday morning sees us at Sandy Cove for a 2 hour swim starting at 6am and another 2 hour at 6pm!!

The First Irish Swim

After an uneventful journey across the Irish Sea, we arrived in the beautiful town of Kinsale and found our apartment for the week. Saturday's swim was off a lovely beach at Ballycroneen and having chatted for a while a nuumber of us entered the water for a mile swim down the coast and back.

We were supported by a number of kayaks, who kept a close eye on us. After getting back to the starting point a number of us decided to head back down the coast on a second lap, though this time we turned at the halfway point. In total a 3 mile swim at a great location in approx 13C water. I'd a say a good start to the week especially as we were all invited to Eddie Irwin's house after for beer and a curry! Thanks to both Eddie and Liam Maher for a great day.

Latest Gossip and Update

Despite my best intentions to keep this blogimebob thing going I have failed badly, so I will try and make amends between now and when I swim.

Since the last entry, I have been to Gozo with SwimTrek, the first week as a swimmer and the following 2 weeks as a guide. I was not able to complete my 6 hour swim, but it wasn't strictly required as my 2008 swim was accepted as a qualifing swim for this year. The middle week was affected by the volcano ash cloud so many of the swimmers couldn't get out and the previous weeks group struggled to get home, including "The General", who was escorted through Europe by ferry and car.

The sea temperature seems to be taking it's time to warm up this year, thus extended training sessions have been limited, but I have managed to get down to Dover over both the May Bank Hols, and complete all the swims Freda has set me. The late May weekend saw me complete 2 x 3 hour swims over the weekend. Though I struggled with the cold on the 2nd swim, especially in the last hour. This was my own fault, as I stopped to watch a WW2 Spitfire doing a low flying display over the harbour, what an inspiring sight.

In between Dover trips, I have been swimming in the pool, continuing to try and improve my stroke coupled with some effort work. If I'm asked to up the pace at any point, hopefully I will be able to respond. I have also been up to the North Wales coast and have done a number of swims around Criccieth. The last swim was a 4 hour effort, which I completed without incident. The official temp was 10.7C, but with the sun out the top of the water was much warmer, almost pleasent!!

Ruth and I are busy packing and preping for our adventure in Ireland. She is looking forward to the whiskey and the holiday. I'm not sure if I should be looking forward to it or panicing and thinking of loads of novel excuses that may get some sympathy from Ned, (no, thats not going to work!!!), so I best swim hard and play hard. It's a good job Guinness is good for you!! I'm also looking forward to catching up with many of the great swimmers I have met over the years, generally though SwimTrek. There is nothing better at motivating a swimmer than swimming with like minded lunatics!!

I've had a netbook for my birthday, so I'll try and keep the blog going during the trip and report on my progress.

Until next time.

Andy

Ireland Here I Come.

Following the multitude of Channel swim successes of the Ned Army Faction. I have been signed up for Ned Denison's June 2010 swim camp over in Cork by Ruth (What else could I have for a 50th birthday present!!). Having heard wonderful things about Ned and speaking to members of the faction including Big Carl Richards and Mark Hewish, as well as Ned himself at the CS&PF Dinner, it seemed to be a good idea at the time.

Having read the details of the camp, I think I've let myself in for the biggest beasting of my life and I can't wait!!

Here are a few of the more motivating quotes from the Camp details:

"Nobody should swim more than 40 hours during this 9 day period but if you can not imagine doing 25 hours then probably the Camp is not for you."

"Water temperatures are expected to range from 14 C (sea) to 17 C (fresh). No extra charge will be imposed for extra cold sea temperatures down to 11C. At that time of year the days are long in Cork and there is a chance that it will not rain."


"With luck, you will also get a call at 10pm one night to get you in the water at 3am – just to give you the most possible discomfort."

Oh Boy!

CS&PF Dinner

A fantastic night was had by all. Much gossiping and drinking took place in the wonderful Dover Town Hall. It was great to see so many old friends and make so many new ones. Thanks to everyone who were involved in the organisation, in particular to Emma and Michelle, as well as Cliff for such excellent commentary throughout the night.

The morning after saw a brave few on the beach for a 10 am dip in the sea. It was cold on the beach but, believe me, it was much colder in the water!! Estimates ranged from 4 - 6 C, I rated it as 'kin cold! However, after much umming and arring I was first in after posing for the photo opportunities. I managed a creditable 10 minutes and about 400m, and I wasn't the first out. It was so cold I didn't feel cold until I thawed out. To prove that I was indeed mad enough to get in here are a couple of piccies as evidence.

               

More news soon.

Never Say Never

Well it's now March 2010 and it's time to fire up the blog once again. This oddessey is far from over and the Channel beckons again. My tide and pilot is booked (19th - 27th July 2010, with Ali Streeter on Roco), the medical is complete and all my documentation has been accepted by the CS&PF. All that is left to do is swim (apart from some serious training!).

With regard to training, I've been somewhat limited to the pool because of the weather and work, though I'm using the pool time well with plenty of technique work. All will change soon though, as I set of to Gozo just after Easter for 3 weeks with SwimTrek. The first week as a swimmer under the guidance of Freda Streeter, Nick Adams and Mia Russell, and the following 2 weeks as a coach and guide, working with Mia and the legend (or is that leg end?) that is Cliff Golding.

I'm off to the CS&PF Dinner this weekend, so plently of motivation, gossiping and wine will be the order of the day. I'm also looking forward to my first dip in Dover harbour for the season. Hopefully I'll post a photo or 2 to prove my insanity.

More soon.