What Next?

As August rushes to a close and another neap tide fades into the distance with the wind hammering the Irish seas I realise I have a lot to be grateful for. I am now 50 years old and I have had a wonderful couple of weeks surrounded by friends and family from all corners of the country and indeed the world. We had a superb party on the 15th to distract us from the disappointment of the swim being postponed. In fact we were able to relax and enjoy each others company. Yonni rocked the house and we celebrated both EB and I turning 50 as we danced to the early hours.

A week full of guests we then walked and explored and talked and drank and ate and celebrated life. Everyone worked together to cook and keep the house and we had a great week.

On Saturday 22nd The Spooky Men from Australia arrived and they ran an unbelievable workshop for the drumming group in the afternoon. They bought a magic quality with them which warmed our souls and raised our spirits even higher. That night they raised the roof at the Millennium Centre to an amazed and delighted crowd. We made £154 in the raffle that night and the Spooks gave us some of the profit from the door takings. A great night all round. We put the Spooky men up, 10 stayed with us and the other 16 were dispatched with our friends nearby. All agreed that they were the most gracious and generous guests. We drummed and danced after the gig until the early hours. Check them out on U tube or their website for further info. Unfortunately their tour is ending soon, but they'll be back. http://www.spookymen.com/ www.myspace.com/thespookymenschorale

Through all this excitement I still managed a couple of big long swims in the pool, some jogging and rowing. A huge amount of will power was required, but I've come this far and actually all the people inspired me to keep going.

So what now?

The next neap tide is September 12th, 13th and 14th. We are all set to go! The long term weather forecast looks hopeful but sssssh don't tell anyone just in case....so Harry and I and Andy went out today even though the weather was blustery and foggy. The sea was beautiful. A stunning colour and amazing fish today. We swam at Port Logan and managed a couple of hours. The temperature was good and I felt strong. Sadly I was stung immediately by Jelly Fish on the back of my legs and my feet and I think I will suffer tomorrow. . However I feel we boosted our confidence today, and the mood is better. This week I'll be in the pool tomorrow night and I hope to do 6000 meters. Then Wednesday we plan to go out on the Kayak after work. Pool Friday night and then we may try Loch Ryan across and back at the weekend. Certainly we'll do a big swim somewhere. I'll row inbetween and stay happy, and I hope you do too

Weather against us but not downhearted

19th August 09

Well friends the weather is surely against us and I wish I had a pound for every person who has said that Saturday 15th was great weather and why didn't we do the swim? The sun did shine I grant you but the wind was our enemy and we made absolutely the right decision not to go.

However we did gather on the beach on August 15th and there were one or two souls there gazing hopefully out to sea thinking we must have drowned!

Let's swim to that rock!

Instead we frolicked and played in the sea and Jacqui and Harry got to practice in the Kayak. Nicky also had a go and she thought she was just coming for a party! Melissa and Ruby braved the sea which was actually quite warm. My sister Vicki, who is a nurse was in charge of hypothermia if we had done the big swim, was seen wandering vaguely about clutching a wrapped up thermal space blanket. My cousins and sisters and friends had fun and then we rocked the night away with a great party. Yonni did a great job singing for us and as usually we bopped till we dropped. We know how to cope with a bit of bad weather people....have a party anyway.

Go Nicky Go!

Please note the difference in attire!

So no news at the moment but it looks like there will be no chance until the end of the month. Meanwhile I keep up my training. 5000 meters in the pool yesterday morning and tomorrow morning, and rowing today.

Postponed

Thursday 13th August
Well friends after all the preparation training and anticipation we find ourselves unable to complete the swim this weekend. There is a low weather front heading to Ailsa Craig and it is not shifting. We are all on standby and ready to go but it is a tricky time for everyone as the weather is changing by the hour. As it stands right now there are no plans to swim Friday Saturday or Sunday.
Keep checking in and I'll keep you posted.

Loch Rannoch

Monday 10th August

Training during the week went more or less to plan and I feel good. Wednesday was very windy so Harry and I ventured back to wig bay to try and get rid of some demons about my eye crisis. I went in and there were big waves and a very strong current. It was exhilarating and gave me the chance to feel what it's like when the tide is against me.

A shorter swim on Thursday as I prepare for Sundays challenge. Met lots of enthusiastic people who sent messages of support.

Saturday Harry and I left for Loch Rannock at about 12.30pm. The journey was very long due to roadworks and we didn't get to the B and B till almost 8pm. We did stop for some food and we also found the finish of the race...a very beautiful loch and surroundings.

After a fitful night dreaming about boats and water Harry and I had a mediocre breakfast in our curious and strange B and B and headed off to the start of the race. I had to be dropped there on my own at 8am so that Harry could drive to the finish to leave his car there. He met up with the other swimmers and drove back which was a long process. I was left with the midges who tried to eat me.

I seemed to be in the grounds of an incredible house which was in the process of renovation. A man who said he was the groundsman arrived and said the place had burnt down in the 1980's killing two people who lived there. He said the owners would be along shortly. I tried the door and it was open so I could escape the midges.....

Soon I was joined by some people who worked there looking after holiday cottages and then along came Ian who was the owner. He told me of his dream to save the ruined house with his wife of nearly 50 years. They have been renovating the house since 1996. He showed me round and upstairs is his own lounge and bedroom and I told him it was one of the most beautiful views in the world from a bedroom. What do you think?

Sadly she never saw the dream completed as she died 15 months ago. Ian is surrounded by loving friends and family and I was very taken by the man and his story, but there was a sadness still which I think will in the end lead to the completion of his wonderful home and enterprise. If you want to learn more, visit http://www.rannock-lodge.co.uk/

I know I have met some new friends and could have gone home happy after stumbling on an amazing place and fascinating people. But don't forget...I was there to swim and soon the others arrived.

There were five swimmers in the end, three younger people who were out to win and then Morag and I who were older. Morag told me she swims steady and strong and she seemed to be someone of incredible determination and courage who had completed some incredible swims. If you read this Morag get in touch because I did not see you at the end and I'd like to keep in touch. I knew that the young champions would steam ahead. The atmosphere was great and so I felt really relaxed and ready to face the challenge ahead of me. There was some mention of the rule that swimmers had to complete the swim 90 minutes after the first finisher. I couldn't think about it as we were about to set off and I was fiddling about with my kit.

The water was 16c and so I felt optimistic as we set off. I didn't see the younger swimmers for dust and I quickly settled into a rhythm.

Most of the time I felt good and I really enjoyed the scenery and beauty. I was comfortable and got into my stride. I had some trouble keeping my mind in check as the swim went on relentlessly. I realised I was making progress and tried to concentrate on putting one arm in front of the other. Harry was there hardly taking his eyes of me and seemed to know when I was losing concentration.

About halfway I stopped for a drink and an energy gel. I felt the suspicion of cramp in both calves and this was a bad sign. When I stopped again about an hour later the cramp came back and threatened to take hold. I had to be so careful and I tentatively swam on without kicking much. Harry kept reassuring me. The trouble really started when I could see the finish. I suddenly thought that I was swimming backwards. It felt like a nightmare of arms whirling round and round to no avail against the black peat water. I was convinced I was swimming backwards and I told Harry I couldn't finish. My stroke went completely and dropped down to 46 strokes a minute. Harry told me later he considered stopping me especially if my stroke dropped any further. I realised I had absolutely no choice but to swim on and find my rhythm again. I was furious that I was in this terrible situation and I had no choice about it and that was so frustrating words cannot express my panic.........

I had also been in pain since the halfway point with my back and my shoulders. I decided to share this with Harry. ' I'm in pain you know!' Harry smiled and said 'Well I'd be worried if you couldn't feel anything...being in pain is a good sign!'

So I splooshed to the end and crawled onto the beach after swimming for 5 hrs 23 minutes and 30 seconds. The man with the clipboard told me I should be proud to have done Loch Rannock but he couldn't give me a medal. I had gone beyond the cut off time.........more about this later

Weatherbeaten but not beaten

Sunday August 2nd 2009
Things are improving friends and I have swum well in the pool all week. Really worried about the heat in the pool and my lack of acclimatisation. Tensions are showing and we have had some tantrums this week as the team feel the pressure. By Thursday I decided that the only thing to do is to spread the love. Everyone has a role to play and everyone is doing their best and I realised that some people did not understand that perspective. Differing opinions are fine but consensus is crucial to our success. Some misunderstandings seem irreparable however and I feel that communication by text and email can be very misleading. If only we were closer geographically these things would not happen. However I can only hope that people will come round in time and get back on board...............the welcome will always be warm.

So today we had a rehearsal on board The Diva. The idea was to find out the best way to get the Kayak to Ailsa Craig for the swim. After much huffing and puffing and a tense try at towing the Kayak we finally hauled it on board and is sat snugly and efficiently on the boat. Hey presto we have lift off. This means that once we get the go ahead for the swim, we can get the Kayak aboard and head off for the Craig as fast as the Diva can muster! Thanks of course to Harry and Mike, but also to Chris and Harry H for all their support this morning.

SUCCESS!

After project Kayak this morning the two Harry's and I went to Sandhead for the first sea swim since my eye drama. The sea was clear and beautiful and NOT ONE Jelly fish which is unusual. I felt cold from the start and felt shivery when I got out. This is unusual and caused some concern. We put it down to stress at the moment and a tricky week. I was also playing with my friends last night at a wonderful party and although I wasn't drinking I had a late one. Harry has emphasised the need for me to get rest and plenty of sleep and to remain as stress free as possible. We swam for 2 hours and the eye was fine. Twinges in my back which is an old problem but not too bad.

This week I will swim 5000 meters tomorrow night. Tuesday or Wednesday in the sea with Harry. Thursday not sure but hopefully a sea swim. Friday rest and Saturday Harry and I are heading for Loch Rannoch.

After all the talk of Health and Safety I have painted my toenails bright red. This will help with visibility although if it's just my toes they can see it may be a bad sign.