What a challenge!

Well, what an experience! Technically we knew we'd made it across to France when our mobile phones switched over to the French network. But, we didn't reach the other side of the Channel.

With two members of the team suffering from sea-sickness (big time), and unable to change the swim order (under CSA rules), we turned back after 7 hours of challenging swimming.

Yes, we were disappointed, but nothing can take away the sense of achievement that comes from swimming in the Channel. It's an experience we'll never forget. Swimmers vomiting over the side of the boat, the sensation of jellyfish tentacles running along my arm, the sight of a Russian warship passing by, chairs slipping and sliding along the deck as the boat rolled, and the sense of achievement climbing out of the water after a swim leg are memories that will be with us forever.

What amazed me was how slow we were. Tides, current, wind and waves reduced our normal swim rate by 70%, and we averaged only 0.75mph. If we could have carried on it would have taken us at least 24 hours to reach France, and then we'd have struggled to land because we'd be against the tide.

I'm stiff and sore today. I have jellyfish sting rashes on my arm and on my chest. (Orlaith was stung on the nose!) But, I feel fantastic, and it's been such an incredible journey.

Well done to the team. We've been amazing ambassadors for Rosemead,

And thank you to all of you who have donated, both to the school and to UNHCR,

Finally, I can get on with my life, and I can plan my next challenge ...

Well done team:
Orlaith Richardson
Alex Wood
Andy Dorrett
Lynne Barry
Debbie Louks-MIddleton
Clive Broadbent

Fiona King
Steve Dorrett

Raising funds for UNHCR

Firstly, thanks to everyone for sponsoring our Rosemead Channel Swim Team. We’ve been overwhelmed by everyone's support, and we’ve raised more than £12,000 towards our new school’s sports scholarship scheme.

If you’ve been following our team’s progress, you’ll know that our first swim attempt was cancelled because the sea conditions were too dangerous. But, we have another swim window, and our team are hoping to swim the Channel this coming Saturday!

However, given the recent refugee crisis, we couldn’t possibly ‘touch down’ in Calais without acknowledging the humanitarian emergency that’s unfolding right now across Europe and the Mediterranean.

Whatever your views may be, we feel that children and families everywhere should be safe. More than 300,000 people have risked their lives to cross the Mediterranean Sea so far this year. Over 2,600 didn't survive the dangerous crossing. For this reason, in the final run-up to our swim, we’re seeking donations to support the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).  

Founded 60 years ago to help those forcibly displaced after WWII, UNHCR has assisted tens of millions around the world. The agency protects refugees and resolves refugee problems. In their support of the current crisis, they continue to urge everyone to put human life, rights and dignity first.

Wish us luck with the swim, and help us raise funds for UNHCR by donating via our new justgiving page: UNHCR

Aching shoulders

Alex, Orlaith and Clive at Dover Harbour

I'm stiff and store this morning. I have aching shoulders, taught pecs and bulging biceps. Alex, Orlaith and I did a 90 minute swim in Dover Harbour yesterday, and it's a while since I've swam for that long in the sea.

We have less than a week until our rescheduled swim window. My nervous excitement is beginning to build again. I'm trying to be a bit blasé about it all, so I don't get too deflated if our swim is cancelled again. (Some swims were cancelled yesterday, even though it was lovely and calm in the harbour - it was actually warmer in the water than it was standing on the shore!)

Our swim window starts on Saturday 12th September. High tide is at 11.38 (am or pm), so we're likely to being doing another late night drive to Dover.

I've eaten most of the sweets and crisps I'd packed as supplies for the previous swim window (on the grounds that they'd have gone off - honestly), and I couldn't resist opening one of the bottles of Champagne, so I'll be restocking this week.

I'm looking forward to some gentle swims in the Lido whilst I taper towards the big event!

Cold weather training

This week I've been cold-weather training in Devon. Actually, I've been camping in Devon with family and new puppy, but the weather's been simply atrocious. We've had rain practically every day. So much so, that the tent's given up, and there are puddles round my sleeping bag, and my daughter Kate has been taking fellow campers round her 'trench experience' for 10p a time.

Mind you, I did get into the sea at Mill Bay yesterday (which was a bit worrying when I found myself being swept up the estuary towards Salcombe), and I did get in the sea today at Bigbury (which was also worrying because the massive waves made it difficult to see the shore).

So, some cold training and some sea training. Probably another damp and soggy sleep this evening, and maybe, just maybe another swim tomorrow if the weather brightens up.

I'm looking forward to getting back to the warmth and calm of Brockwell Lido.

Bond, James Bond

When you make a credit card purchase over the phone these days, the seller will usually ask you for your 3-digit security code. You know, the faded one on the back of the card.

A few years ago, my 3-digit security code was 007. The novelty of this soon wore off when sellers refused to believe me when I answered 007 to their "what's your security code?" question. So it wasn't long before I changed my credit card for a new one (with a thankfully more normal security code).

These days I tend to avoid the 007 number, and when I drop my kit into the lockers at the Lido I go for the 002 locker. It's at a convenient height, the rubber band that holds the key onto your wrist isn't falling apart, and it's easy to find because it's next to the 007 locker.

The other day though, my regular 002 locker was already in use. In fact, the Lido is so busy at the moment with holiday swimmers that all the lockers were already in use. Trying to swim lengths during the day is no longer practical. There are 'bathers' everywhere. The last time I turned up first thing on a Saturday morning, there was a queue already waiting, armed with picnic baskets, loungers, and all manner of non-length-swimming gear.

So 6.30am during the week is the time I'm likely to swim lengths and get my favourite 002 locker. Joy.

The plan

My original plan was to get the swim out of the way at the start of the Summer holidays,  and then enjoy the Summer holidays. That hasn't happened of course, and I'm now struggling to fit in training swims with camping trips, house swaps, and all manner of childcare activities.

I have managed to get into the sea off the Llyn Peninsula a couple of times. The water was lovely and warm, which meant jellyfish. I didn't spot many, but the ones I did see were big and ugly, and just the thought of them made swimming uncomfortable.

I'll be back in Dulwich next week, so I'll be back in the Lido first thing. Mind you, we have a puppy arriving on the 12th August, so my training might be exchanged for puppy training. Life would be so much easier if I'd swum the Channel back in July!

All change

I always knew it would be a problem finding another swim window that suited all of us. And, sadly, Fiona's had to drop out. Our new swim window's right at the start of term, and it's not a good time for Fiona to be away from school, so she's made the difficult decision to drop out. She's been so encouraging and inspirational to date, and we'll really miss her.

That means one of our reserves (and he probably never imagined it would happen), Andy Dorrett, is now in our team. Suddenly it's all real for Andy, and he'll probably be in the pool first thing tomorrow, trying to squeeze in some extra training.

Let's hope we get good weather for our next swim window, September 12th to the 17th. Goodness knows whether or not we'd be able to schedule another one!