Is it a GoPro? Nope, it's an SJ4000!

Not a GoPro. An SJ4000!

We need to do a short promotional video for the swim. I've been collecting photographs and some interview video using my smartphone, but I really need some action footage - especially proof that we're training in cold water!

So, I need a GoPro sports camera. Actually, no I don't. I need an SJCAM SJ4000. It's effectively the same camera for a sixth of the price. Someone pointed out that you can by the SJ4000 with waterproof case and a zillion mounts and accessories for less than the price of the GoPro waterproof case. So, I've bought an SJ4000. And today, I tried it out in Brockwell Lido for the first time.

The lifeguard kindly allowed me to bring the camera into the pool. (They don't normally allow cameras in swimming pools, but I was practically the only one in the pool!) Well, it was brilliant. I strapped it to my head, and after 45 minutes of swimming in 14.4 degrees, my numb fingers could still operate the buttons on the waterproof case. And the clarity of the footage is amazing.

Look out for some exciting action footage in the future.

Jellyfish

Medussa jellyfish sting

Today I swam off the Lido il Defino, just a cable car ride dowm from Taormina. It was beautiful. The water was the clearest I've ever seen. It was like swimming in an aquarium. There were fish everywhere. I had to go back to the lifeguard and hire some snorkels and goggles for my daughter Kate and me!

Then we spent literally the whole day swimming underwater looking at all the aquatic wildlife.

Kate's highlight was spotting a starfish. It was such a bright orange colour, I didn't think it was real. I dived down to retrieve it, and Kate became the celebrity of the beach, showing her pet starfish to everyone. We did put it back gently later.

Kate with her starfish

We saw other creatures too, including sea urchins and huge weever fish. What we didn't spot were the medussa jellyfish. A very brave Kate was stung on the knee, and I was stung loads and loads of times across the stomach. Kate was lucky she was wearing a rash vest. I suppose it was great training for swimming the channel where we'll meet lots of jellyfish (and getting back into the water numbed the pain), but I'm a bit miserable at the moment. My stomach is very tender, and even putting a t-shirt on is excruciating. 

Jellyfish is something we don't get in Brockwell Lido!

Alcantara Gorge

Entrance to the gorge

At Alcantara Gorge today. Awesome swim. Ice cold water - reputedly 10 degrees, and an incredibly strong current (just like swimming in an endless pool). The basalt walls of the gorge were amazing, and the crystal clear waters meant I could see all the fish!

The best beach in Europe

About to get into the water at Giardini Naxos

I'm in Sicily this week, so I don't think I'll be doing much real training. Mind you, one of the reviews in TripAdvisor says the best beach in Europe is right outside our apartment. So, I spent most of today in the sea just off Giardini Naxos. The water was warm, clear and calm - ie the complete opposite of the English Channel. Brockwell Lido is going to be a real shock when I get back next week.

Training Partner

If I'm honest, swimming lengths in a pool is not very interesting. Especially when there's no-one else in the pool, when there's no-one else to watch, and when there's no super swimming-technique to admire.

The Lido's whiteboard said 15.3 degrees today. It felt colder, and seeing a lady slipping into the pool wearing boots and gloves confirmed that. No, there's no way I'd every wear a pair of booties and gloves (despite my blue toe this morning)!

So what do you do to make lengths interesting? You listen to music, and you have someone keep tabs on your pace and count the number of lengths you've done. Say "hello" to 'Nabaiji 2.0', my little training partner. Nicknamed Bahji by me (think Indian takeaway), my little training partner is brilliant. She (yes, it talks to me with a female voice) gives me an update on distance every time I finish a length, and she plays my favourite .mp3 tracks.

I'm still experimenting with earphone fit though. An early trial left me with an ear-piece stuck inside my ear, an embarrassing phone call to Elm Lodge Surgery, and an awkward encounter with a giggling nurse.

Still, it makes a good conversation starter in the changing room, and it makes me look like a serious swimmer (provided I don't have an ear-piece sticking out of my ear).

If you're interested, you can find Bhaji at Decathlon.

The Viking Princess

The Viking Princess

This is it. This is the Viking Princess. This is the boat that will escort us across the Channel next year.

It looks like a fishing trawler because that's exactly what it is - it's a fishing trawler! It will be our home for 36 hours. It does have all the latest high-tech navigation equipment. But, more importantly, it has a cabin below deck that's capable of sleeping 10 people, it has a kettle and a microwave, and a flushing toilet.

The boat belongs to Reg Brickell. Reg is our pilot. In 2010, Reg and his crew and his boat were awarded a place in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame. The International Marathon Hall of Fame quotes "Their knowledge of Channel elements of weather, water and likely conditions has earned them a place in English Channel history as the most successful team to 'Lead the Way' in helping Channel crossers succeed. They are usually 'right-on' for picking the day and time to start a swim."

Reg and his crew have a reputation for escorting winners. Some of the winners include the fastest man, the fastest lady 2-ways, the fastest butterfly, the fastest backstroke, and the fastest ladies relay 3-ways(!).

Whilst we might not be the fastest anything, I think we'll be in good hands.

All alone

I was the only one in the men's changing room at Brockwell Lido this morning. That's not a good sign. I'm not sure if it's a taster of things to come. It was cold this morning - 14.6 degrees - and slipping into the water without a wetsuit felt like a very brave thing to do.

Pouring with rain again, and with no-one in the pool, the life guards were huddled inside by the reception desk. I don't think they were pleased to see me, but they unfolded their umbrellas, clambered onto their high chairs, and watched me swim for 45 minutes in the freezing cold. I wonder what the temperature will be tomorrow ...