Finally

Thank you to everyone who sponsored us; gave us accessories; gave us kind words; took the p*** ...

We've had such an extraordinary experience but it wouldn't be the same if we couldn't share it with you all - in one way or another.

Thanks again for the heartfelt support and huge sums of money donated - it's all enormously appreciated.

Love, love, love

Bex, Dan, Emma, Jannet, Mike, Tom
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And we beat all the other teams / solos ...

We'll tell you about the final moments when we see you - too heart stopping for a Blackberry's capabilities!!

Thanks so much to Neil and Irene - we'll always believe you in future ...

See you soon

Bex, Dan, Emma, Jannet, Mike, Tom

The End
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12 hours 22 ... The Channel swagger is already in play. We so rock !

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And ... to complete the set ... Mike is only swimming with actual Dolphins, as we speak !!

Contemplating sparkly flat sea, caressed by sea mammals and the sun glass-wearing team mates lolling on the deck having facials (weeeell, using facial wipes) and not missing the anecdote-laden version...

Although, how quickly things change ... Irene has warned that unless Tom, Dan and I bring it, then we will be out for another 6 hours ... Aaaaargh.

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Emma rocks the Bendicks ...

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Shafted ...

And, only the bally sun's come out ! Channel's back to being a mill pond again, Jannet's really kicking on; totally in the zone and looking fab.

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Number 2 in the bag ! Irene, the official Channel cross record regulator told me that the second swim would be fantastic ... And so it came to pass.

Went in the water at around 06 30 BST so it was a completely different experience in daylight vs the velvety darkness of the first leg. Water temp is still a 'balmy' 16 degrees and the washing-machine effect from the cross-channel ferries was manageable. (Surreal though doing our Channel thang amidst a backdrop of many many extremely large ships.)

Best news though is that after Dan's second leg we are now lead Channel boat overall. Given, that as I mentioned, there's enough crossings today to end up as a E4 documentary (not very good but with a hook, none-the-less); this is no mean feat. I have some very good news of my own which I'm looking forward to sharing with the 1 18 deniers ...

Dan is still feeling sick. Actually the only time he's not being sick is when he's in the water. This means that he is sticking food down his pants, as the Channel is the only place where he's not ill ... You see, that's the magic of La Manche, my friends. Of course this means that the galley-full room of provisions is somewhat superfluous, especially as it is not only Dan that has failed to make inroads on his Pot Noodles. Tragically this over capitalisation on our carb loaded victuals has meant that we have no sleeping quarters and are forced to sit on deck, chewing the fat and choosing the silliest team name available. We haven't got very far with this, so any suggestions gratefully received.

The weather is still mild and grey but there is (honestly !) a shaft of light, bursting through the clouds, over one section of the beach at Cap Gris Nez, so Tom is going to kick on and save us going round the rotation again. We are now around 3 and a half hours or so from France, all being well.

Finally, no. We're not swimming back. It was mooted at one point and we were totally up for it. On reflection, we're not totally crushed by the fact that we don't have to spend another fourteen hours straight without sleep, oh and with a couple of little swims thrown in. No, not totally crushed to be within touching distance of the first glass of celebratory champagne ...

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Dan nearly made it ...

... Ah. No he didn't.
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Grannies break record for oldest Channel crossing ...

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Sirens and takin' out solo swimmers ...

Morning. Had your first cup of coffee yet ...?

It's a nightmare here ... No straighteners; they're all strewers; and not a latte in sight ...

Kidding of course. 5 20 in the morning; Dover is receding; I'm sat here dressed as a Gary Glitter slug (whole lot of aluminium human being (cadaver ??) bag thing going on. I have no idea what this giant Bacofoil wrap is, or even why it is, but my lower limbs are undoubtedly pretty toasty); Dan is watching which way the wind blows for optimal over- the-side puking (the git won't even play cards with us ...); the strangest radio station in the world is playing Huey Lewis and The News (Google 'em Young People) back to back with Katy Perry via Shalamar so, of course it's AMAZIN' ...

Can't accurately describe the sensation of getting into a large expanse of water in almost total blackness, apart from a light shining on the shore. Well darlings, once a spotlight had appeared then there was no stopping us ...

The swim was stunning, water temp not too bad and minimal swell. The sub optimal element was my crap spatial awareness - so 'close to the boat' for me is 60m away ... Not ideal when the main hazards are the plethora of other Channel swimming teams. I nearly took out the solo swimmer but fortunately the screams carried on the wind caused me to look up. Quite a shock seeing yet another boat right I front of your freestyle, I can tell you.

Unfortunately, one of the other relay teams (the one with eleven members) has had to pull out already - rumour has it (don't you love my Channel gossip ..??) that one of the support team broke down / comatose due to being so dehydrated because of his sea sickness. How absolutely gutting that must be for the team.

But for us, fortunately, things are going really well so far. We're around 7 and a half miles from Dover and Tom, the last in the sequence, has been in the water for around 15 mins. Dawn is breaking, have had 3 very pleasant Rombouts one cup R&G coffees and a lot of pasta. Haven't even started on the Pot Noodles yet but think the Bittermints are providing all the fortification required. (Natch.) Boat is really pitching and Dan hasn't been indoors for 4 hours but we're all totally fab and loving it, loving it. Well, most of it ...

Must dash, got to get the gaffer tape out again - nearly time to get ready for my second leg ...

Finally, no. There have been no sightings of dolphins (or swimming with them for that matter) but I was trilling Spandau Ballet's 'Gold' on the top deck to such an extent that a little teeny tiny wren came and rested on my shoulder ... Well it flew over my head. Truly, I am a sea siren ...

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Leaving Dover ...

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Leaving Dover ...

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Channel gala ...

Fortunately, it wasn't a mate-off - the other relay team has eleven members ...

What with a third relay team and possibly two solo swims, you can't move without bumping into a sodding Channel swimmer tonight ...

No sign of Neil, the pilot yet. Clock's ticking. Nearly time to put the ear plugs in. Apparently, the first swimmer gets on the boat and then jumps in, swims to shore; stands on the beach and then ... Off to France.

Ok, here we go ... Fingers crossed.
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No way !!!

There's another relay team. They've brought a mini bus full of mates. Huh!
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Gaffer tape and other matters ...

Ok. Here's the order :

Bex
Dan
Emma
Jannet
Mike
Tom

Weather is much better than expected. Raining but no on shore wind. It's going to be cold on that there boat though ...

One hour to go ... Just getting the gaffer tape sorted...
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Well, some of the team is en route from London to Dover - Bex, Dan, Jannet and Mike.

Getting greenlit during the day was genuinely super-exciting; resulting in a slightly brittle performance at work that was, quite rightly, mocked heartily. If I hear one more tale about the nonagenarian who swam a 3 way, while wearing a duvet - no-one's magnet is winning this year's Magtack competition ...

Blew into a brown paper bag to calm meself on the train home but once at home and having packed the roast and ground coffee individual cup sachets; 4 cans of red bull; 3 pot noodles; 5 boxes of Bittermints & Bitteroranges (sorry, prepare yourselves for a lot more product placement, my friends) and some vinegar, started to chill... Having life's essentials on these adventures is crucial for one's equilibrium, wouldn't you say ...

And now, we're on the way to Dover. To swim The Actual Channel. We're all really upbeat - some of the nerves have gone and we're in Bring It mode. Jannet is already picturing us with 'Channel swaggers'; Dan is talking about sunning himself on deck (????); and tattoos have been mentioned ...

Hopefully Tom and Emma are also having a good trip down, and John, the Saxon Crown Masters' coach, has forgiven us for skipping training tonight ...

Will be in touch with the swimming order in an hour or so ...

Finally, no. There's no wet suits allowed. It's me, my cossie and slightly crap headlight that will, apparently, be attached to my hat with gaffer tape ...
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Leaving the 'Sham ...

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Thunder Cats are Go!

We have just recieved the call to put us all on standby!

Neil streeter our Pliot has given us the provisional green light for a midnight crossing Tonight!
Sorry John won't be training tonight!

Dan

The 'Phone Call & hazards of unrecognised numbers ...

Gift of time over the weekend, as remained on terra firma so, got to catch the missed episode of 'Mad Men' (still achingly cool); buy a swimming costume (not a bad idea) and create a very neat, lots of right angles, pile of gear in the hall (something to behold; don't take this many layers skiing) - in readiness for the 'Phone Call.

The 'Phone Call now could come anytime, although Team Leader Mike reckons that we'll get 6-24 hours' notice. This means that every text notification creates a frisson of, verging on unbearable, excitement. A week of these adrenalin highs and lows and I'll be smashing the Limoncello embargo, that's for sure ... Have some sympathy therefore for one of the team who was accidentally called (from an unrecognised 'phone) by a mutual friend at midnight on Saturday night ...

Finally, no, we don't need passports. Or, in fact, Euros. But rest assured that Vodafone will none-the-less transfer me to European roaming as soon as we're in Dover ...






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Sub-optimal Canute-style goings on

The first part of the Channel cross challenge, it would seem, is handling the waiting ...

Our Channel relay was scheduled to start at midnight on Saturday 26th Sep 2010 - but looks like the weather is too crap for there to be the remotest chance of that happening. I am therefore irrationally annoyed by the team who blogged recently that it was 'like a millpond' and 'the best 18 hours of our lives', blah-bleedin'-blah ...

Rationalising that there's clearly no anecdote in a otter-like slither across La Manche - so obviously hoping for something a little more wild and wince-inducing (sorry team ...).

An 18 hours' duration is something I hadn't factored into my expectation equation though. Santa Maria, how many 'Quells' do you need for that length of time ... ? On the upside, however, an 18 hour crossing means we get to swim three times each !

So now, we just sit, and wait and wait for the call. No butterflies at the moment but suspect it will be a different story on Sunday. Have decided to avoid the usual Limoncello panacea, for the sake of all on the boat ...

And finally, no. There is no goose fat involved. Or, in fact, lard.
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Tides

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast/tides/tides.shtml?date=20100920&loc=0089

Sea Conditions

16.8 C and dropping (62.1 °F)
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=62304