Loneliness of the long distance swimmer.
- 16 September 2008 19:526208Nice photo on the front page and co-incidentally I was swimming the channel too! I did also get to boulogne however and had time for moules frites and some liquid refeshment!
On sunday when we set off the weather was promising and the sea in the harbour was so calm that Linda and V decided to join or small group of friends for the trip over in a 10 metre boat.
Not such a good decision as as soon as we got out of the harbour it blew . waves as big as the boat and we sped across at 16 knots with the sea splashing over the top of us .
In mid channel the skipper switched the engine off and announced that it was time for a dip! 4 of us then followed him in . I searched in vain for the ladies that were doing the sponsored swim but couldnt see much above the waves!
When I looked around there I was on my own as everyone else had got back on board as it was pretty cold and for the first time at sea I had forgotten the vaseline!. One of the hardest things I have done is to get on the boat that was bouncing up and down at 5 foot a wave - promise of a lager got me there.
What I learned that swimming the channel is no cakewalk! it takes enormous determination and courage - so I decided to quit and take the boat back to shore. That wasnt easy as by the time we eventually got back to Dover the wind was even higher and the boat banged on every wave - why they dont fill in those potholes I will never know!
Linda and V were amazing and the crew even let them sit with us at lunch.
My pictures aren't as good as yours but the goosebumps are as big...
D - 17 September 2008 06:436233Great story there Big Dave. It will always be an adventure going out in a little boat, especially in my case anyway being a total landlubber, but well done action man. You all must be good sailors because despite it being rough I see no mention of seasickness. Not sure if its entirely safe getting into the water mid channel.
Again I have no experience of a channel swim but I see the effort thats required before they can even attempt it. hard slogging all round required. Some of these channel swimmers were signing the ceiling in the White Horse sat night. The walls are covered with those who made successful efforts and lived to tell the tale.
email: dover7@msn.com - 17 September 2008 17:056253Paul, had the journey out been another few minutes I think I would have been sea sick! As it was we got to Boulogne and spent a very pleasant few hours there. On the way back both Victoria and I found our sea legs and really enjoyed the journey home. An experience not be missed. Linda
- 19 September 2008 07:186308Glad you enjoyed yourself Linda and didnt experience the dreaded Mal de Mer. Very nice of Big Dave to let you and V join himself and the crew for lunch..and they say chivalry is dead. Dont you believe it
email: dover7@msn.com