Signing off.
Wayne.
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - final 100meters! - 15:19
Boys back on boat and champers flowing...the attached pic will not surprise u!
Signing off.
Wayne.
Signing off.
Wayne.
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - final 100meters! - 15:12
They beached!! A few local came down to shake their hands!
Pity the rest of us r not allowd ashore!
Thanks to all of u for the amazing support and emails over the past 13 hours...oh our official time is 13 hrs 8min.
The emails from u have been amazing!
W.
Pity the rest of us r not allowd ashore!
Thanks to all of u for the amazing support and emails over the past 13 hours...oh our official time is 13 hrs 8min.
The emails from u have been amazing!
W.
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - final 100meters! 15:07
Charlie didn't make it so matt went in...but the great news is observer let charlie pace matt in...so they both beach...they can almost stand.
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - 14:25
We have suddenly broken away from the tide...we r turning drmatically towards coast....can make out houses and buildings....can smell it!
Matt can also smell a possible chance for him to beach....but i know charlie is swimming for it!
Matt can also smell a possible chance for him to beach....but i know charlie is swimming for it!
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - 14:18
Tide decreasing as we pass headland...making some headway.
Best comment yet from mark "Be careful if you do beach- greenpeace may try and re float you."
Classic!
Best comment yet from mark "Be careful if you do beach- greenpeace may try and re float you."
Classic!
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - 14:04
Charlie in water.... Swimming as hard as the observer is snoring.
Charlie will almost certainly beach...we r still swimming directly for land and tide still carrying us past.
Charlie will almost certainly beach...we r still swimming directly for land and tide still carrying us past.
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - 13:52
Blast we r going to miss the point...the current is just driving us off the coast. We r swimming directly for the coast...but as u can see from map, we get no closer.
We passed a bouy in the sea a while ago and the current was pulling so hard that the bouy was completely submerged and would just burst to the surface now and again...it looked just like a big fish on a line thrashing around.
Ok so now that we missed it we still need to work very hard to hold our position off coast and not lose ground...there is a bay just past cap g n and we r hoping the tides slows a little and allows us in.
W.
We passed a bouy in the sea a while ago and the current was pulling so hard that the bouy was completely submerged and would just burst to the surface now and again...it looked just like a big fish on a line thrashing around.
Ok so now that we missed it we still need to work very hard to hold our position off coast and not lose ground...there is a bay just past cap g n and we r hoping the tides slows a little and allows us in.
W.
RE: CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - 13:34
Andy just reminded me that i need to reload on food...just in case i have to go in again. Not too keen on that idea...but if i do, there is a good chance i will beach..which will be amazing. But right now our bet in on getting charlie with fresh arms and legs into the water and making a final dash.
I have never seen anyone work as hard and long as coenie is doing. He has basically been sprinting for 45 minutes! Unbelievable.
I have never seen anyone work as hard and long as coenie is doing. He has basically been sprinting for 45 minutes! Unbelievable.
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - 13:31
I cant describe the tension...we r 2km off shore...but maybe swept right past. Coenie is doing 3.2km per hr...unheard of in the sea. I am worried he blows.
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - 13:20
Coenie swimming like a mad mad...the current is dragging us like mad...this is going to be touch amd go.
We r u shouting to coenie from boat urging him on...it makes such a difference when the guys r shouting. W.
We r u shouting to coenie from boat urging him on...it makes such a difference when the guys r shouting. W.
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - observer II 13:06
The observer that never stops giving....
Ok so he woke up from his sleep choking..seriously choking!
Andy jumped into action and applied the...heinrich (i wish i had spell check on my phone!) manouver!
Nothing came up...but he started to breath again! Thank goodness...as who would be around to sleep through our finish?
Ok so he woke up from his sleep choking..seriously choking!
Andy jumped into action and applied the...heinrich (i wish i had spell check on my phone!) manouver!
Nothing came up...but he started to breath again! Thank goodness...as who would be around to sleep through our finish?
w.
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - observer 12:49
Ok...he fell asleep again...at this rate we could probably land on a uk beach, wake him, show him that we landed and let him drift off agin and go home.
I am so glad we paid to have him along to sleep through our attempt.
I am so glad we paid to have him along to sleep through our attempt.
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - 12:35
Bloody hell! This is a little harder than i imagined...!
I had a very hard swim...we desperately need to push hard if we are to hit this pinnicle called "cap gris nez" (nig pls lable it on the map) but the tide is starting to turn and if we miss the point (shortest point between uk and france) then we will get swept up the coast..potentially a long way...maybe as far as mark's prediction of holland! Ok maybe not that far.
I really hope we hit it...i put everything into my last swim and had severe cramp in my right leg for last 20min. Luckily coenie is an osteopath and managed to massage it ...feeling a lot better. But the point is...i couldnt easily do a third swim.
Few pics...
# matt getting lubed up with vaseline to help protect from the cold.
# matt chilling
# observer recovering from hang over...look at the state of those pants!
I had a very hard swim...we desperately need to push hard if we are to hit this pinnicle called "cap gris nez" (nig pls lable it on the map) but the tide is starting to turn and if we miss the point (shortest point between uk and france) then we will get swept up the coast..potentially a long way...maybe as far as mark's prediction of holland! Ok maybe not that far.
I really hope we hit it...i put everything into my last swim and had severe cramp in my right leg for last 20min. Luckily coenie is an osteopath and managed to massage it ...feeling a lot better. But the point is...i couldnt easily do a third swim.
Few pics...
# matt getting lubed up with vaseline to help protect from the cold.
# matt chilling
# observer recovering from hang over...look at the state of those pants!
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - from ashore 12:01
Hi all
As you will have been living the swim vicariously through Wayne & Paul's brilliant updates and as it now gets into it final legs, I just thought this maybe an opportune moment to send you the charity pages that Wayne and Paul are swimming for, just in case you feel like making a donation. I can't find the other boys web pages unfortunately.
Now - does anyone know how to send the Jaws theme music across the boat radio waves? We need them to pick up the pace.
Love to all
Suzie xxx
http://www.justgiving.com/paulgreenhalgh2/
http://www.justgiving.com/WayneSoutter/
As you will have been living the swim vicariously through Wayne & Paul's brilliant updates and as it now gets into it final legs, I just thought this maybe an opportune moment to send you the charity pages that Wayne and Paul are swimming for, just in case you feel like making a donation. I can't find the other boys web pages unfortunately.
Now - does anyone know how to send the Jaws theme music across the boat radio waves? We need them to pick up the pace.
Love to all
Suzie xxx
http://www.justgiving.com/paulgreenhalgh2/
http://www.justgiving.com/WayneSoutter/
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - 11:21
11.15 wayne is in, doing very well although he does seem to have forgotten his shorts... The tide will turn in 90 minutes and we need to hammer into the coast now, or be swept far north when it turns. So wayne doing well, i am next then coenie or charlie might make the landing. Weather still sunny with moderate breeze so we hope this holds. We can see more detail on the french coast now....come on!!!!!! pg
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - 09:58
Hi all,
Sorry for the gap in comms...i was having real problems getting emails and i also had a 1 hr nap. We r popping sea sick pills like smarties and they make u severely tired...oh yes and i didnt sleep last night..that may have something to do with my tiredness.
Coenie abt to come out.
Map is now updated.
W.
Sorry for the gap in comms...i was having real problems getting emails and i also had a 1 hr nap. We r popping sea sick pills like smarties and they make u severely tired...oh yes and i didnt sleep last night..that may have something to do with my tiredness.
Coenie abt to come out.
Map is now updated.
W.
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - 09:00
Paul came in and coenie out. Day getting warmer.
Gees i cant tell u how long an hour feels when swimming...i try to judge when andy will let me know i have done 15min...but i suspect i have only done 5min when i am hoping for my 15min whistle. Now using whistle as lights no good as bright day light.
observer dragged himself out of his chair to roll a cigarette...and asked if anyone had any whiskey on them. I am sure he was joking...
W.
Gees i cant tell u how long an hour feels when swimming...i try to judge when andy will let me know i have done 15min...but i suspect i have only done 5min when i am hoping for my 15min whistle. Now using whistle as lights no good as bright day light.
observer dragged himself out of his chair to roll a cigarette...and asked if anyone had any whiskey on them. I am sure he was joking...
W.
Channel swim update.... map on its way now 09:00
Due to some staff slackers and technical issue the map updates have been delayed, however its is now being updated so take a look.
S
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=116030497759348858235.0004721c7ab61a7b06f5d&ll=50.989557,1.513367&spn=0.510877,1.234589&z=10
S
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=116030497759348858235.0004721c7ab61a7b06f5d&ll=50.989557,1.513367&spn=0.510877,1.234589&z=10
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - 08:40
Ahhh! A very good sign...i just started to roam in france! Must be close to half way.
Paul driving forwards.
The map will b updated shortyl as soon as i can encourage snowy out of his warm bed! GET UP!
W.
Paul driving forwards.
The map will b updated shortyl as soon as i can encourage snowy out of his warm bed! GET UP!
W.
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - 07:21
Wow!! Just completed my hour! Sea fairly choppy so every 10th breath of so u get a mouthful of water...which u swallow a bit each time...u feel rather full/quesy after a bit of that. Overall i felt strong and confident, was a good swim. Very special to see the sun come up as i was swimming.
Mat and charlie dead to the world in sleeping bags.
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - 06:00
At 6am matt out and wayne in. Last hour changed from lovely starry night to salmon dawn and now morning. Half an hour ago we entered the south bound shipping lane. Very clear skies so great viz. Before wayne entered we tried to encourage him by shouting "shark bait shark bait". Wayne now in for 10 mins and looking comfortable despite increasing chop. No sharks yet. pg
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - 05:00
5am...swims going well. All in bar me! I am due to hit the water at 6am for an hour.
Coenie getting some kip, all the rest awake.
Observer seems to have stirred for a moment...and back asleep. It's a bit like having yr very own hobo.
W.
Coenie getting some kip, all the rest awake.
Observer seems to have stirred for a moment...and back asleep. It's a bit like having yr very own hobo.
W.
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - 03:00
Switched swimmer to coenie. Paul reported water to be relatively warm and really enjoyed the session. He said he hit a bit of seaweed and almost jumped aboard!
We are using torches to communicate with the swimmer, indicating 20min 40min and then 1min to go.
The swimmer has 2 zylumes (glow sticks) tied to his waist and a flashing head light. The swimmer stays about 6meters from the boat alongside/middle of boat.
Matt has hit the sack to get some kip before his session.
I am waiting for our observer to nod off...seems he was dragged out of the pub to monitor our swim!
Pictures are pointless in the dark...will try when it get light.
Observer did just drift off...yes that is him in the pic!
W.
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - 02:00
2am exactly and paul started off the beach swimming strongly. We need a good start in order to not be dragged across the dover harbour entrance.
Beds were made up...but no one sleeping...too excited!
W.
Beds were made up...but no one sleeping...too excited!
W.
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - 22:36
Cor! Can't believe it happening...well hopefully! Car of anxious blokes heading to dover in the pitch dark. Wind looks like 5mile per hr + overcast which doesnt help the moon shine through..hopefully the cloud clears later.
W.
W.
CHANNEL SWIM UPDATE - 7 Sep - we have a green light!! (Again...)
Evening All!
Ok we have again been given the green light - this time it looks fairly likely that we will actually swim! The wide is fairly calm and the tides are right. So we are meeting at the boat at 01:00 (Tuesday) and will probably start to swim at 02:00'ish. Luckily it is a fairly moon lit night (assuming not too much cloud) - so we should be able to see the swells coming.
I will keep you all posted on email.
As promised check the map - and I will update it with our position. Here is the link:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=116030497759348858235.0004721c7ab61a7b06f5d&z=10
YIKES!!!
Wayne-don't-think-of-sharks-Soutter
Ok we have again been given the green light - this time it looks fairly likely that we will actually swim! The wide is fairly calm and the tides are right. So we are meeting at the boat at 01:00 (Tuesday) and will probably start to swim at 02:00'ish. Luckily it is a fairly moon lit night (assuming not too much cloud) - so we should be able to see the swells coming.
I will keep you all posted on email.
As promised check the map - and I will update it with our position. Here is the link:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=116030497759348858235.0004721c7ab61a7b06f5d&z=10
YIKES!!!
Wayne-don't-think-of-sharks-Soutter
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)