A Weekend Away, Part 2

Before heading to down to Folkestone I had asked if anyone was going to be swimming before the channel swim celebration and thankfully someone got in touch with me. Joan Fennelly and Laura Reineke are part of the Henley Mermaids and had driven down on the day for the CS&PF celebration. They completed a relay together … Continue reading A Weekend Away, Part 2

Bristol Channel Week 1

After I successfully completed my Windermere 2-way swim in 2021 I wanted to set myself another challenge. I wanted it to be or include the English Channel solo because it had always been a dream of mine. Whilst deciding on a challenge I had read about Tom Chapman who had swum the Bristol channel 3 … Continue reading Bristol Channel Week 1

Update of the Madness that is Life

The madness of the past few months has meant blogs haven't been written because I've been so busy. So much has happened that I'm not even sure where I should start! Maybe all the way back in October at the STA Conference.  STA Conference What a totally different experience I had this year! Last year, … Continue reading Update of the Madness that is Life

One good, One bad.

Last year I had a disastrous swim event experience, I desperately wanted to share it with people at the time to highlight how NOT to treat those with disabilities but at the time I was so angry that I knew the blog wouldn’t be constructive or helpful to anyone, so I waited. Since then, I … Continue reading One good, One bad.

STA Channel Swim 2023 Part 3

I noticed the sun was starting to get lower and for me, that is when my swim really started. I knew I couldn’t be far off the time when I should have been nearly in France or getting out/landing, but France still looked miles away, and I couldn’t work out what I was doing wrong.

STA Channel Swim 2023 Part 2

As I watched the sunrise it was a huge mental boost. I had got through the night and since I was expecting to finish late afternoon, I knew the rest of the swim would be in the light with the sunshine on my back. My only concern was last year during my relay swim, when … Continue reading STA Channel Swim 2023 Part 2

Grafham Water 5km

You know its the night before a race when you find yourself setting multiple alarms starting at 5am with gradually more and more aggressive "get out of bed" messages on each one! Thankfully I had managed to find a lift to Grafham and it was from one of my first open water pupils, Nona, who … Continue reading Grafham Water 5km

Dover Channel Training Conference Part 2

Day 2 started with me wanting to stay in bed and my sister staying in bed, not the best start.  The morning sessions weren't overly relevant to my sister and after the faff with trains and a busy day on Saturday I was kind enough to let her sleep...aka I couldn't wake her up! The … Continue reading Dover Channel Training Conference Part 2

2023 Channel Swim Introduction

"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity" Albert Einstein The beginning of the new year is always something to celebrate, we look back on all we have achieved the previous year and, perhaps, most importantly we look forwards and plan for the new year. For me, the plan is simple; to be the first person … Continue reading 2023 Channel Swim Introduction

Reflections

New Years Eve is typically when everyone looks back on the previous year but for me, this year, I am not looking back just one year. Instead, I am looking at how far I have come over the past few years and I have to say, if I hadn't lived it, I'm not sure I … Continue reading Reflections