DURDLE DOOR AND ALL THAT

Had a lot of fun swimming some of the iconic landmarks of Britain's south coast at the weekend.

On Saturday I swam through Durdle Door in rough seas and then pottered around in Man O War bay playing in the waves breaking over the rocks. We all then hiked and climbed down, yes climbed not walked down, to the pool at Dancing Ledge. Just amazing experiences but did not enjoy hauling my low centre of gravity up the cliff face looking for leg and hand holds.

On Sunday I swam in the Round Brownsea Island event. Brilliant swim but pretty lumpy for over half the course. I was the second oldest real swimmer, non wetsuit, finished 8th in the 50-60 age group and 23rd overall in the non wetsuit event. Not bad for an old fella!

Onwards and upwards towards Gibraltar. I am in a good place for someone with degenerating shoulders and wish the swim was tomorrow as I am ready to go.

BROWNSEA ISLAND SWIM

Next Sunday I will be swimming in the prestigious round Brownsea Island swim in Poole Harbour.

This is a very difficult swim to get into so it is very pleasing to see that all the Wadenhoe gang have places. We will all be swimming "skins" but most swimmers will be in wetsuits pretending that they are open water swimmers. I think that there are only 30 people out of 300 in skins.

Training is going well, save for a grindy old right shoulder that is showing its age! Putting in plenty of hours in the river and had a stormy sea swim in Aldeburgh last weekend.

Gibraltar can't come quick enough at the moment, just wish it was next week not at the end of October!

Just got Joe Bonamassa live . Bird on a Wire, Mountain Time are favourites. 

SUMMER?

This is the question! When will we get continuous days of hot, blue skies weather?

The water temperature in the river is holding around 20C which is lovely but I have had very few swims this summer with a hot sun on my back.

I don't want it to cool down at all this year as I need to keep up my milage until the end of October when I head off for my Gibraltar crossing.

The Nene gang and I have been doing long swims over the last 2 months, easily doing 6 hour swims and knocking out plenty of 8-10k swims. Feeling great, wish my swim was now!

The forecast for today and the next few days is rubbish but I will still be visiting Wadenhoe and will pretend that it is fun swimming in the cold rain.

Cold Chisel live in the car at the moment. Fires me up for my swims!

SPEED KING?

Hi y'all

Still racking up the Ks but this week has been a speed week as I have had shorter (5k) swims where I have concentrated on getting my speed up.

The water has been fairly cooperative this week, mainly flat hovering between 17 and 18C.

Early morning sees me at my best as it is just so calm and peaceful on the river with plenty of wildlife in evidence. Still plenty of chicks about, all pretty calm except the swans who are never to me meddled with!

Anyway, back to swimming. I know that I am swimming faster and feel better but can't figure out why my faster, harder sessions are only a minute or so faster than my marathon pace over 5ks.

I think it is because my comfortable speed is still way faster than last year as I am swimming more efficiently whereas my harder sessions may get a bit paddlesteamerish! Great newly invented word!

Just watching the Blues vs Brumbies. About time boys!

PLENTY OF Ks ON THE CLOCK

Dear reader, lots of swimming since my last post.

I am using Saturday as my long swim day having had 18k and 8.5k swims over the last 2 weeks. Tomorrow will be 15k with another 18k next week.

My Gibraltar build up is going well although the river levels and flow have been higher than normal this "summer". I am working on getting my speed up as I really want to do the Straits well.

Good to hear from my friend Alton in Auckland this week. I would love to be at Takapuna or Narrow Neck or Cheltenham beaches even in mid "winter".

Listening to Planet Rock today so I don't get swamped with all the blubbering about the referendum.

PUMPING UP THE MILES

Finally, the water is starting to warm up. Last night the river was 17.8 but with the rain and Arctic winds predicted this weekend it will drop again.

Getting in serious milage now and working on swimming faster as well as longer. Swimming with faster swimmers has definitely improved my sped and stamina and I am really starting to feel the benefits.

Didn't get to do the 12 hour swim as I was pretty crook the night before. There will be other swims.

Trying some new swims in the next few weeks, Pilton lock swim this week amd swimming through the backs of the Cambridge colleges soon.

Listening to Cold Chisel Swingshift in the car. Gets me ready for my swim. Legendary band.

12 HOUR TORTURE

Well dear reader, as the weather warms up, sort of, weird and mad events appear on the swimming calendar.

This Saturday sees the first, a Kilometre every hour for 12 hours. Fortunately I will be sharing this pain with my swim buddies Claire, Michelle and Sarah so we will all suffer together.

I am getting some good swims in now as the river hovers around the 10C mark. Yesterday I did a comfortable hour in the water and felt great.

The weather for the weekend predicts Arctic blasts. Hurrah can't wait.

Amazingly The Doors Riders On the Storm is playing now on Planet Rock as I write. Hopefully not a portent!