Happy Friday fellow swimmers…..
50 swimmers, 2 newbie’s for this Freezing Friday.
What a difference a day makes though. Conditions today were flat and the vis was not too bad either.
The consensus was “ It was the coldest swim this year” As you entered the water you could feel the full chill.
All in all, not a bad start to the day, the sky was darkening and the rain was on its way as we began to swim but it held off. Did i mention it was cold?
Fact of the day time: The testicles of a southern right whale weigh around 500 kg !
Dont forget Iian is hoping to do this swim to France on Monday if the weather permits. Feel free to send him some last minute encouragement via the blog this weekend. Its a bloody big swim.
See you all tomorrow.
Water Temperature – F***** Freezing.
Air Temperature – Also Freezing.
Sunrise 6.31am.
Sunset 5.27pm.
High Tide: 11.33 am.
Low Tide: 4.41pm.
Beer: Any time after work
Sleep: Any time after beer
34 comments
Nick
August 19, 2011 at 9:14 am
“So So So cold” Michel said this morn!!!
Linda
August 19, 2011 at 9:21 am
So very cold, had to hand over the ‘Lets Go’ to Nick TB because I was struggling to find my voice as my brain froze on impact!!
Stephen Coulter
August 19, 2011 at 9:30 am
The double shoulder lift as we all entered the water showed how cold it was!
Skulking Shark
August 19, 2011 at 9:39 am
I am a nice shark, not a mindless eating machine. If I am to change this image, I must first change myself. Fish are friends, Bold & Beautiful are interesting, not food.
Nick
August 19, 2011 at 10:23 am
And I Slurred that .. Nothing on what Iain is about to take on .. Good Luck Mate ..
Anna Alvsdotter
August 19, 2011 at 10:25 am
So did anyone see the whale again today? (Sorry I didn’t swim this morning to check it for myself)
The whale(s) hung around for quite some time just off FAiry Bower around 5pm yesterday. According to EcoDiver Dave it was a Southern Right.
Hopefully more of that tomorrow morning, as I’ll be back in the ocean then.
Anna Alvsdotter
August 19, 2011 at 10:26 am
Yes yes yes yes. Was he wearing a wetsuit tho, Michel the Dolphin?
Skulking Shark
August 19, 2011 at 10:59 am
What do the whale’s testicles weight when its as cold as this morning?
PS How do you weight them?
Rob
August 19, 2011 at 11:16 am
must try out this suggestion … “gluing a Dorito on your goldfish so everyone thinks you have a shark …”
Little Tiger
August 19, 2011 at 12:09 pm
Water temperature very accurately described this morning. Am still cold, fighting over the heater with the dog. Hey Nick, was that you giving us the “Lets go’, I thought it was an Irish accent; amazing what the cold water will do to your ……….voice.
Roberto
August 19, 2011 at 1:48 pm
Iain TIP 3:
remember and don’t forget – once you get to halfway you got to swim on the other side.
Nick
August 19, 2011 at 1:55 pm
I wouldn’t be swimming far with 500kg nuts!!
Nick
August 19, 2011 at 2:01 pm
Yes it is amazing what the Cold water does to the..um….body. I almost become a different sex , except for the voice of course, being English, that just turns to Irish..which is a concern…
Skulking Shark
August 19, 2011 at 2:53 pm
What are you calling your goldfish? Never heard it called that before!
Iain
August 19, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Hello Everyone,
Thanks Roberto for another fin tip.
Well the weather in Manly sounds about as good as that over here in Dover. The wind is howling at the moment and a believe if I got some giant sized budgie smugglers then I could probably use them as a sail and get to France that way.
Off the record I think the water might be warmer over here at the moment but not sure what temperature it is 15km out in the middle.
Two big favors to ask of the B&B:
1. Can everyone tell me the best, most inspiring, fantastical, things they know about France. I’m building up a mental bank of thoughts to drive myself on to Gaetan’s home country.
2. If someone was trying to color a lanolin and petroleum jelly grease mix pink, and there was no pink zinc available as the English sun just doesn’t get that hot, what would one use?
About to go for a gently one hour swim in the howling wind.
Iain
Roberto
August 19, 2011 at 3:58 pm
in a meadow – bread, cheese, red wine, sun, sex sleep – a perfect day!
Skulking Shark
August 19, 2011 at 3:58 pm
Re 1,
Melissa Theriau,Noemie Lenoir, Alizee Jacotey, Eva Green, Clare Morgane, Laetitia Casta, Melanie Doutey, Virginie Ledoyen, Marion Cotillard, Sophie Marceau
Link Here…
http://www.therichest.org/entertainment/most-beautiful-french-actresses-2011/
Anna Alvsdotter
August 19, 2011 at 4:56 pm
Try to avoid your mind wondering to the current state of Gerard Depardieu, for your own good. Not pretty.
Imagine instead a kiss, one with Juliette Binoche. By default, the kiss would be French 🙂
Little Tiger
August 19, 2011 at 5:06 pm
Hi Iain, I’ve just mixed a batch of petroleum jelly, bepanthen( used for babies bottoms) and cochineal (pink food colouring) . It mixed pink, however as I rubbed it on my arms it applied pink then turned clear. One of my cubs just entered the kitchen – “Oh yum, can I have a lick”. Yeh sure, that’s what they get for constantly asking “what’s for dinner”? Good luck with the pink zinc, and of course, the Big Swim.
Iain
August 19, 2011 at 5:32 pm
I was thinking cochineal but guess i will now need to look else where.
tim
August 19, 2011 at 5:32 pm
Iian – use food colouring
Iain
August 19, 2011 at 5:33 pm
In other news my pilot just called… Iain will you be ready for 1am tomorrow….response is of course…… but wasn’t expecting so soon.
Anna Alvsdotter
August 19, 2011 at 6:09 pm
Oooh, wow!!
Will be sending all my thoughts to you as of 1am your time. 1am!???!! This endeavour is crazy on so many levels.
Neil
August 19, 2011 at 7:05 pm
When you gotta go you gotta go. All the way iain.
Linda
August 19, 2011 at 7:43 pm
Blood – but I am guessing you might need all yours to stay Alive!! I am so helpful eh x
Derek
August 19, 2011 at 8:38 pm
Pain au chocolat with French press coffee. Lunch of baguette, cheese and any thinly sliced meat, of course, with red wine. Arvo cheese platter and requisite wine. Steak tartare with a Bordeaux for dinner.
Pacific Jules
August 19, 2011 at 8:52 pm
Go you good thing. We know you can do it, one stroke at a time all the way. Good luck Iain, we’ll be thinking of you. We really hope you get there, you’ve done all the hard work so just the prize for the taking now. Cant wait to hear from you once you’ve finished and it’s fantastic you get to go so soon, all our best wishes Jules & Michael
Iain
August 19, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Everyone Thank You!
Gaetan in on a train in France and will be here in 5 or 6 hours!
Trying to have a sleep and will send further details soon.
Iain
CCD (Pommie Chris) (+Bald Eagle Coulter)
August 19, 2011 at 10:36 pm
Fantastic news that you’re off early – balmy Summer Channel conditions all the way. Swim like the fish you are and see you back home soon.
Ben
August 19, 2011 at 10:40 pm
Iain we all fully believe you can do it. Good luck. Think of croissants, brie, stong coffee, red wine and sexy french ladies to welcome you. I am willing younall th way. Ben
John
August 20, 2011 at 12:37 am
Good luck Iain will be thinking of you if you set off at 1am tomorrow (10am Manly time). Send message on blog if there is a change to your start time.
Iain
August 20, 2011 at 2:44 am
The French Man arrives soon…. Legend!
Gaetan
August 20, 2011 at 2:48 am
Hi everyone,
I was not expecting Iain to go thet early too… damn I had to ask my dad to rush me to Avignon’s train station to catch a TGV for Calais.. and here I am 5 hours later waiting for the ferry to Dover, shoud get there by 8pm.
I am so looking forward to be on a boat at 1am watching a pink speedos in the dark. Aahaahaha.. seriously what am i doing here :-)))))
I’ll keep you all updated on ow Iain is going. Sunny weather expected (25 degrees) for saturday and calm seas as well apparently, pretty sure it’s gonna be a “piece of gateau” for Iain 🙂
Pacific Jules
August 20, 2011 at 7:05 am
Great work Gaetan, what a friend !! 🙂
Please send through regular blog comments and photos to let us all know how he is going and most of all as soon as he finishes 🙂