Got the go ahead........

I'm meeting my pilot at 2.30am tomorrow morning and will be starting at 3.30am! The link to follow me tomorrow is here. There will be some twitter updates during the day also.

Crew busy packing, Mick busy cooking (again!) and I'm busy reading trashy magazines and getting ready to eat again. Very excited!

Looking good for Tuesday...

Have had a fun couple of days in Dover. Varne Ridge is a great place to stay and have met loads of other swimmers. Went for a swim in the harbour today and basically did nothing but relax and eat afterwards. Spoke to Paul Foreman, my pilot who said that his first slot swimmer is going tonight and that the weather is looking good for me to go in the early hours of Tuesday morning. This means that I'll be swimming at the same time as Donal Buckley, which is nice. We went out tonight for loads of pasta with his crew and mine and it was all very exciting. Everyone is getting a little hyper now. Will need to wait for final confirmation tomorrow, but it's all looking good.

Dover, here I come.....

Getting the last few things together and heading off to spend the night in Cork before flying out in the morning. Feeling strangely calm, which I keep expecting to change. Sick of eating, and feeling wierd not swimming during this tapering period. The weather is looking good for an early swim, maybe as early as Monday or Tuesday, but will know more and update when I speak to my pilot, Paul Foreman tomorrow.

Thanks to all who have donated to my charity, Barretstown . We are moving towards our target, so please those who haven't already, click here to get to the charity page where you can donate.
I will post a link to the gps tracker on the boat when I get it so you can follow my progress, and regular twitter updates will also feed to the blog and my facebook page.

A big thankyou goes to my lovely friend Jenny-Rose Clarke who has kindly agreed to take my mini monsters, Niamh and Caelan for the time we are away. By the sounds of it, they'll have even more fun than me!

Last swim at Sandycove....

The sun came out, the friends came down, and a lovely swim was had on Sunday. Rob Bohane, Ciaran Byrne and Gabor Molnar were at the end of their 8 hour swim when Donal Buckley, Liz Buckley and myself joined them for the last 3 laps. Liam Maher joined us for the last leg. There were loads of other regular Sandycove swimmers either in the water, or milling around enjoying the weather. Had a lovely feeling when we finished the last lap, all of us in a straight line as if it was organised that way. Nearly a year of training together and it was a lovely way to finish my last swim with them before I head off.

Last minute addition to the crew is Lisa Cummins, which I'm thrilled about. Will be lovely to have some female company, not to mention her experience after her two way crossing last year.

So, I head for Dover this Friday with Mick, Derek, John and Lisa. Getting very excited in between stuffing myself with pasta etc at every available opportunity.

Not sure exactly when the swim will start, but will update the blog as soon as I do.

Thanks everyone for the well wishes on Sunday!

Lee Swim 2010......

Well, what an experience, the first year in 5 years that I haven't swum in the Lee Swim in Cork. Myself, Niamh and Caelan set off this year as spectators and had a ball! Mick and Derek both swam, Derek taking the silver medal in his age group!! We watched the start and barely made it back to the finish to see the first swimmers home. The sun came out and as usual, it was a great day. Caught up with Liam Maher, my first time seeing him as a successful Channel swimmer and he was in great form, with a big smile permanently on his face. I spoke with many other Channel swimming friends who all wished me well. It was lovely to be socialising rather than swimming for a change, although I will be back in the water for next year's race! Thanks everyone for the well wishes!

So proud of Derek. He has gone from strength to strength in his first season, and came out with a fantastic result for his first mass participation open water race! Delighted that he'll be with me in the Channel next week, maybe he'll force me to pick up my pace!

Resting up....

As I lie in bed typing and resting, my fellow Aussie swimmer Chloe McCardel is out in the Channel, on her way back to England. I met Chloe during her stay in Clonakilty, Co Cork and we had a lovely swim, freaking out a few lifeguards in the process, and a lovely chat after numerous bowls of chips. Her two way attempt seems to be going well, she's flying it. You can track her progress here. Awesome job Chloe! Go Aussie Go! Channel 9 on board for all you intersted Australians out there. Another exciting day!

Great weekend in Valentia...

Channel Aspirants and Coach Eilís Burns before the Beginish Island Swim

The weather again left a bit to be desired, but fun was had by all anyway. The swim around Beginish Island looked dodgy right up until we were given the go ahead in the briefing. The swim was tough, but fantastic. Similar to last year, we got in just as the weather was closing in. Safely into the bar afterwards for food, awards and large volumes of drink for everyone it seemed except me! A great night, loads of fun.

Had a lovely swim with Lisa Cummins and Liz Buckley on Sunday to clear the heads, and then home to Cork, on the way getting news that Liam Maher, the first of our Cork bunch to go to Dover had been given the go ahead for 4.30am this morning. I normally find it difficult moving quickly on a Monday morning, especially after being away, but I lept out of bed and down the stairs to get the update as soon as my eyes opened!

He's still out there, doing well, with all of his Cork supporters behing him. Go Liam, Go!