I received my first update from Tim at 1:56 AM - Davis had been in the water for about 20 minutes and was doing well. Over the past several hours I've received more updates - all echoing that Davis is doing well. I guess it was pretty choppy there for a bit and another swimmer (with a different boat) abandoned their attempt because they (the swimmer) got seasick. The chop has now been reduced to swells and they recently passed by a pod of dolphins.
Just got an update from Tim (8:25AM) 9.5 miles to go.
I am not sure about the tracking link. We were told to use the Sea Satin one, but as has been pointed out it doesn't seem to be working. Perhaps the other link http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=009OxM7v3sf07EMkZkUqMsLX2SF1442fP is the right one. Sorry I can't be more helpful.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Green Light
At 7:00 this evening Davis was given the green light - he was told to meet Lance, the pilot, down on the dock in Dover at midnight.
We spent the next little bit getting things ready to go and then Davis and his support crew (Andrew and Davis' brother Tim) tried to get some sleep. I am not sure if Andrew and Tim got any sleep - I know Davis didn't. Excitement mixed with nerves mixed with a huge amount of pasta made sleep impossible for Davis. The thing that Davis was most concerned about, and which was his biggest obstacle to sleep, was the idea of swimming in the dark (it is currently dark, raining and in the 50s). Although he's done it before, it's been awhile and there weren't a ridiculous number of huge ships lurking about. I told him that I would be worried if he weren't concerned about the dark and the ships - yes, he is prepared and there is no doubt in my mind he can do this, but it would be unnatural if he weren't a bit nervous about this undertaking.
Tim is going to send me regular messages to update me, and I'll try and post updates to keep you up to date on Davis' progress. I expect a message any moment now saying Davis is off and going.
We spent the next little bit getting things ready to go and then Davis and his support crew (Andrew and Davis' brother Tim) tried to get some sleep. I am not sure if Andrew and Tim got any sleep - I know Davis didn't. Excitement mixed with nerves mixed with a huge amount of pasta made sleep impossible for Davis. The thing that Davis was most concerned about, and which was his biggest obstacle to sleep, was the idea of swimming in the dark (it is currently dark, raining and in the 50s). Although he's done it before, it's been awhile and there weren't a ridiculous number of huge ships lurking about. I told him that I would be worried if he weren't concerned about the dark and the ships - yes, he is prepared and there is no doubt in my mind he can do this, but it would be unnatural if he weren't a bit nervous about this undertaking.
Tim is going to send me regular messages to update me, and I'll try and post updates to keep you up to date on Davis' progress. I expect a message any moment now saying Davis is off and going.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sunday 26 September Update
We went for a swim this morning, about an hour, just to get loose.
Vaseline, your best friend in salt water.
Taking the plunge, it was fierce and funky out there. If the visibility was bad Friday, it was just plain dark swimming this morning, I couldn't see a thing. (Note: really large ship in the background, more on this later.)
Fighting my way out of the ocean, the fishermen thought I was nuts.
During the afternoon, we went to the white cliffs and Dover castle, this is a view across the channel. You might not be able to see, but there are 14 ships in this picture, and that water is rough.
While we were at and around the cliffs and the Dover castle, I kept track of the ships I could see, the fewest I counted was 8 the most was 21.
I guess I would be lying, if I tried to convince you that I was not a little intimidated. After the swim this morning, looking out over the Channel, the ships, and not seeing France, it was very real what I am up against here. The enormity of this undertaking is really made clear by a view from these cliffs.
This is a similar view a little later in the day, here you can see France, (and 17 ships). It is a little more manageable when you can see the other side, it is just swimming right? One stroke after another...
Vaseline, your best friend in salt water.
Taking the plunge, it was fierce and funky out there. If the visibility was bad Friday, it was just plain dark swimming this morning, I couldn't see a thing. (Note: really large ship in the background, more on this later.)
Fighting my way out of the ocean, the fishermen thought I was nuts.
During the afternoon, we went to the white cliffs and Dover castle, this is a view across the channel. You might not be able to see, but there are 14 ships in this picture, and that water is rough.While we were at and around the cliffs and the Dover castle, I kept track of the ships I could see, the fewest I counted was 8 the most was 21.
I guess I would be lying, if I tried to convince you that I was not a little intimidated. After the swim this morning, looking out over the Channel, the ships, and not seeing France, it was very real what I am up against here. The enormity of this undertaking is really made clear by a view from these cliffs.
This is a similar view a little later in the day, here you can see France, (and 17 ships). It is a little more manageable when you can see the other side, it is just swimming right? One stroke after another...
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Update, September 25
Today was cold, gray and blustery. I talked with Mike Oram tonight and was told that there were eight foot swells in the Channel today. He said that it looks like things will improve Monday and then by Tuesday be good. Although the reality is that all that is needed is one day, I would rather not be ticking off days and waiting (my friend Thor has nicely offered to see what he can do about the weather - please do!).
Showing Oliver where I plan to swim (I don't think he believed me).
Given I couldn't swim the Channel today we did some exploring. Our travels took us to a wildlife conservation area that had lemurs and foosa - which, as you know, are prominent characters in my new favorite movie, Madagascar.
On another note, I've received several donations the past couple of days and really want to say thanks for the thought and support. I've also been asked by several people if I am still accepting donations - I am, they are welcome and very much appreciated.
Showing Oliver where I plan to swim (I don't think he believed me).
Given I couldn't swim the Channel today we did some exploring. Our travels took us to a wildlife conservation area that had lemurs and foosa - which, as you know, are prominent characters in my new favorite movie, Madagascar.
On another note, I've received several donations the past couple of days and really want to say thanks for the thought and support. I've also been asked by several people if I am still accepting donations - I am, they are welcome and very much appreciated.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Update, September 24
So I am waiting to have my evening call with Michael Oram about the weather and the departure time, I call after 7pm once he has listened to, and digested the weather forecast.
This morning we went down to the seashore and I swam for a little more than an hour, Andrew walked the shore and discussed sea obstacles and conditions with the two fishermen, and helped keep me clear of their fishing lines.
The beach was desolate to say the least, besides us, the two fishermen were the only other people I saw. The beach itself was smooth stones between about 3/4" to 1 1/2" in diameter. The water was calm this morning, (it "freshend up a bit" this afternoon, huge white caps, very rough). The water was quite salty, the visibility was near zero, I could see my elbows, but not my hands. It was cold, but not debilitating, never comfy though.
This is looking down the beach towards the white cliffs of Dover. The two fishermen can be seen near the sea's edge.
This is looking North East up the beach, towards the pier in Deal, the little white thing in the sea is, I think, a ferry and actually looked really big.
This is looking out to sea, because of the way the coastline curves, here we are actually looking towards, northern France or Belgium. You may or may not be able to make out the big tanker, the ferry and the HUGE container ship out in the distance. Plenty of traffic.
This morning we went down to the seashore and I swam for a little more than an hour, Andrew walked the shore and discussed sea obstacles and conditions with the two fishermen, and helped keep me clear of their fishing lines.
The beach was desolate to say the least, besides us, the two fishermen were the only other people I saw. The beach itself was smooth stones between about 3/4" to 1 1/2" in diameter. The water was calm this morning, (it "freshend up a bit" this afternoon, huge white caps, very rough). The water was quite salty, the visibility was near zero, I could see my elbows, but not my hands. It was cold, but not debilitating, never comfy though.
This is looking down the beach towards the white cliffs of Dover. The two fishermen can be seen near the sea's edge.
This is looking North East up the beach, towards the pier in Deal, the little white thing in the sea is, I think, a ferry and actually looked really big.
This is looking out to sea, because of the way the coastline curves, here we are actually looking towards, northern France or Belgium. You may or may not be able to make out the big tanker, the ferry and the HUGE container ship out in the distance. Plenty of traffic.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Arrived
We have arrived in the UK. Had a great flight and have begun to settle into the house we rented for our stay. I plan on contacting the pilot boat shortly and determining the plans for the next few days. Right now it is sunny and beautiful out. Fingers crossed it remains that way.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Making waves
Hurricane Igor has created some amazing waves and Andrew and I took full advantage - we headed out to Plum Island at 5:00 this morning to surf.
A different kind of waves tomorrow- airwaves. Tomorrow (at noon) I am going to be interview on NPR's Emily Rooney Show. Tune in - 89.7 in the Boston area, or you can listen via podcast online http://www.wgbh.org/897/programDetail.cfm?programid=854
A different kind of waves tomorrow- airwaves. Tomorrow (at noon) I am going to be interview on NPR's Emily Rooney Show. Tune in - 89.7 in the Boston area, or you can listen via podcast online http://www.wgbh.org/897/programDetail.cfm?programid=854
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