For those who don’t know me,  I’m Leroy, michelle’s friend who lives in London, I have the privilege once again of updating her blog with the updates of  her latest channel adventure. This is the second time I have done this , so for those who are new , my spelling can leave a bit to be desired

Anyway Michelle will have started her swim about 20 mins ago.  If it goes the same way as her previous attempt the crew and her will be a bit busy getting into the swim of things, pardon the pun, and just settling down do the update from the crew probably will not be sent out for another hour. You can be sure that I will update the site as soon as one arrives .

I know that she has asked before , but I will send out the appeal again , every so often, if all the people following this can send their messages of support and good slogans for when the going gets tough to help her though the moments when her humour has gone on strike I know that she will be extremely grateful.  I will endeavour to make sure that they are passed on to the crew.

OK I think that’s it for now,  by the way if any of y sentences makes less than perfect sense ,  that last time I was up this early I had just been born

To those in the US have a peaceful night I wil be here when you wake up , and for those in the UK not on the boat, get back to bed unless your are swimming the channel you really need to get your sleep.

Leroy

UPDATE :  Small communication problem, from me to the boat , abut  all fixed , here are some updates

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Official start 4:48am

So far no one on the boat is sick!

Jane

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Beautiful morning, sun is up and no clouds in the sky. Only about 1 ft swells and water temp a balmy 60 degree water temp:)

Jane

Swim is going to start just like Reg planned on Tuesday at 4:30am (8:30pm Monday PST, 10:30pm Monday CST, 11:30pm EST).  This site will be updated as much as we possibly can during the swim.  Please know that your messages will be forwarded back to the boat and passed along to me. 

People have asked is it easier since I’ve been here before.  I guess not really.  Each swim is really different even if it is the same body of water.  I have a healthy respect for the Channel and I know that this swim will be nothing like the last one.  For this reason, it has me probably as nervous as the last time.  The things that I’m not concerned about are my boat pilots, Reg and Ray and my crew.  They are some of the best out there and I know they will do everything that they can to help me.  For those who don’t know my pilots are Reg and Ray Brickell and the crew are Jane Barry, Cathy McElevey, Katie Schwarz and Jeff Rodgers.

Also for those using the www.marinetraffic.com/ais website, Reg’s AIS number is 2350 18274.

Thanks for coming along on another great adventure.

The meeting with Reg was very fun.  Its funny.  I’ve spent over 12 hours with Reg and Ray, but I don’t know if we have said more than 20 words to each other.  I respect both of them and I know that it is my job to swim.  They know that it is their job to guide me.  Tonight we had time to just talk.  Of course this was after I confirmed that we weren’t swimming on Monday.  If the swim was Monday we would have all had a very quick conversation and I would have walked out the door. 

So back to the normal routine, I’ll call Reg at half 7pm tomorrow, but I think we both know that unless something drastic happens the swim will start early on Tuesday.

Tomorrow will be spent finalizing the gear and lots of time spent eating and resting by me.

I spoke with Reg last night and we are meeting him tonight.   He is leaning towards the swim starting on Tuesday at 4:30am UK time (i.e. 8:30pm Monday PST, 10:30pm Monday CST, 11:30pm Monday EST).  However, he said there is a chance we would take off on Monday morning at 3:30am (i.e. 7:30pm Sunday PST, 9:30pm Sunday CST, 10:30pm Sunday EST).  He would know more after today after he went fishing today.  Have I sufficiently confused all of you?

Basically, he is thinking Tuesday…but possibly Monday start.  I’m hoping for more of Tuesday as I could use just one more day to get my game face all the way on.

Like in previous swims I will be having people periodically updating my blog with swim updates.  Also they will pass along comments to the boat.  Please remember that these people are doing all of us a huge favor and may have other things going on throughout the day.  They have all agreed to be as available as possible.

In addition, one of the other swimmers put together an easy website to find the boats out in the Channel.  I’m on the Viking Princess.  It is my understanding that you can click his boat and it will show where we are http://www.tierathlon.de/channelboats.htm. You are looking to watch the Viking Princess. Please note that when we enter into the French shipping lanes that the boat may disappear.   Another potential site: http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/ (Note: The Viking Princess is a Tug, Pilot, etc. boat) (Note: I couldn’t get the sites to work, but it may be my connection)

Previous Channel information:

Some basic Channel information.  The Channel can be broken down into 4 major parts.   We are at least hoping to post when I enter the different shipping lanes.  Please see the order and relative distance below:

1. Shakespeare Beach to the Southwest lane = 5 nautical miles or 5400 meters
2. Southwest lane across to the Northeast lane = 5 nautical miles or 5400 meters
3. Northeast lane across to the French inshore traffic zone (ZC “buoy area”) = 5 nautical miles or 5400 meters
4. French inshore traffic zone to Cap Gris Nez = 3 nautical miles or 5555 meters

Now I know that some of the distances don’t make sense, but just think of the shipping lanes.

I guess I’ll post something after we meet with Reg tonight.

Jane, Cathy and Jeff arrived safely in London and then proceeded to take possibly the most scenic route from London Heathrow to Dover.  Now typically the drive takes about 2 hours.  I know that they got the car around 10am and then arrived at swimmer beach around 2pm.  I don’t think I will get the full story about what happened.  They are sticking with the story that the Garmin led them astray.

Katie’s flight was delayed out of MN causing for another sleepless night for me as I was on the phone with her until 1-2am and then Jane called around 6am to tell me that Katie was delayed.  I now know Katie is somewhere in route to our comfy new home in Walmer.

Upon arriving at our new digs, the 3 amigos went in search of food.  That was 3 hours ago.  Turns out that they have again misplaced themselves.  Thankfully there is a map in the house and I think I gave them the right directions.  (Note: I stayed back because I was pretty rank from my swim this morning and I wanted to be here in case Katie arrived).

Today’s weather brought in a good thunderstorm.  Here I was talking about the glorious weather and it goes and rains on us as soon as the weekend comes.  Rumor has it that this is supposed to be the worst day, so we’ll see.

I’m sure that this evening will be an early one once Katie arrives as I know all the crew are a little jetlagged.  Plus I’m sure that the 3 amigos have already partaken in some of England’s liquid refreshments.  And who wouldn’t when the cider is SO GOOD!

Rumors on the beach is that some swimmers will go out Monday.  I’ll know more after talking with Reg tomorrow.

Another beautiful day here in Dover.  Met the other swimmers for our regular morning dip in the harbor.  After the swim, I took a look down and noticed that my superstitious pedicure is starting to peel.  I knew I shouldn’t have gone to a new place and tempted fate.  Needless to say explaining my superstition about getting a nail polish with a name that matched my swims to the other swimmers felt a little weird.  Surprisingly they really seemed to like it and I do believe that some will adopt it as well.    In the grand scheme of athlete’s little routines before events, I figure mine is pretty minimal.  Sure the pedicurist doesn’t understand why it takes me so long to pick a color.  Now that is a weird conversation at the place because I try to explain that it isn’t the color that I’m looking for but more the name.

This time the color is “Back to the Beach Peach”.  However, it looks like it is going to last just long enough to be back at the beach.  A quick trip to the store and I’m all set with my color for the swim “Summer Sea.”  I’m thinking that it sounds like calm seas and good weather.

If anyone is interested in the recap of nail polish colors see below:

2007 English Channel – The Lifeguard Makes Me Blush

2008 Manhattan Swim – Grand Central Carnation (fingers – See Ya Later Sailer)

2008 Catalina – First Light

2009 New Zealand Lake Taupo – Girls Just Want to Play

Now besides getting excited to re-paint the toenails, I’m really looking foward to my crew arriving tomorrow.  Right now they are getting ready to board their planes and start the long journey to England.  I should see them sometime early tomorrow afternoon at which point we will be checking into our self-catering house.  I’m hoping that the new place doesn’t have barking dogs and screaming neighbors as this is what I experience every time I try to catch up on some sleep.  Some how the jet lag has really hit me hard this trip.  In addition, it will be nice to be in a place with a kitchen and such.  (Note: Mexican food in England isn’t great.  Avoid at all costs!)

Oh right, I did call Reg last night.  My crew and I will be meeting with him on Sunday evening to discuss the next week.  Current speculation is that Wednesday looks good.  I’ll keep you updated.

Since arriving in Dover, I have pretty much been laughing, which turns out to be a great distraction.  Unlike last time I was here, there are actually a bunch of swimmers in town.  I think that this is mainly because I’m here at the beginning of the season rather than the last part of the season. 

The days have been beautifully sunny if just a little windy.  I spend most of the day lounging on swimmers beach listening to some hard to believe but true channel stories.  Most of them just have me cracking up.   It definitely makes up for my ornery digestive system and lack of sleep.  My biggest worries these days are not to fry myself to bits due to the sun.  Thankfully I packed at least a gallon of sunscreen.  (Note: I now know where all my 50lbs of packing went )

On the beach, I’ve repeatedly been told that I didn’t get value for my money on my last swim because it was over too quickly.  I’m just happy to be accepted by such amazing people.  I believe the quote from dinner last night that still makes me laugh is “I only work there so I don’t feel ugly.”  Now that is a reason to have a job  

Yesterday I also had the opportunity to watch Rick complete a beautiful 6 hour swim.  He look as strong at the finish as he did at the beginning.  And to my knowledge there was minimal (if no) complaining at all.  What an accomplishment!  For the record, this wasn’t his first 6 hour swim, but it was still great to watch (even if I did have to take a sun break.  Dang this red hair and freckles!). 

Mostly I’ve been hanging out with Emma France, Rick Selway and Michelle Toptalo.  They all have such amazing stories.  People often wonder why I return to certain swims and the people are the main reason.  Where else can you find a group of “eccentric” (Rick’s word) of people who all share in the same goal of swimming long distances?  I know most of you would replace Rick’s word with crazy.  I suppose we are a little bit of that too. 

Rumor has it that the tide looks good.  I’m calling Reg, my boat pilot, this evening to let him know I’m in town and get an idea of the potential swim date.  I’ve reached out to Leroy again to see if he would be willing to update my blog during the swim.  He has tentatively agreed…that is if he doesn’t have something better come up first. 

Thank you so much for all the well wishes.  Your support continues to humble me and buoy me up.  Looks like we are in for another crazy adventure together.  Thanks for coming along for the ride.

I arrived in England yesterday and spent a wonderful time with my aunt and cousin.  Loved my sunday afternoon in Walmer and a very good Sunday dinner overlooking the sea.  And then the jet lag set in, man I felt like I was hit by a truck. 

I slept after my aunt and cousin left.  Woke up long enough to hunt for food.  I’m sure I looked like a zombie in the streets of Dover.  Thankfully on Sunday most things are closed so there aren’t many people out and about.

Today was spent mostly hanging and swimming by the sea.  It is a beautiful sunny day, even if it is a tad windy.  Rumors are that this coming tide will be a good one.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed!