3 miles to go. We are out of the shipping lane and the tide has turned against her. Is the first time that she has asked how far to go (suspect she can smell the garlic - also suspect she is beginning to fatigue a bit (arm stroke dropped to 60/min).

Can see the sand on the French beaches which will help I am sure with the last hour or two. Take my hat off to anyone that even considers this type of thing. To give the layman some idea of what is involved (appologies for those readers for whom this is just part of their daily routine), Lex has been cold water acclimatising since early November last year. Has involved heading up to the Serpentine come rain, hail or shine every Sat (and sometimes Sunday) morning to test their cold water limits with a whole load of other lunatics who form this fantastic subculture of London life.
This contined until April whereupon Lex headed down to Dover (again on Sat and sun) to swim open water for an increasing amount of time starting at the 1 hour mark and peaking at the 8 hour mark. This particular gathering is organised by an incredible lady callesd Fred Streeter who basicaly whips all concerned into shape (am sure Lex will have more to say about her anon). This is all on top of her 20 or so km pool swim regime during the week.

So all in all the time and effort that people put into attempting all this is astounding. Imnvariably, it is not the athletic condition of individuals that stops them making it but more a function of the conditions (cold etc) which is why the success rate is so low (more people have climbed Everest) and why the sense of achievement is and should be so high.

Anyway have to go. Lex needs some shouting as we need her to push through the tide.