Count down time

21st July 1969 - 'One giant leap for mankind'

The above date brings back lots of fond working day memories. I was a former NASA staff member who worked as a young typist/clerk in the Logistics Department of the Carnarvon Tracking Station. During this time the station played a vital role in the landing of Apollo 11 and Neil Armstrong's historic "one small step" on the moon.

This month marks the 40th anniversary of this event, a year I just cannot forget, not only did I have a small, weeny part in this history, I was expecting my first child, my special event - Karen entered this world 26th December 1969.

Back to Training

Less than three weeks of training to complete my preparation for the English Channel Swim next month. Its hard to believe that time has passed so quickly as it feels like only days since I commenced this blog ..... nearly 12 months ago.

After pool training it was into the water again at Hillarys Mariner - my initial reaction was one of 'brrrr' along with the younger swimmers doing EC teams. We all screeched and agreed that the water is certainly colder than last week, however, after about 5 minutes I had relaxed into a good rhythm and my breathing settled down. No stingers!! With conditions flat and intervals of sunshine, temp. around 15deg.C (well, its cold for us) we stayed in for 30 minutes, this was OK as we just completed 4 hours of training in a nice warm pool.

Laps in Hillarys Mariner

Finish of 'cold' water training - Hillarys Mariner. For me, the hardest part was hauling myself up the steep ladder

Some English Channel '09 Barracuddas team members and myself after the last training session in Hillarys Mariner

As well as training, I am trying to eat sufficient food to gain more weight, but am noticing that most of the weight is being stored on the stomach...yuck/hate...but maybe I can state that this 'will protect my vital organs !?@#! ' What....

Since returning from England last September '08, this week is my 45th week of training . I have counted each week of kilometres swum and have covered a total of approximately 1,240 kilometres during this time, 3 weeks of training yet to be done covering less kilometres pw.

The training programs set out this year have been excellent and by pushing myself harder than usual, I can really feel the difference in my swimming, strength, control strokes and I am also more mentally fit. This year, I have been less uptight about training and most of it has been fun. Last year it was all about quantity, this year's effort was mostly on quality training and speed work.

Health wise all appears to be well and my focus from now on is not getting injured and gaining some more weight !!

Last year we booked accommodation again for this year at the Varne Ridge Holiday Park. Varne Ridge is a small secluded and exclusive family-run holiday park. It's situated near to the cliffs and has panoramic views over the English Channel to the coastline of France and is located halfway between Folkestone and Dover. Having last year's memories and visions of this beautiful place, I am looking forward to enjoying the tranquil cliff-top walks on designated paths over the cliff tops and this time of the year colourful flowers bloom everywhere. The owners, David and Evelyn Frantzeskou make everyone from all over the world feel so welcome and at this time of the year, 'Channel time', guests are mostly channel swimming hopefuls and I can barely wait to enjoy all the channel chitter, chatter that goes on.

View from Varne Ridge towards Dover

We will arrive in Dover five days before the commencement of my tide (13-18th August), and training during these mornings will be in Dover Harbour.

Part of Dover Harbour - view from Dover Castle

My Skipper/Pilot is Eddie Spelling (who is also booked by Selwyn Jellie, and three Barracuddas teams on the July tide). Eddie's boat "Anastasia" is a 43ft Dutch steel flybridge cabin motor cruiser escort vessel and skippered charter.

Anastasia - Pilot Boat

My valued crew is my husband Max, Ian - brother and Pauline - coach. I feel honoured and so happy to have them on board. The swim is a team effort and am looking forward to this second attempt. I am ready to go and ready to swim.

Selwyn Jellie - ready to swim a double crossing of the English Channel - July '09

Two Churchlands High School Barracuddas Teams with Coach, Pauline Pratt

3rd Barracuddas Team with coach, Pauline Pratt

Great statistics Perth, Western Australia - swimming the English Channel 2009

- 3 teams = 18 young swimmers

- 1 solo double crossing

- 1 solo crossing

A huge "THANK YOU" - PAULINE PRATT for being such a dedicated coach of pool and open water swimming !!

"May the elements with with us

May the wind blow behind us

May the sun shine upon us"

I will try to keep this blog up to date with anything noteworthy. The support I have received from everyone is greatly appreciated - from family, friends, swimming friends and readers from all over the Globe.

Thanks for following and thanks for sharing my journey leading up to the English Channel solo 2009.

Just Keep Swimming - A Breath Taking Experience