We will start in Fell Foot in the south and end at the most northern peak "Ambleside"
I will update the blog with the outcome and pictures as soon as I return.
Google Earth Picture John, Mark, Me & Dad South 2 North
Task completed in 10 hours and 33 minutes
At 8:33 pm I crawled up on to the slipway outside Amblesibe youth hostel 10 hours, 33 minutes and 45 seconds after starting this epic and unforgettable swim. I was met by Mark, John, Dad and a selection of other well wishers we had collected en route. One family followed for the final stretch with dad in their boat. I was a beautiful and sureal moment to see dad pull up along side me in a big posh boat enjoying a sandwich and the 10 hour mark. I was encouraged all the way to the end, and enjoyed a lovely glass of champagne before leaving the water!!
Finally Kitted Up To Go "Fell Foot" Starting point
Windermere was an amazingly beautiful place but will always hold some painful memories of that day, only bettered by the huge sense of achievement gained from walking out the water knowing that I had beat it, and had not given in to its unforgiving currents, temperature or volume. What a team I had on that day too, they were fantastic. John (my brother and Mark (Coach) kept me safe and watered, and showed me the way home. I am all to aware that I did give them some stick that day that wasn't deserved but it made me feel loads better at the time. Nothing is more gutting to a swimmer to find out 7 hours into a swim that you have 4 hours left, when already your arms feel like they are on fire and you are so tired that your eyes are closed for every other stroke.
Still no sight of the end with 5 hours still to go
I found that had to dig deeper than ever before to take it all the way to the end. My dad was great that day, working the fields in the jeep and hitching rides on boats, he was always there to make sure everything was going smoothly and help out when help was needed. He will never know how much it meant him being there and being a bloke i'm never likely to share those feelings like one should.
All over at last John in his canoe
Also a massive thanks to all those who sent me messages of encouragement along the way and after I had finished, they somehow make thing seem that little more worth while. I thought of all the people who had helped me get to this part of my journey so far. Not this swim in particular but through the whole swimming thing, and although it would have been so easy to say at any point that I had had enough and walk away from the lake, I knew that I would have let you all down if I had. I need not mention names as you all know who you are xx.
Windermere Ferry Terminal All back together again
Comments
On 11-08-2008 at 13:51 Austin responded:
Well done fella,
Amazing result and a brill time.
Keep up the hard work and keep us posted on your progress.
Regards
Austin
On 09-08-2008 at 20:04 Will Sergi responded:
Well done daddy! Just keep kicking those legs! But don't eat to much chocolate!
On 07-08-2008 at 13:14 john responded:
Well Done big guy!
That was a serious challenge
Your efforts were straight out of the top draw!
Keep kicking those legs.. .. .. ..
John Sergi