3rd July 2016, Dorset

I completed my first of five swims yesterday for “Five Swims in Five Countries for a Five Star Son” in Dorset. The weather was better than forecast with the sea temperature 13–14 degrees.

As I was an award winner (the oldest lady in the 3.8 km) I was able to say a bit about CRY and James and I had the banner in a nice position on the beach. Normally I would I would be a little anxious before a swim of this kind but not this time as I was looking forward to it, put my head down and swam. I came 128 out of 151 swimmers so was quite pleased.

The support I had from people who wished me luck in the next swims, who admired what I was doing for James and making people aware of Cardiac Risk in the Young was phenomenal and overwhelming. One man on the beach pushed a £5 note in my hand for the charity – very touching.

Second swim is next Saturday and longer!

Saturday 9th July, Loch Allua, Ireland

I arrived in Ireland late on the 8th July to a cold, grey and wet Kinsale. The next morning was no better as I did an acclimatisation swim in Sandy Cove with the water just 11 degrees. From there we drove west to Inchigeelah for the 7–8 km swim to register, in the rain!

The swim started at 3:15 from Ballingeary and at the start I was able to get a couple of photos as the sun briefly shone – I think James was looking down on us. The first two kilometres were great and the water was around 14 degrees so reasonably pleasant. After passing the first buoy the wind picked up and the rain came down but I ploughed on taking a gel after the first hour for fuel and again at 2 hours. The last kilometre was down the river end back to Inchigeelah and was pleasant with cows grazing at the side and the river flowing reasonably fast to assist. The weather had also cleared and we just had grey skies.

I am delighted to have finished swim number two and now just awaiting for the situation in Istanbul to be clarified before I set off for Turkey.

Ellery McGowan