| The Blog |
| In the run-up to the attempt, I will be publishing a regular "Blog" which will record my progress, hopes and fears. I welcome comments in response to my blog entries. In order to make a comment, use the CONTACT ME link above and remember to include the date of the blog on which you are making a comment. Once moderated, your comment will appear on this page. |
| Friday 23rd January 2009 | 0925hrs (GMT) |
|
The day has finally
come when I officially embark on a project for a cause that I hold
dear to my heart. J.A.C.K. It only seems like yesterday when I was training hard for the Channel swim. Thanks to all the many people that supported me then and my humble thanks to the many that have taken so much of their time to support me on my latest (and greatest) challenge. I am currently working hard in the gym doing a lot of cardiovascular exercise with the occasional swim thrown in for good measure. This is vital to build up my muscle tone and endurance but, as you would expect, swim training will soon start in earnest to get my body accustomed to the long arduous hours of continuous swimming. And last but not least I will have to train my mind to cope with the stress of the enormity of the event. There is a lot of preparation required for this challenge. I will be attending meetings where the logistics and risks of such a challenge will be discussed. I do hope that all those that take the time to read my blogs from now on will interact with me as it will be your encouraging words that will play a very important role in keeping my spirits and determination up. Heart-felt thanks to all those on my committee for their efforts to ensure this event is a success. Thanks to Kris Didymus for his IT skills which have enabled this website to go live. Thanks to my family and friends for their support and encouragement too. Please come back regularly to check this blog. I will endeavour to put as many pictures on as possible in future entries to give you a realistic view of the training and preparation for the challenge of my lifetime. |
| Saturday 24th January 2009 | 1500hrs (GMT) |
|
Today’s committee meeting was key to the planning of the stages along the route.
Having all given up their personal time to contribute to this exciting new challenge, present were Andy Goldston, Claire Wynnick, Pippa Mills, Peter Sandell, Mel Alexandre, Paul Ford and, of course, myself! All with the shared aim of making this happen and raising awareness of Neuraoblastoma in children and the J.A.C.K foundation. It was a phenomenal brain storming session that resulted in setting a definite time scale for the event. I think it's now dawned on all of us that there is a lot of work ahead in order for this event to be a success. I was extremely pleased at the outcome of this meeting and it made me actually sit back and assess the magnitude of the task ahead of me as all of us poured over the various maps of the River Thames. When it was put down on paper, I realised that the challenge ahead was going to be a life changing experience for me and for all those who would be a part of it. Each and every person contributed their knowledge to the meeting and having someone who had a detailed knowledge of the Thames and the tides was so beneficial.
Thames Head (near Cirencester, England) is traditionally identified as the source of the River Thames.
However, this claim is disputed. The Environment Agency, Ordnance Survey and other authorities have the source of the Thames as the nearby Trewsbury Mead. Others hold that the true source of the Thames is at Seven Springs, some eleven miles further north (south of Cheltenham). Officially however, Seven Springs is the source of the River Churn, a tributary of the Thames that joins at Cricklade. But as this is a challenge we need to start from the officially named source. May it be known that further entries to my blog will encapsulate my moods which I'm sure will range from sheer frustration to undeniable joy and happiness. Please do check on the progress of the planning and training and feel free to comment or give me suggestions that would help. Thank you. |
