Many thanks again for all your donations. The local Rotary Club prefer to support more local charities, so our efforts are the efforts. Thank you all, I'll be doing one more open water swim with the local tri club to inspire my kids then send back the wetsuit. Claire x

On the day (night?) the water was not as cold as anticipated - a balmy 18 degrees.  Checked in at 3am after 4 hours sleep after walking down the tow path in the dark.  Had forgotten what it was like to be kicked and jostled in the water but at least I didn't get swum over, as I set off at the front keep away from the crowd of pink hats. Came 8th in my masters category and felt smug for the rest of the Henley Royal Regatta (the swim is on the rowing course) and have no intention of repeating the experience again.

thanks Claire

My body is past most extreme athletic endeavors but still up for a swim. Getting up at dawn to get into the cold Thames and swim over 2K against the current before the glamour and glory of the Henley Royal Regatta isn't my idea of fun.  Nor is genital mutilation for the girls and women who are subjected to it then have to live with it.  So dig deep for this uncomfortable cause http://www.forwarduk.org.uk.

Just Giving is a secure and low-overhead way to donate charitably and you are not on some email distribution list afterwards.

Having experienced asthma swimming in Whitlingham lake the colour of my mum's spinach soup with pond weed across my face last week, this definitely isn't some heroic jolly!  Launching this with one week to go - by this time next week I will have done it or had an asthma attack.

Love ya

Claire