You know when you get a silly idea and decide its about time you did something, well I have done it.

The gods were conspiring against me with the British Gas Swims this year so my thinking (and yes the white cardigan that does up at the back was at the ready) was that lots of lovely people had pledged money for me to complete 1 mile so I had a little hunt for something of that length.

The Wales swim in Tenby last week looked a good candidate so I logged on and filled in the form and when it came to the length (1500m or 3000m) I had a dilema - Pledges were for a milie and 1500m was less than a mile, so the 3000m box was ticked and a couple of days later it hit me - what had I done?

It is now a week after the start of the race, I am alive and I have a little medal that I am proud of. 3000m through a rather lumpy sea and a a couple of rips and 63 mins and 5 seconds after the loud starting sound I ran over the finish line - a swimming race with a run up the slipway, along the harbour wall, round the sailing club and across the carpark - no-one said I would have to run!

The atmosphere was great and the RNLI lifeguards were there making sure evenyone was safe and happy.

As for the RNLI - most of you know that I grew up in Cornwall were you are only about 20 minutes from the sea (except on a Bank Holiday weekend) and my "dear" brother is a sailor. The RNLI has always been our family charity and knowing that it costs so much to keep them going and kitted out I would love to raise enough to fully fit someone out with protective gear at a whopping cost of £1048.

I am hoping that you can help with this even if it's only a pound as it all helps - 36 of them would get a pair of boots and we can start from the feet up!

 

I have already been supported by Orca, who very kindly donated a Project Kaisei (http://www.projectkaisei.org/) wetsuit to myself and the other memebers of the swim team taking part from Cotswold Outdoor - otherwise known as COOWS - Cotswold Outdoor Open Water Swim Team - Yes, I have already thought up all the rude comments. 

COOWS are trying to help Project Kaisei in the UK to raise awareness of the 'plastic vortex' where plastic and other waste materials in the ocean threaten to kill marine life and enter our (and their!) food chain.

Thanks and here is the general blerb which is useful to know.

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