October 2019 - Islay & Jura

The plan was I would swim from Islay to Jura with a friend kindly supporting me in a kayak, just in case. When we arrived to the crossing the lifeboat/ fisherman/ expert sailer advised us not to cross today due to the strength of the current and wind. This was really frustrating, you can see above how close Jura is. One for another time.

We came back the next day, took the ferry over and then climbed the ‘peaks’ (big hills) on Jura. Both islands have a great feel, a real sense of peacefulness and wilderness.

Thanks to David, for putting me up and being a great host.

Sept 2019 - Discovering Cornwall

I’m a Devon boy who had never been to a Cornwall beach before 2019! Some of the water is the clearest I’ve swum in, in any part of the world. This was a bit of an experimental holiday with extended family (you never quite know how those will work out) but it was lovely, everyone did their own thing and I felt us growing closer.

August 2019 - 24 hours swimming in Norfolk

A friend and I had both promised to do some kind of swim adventure in late August, when the stars had aligned and everyone else in our families (both of us have four children) were busy doing other things. We had talked about lake swimming in Switzerland, then the beaches of Sardinia, then possibly Jersey and ended up going to Norfolk. Previously Norfolk swimming to me meant churned up brown water, bitter wind and a sense of disappointment. These 24 hours (5 different beach swims) showed me that wonderful Norfolk swims are possible - thank you heatwave!

June 2019 - River Aare in Switzerland

I wanted to take my son on a trip on his own to celebrate the end of his GCSE’s. The plan was to raft down the river Arre from Thun to Bern (about 3 hours). Everything was going fine until a fast flowing section saw us hit a bridge and capsize. We were rescued 300 meters down river by some lifeguards who worked at a swimming pool next to the river. Although neither of our phones survived, fortunately the car key still worked and after a short ride in a police car we managed to make it back home to the mountains.

At the start of our journey in Thun. Fortunately my phone had uploaded this photo before it was lost forever.

April 2019 - First Mountain in Italy

One of my friends lives in Italy and he suggested this mountain (Monte Vettore). Its 1,000 meters higher than Ben Nevis. Although the weather was great we really struggled on the way, first at a rock climbing section and then from altitude sickness (first time I’d experienced this). The meal we had at the end was wonderful, it was like a Richard Curtis film of Italy, the whole family worked in this little restaurant and the food was simple and delicious.

March 2019 - Doing a Munro

I actually wanted to climb Ben Nevis but nobody I wanted to go with was free the weekend I wanted to go, so I went on my own. I was really lucky with the weather and discovered a new love of Scotland.

Schiehallion mountain Scotland - taken 20 mins from summit.