The event is now 99% confirmed for the date window of 18-20 August 2014.

Why 99%?  Because until the cheque is with the pilot, nothing is 100%

Why a date 'window'?  Swimming the Channel is not as straight forward as just getting in the water.  The pilots all arrange date windows for their swimmers, to allow for better chances of good weather conditions. The pilots further book up to four swimmers for this window, with each swimmer being allocated a swim position, 1, 2, 3 and 4.  On the first suitable day, the pilot will contact swimmer #1, and offer them the chance.  If they say no, for whatever reason, swimmer #2 is offered the chance, and so on.

I am swimmer #1 for my allocated dates (which could, potentially, actually be before or after that date window - it's complicated!)

Before arriving at work yesterday, I was in the predicament of having a dream which I could not get off the ground for want of funding.  All that changed with frightening speed.

I must admit, despair had begun to sink in.  I went for a swim last night, but all the while I was thinking 'this is not going to happen - I am not going to get the deposit I need for the pilot boat'.  It was more than despair.  It was like an acceptance of the truth, a reality dawning.  I even spoke to a friend at work and confessed it.  The event was simply not going to happen.

And then an email.  The CEO at work had obviously been making quiet enquiries at board level.  Not only will they advance me the initial deposit, but they will also fund the balance of that deposit.  That still leaves around £1800 to find, but it's a flying start.  It was getting off of the blocks that was proving the challenge, and that obstacle may suddenly have been removed.

There is more to consider, of course.  I now need to wait and hear back from the pilot I have been communicating with.  But if there are still any slots, it will mean that I can get something booked and in the calendar, and from then I can start to work on sponsorship from a point of view that something IS happening, not that I just HOPE it will happen.

More to follow soon....   Very exciting news!   :0)

I'm still trying to work out the train times for getting to the Parliament Hill Lido in Hampstead.  It's a beautiful facility, and in this hot weather the water is nothing less than exquisite.  The trouble is, it's not a secret!  The lovely weather is bringing out the early-morning swimmers in their droves (and I'm yet one more of them).  The pool advertises that endurance training is best done in the cold/wet weather, as the pool will be less busy.  It seems like a criminal offence to be wishing for worse weather!

No news on the sponsorship side of things yet.  I have a few requests out there, and I know Carole from Acorns is working hard in the background.  All I can do at this point is keep up the hard work - both on the training front, and on pushing the publicity.  I firmly believe this challenge will take place!