MiriamSean
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Aore Island to Luganville, Santo, Vanuatu.
Oyster Island to Turtle Bay, Santo, Vanuatu.
Oyster Island to Turtle Bay. It was our last day but we had time to go to a reef with kayaks and an anchor and on the way back meet-up with Harold the pirate. He tied our kayaks to the dinghy which Will took control of while Mim, Harold and I did the 1.7km swim back to Turtle Bay. It was a sea water lagoon with cooler fresh water springing up at frequent places (very near the Blue Hole). While swimming I wondered if this was perhaps the most perfect open water swimming imaginable. When we got out we had an outside shower before jumping in a taxi to the airport.
Port Olry to Elephant Island, Vanuatu
Next swim was Port Olry to Elephant Island. It had been quite windy but today we hired a car and went to the north of the island to find this dream like beach. At first sight it looked an easy swim across to Elephant Island. The 3 of us set off, Will choosing a different point to start and me swimming holding the camera. After 10 mins hard swimming we were making little progress and I realized we had a challenge on our hands as the tide was coming in. Halfway across I found a shallow reef to stand on and was going to call a return but I could see Will already over halfway there, so we had to go on. Choppy water and currents can be daunting but when the water is 27oC it doesn’t seem too bad. We searched the island for the rare ‘coconut crab’ but only found a large shell. We had a more relaxed return swim- but had spent nearly an hour swimming.
Vanuatu Swims. July 2012
Vanuatu Swims. We started at Port Vila and then flew to Santo via Ambryn Island (volcano).
We hoped that Vanuatu would provide opportunity for snorkelling and diving but the swimming was glorious.
1. Iririki Island Resort. On our first morning after the flight Will and were up early and swam across to Port Vila and back from our hotel on Iririki. It was only about 25 mins return but we had to smile at the warm, clear water which gave us a great appetite for the pancake breakfast while looking across the bay.
2. Oyster Island. After a volcano trek and no swimming (just one jump) Miriam met us off the plane in Santo and took us to Oyster Island for lunch. We had to ring a bell for the short ferry crossing and while we were waiting someone from the island swam across to meet us. This meant one thing; we put our bags on the ferry and swam across. Delightful. We had lunch and then set off with kayaks to find the Blue Hole. This was an 18m deep fresh water spring with unbelievable jumps and swings. I had a dive and left Miriam and William to ponder the 16m jump while I was joined by a Cambridge med student to try the 2.5 mile swim (with some help from the current) back to Oyster Island. Apart from a pause for a large coral snake we did it in 1hr 5mins. Meanwhile M and W made the jump!- all on video.
Thursday, 10 May 2012
Felixstowe Swimscapes Sea swimming pod/group is up and swimming, with a fine season opener on May 7th. An impressive and diverse 20 swimmers were there, including 9 from Woodbridge - plus good support and alot of interest from Bank Holiday strollers on the Prom. It was cold, about 10C, but everyone was in at least 20mins, some 45mins or so, and the Woodbridge group swam to the town hall and back, about 2km. Quite a strong S>>N current, and a bit of a chop, but really we were v lucky with the weather. Nick, an in-training Channel swimmer, swam w/o wetsuit, as did Brendan, but he didn't swim quite as far! Maddy also was in and looked the part. Amy, Brucey and Elliott blew hard on a vuvuzela, adding to a bit of a carnival atmosphere.
Flapjacks and Alice's ginger cake went down very well, and Rosie did her usual magic with the camera.
looks like we're onto something, hoping to be the first of many...find out more at https://www.facebook.com/#!/FelixstoweSwimscapes
Flapjacks and Alice's ginger cake went down very well, and Rosie did her usual magic with the camera.
hello Swimscapers |
looks like we're onto something, hoping to be the first of many...find out more at https://www.facebook.com/#!/FelixstoweSwimscapes
Thursday, 26 April 2012
reflections on Ullswater
Ullswater was amazing. The biggest swim I've ever done, and I was super chuffed to have come in 3rd, after a steady start. It was rough, windy and occasionally hazardous, but we did it. Thanks to Sean and the Barracudas for the invite and to Brendan and Miriam for supprting so well. Hope to join you again in another great northern lake...
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