What Happened with Rob’s Solo - as it happened!

Tues 04 Sep 0046hrs

Okey Dokey here we go. It’s late now and I’m just about to hit the pillow (this is Helen speaking - Rob’s wife). Rob went to bed ages ago - looking a little tense I have to say.

This evening, between Rob and his pilot, Andy King, it was decided that, barring acts of God, Rob’s solo will kick off from Samphire Hoe at about 0430hrs on Wednesday. Ooooer.

We’ve got lots going on....printing ‘time to go’ notices, playing with poles on which we in the boat will dangle things in front of him eg food and anything we can think of to keep his moral going (suggestions welcome - but keep it clean!!).

My Mum and Dad, Glen and Geoff have come down from Norfolk to help look after the children, dog, lawn and website while we’re off down to Dover tomorrow evening. There’s some extra stress for the kids as they go back to school on Wednesday too - and we won’t be there - but of course Nana and Grandad will be. Ellie and Albert are being soooo good and have been doing loads of jobs to help out - but stress is starting to show.

I have to say, that having been part of the Relay (me - I was just the photographer on the ‘A’ boat) it’s really helped get rid of some of the nerves - you know - the ones you get in addition to the ones you would get anyway because you’ve never done it before. It’s been so helpful that we did the Relay on the same boat and with the same pilot as we’ll be doing the solo.

Little Kev and Sian (from the Army Relay Teams) are ready and waiting - they’re coming on the boat as ‘support’ and will, for a bit, at different times of the day, be swimming with Rob - and when they’re not swimming they’ll either be stagging on in the sleeping bag or helping Rob to remember to kick his legs (it’s a boy thing I think ‘cos the girls seem to do it without being reminded. I wonder if that’s got anything to do with the fact that boys aren’t so good at multi-tasking as we are so arms and breathing are as much as they can do !!!). We’re also pleased that Julian Bunce will be coming as part of the support team. A sailor of great reknown (Rob told me) he has a sturdy pair of sea-legs.

So....now we’re so close to the solo, this ‘blog’ will continue on the front page of the website for the duration. Do please keep checking back to see how he’s doing - we could really do with as many kind and encouraging thoughts launched into the ether as possible!

Tues 04 Sep 1530hrs

So far today I have been to work and then to the shops to get “Support Crew” food and hourly snacks for the swim. The weather outside looks great and it makes me wonder whether I should have gone today. Especially, as the weather doesn’t look great tomorrow, but does seem to improve on Thursday. I just have to get all my kit prepared and wait to phone Andy at 2000hrs tonight for the go/no go. I really do want to get started, but I would rather do it on a mill pond as opposed to a raging sea.....................however, somewhere in the middle would be fine. Roll on 2000hrs so that I will get an answer.

Having heard from Rob just then I thought I (Helen) would add my tuppence worth. I’ve just finished using a load of ‘black nasty’ tape on a telescopic window cleaner pole to make a thingy that I can hang the ‘time to go’ boards on - everyone laughed but I think it looks quite good. I must remember to get a couple of pictures of it in action - then we’ll see whose laughing.  Rob had me going for a bit. He asked how he was supposed to see it during the night swimming part so I had a little fluster and had visions of trying to attach a little reading light to it or something - then I saw him smiling - just a wind up then!! Well, I’ll just go and rearrange my bag for a bit - everyone else is watching Lord of the Rings but for some strange reason I can’t seem to sit down in one place for long.

Tues 04 Sept 2045hrs

Hi, this is Helen’s dad, Geoff, back on the keyboard. The long-awaited ‘phone call has come from the boat pilot, Andy - the swim is ON for tomorrow morning. Rob and Helen have just left for Dover, being chauffeured by Julian. The estimated time of the start is 0430hrs, so I’m off to get some kip and I’ll be back with you later to give regular (or irregular) updates. Please feel free to send in your messages (and money, if you like) as I’ll be in contact with the pilot boat and I know it will help Rob enormously to know you are watching his progress.

Wed 05 Sept 0400hrs

“The best laid plans of mice and men...” Sian joined Rob, Helen and Julian at the RVP (The Flat) at the appointed time (0300hrs) but where was Little Kev? Just a moment, did you see something stir in the back of that VW Polo in the car park - yes, Little Kev arrived at 2300hrs, didn’t knock at The Flat but spent the night in a sleeping bag in the back of his car!

But now, with the team assembled and cheese sandwiches stowed in tuck boxes, it’s off to the marina to await the pilot boat

Wed 05 Sept 0500hrs

Rob set off from Samphire Hoe at 0449hrs, with a stroke rate of 62. The weather is clear, the Cap Gris Nez lighthouse can be seen flashing on the horizon. There is a light breeze (Force 1 to 2) and the sea state is slight.

Wed 05 Sept 0600hrs

Dawn has broken in the Channel. The French coast is visible - about 20 miles ahead! Rob’s had his first feed (a banana and some Maxim) and is feeling good. Stroke rate still about 62 - but don’t forget the legs, Rob...Oh, and Sian has had to put her hat on, ‘cos her head’s getting cold. There’s a long way to go yet, Sian.

Wed 05 Sept 0700hrs

Still going well. Second feed taken - chocolate roll and Maxim. Rob was so keen to keep going he started off again still with a mouthful of chocolate roll. Makes it difficult to breathe though, doesn’t it, Rob. “France is clear but Dover is clearerer (sic)”, said Helen.

From Kev to Ami (so no-one else to read this) “Missing you”.

Wed 05 Sept 0800hrs

Three hours and just entering a shipping lane - Rob hopes to use the SeaCats as pacemakers - not. Helen’s been dangling this photo of Ellie and Albert in front of him as a bit of encouragement.

Wed 05 Sept 0800hrs

Three hours and just entering a shipping lane - Rob hopes to use the SeaCats as pacemakers - not. Helen’s been dangling this photo of Ellie and Albert in front of him as a bit of encouragement.

Wed 05 Sept 0900hrs

Rob is on half-hourly feeds now and is right on schedule. The breeze is starting to pick up slightly and a bit of a chop is developing. This is another of the photos being used in the psychology of the swim. Next will be a picture of a swarm of jellyfish and the photo of the Great White Shark with the words “DON’T LOOK BEHIND YOU” will be kept for the last few hundred yards. (Sorry, I’ve just been corrected. The collective noun for jellyfish is a fluther or a smack, not a swarm)

Wed 05 Sept 1000hrs

It’s got a bit cloudy and dull, now, with a bit of a swell. Everything is still on track. Little Kev is in the water now, to give Rob some company. The two boats that accompanied the Navy and RAF teams on the relay crossing have been sighted some distance astern (nautical expression meaning “behind”) accompanying other swimmers, so if Rob needed any further incentive to keep on the pace, that will be it.

Wed 05 Sept 1100hrs

I’ve just been reliably informed that there are another 6 or 7 channel swimmers out there. With this mode of transportation becoming so popular, now would seem to be a good time to get rid of your cross-Channel ferry shares!

Our man is still going well. Kev’s back in the boat now. The wind has lessened and the sea’s calmer (but it’s raining in Holland, so we won’t go there). Mobile phone communication is getting slightly difficult (and expensive, as the international rates have now kicked in).

Wed 05 Sept 1200hrs

No news is good news. I haven’t been able to make contact with any of the four mobile phones on the pilot boat, which must mean they are out of range and still heading for France. Of course, it might be that there is a massive supertanker between them and the nearest transmitter, so I’ll try again a bit later on.

Wed 05 Sept 1300hrs

Yes, I reckon it was a supertanker in the way, as I’ve regained contact with Helen on the pilot boat.

8 hours in and Rob is still making good progress. There’s “only” about 8 miles to go now. Sian is in the water as well and a blue sky and warm sun are helping.

Hey, Rob and all the teams have worked their socks off to make these swims a success for the charities, so how about foregoing a pint of beer, packet of fags or gallon of petrol, click on the orange buttons and get those green bars all the way to the right. Every little helps and the target is soooo achievable now.

Wed 05 Sept 1400hrs

9 hours and Rob is still making headway. The wind and swell have increased somewhat but are still manageable. Kev is about to swim with Rob for a while.

Wed 05 Sept 1430hrs

What some people won’t do for money. My spies on the pilot boat have just informed me that Kev has earned a donation from the boat crew by agreeing to swim in Sian’s swimsuit. I am assured that there will be photographic evidence of this event, to protect me from any possible libel action. There is no news on whether Sian will swim in Kev’s trunks!

Wed 05 Sept 1600hrs

After battling against rising wind and waves for 10 hours and 20 minutes, Rob has had to give in to the elements and has abandoned his attempt to swim the Channel. The sea conditions became too rough and, safety being the prime consideration, he was taken aboard the pilot boat. The boat is now heading for Dover. If I say he is disappointed, I’m sure you’ll know what I mean. I have just received this message from Wendy Coles, who is closely associated with Channel crossing attempts. It puts Rob’s efforts today into context and shows just how much he has achieved.

I have close contacts with the boats. I know what is and has gone out there in the last couple of hours. Give Rob my very best wishes. There are four boats now heading for the point. I think two boats went home earlier on in the day after about 3 / 4 hours and as you probably know another boat is on its way back. No crime - its great to know people know their limitations and not risk themselves and their crew. Best wishes

Wendy Ian's mum

I’ve no doubt that Rob and Helen will update the web-site thoroughly on their return, with text and photos, so keep checking back. And would you PLEASE feed those little green bars.