Day 299 - Friday 22nd July 2011

Last nights Chocs event was stunning, really invigorating. It was a evening of us introducing Chocs to new schools and new businesses also introducing them to some of our existing charity partners. During the event we were lucky enough to have with us the lead people from one of our existing Chocs partnerships; Alison deputy head of Varndean School, Andrew, Manager from The Grand Hotel Brighton and Michelle from Shika (our charity school in Tanzania). The three of them have been working together on Chocs for the last year and they explained to everyone what each one of them have got from being part of Chocs; Alison even presented Michelle with her first fundraising cheque of almost £3,000. To hear first hand what Chocs has meant to all three parties involved was incredible; a real testament to the Starr Trust that we have launched such an incredible educational programme; especially in such trying economic times. It really does make me so proud to be involved with something so life changing to so many people. If you get a chance, check our www.starrtrust.com and go into the CHOCS page and see what it’s all about.
My swim this morning was a one I really enjoyed; buoyed by last nights meeting. The conditions we almost perfect (at 15.2 degrees it could have been warmer, but that‘s the only complaint!). I swam on my own to the fifth buoy towards the marina and back again; a nice decent pace and a great start to the day.

Apparently (and I’m told it is seriously true); a few sharks were spotted at the end of the pier; a fisherman even caught a couple and Damien swum back to the beach with one! One was around 5 feet and the others half that size. First time since I’ve been swimming that that has happened! Very pleased it wasn’t me who spotted them!

For lunch I met Little Bob and Lindy and talked through the Relay. I am thrilled to say that Lindy is definitely part of my team (what a strong team I now have) and Little Bob is going to be crewing for us; a fantastic crew to go with a fantastic team. Very exciting.

The in the evening it was to London for a meal at Le Dans Noir with friends. This is a mad dining experience. It is dining in the dark; complete dark. You are not even allowed to wear a watch in case the dials light up. All the waiters and waitresses are blind, so basically you dine in a restaurant in the complete darkness and experience what they experience every minute of every day. Of course it was hilarious, especially trying to eat a 3 course meal and drink a bottle of wine with no sense of what or where; but also it is humbling to think how lucky we are to be able to see. Definitely one to experience if you get the chance.