Swimming day 499 - Friday 15th June 2012

(last night) 6.30PM – 11.30PM – A magnificent Starr Trust event at Brighton City College.  A “hells kitchen” event put on by the Starr Trust in partnership with Hilton Hotel Group and City College catering students; just a wonderful night.  The trainee chefs were astonishing, the trainee front of house staff were wonderful and the guests were all engaged with the evening.  One of our Patron’s, Robin Cousins, was in attendance to meet everyone and hand out the certificates at the end of the night and he was truly a star.  Just a great evening for all.  A fantastic way to unwind and relax at the end of the week.

Until 3.50am the next morning of course!

(this morning) 3.50am after being kicked out of my bed yet again by the Twins I plodded along to Mia’s usual empty room and settled on her little bed for a doze; and it really was just a light doze, mostly with my eyes awake and feet dangling.

6.30am heading to the Arch under a windy but dry sky; the radio telling me however that by early afternoon we’ll have wind, rain and hail (I assume that is hail stones and not hail Marys?)

7.05am heading into a slightly warmer sea (13.1 degrees), but a sea with high waves.  Big Bob and I headed out and around the pier in lots of highs and lows, lots of bumps and a lot of sea water whacking you straight in the face and some sadly finding its way into the mouth as you’re grabbing a breath.  I recon I swallowed a pint of sea water today; charming!  The swim was actually great fun for some reason (don’t know why); a serious shoulder and leg work out as we were being hurled all over the place and at certain times, especially near the helter skelter way out in the depths of the ocean and then again around the end of the pier the waves got really big and lifted us way up into the air before literally dropping us back down again.  As I keep saying, not for the faint hearted at all!

8.00am at the Red Roaster and I am more than delighted to say it was back to its best.  Wonderful creamy cappuccino with a flavour only the Roaster could deliver.  Yesterday is forgiven.  A very interesting chat with Big Bob and Little Bob as well.  Watch this space for a photo of Big Bob with his Madness style dress code at 18 and Little Bob with his long hippy hair, straggling beard, driving his caravonnet to manage some up and coming rock star on the way to fame and fortune; yeh baby!!

Next stop after work (meetings over meetings over meetings today) is the Gym at 5pm with Ross for an hour, then 15 minutes on my Vasa swimming machine at home afterwards  (desperately trying to copy the shoulders Big Bob walks around with) then a farewell to my lovely wife as she heads out for a night on the town with the girls whilst I have to negotiate “just one more book” with my little angels!