Corn Sweet Corn

Sorry that we have not had a chance to blog much in Italy - as internet access has been costing us our limbs (which is unfortunate because I am finally able to lift my arms above my head).

We also have many photographs from our travels in Rome, through many small villages in Tuscany, Cinque Terre, and finally Florence. We will be happy to share them later with those of you who are interested.

In Florence we have had the pleasure to be shown around by Nic Wynia who is working on his photography projects at the Studio Art Centers International (SACI) - the school where our oldest sister Anna studied a few years back. Nic is a great friend from our days in Story City and was recently awarded a Fullbright to undergo a photography project in Peru next year. His proficiency in the Italian language has helped us fully appreciate the "non-tourismo" sides of this beautiful city, and we were also able to enjoy some exceptional meals/conversation at the breathtaking villa he is staying at. We also thank Anna for her detailed descriptions of the Uffitz, Duomo, and other art that is scattered about.

This Sunday I plan to fly from Pisa to London to Detroit to Cedar Rapids. Thomas will continue traveling with Adelaide to Rimini and Venice - and will then fly home out of Paris on Thursday. We both will be a bit relieved to not be lugging around our backpacks and worrying about transportation, lodging, and nourishment.

We both hope that you have enjoyed our rantings on this blog, and I look forward to seeing many of you at Kate and Lee's wedding. I also cannot wait for some quality Iowa sweet corn.

Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers.

With love and care, John and Thomas

Italia!

I apologize for the brevity of this post but we alittle pressed for time this afternoon. After arriving in Lyon last night, we spent last night and today walking around this absolutely wonderful city. It is very old and while it is the second largest city in France it still feels quite quant. John, Adelaide, and I are planning to celebrate our last night in France by going out for a nice dinner--as we leave for Rome tomorrow. I hope all is well and that all Iowans are staying cool. There are many tales but I suppose they must be saved until next time. All for now... Chao!

Moutains Beyond Mountains

I first apologize for my misspellings and grammatical errors, as I am struggling to acclimatize myself to the French keyboard. We arrived in Pont St-Esprit, France last evening and were welcomed with the finest of cusine and company. Thomas and I are staying in a gorgeous home and are receiving the warmest of hospitality from the family of a former Grinnell High School exchange student – Adelaide Subtil. After cold, wet, and windy weather (coupled with hostile living) for the past fortnight, we are very much at peace now.

More importantly, now that I have gotten this swim out of my system, I hope to refocus the energy that I spent in the water towards more important/relevant endeavours such as health care access. It was truly heart-warming to hear that the most recent fundraising total for the clinic is $15,370! This outpouring of support hopefully emphasizes my belief that the FMC’s services are not only needed and appreciated – but that health care reform is necessary.

Coincidently, what I have taken away from the past ten months has nothing to do with swimming. Rather, my exposure to humanity at its finest has given me much hope. I have been approached by many individuals whom have shared their stories about how the clinic helped them through rough times. I have been blessed with the warm support by my family and friends. I have been welcomed by Iowa City community organizations that have listened to my message. I have been awestruck by the generosity of anonymous donors, well wishes, and random acts of kindness. Thus, I now have solid proof that people are innately empathetic and, by numbers, have the power (if will is also present) to improve society.

Health care reform in some form or another is inevitable; however, the current proposals vary widely. Please consider further helping to increase access by being an educated voter, volunteering, prayers, thoughts, words, and other deeds.

Although mountains inevitably lay beyond mountains, it does not mean that we should not climb.

The other Dover signs read: "Britain's Favourite Port" and "From Here You Are Almost There".

Zoom in to see NaCl concentrated in the letters of my wristbands.

Our beloved youth hostile where we spent some time tossing and turning (along with a British relay team) the night before our swims. In the morning Thomas cooked me some eggs, toast and honey, and tea. He also lugged over 15 L of fluid and all our supplies down to the Harbor.

The last training session in Dover Harbor.

The reason for the season.

Brothers and our boat (this photo was actually taken after the swim was finished – thus our wet clothes).

Going For A Dip - The Swim

In reverse order:

Greased up and ready to go.

Taking the plunge into the 15°C water (the light sticks were in case I finished after sunset).

After hearing the captain’s fog horn I was off from Shakespeare Beach, England at 7:15AM.

Patriotic swimming at 70+ strokes per minute (this pace would fall into the 50s after 10 hours).

Saying hello to the Sea France when passing through the shipping lane. Our only close call was with a French yacht when we were nearing Cap Nez Gris.

My nourishment that Thomas fed me with on the hour for the first three and then every half hour. However, I couldn’t keep the thick chocolate protein mix down after 6 hours and switched over to electrolytes and water. My tongue and throat were also so swollen from the salt that it was difficult to eat hard foods like bananas, but I was somehow still able to choke down some bites of Mars Bars.

This is what I saw all day. The waves were so big that I couldn’t see much of anything but water – very frustrating. Thomas amused me by scribbling messages on a white board to keep me going in the seemingly endless water. The chop was a bit more than what I was used to at the Coralville Reservoir, and it didn’t help that it was getting more and more violent as we neared France. Thomas was even more ill than myself from thrashing about in the boat. He’s a trooper through, and I wouldn’t have done it without him.

Another bit of excitement were the shoals of jelly fish. I was hit in the face and hands with purple jellies (non-stingers) and tried to avoid the brown jellies (stingers) as much as possible.

As we neared the point of Cap Nez Gris I needed to grit my teeth and give everything I had to fight the returning tide to make sure that I made it North of that big rock. If I had not made it, I would have had to swim much longer as the currents would have pushed me back out to sea. Somehow we got lucky.

I found it hard to swim straight for the last two hours (as my right arm didn’t want to cooperate) but finally the French sand helped me focus in.

You can barely see me, but I am laying exhausted on the beach thinking about how much I appreciate living a terrestrial life. My brief celebration consisted of doing a log roll for the late Jon Blais, rubbing some sand in my Crossing For Care wristband, and then saying a short prayer. I couldn’t stay on French soil without a passport for more than five minutes, so I swam back to the dingy that took me to our fishing troller.

I arrived before sunset at 7:55PM and had spent 12 hours and 40 minutes in the water. From East to West I swam over 23 miles. Taking into account the North and South directions, I swam (albeit aided by currents and tides) upwards of 30 miles. Our course looked like an inverted “S”.

It was a good days work.

One cold and knackered body.

Coach Thomas and Captain Andy on the way home.

Signing the walls at the legendary White Horse Pub in Dover.

Crossed For Care

At 7:55PM (BST) yesterday evening (July 11) my hand hit the sand on a French beach just South of Calais. We pushed off the coast of Dover at 7:15AM - thus totaling a swim of 12 hours and 40 minutes.

I am writing from Calais and have little time to go into details before we catch a train to southern France for some R&R; however, we hope to do so tonight as well as post some action photos.

I just want to let you know that the journey was successful and that we are all safe (but unbelievably sore!).

Thank you all for letting me barrow your gardian angels for a day - as it took an army of them to pull me through the tough times.

Viva la France!

The Day of Reckoning

(Thanks for the pictures and for performing the physicals Matt! These two characters, Dr. Laurence Fuortes and Dr. Marek Mikulski, are my bosses at work and kindly gave me the month of July off.

According to Matt, "As you can see ("physicaly fit" [bottom photo]), both Lar and Marek are very buff after extensive physical training and anxiously await your return to complete their part of the deal: you swim the English Channel, they swim the Coralville Reservoir. After an extensive mental health examination (see "mental exam" [top photo]) both Lar and Marek have been given the go ahead on their "Swimming the Reservoir" challenge. These two are so mentally tough; there is little doubt that they can conquer this great feat."

I accept and await this challenge with much anticipation. I also want you to know that I miss the spacious filing cabinet room dearly.)


Hello all. If the weather holds up, as it looks like it will, this will be the last time that I blog before pushing off towards Calais.

I spoke to our caption, Andy King (aka The SeaKing) this morning, and I was told the good news that a Canadian fellow, the number three man, went out early this morning. Unless you hear from me otherwise, I will start tomorrow (Wednesday) morning at 6:30 AM (12:30 AM CST) off of Shakespeare Beach. My body and mind are both feeling fresh and apt for the journey.

Thomas and I picked up our last supplies this morning including 12 L of water/fruit juice, Mars Bars, bananas, rope to attach the water bottle to, Zinc cream to heat and mix with petroleum jelly for body grease, safety pins to attach light sticks to (as I will probably finish in the dark), and a large sketch pad for the crew to write jokes, riddles, words of encouragement, and probably profanities to keep me amused and/or motivated.

Thomas is also bringing his suit and goggles to pace with me when the times are tough. We also will probably be joined by Collie, the Aussie, who was the first person to successfully cross this season (only 2 out of the 9 attempts on Monday were good). It will be wonderful to have his expertise aboard. I still need to talk to my friend Iain to see if he can make it down to join us on a rather short notice - as I didn't originally anticipate us moving through the window so quickly.

The rest of today looks like a 30 minute swim, some stretching and yoga, running through last minute check lists, making a few telephone calls (which are costing an arm and a leg by using calling cards at pay phones), eating pasta, and trying to finish my latest book, The Four Minute Mile (a very motivating text about the competition between three milers to break the impossible barrier - and Roger Bannister is able to finally do it while simultaneously juggling his third year of medical school). I finally hope to do a fair bit of resting.

As of yesterday, after summing up the miles in my journal that I have swam since January 1 of this year, I concluded that I have splashed around for 621.5 miles. Based on this, as well as my average stroke rates, I feel confident as long as my body stays warm and my mind does not allow my body to give up.

I appreciate the words of encouragement and thoughts that you all have given me to reflect upon tomorrow. Your support is truly heartwarming, and my deepest hope is to not let any of you down.

With much love and care.

As John and I have been living on weather forecasts, here are what look to be the crucial day specifications...

Sunrise 04:51 (BST) -- 10:51 pm Iowa
Sunset 21:08 (BST) -- 3:08 pm Iowa

High of 64 F
Low of 58 F

Water Temp: 60 F

Winds of around 8 mph

Average wave height in the channel: around 1 meter

At 6:30 BST, John will enter the channel for the last time. I wish him all the best and success or not, I am incredibly proud of all he has sacrificed for this endevour. God speed brother.

Swimming in the Window

I just talked to the skipper of our boat, and we have good news. My friend Collie, the Aussie, had a successful swim yesterday in 16+ hours. We are planning to have a celebratory dinner with him and his wife this evening. They both plan to join us in the boat on my attempt and I will appreciate their expertise and support. Iain, a friend from Oxford, is planning to come down from York to join us as well.

A Canadian chap, the number 2 man, is out on his attempt as we speak. If all goes well, the number 3 man will go tomorrow. Thus, it is looking like I could possibly go on Wednesday. However, if a bad day creeps up I could set sails on Thursday or Friday at the latest. The weather looks good - but then again we are on a very unpredictable island.

I just finished my morning swim and it was the smoothest and warmest yet. I am much more optimistic than a week ago when the conditions were quite the opposite. I also must thank mom for getting me petroleum jelly, which has acted wonderfully to help decrease my neck, shoulders, and triceps chafing. I'm also working on growing a full beard to help insulate my face. I must say I am impressed with it so far.

Except for the terrorist scares in London and the ushering in of the UK's new Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, we apologize to be out of the news loop.

We were planning to see the movie Sicko but do not know if time will permit before we leave the island.

After a very busy weekend for London, with the Tour, Wimbledon, and the Live Earth concert, everything seems to be back to the norm now. Dover has remained quiet through it all, as we have come to find out that it is a very popular resort town for retired persons.

Le Tour De France...in England

Top Down:

The Cantebury Cathedral. This day was actually a pilgrimage day to this cathedral to visit the tomb of Arch Bishop Thomas Beckett. Living in the 13th century, he apparently had the superhuman ability to cure people's gastrointestinal parasites. Im not even kidding.

The final sprint of the riders to the finish line.

The finish line. We had some really great seats.

Brothers.

The presentation of the coveted yellow jersey.

Le Tour de France: The Grand Departure

We have a lot to cover here in a brief amount of time - so please bear with me.

A few days back Thomas and I unsuccessfully tried to besiege the Dover Castle; however, as you can see by the photo it is rather fortified. In consolation, we journeyed up and across the White Cliffs of Dover. It was a most beautiful view looking over the ominous body of water and down the white sheaths of rock. According to an old Dover motto: "Bluebirds will fly over the White Cliffs of Dover tomorrow, you just wait and see..." We are both a bit mystified at its meaning, but we found it to be a bit humerus.

Later that day Thomas went for his first swim in the Harbour. A valiant effort it was, and he even went the next day without a wetsuit! I was able to get a few hour long swims and worked up to a 2.5 hour swim on Saturday. It was the most swimmers I have seen in the Harbour yet, and I enjoyed having a chat with some of them in the water. The Aussie that I had been training with swam yesterday - however, I still do not know the outcome of the swim. I plan to give him a call after this post. The nicest day of our trip was yesterday and it looks to stay nice throughout the week (fingers crossed)!

Yesterday, Sunday afternoon, Thomas and I took the train to Canterbury to see the end of Stage 1 of the Tour de France. We also were able to go to a beautiful service at the Canterbury Cathedral. The Tour stage started in London and rolled through the English countryside. It was a most spectacular event, and we were able to secure spots less than 25 meters from the finish line. After about 2 hours of the caravan of European advertisements, the racers flew by in less than 30 seconds. An Aussie won the stage by breaking away from the peloton at the very last moment. Yesterday, the entire tour entourage actually went through Dover and rode the Sea France ferry across the Channel to begin Stage 2 in France.

We a both now staying at a very quaint youth hostile for the rest of the week. I am obliged to have some of Thomas's famous cooking - although it is mainly just carb-loading. We were also able to mix up a concoction of baby food, rich chocolate ovaltine, crushed mini-wheats, flax seed oil, and some crushed IB Profine. I will subside on this concoction for much of the swim, but I will be able to treat myself to fruit juice, bananas, and power bars when it gets old.

We envy your hot Iowa weather, as yesterday was the first day that we have got any sort of sun. I also have not worn my shorts since I got off the airplane. The next few days we plan to mentally and physically prepare by getting lots of rest.

Still More Pics From Home (Dover)

Top Down:

What a meal!! As the dollar/pound exchange rate is rather sickening, John and I have been existing exclusively on buying food from a gas station nearby. The meal (anna you would be so proud) consisted of noodles, baked beans, "crumpets", and microwave sausages. mmmmm.

My first dip into the channel's beautiful waters.

Fattening up--American style. Upon coaches orders (me), John has to put on a nice layer of blubber. Really no better way than to force him to eat a family bucket of the colonel's orignal recipe chicken. (note: as john's receeding hairline would indicate, the channel seems to be aging him. just kidding bro)

Our 5 star accomodations. This picture really needs no explanation. £30 per night.

More Pics From Dover

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The Dover Castle. Nestled upon a cliff looking over the town, John and I wanted to visit it but it cost $19 per person--way out of our budget. Thus, we are going to besiege it sometime this week, as we have found a medevil weak spot in the wall...just like old times.

The first casulty of this endeavor. While hiking in the cliffs I managed to lose my footing and spill a bit of blood. Didn't phase us though...obviously because i look so tough.

The White cliffs of dover...if you couldn't tell. The cliffs actually lie more by the towns of Deal and Sandwich but Dover gets all of the glory.

The White cliffs again. "There'll be blue birds over the White cliffs of Dover tomorrow. Just you wait and see"--local motto. John and I laughed for quite some time upon hearing this.

Oxford

Foremost, thank you all for your posts and comments - as your words of encouragement are warmly appreciated.

The last two days have been a treat for myself and Thomas, having the opportunity to catch up with old college friends as well as spend an evening back at Oxford. However, before I left for those occasions I did a one mile swim in the Harbor without a wetsuit (as I didn't have time to dry it out). I did a fair amount of shivering afterwards and was numb for some time - thus gaining a real appreciation for the protection that is neoprene.

I believe that Thomas already wrote about my friend Pippa's birthday party, so I will fill you in about our night at Magdalen College in Oxford. My old biochemistry tutor, Dr. Robert Gilbert, put us up in a beautiful guest room in the Cloisters. We then met Dr. Gilbert, as well as a few other fellows (or professors) and the Dean of Divinity, in the Senior Commons Room for a high table dinner of goose and pheasant. It was a candlelit multi-course dinner. It was a most beautiful evening to be able to catch up with Dr. Gilbert as well as discuss a host of pressing issues in Britain and the US. After dessert and coffee, Dr. Gilbert took us through a trap door into the old college library to see the classical texts of Newton, Hooke, et al., and we topped the night off at the Bear Pub - an Oxford establishment since 1270. The experience brought back found memories of my time abroad, and Thomas hopes to also spend some time there (or possibly Cambridge) next year.

We arrived back in Dover yesterday afternoon and have checked into a local youth hostile. It is definitely the cheapest accommodation yet, and its biggest perk is the community kitchen. I went for a swim last night in the cold and rain, and we are both becoming quite used to these miserable conditions - which just happen to be quite rare this time of the year. We then cooked a pasta dinner back and the hostile and enjoyed being stationary for a bit.

The plans for today are quite optimistic, considering that we finally have blue skies (however, the duration that they will last is very unpredictable). We are going on a hike up to the Dover Castle which over looks the Channel, and I plan to splash around for 2-3 hours afterwards. We must commence our journey soon as the skies will inevitably turn on us.

Tomorrow afternoon we plan to jettison over to Canterbury to see the finish of Stage 1 of the Tour de France. We'll post again when we are able to get back to the library. All the best.

An Oxford Independence Day

Top down...

A view from our room in the cloisters

John and an Oxford Ph.D who swam the channel in '05

A view of the Magdelen gardens

The Oxford library with first editions of Newton's Principia, Optica, and Principia Mathmatica (hallowed ground for all of us science nerds)

John and Professor Rob Gilbert

A Night of English Gentry