Two months after the Cayman Islands, wow how time goes by!
I made it! But yes I know you already knew that!
The events of the past two months have been unbelievable. I guess I’m not the greatest writer of all time but I’ll try to work my way through some of the whirlwind of happenings during that time.
The Cayman Islands were spectacular, the beautiful, warm, clear waters in every colour of blue, the white sandy beaches, fabulous coral reefs and the wonderful supportive and friendly people. I loved it there and I can’t wait to get back there some time in the not too distant future.
My sincere thanks go to everyone who supported my ‘Bridge’ swim. Mr Frank Flowers for having the idea of ‘Bridging the Cayman Islands’ then following through to make it happen, Steven Munatones for bringing you regular updates of my progress during swim, my kayakers Jeff Kozlovich and Richard Clifford and my handlers Dan Boyle and my husband Chris, my boat support team, the many sponsors, and the wonderful people who cheered so loudly on the beach at East End of Grand Cayman Island where I finished my 68 mile, 108 kilometre swim 40 hours and 41 minutes after I’d begun it from Little Cayman Island the day before.[SinglePic not found]
My Little to Grand Cayman Island swim was incredible, certainly the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. It was the amazing support of the Bridge swim sponsors, my support team and the wonderful people of the Cayman Islands that gave me the strength to keep going when the pain and currents seemed impossible to swim through. But I did, I finally made my way through those relentless currents and walked up the beach to a wonderful cheering crowd on Grand Cayman Island.
In the days following my swim, there were two nights in the ICU of the local hospital, and then on Thursday evening Chris and I attended the Meals on Wheels fund raising pasta night with many wonderful former Olympic swimmers who were special guests. On Sunday I joined the fun as a spectator while Chris swam in the absolutely spectacular Flowers one mile Sea Swim http://www.flowersseaswim.com/. Cram in seeing all my crew off to the airport on their way home to various parts of the USA. Oh not to forget being invited to Parliament House where I was nominated for an honouree order of the Cayman Islands. This my biggest honour to date, along with my induction into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame last year. There’s so much more to write about this wonderful and historical Little to Grand Cayman Island swim in the Caribbean, but that will have to come in time, perhaps even a book one day.
Mari Abe of Beneficial entertainment and Spike of Images by Spike of the Cayman Islands produced some spectacular photographic work and videos which I’ll share with you as time allows.
Since returning home I’ve been concentrating on allowing my body time to recover with regular trips to the physiotherapist and osteopath whilst slowly building my weekly swimming training miles and returning my land workouts to its usual level. All is going well, the physio, osteo and I are happy with my progress.
After returning home I had the honour of being invited to take part in a truck convoy through the streets of Townsville at the end of June, then in July Chris and I took part in this year’s Magnetic Island to Townsville swim making it our 20th and 18th crossings respectively.
We have a few interesting engagements lined up over the next few weeks and then our next swimming adventure and travels to look forward to in September.
There’s lots of channel swimming going on around the world at the moment so best wishes to all swimmers with their respective challenges this season, no matter how big or small they are.
Penny
