Well it finally came around. My Jersey to France Solo. I had already spoken to the Pilot so I knew that I wouldn't be swimming on the first day of my tide due to the winds but had arranged to meet at the Club Swim that evening to discuss the weather the following days. Jersey is one of my favourite places and it is definitely not a bad place to have to wait around. I was picked up from the Airport by my crew member Deborah and we hung around on the beach. Like I said it was terrible waiting in the 36 degree heat on the sandy beach.

It soon became clear that whilst the skies were blue and the sun was shining the Force 3-4 winds that were forecast meant that my swim would not be going ahead with the Club I had booked with. However there is another Pilot on the Island and he had a slot for Thursday. He explained the forecast and prepared me for a tough spell at the end, and I made the decision to go for it following chats with my friends on the Island and fiancé Dave.

Thursday morning we met at St Catherines , boarded the boat and off we went to the swim start. I'd put sun lotion on at the Hotel, Deborah applied another layer and lathered everywhere with Ocean Grease, determined not to chafe. We were ready.

At 0615 I jumped off the boat and swam to the swim start La coupe . My pilot was Matthew Clarke of Lionheart Pilotage , Crew Deborah Vine and Observer Bianca Kempster. I was so happy that Sal Minty Gravett and Charlie Dog managed to make it on time to wave me off and give me that reassurance just by being there. It was a funny image as I was aware the boat was waiting for me to set off, but I could see Sal jogging to the beach so started to re arrange my cap etc to stall the start. It was the best way to start the swim.

I didn't feel particularly anxious and I was totally focused to just swim to the feed. At 0622 I left La Coupe on the biggest swim of my life.

The swim started and wow the sea was beautiful. Water temperature was a stunning 18.4 degrees and smooth although there was a large swell. I could see St Catherines Breakwater everytime I rotated to breathe to my right, it seemed to be there forever, but I knew this part of the swim would be a challenge. The glass like conditions from the start soon got a bit wild as the tide met the wind, but it was short lived and conditions were awesome.

I chose to swim for 90 minutes before I had my first feed. When I did have it I felt sick and thought that I was going to throw up, not great so early on. I never told the crew until a bit later that I felt sick, I focused on my technique and staying relaxed. The next 5 hours flew. I learnt so much about how the mind can wander. I knew this swim had little to see and was really conscious of not looking ahead at any point. Deborah certainly kept me entertained. She wore chefs gear at feed time and lobster outfit when we saw the French Lobster pots.

I fed every 45 minutes on a combination of diluted cnp with flavour and peppermint tea. I was super aware that I didn't want to mess around a feed times so kept conversation to a minimum. Deborah delivered messages of support to me at the feeds! She also joined me for an hours swim which I know made me pick up my energy levels. I felt awesome.

I chose not to wear a watch and despite knowing the time I had started and the simple maths of 45 minute feeds, I had no real idea of the time. I asked Bianca to let me know when we hit the halfway point and she said we were well over it. That was another boost as I started to think wow this is amazing. I hadn't felt cold, how could I the water had warmed up to 20 degrees and the air temp was 28 degrees. Strange but I never felt warm though either. I had no cramp twinges and other than a jelly fish sighting now and again it was all pretty simple.

Just as things were going great and what I later learnt was Hour 7, I had the sudden urge to be sick. I stopped and vomited, which made me feel so much better. I tried to breastroke still as not to waste time and soon as I could it was head down and front crawl again. This continued for the next feeds and I was unable to keep anything down. It also coincided with the wind picking up as per the forecast with white tops and a lovely chop to contend with.

When I spotted Deborah putting up the French Flags I was so excited, but I knew it was going to be hard work. I was stopping more frequently to be sick and I could feel the power of the water more. I asked Bianca how many miles to go , when she replied 2 nautical miles I thought "Boom, this is in the bag". I never doubted I wouldn't get there, but I just hoped the Pilot wouldn't pull the swim due to the vomiting.

Before I knew it Deborah had jumped back in and we were asked to swim the other side of the boat for shelter. I also saw more Jellyfish, felt the water warm even more and could see houses and the beach. I know more than anyone not to look forward, but I developed this sudden urge to keep looking. I even told myself, "count to 1000 before you next look", I only ever got to about 200. I also noticed that Deborah didn't have the waterproof camera so thought right Ive at least another 2 hours .

The next minute I hear Bianca and she has joined us. The houses got bigger, the water got shallower and she was shouting your there your there. Before I knew it BOOM I could stand up. I staggered to clear the water, with a really strange little jog and there it is.. Jersey to France Solo 9 hours and 31 minutes. I just couldn't believe it. Total shock!

The journey back to the boat was the worst. The boat looked miles away, it obviously wasn't. Thankfully there was no rush. Aboard the boat I was still slightly stunned and still rather nauseous so those thoughts of popping open a bottle of fizz never happened, instead I was nursing a rather yacky tongue and wanted something but no idea what.