Where every third thought shall be my grave, says the magician , Prospero, at the end of Shakespeare’s Tempest. I suppose Prospero had his reasons, but I try not to subscribe to them. I am the small child who does not want to go to bed; the party is going on and I want to... Continue Reading →

First Aider: He’s very slow. Are you sure he’s all right? Glenys: This is how he always swims. He’ll be fine. Welcome to the world of the athlete in his late seventies, who won’t or can’t give up. The scene is near the yellow buoy marking the three kilometre point of this four kilometre swim.... Continue Reading →

  Avon Adventures The rhythmic dip of hand and arm into the soft river water had slowed; the cold was reaching into my tiring muscles. Each kick of my legs – especially my left – against the strengthened current as we made our way steadily upstream was becoming harder. My muscles and tendons were taut,... Continue Reading →

They say it's always darkest before the dawn. The moments before you enter the open water on a bleak cold day with onlookers decrying that you are mad and telling you that you'll kill yourself are the darkest of times but also the point when I feel most alive. When I went for my first... Continue Reading →