I’ve only gone and done it…

Hello everyone,

This Saturday I swam the Solent from mainland England to the Isle of Wight. I don’t normally blow my own trumpet, due to both my character and my ribs. But I am uber happy with myself for achieving this. I might go so far as to say that I’m even a little smug.

Swimming the Solent for Lewis Mighty
Swimming the Solent for Lewis Mighty

The point of the swim was to raise money for a special little boy called Lewis Mighty. Lewis needs treatment for a form of cancer called Neuroblastoma. It is a type of cancer that attacks under 5’s mainly. Hopefully the money raised from this swim will go some way to help Lewis get the treatment he so desperately needs.

If you wish to donate, please click here.

Swimming the Solent for Lewis Mighty
Swimming the Solent for Lewis Mighty

I left Hurst Castle on the mainland at 9am and landed back on the Island an hour and twenty minutes later. The distance was meant to be a mile and a half, roughly 90 lengths of a regular twenty metre pool. Unfortunately a 4 knot tide had other ideas.

I ended up being dragged further and further from my landing destination and ended up swimming over 5000 metres in that time.

Swimming the Solent for Lewis Mighty
Swimming the Solent for Lewis Mighty

I was meant to be landing at Fort Albert, then that was impossible so Fort Victoria was the target. The tide once again had other ideas and I ended up being dragged way past Yarmouth and landed nearer to Shalfleet. 3 miles down the coast. It wasn’t ideal as people were waiting at Fort Victoria and I could have done with the support.

But to be honest, if I’d failed I would have to had walked down my main High Street butt naked that night. That was added incentive to get me across the line and on to Island soil.

Swimming the Solent for Lewis Mighty
Swimming the Solent for Lewis Mighty

I owe a massive debt of gratitude to Andy and Mandy Toms who supplied the support boat and made the whole thing possible. Also a big thanks to Tom Fastnedge for letting me use his wetsuit. Without it, I would have frozen to death.

Swimming the Solent for Lewis Mighty
Swimming the Solent for Lewis Mighty

But most of all, a massive thank you to all those that have donated and continue to donate. We’re looking on course to raise £2000 for Lewis which is a major achievement.

It’s much appreciated.

Lots of love. G x

The Swim is here!

Hey folks,

Tomorrow is the day I plunge myself into the deep and attempt to swim from mainland England to the Isle of Wight.

It’s all in aid of the Lewis Mighty Fund so please donate generously! Click on to the charity page on this site for more information.

Wish me luck! x

Holiday.

Hey all,

This will be my last post for a wee bit as I’m off on holiday tomorrow. I think it’s my first holiday for about 14 years.

I have travelled a lot with football and music, but always been busy doing those things. This time I am going to Greece to be a sloth. I’m even going to be so lazy (hungover) that I will avoid the rioting.

But as soon as I return, I’m straight back into the firing line. I’m back into the studio to record another tune for the album. Plus I’m playing a couple of festivals, not to mention SWIMMING THE SOLENT.

No rest for the wicked people!

I hope you all have a lovely few days without my annoying input.

Stay lucky. x

100 lengths and counting…

Hello people,

Just got back from the pool. Smashed out 100 lengths (2900 metres) this afternoon. Training for the swim is well and truly under way.  I’m putting everything into this. I really don’t fancy walking down Ryde High Street with my pecker out. That disappointment is for my girlfriend and my girlfriend only.

Check out www.gandtippers.com/swim

Am working on new material this week. I know the album is already written but one can never have too many songs. My Mrs is miles and miles away so it’s sounding melancholic. You wouldn’t expect anything less from me I’m sure.

I best get back to it before football training. I have fitness issues it seems. x

 

Swimming the Solent apparently…

Hello all.
I am still going to attempt to swim the Solent in August. I might drown as my training has taken a high board dive. I’ve cracked my ribs so have been out the pool for 3 weeks. Not good.

Click below to donate to Paypal address garethicke@hotmail.com.

But anyway, you can donate. Click here to read all about the swim. You can donate there too!

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