BS: Swimming The Channel

Subject: BS: Jen's Swimming The Channel
From: Cats
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 11:54 PM

For those of you that haven't heard, Jennifer Best, Bavis' daughter, is going to be swimming the English Channel this week. She will be the first person with a stoma to swim it. Messages of support will be very much appreciated, [as well as swimming songs!].... and your money as well!!!! I have just had an e mail which says the swim is on for this Thursday.

All the very best, Jen.

Last summer I went swimming......

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 02:35 AM

More info about Jenny's swim and why she's doing it on her sponsorship page, here. All the best for Thursday - you've already done fastastically getting this far!

Kitty
xxx

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Paul Burke
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 03:17 AM

A little encouragement from a predecessor. Please ask her NOT to try Niagara.

A Shropshire Lad
(Sir John Betjeman)

The gas was on in the Institute,
The flare was up in the gym,
A man was running a mineral line,
A lass was singing a hymn,
When Captain Webb the Dawley man,
Captain Webb from Dawley,
Came swimming along the old canal
That carried the bricks to Lawley,

Swimming along, swimming along,
Swimming along from Severn,
And paying a call at Dawley Bank
While swimming along to Heaven.

The sun shone low on the railway line
And over the bricks and stacks,
And in at the upstairs windows
Of the Dawley houses' backs,
When we saw the ghost of Captain Webb,
Webb in a water sheeting,
Come dripping along in a bathing dress
To the Saturday evening meeting.

Dripping along, dripping along,
To the Congregational Hall;
Dripping and still he rose over the sill
And faded away in a wall.

There wasn't a man in Oakengates
That hadn't got hold of the tale,
And over the valley in Ironbridge,
And round by Coalbrookdale,
How Captain Webb the Dawley man,
Captain Webb from Dawley,
Rose rigid and dead from the old canal
That carried the bricks to Lawley,

Rigid and dead, rigid and dead,
To the Saturday congregation,
And paying a call at Dawley Bank
On his way to his destination.

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: skarpi
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 03:34 AM

Hope ir will come true , an Icelander did this July I think .....


kv skarpi

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: SussexCarole
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 09:46 AM

Good Luck Jenny - we'll be thinking of you on Thursday

Carole & Andrew x

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: GUEST,bavis
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 11:00 AM

for those who haven't heard or read this before.
And by the way we are off to Dover on Thursday but the swim dates start on Friday and are dependant on the weather so we will keep Cats posted and she will let you know please Cats.

Mavis and I swim the channel

OK, so this is a short piece about 'The madcap plan' as my mother refers to it. She then adds that I'm not her daughter but the milk mans! I am going to swim the channel. In September of this year. Why? I hear you ask. Well, for several reasons really. One of the most important being, I want to see if I can. Equally as important is that in September 2006 I acquired a brand new stoma, name of Mavis, which meant that I was finally free of the colitis and had my life back. There were, and still are occasionally, adjustment issues to this new state of affairs and those issues, traumas and crisis were ably handled with the unstinting support of the IA and its members. So I wanted to give something back to the IA and swimming the channel seemed a good way to do it. I also want to show others in my position that having a stoma can be the start of something new. If I can swim the channel then they can get in the pool and swim.

I'm not the fastest swimmer and I'm not trying to break any records so I'm expecting to be in the water for about 20 hours. I'm swimming from Shakespeare beach in Dover to Cap Gris-Nez in France. I'm also useless at crawl so I'm swimming breast stroke. My training schedule consists of a mixture of pool swimming, running, cycling and sea swimming, with one day off each week. I belly dance on my day off (and frequently on my training days as well) and do yoga, which helps my breathing. The most difficult thing is proving to be finding someone to walk the shore with me while I train in the sea. Luckily I have a very supportive family watch me train as often as they can. My Mum in particular has spent many hours on the beach at Highcliffe keeping an eye on me and babysitting my son at the same time. Her house is now full of shells and interesting bits of driftwood as a result.

I love being in the sea, and always have. I cope with all those long boring hours spent swimming up and down the pool by knowing that each stroke gets me one 'step' closer to France. And hopefully my swim can give someone else the hope that they can have a normal life with their new stomas. If you would like to sponsor me please go to www.justgiving.com/jenniferbest.

P.S. I know there are ships that cross the channel but this way has to be more fun!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Cats
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 01:02 PM

What we all want to know is where she is going to keep her passport!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Hawker
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 05:17 PM

Good luck Jenny, and Sarah, and mavis! ROOTING FOR YOU HERE, will send good positive thoughts Friday, RESPECT!
Lucy

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: GUEST,bavis
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 06:13 PM

Think mines run out!!!!!!!
opps good job you don't need one to step ashore and then leave. (I hope)

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 06:18 PM

did Gerturde Ederle have to show a passport?

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 06:21 PM

well! It seems she did!

"Ederle walked up the beach at Dover, England after 14 hours and 39 minutes. The first person to greet her was a British immigration officer who requested a passport from "the bleary-eyed, waterlogged teenager."

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: SussexCarole
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 04:13 PM

Up she goes...

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: GUEST,Cats
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 05:06 AM

Jen should be there today. Let's hope the predicted storms don't come in...

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: GUEST,bavis
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 11:01 AM

leaving for Dover around six. Hope the weather is not as bad but they will not let her go unless good conditions so it might nit be until Monday or later. Have baby laptop to keep up to date with.

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: GUEST,jenny
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 12:22 PM

Have just seen the video. You're all very silly, but it did make me chuckle. Badly needed at the moment. What was I thinking!! I blame the parents myself!!!

Thanks for all the support. Pray for good weather. See you on the other side!!!!!!!!!!

Love Jen

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Peace
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 12:36 PM

Best wishes to you.








Uh, are you aware you'd be lots dryer if you took the ferry or the tunnel?

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 04:39 AM

Time for this thread to rise again.... (glad the video made you laugh, Jen, cos we had great fun swimming through the Mary Ellen Carter!) I'm off to Swanage shortly, so will catch up when I get home on Sunday.

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Cats
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 05:25 AM

Keep swimming....

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Mr Happy
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 09:30 AM

http://www.manchestershipcanalswim.co.uk/

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: bavis
Date: 05 Sep 08 - 05:16 PM

Late last night just before going to bed we get a phone call from the boat pilot to say worst weather front in ages go home. So we are back and will go Wednesday or Thursday next week. Took photos of the Channel while there and will post on Facebook.

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Cats
Date: 06 Sep 08 - 05:34 AM

Better safe and tucked up in bed than battling against a nasty weather front would could be seriosly dangerous for all involved. Keep swimming.... Anyway, it will give you more time to practice for when you swim into France with her.

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: GUEST,bavis
Date: 06 Sep 08 - 01:54 PM

Thanks for reminding me! I will run a bath of cold water now!

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: kendall
Date: 07 Sep 08 - 06:44 AM

Excuse this ignorant Yank, but what the hell is a stoma?

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Cats
Date: 07 Sep 08 - 07:08 AM

A stoma is an artificial cavity in the body to collect waste faeces or urine. The best known artificial stoma is a colostomy, which is a surgically-created opening in the large intestine that allows the removal of faeces out of the body, bypassing the rectum, to drain into a pouch or other collection device.

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Hovering Bob
Date: 07 Sep 08 - 03:55 PM

Jenny calls her stoma bag 'Mavis.' Those of you who know her will know that Jenny is an amazing woman and I'm very proud to know her.
Mavis has already 'gone belly dancing,' and has 'walked the Ridgeway,' now with luck she'll 'swim the channel.' If the 'Mavis' series of books ever get written and published it tickles me that 'Mavis' won't feature in any of the photos!
Good luck Jenny, thinking of you and hoping all goes well.
BobH

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: open mike
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 12:35 AM

i thought the stoma was an opening in the throat
that people use to breathe through. some even
smoke through it..heaven forbid!! this is for
patients who have a tracheotomy or tracheostomy.

sometimes it is due to mouth or nose passages
not functioning dure to injury, cancer, etc.

hey i thought this was about the Swimming channel
(on t.v.)

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Peace
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 12:53 AM

There are about ten areas of the body that can use them (stomas (stomata)).

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: open mike
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 02:06 PM

stomata is also the name of the phenomenon of
bleeding wounds on the extremities...like Jesus'
puncture wounds...but appearing spontaneously..

isn't it?

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: bavis
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 02:53 PM

That would be 'stig' mata as in 'top gear' I think! (I bet I regret saying that)

We are still here and waiting, the nod is still some time Tues or Weds and as we've not heard yet I guess Weds or maybe Thurs.
Thanks Bob i think she's pretty stunning as well but then I'm biased she is of course totally insane and mad as well but we won't go into that.
Will keep you posted.

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Art Thieme
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 11:31 PM

Alas, T.G.F.R. Thank God For Remotes...

Or else I'd never be able to surf the channels. ;-)

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Cats
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 01:19 PM

I can just see Jen surfing into France, closely followed by Bavis! Would she be disqualified as it wouldn't be swimming?

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: bavis
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 12:51 PM

Well peeps just had the thumbs up from the pilot for 7am tomorrow! Friday the 12th September.

Please pray for her or sing or drink or think good thoughts for her.
she is totally mad but she is one hell of a plucky lady and I am very proud to be her mum whatever the outcome. she'd better make it though as I bought a wetsuit to swim into France with her, very sexy!

Thank you everyone. Lots of love
I'm off to bed now night night.

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: bavis
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 01:31 PM

Jokes and suggestions with regard to the implementation of operation stack will be judged at a later date! I can't believe it. Hope we don't get stowaways!

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 02:42 PM

All best wishes from me and Derek - keeping everything crossed (me, not Derek, or he'd fall off his bike!)

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 04:38 PM

Good luck all - when do we expect the video to appear on YouTube?

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Hawker
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 04:41 PM

Yay!
Go Girl! rooting for you here!
Cheers, Lucy

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Cats
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 02:25 AM

It's now 4 minutes past 7 in the morning, our time, and I have just come in from the garden where I have been singing Mary ellen Carter at the top of my voice1 The neighbours understand! Cows don't though. All the very best.
Rise again, rise again That her name not be lost to the knowledge of men..

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: SussexCarole
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 02:31 AM

Good luck today Jenny

Carole & Andrew xx

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 02:39 AM

Well, she should get there quicker than on Eurostar.....

Hope all going well.

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 02:56 AM

best wishes from someone who can barely swim

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Cats
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 01:01 PM

Jen, we are all so proud of you and feel for you. I have just had a call from Sarah to say that Jen was pulled out of the water with hypothermia just 8 miles short of France. She was in the water longer than the swimmer from Iceland and has swum further than all the recent attempts but the water was so cold she had to come out as she was in a major shipping lane. She didn't want to, but...

Congratulations, Jen [and Mavis]. Much love and hugs.

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 03:18 PM

Didn't she (they)do well! Bloody brilliant, even if we don't get a pic of Sarah in her wet suit. Congratulations and hugs from me too!

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Ed T
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 03:41 PM

With the Chunnel down, is it a reasonable option?

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Hawker
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 06:26 PM

Respect still here, have been thinking about you both all day! A brave and valiane attempt, you should be very proud of your achievement.
Cheers, Lucy

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 11:34 PM

well done -

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: bavis
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 01:17 PM

Hello from a very tired but very proud Mum. She did brilliantly and was fighting to stay in but as she had just swum accross the bow of the boat it became clear that she was in danger from hypothermia. The pilot decided she had to come out. She swam 8.5 miles in seven hours and that according to the Channel observer is a very great effort and far longer than a lot of people including as stated an icelandic guy who came out after 1.5 miles and one chap who did 6 hours. She did the equivalent of 2.5 relay swims.

Thank you all of you for your support and kind wishes. One thing is that she accheived what she set out to do, which was to show people who had fears and doubts that life can be what you want it to be even with a stoma. Well done my lovely, brave and madcap daughter you take my breath away. I love you and could not be prouder.

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: bavis
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 01:19 PM

This is Jenny. Thank you all for you're unstinting support and kind wishes. Next swim is definitey going to be in the Med!!!!

Love Jen

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 10:56 AM

Wonderful to read this thread. Congratulations to Jen!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Swimming The Channel
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 06:10 PM

Well done indeed!

Andy
(a feeble ex-Londoner who's never even tried to swim! Too far to the sea, has always been my excuse)