Anna Wardley

LATEST NEWS FROM ANNA'S SWIM FROM EUROPE TO ASIA

30 August - 1730 hrs - Mission accomplished! I swam from Europe to Asia this afternoon crossing the finish line in Canakkale just before 1430 local after 1hr 23 mins 3 secs.

It took me 13 minutes longer than Byron 200 years ago but at least I manged to do it first time. My goal was always to get to the finish on the Asian shore within the time limit, and get here I did. I got caught in a Turkish sandwich between two hairy men at the start and was faced with a big jellyfish just 100 metres in (and dozens more en route) but thankfully none of the "big fish" that put the willies up Byron back in 1810.

I had a few moments when I was worried that I'd misjudged the route and the current and feared I wasn't going to make it in time. I think the race organisers would have had to get me out kicking and screaming. Most of the time I was swimming completely alone and I had a local barge block my path at the finish but it was a great swim and I'm chuffed to bits that I've done it. Now there's just the small matter of the English Channel in three weeks time.

29 Aug - 2300 - Only one more sleep until the big swim from Europe to Asia. I wonder if Byron fuelled up on pasta, baklava and pistachio ice cream the night before he swam. I guess not.

Been a busy day with a medical examination first thing this morning (which I passed after certifying that I didn’t suffer from "extreme fear") followed by a practice swim in the Hellespont (yes, it is a lot warmer than the Solent but thankfully not too hot) and then boat trip over to the Eceabat on the European side to go snorkelling on one of the Gallipoli wrecks in ANZAC Bay.

It it was the pre-swim briefing at the local university where the local organisers explained the course, the currents and the rules for tomorrow’s race. Some of it was lost in translation particularly the instructions relating to the finish which I heard as: “You’ve got to walk upstairs like in a barcode system.” Righty ho then.

Of the 288 swimmers taking part tomorrow, 200 are Turks. We’ll be escorted across by 44 support boats.  I’m slightly worried about the time limit of 90 minutes – I’m definitely built for endurance and not for speed so just need to make sure I get a wiggle on to make the finish before the cut-off or I’ll be arriving back in Asia in a boat .The start gun will sound at 1300 local (1100 BST) tomorrow. Wish me luck – I'd love to make it three out of three.

28 Aug - 2200 - Flew into Canakkale from Istanbul this afternoon. The Hellespont was looking nice and sparkly blue from the plane. The distance is similar from Stokes Bay where I live to Ryde on the Isle of Wight. Been a bit worried by all the jellyfish but I'm assuredd they are non-stingers. Got an acclimatisation swim down at the beach and a medical in the morning.

28 Aug - 1100 - Last night I arrived in Istanbul to witness a stunning sunset over the Bosporus as the bus made its way across the bridge from the Asian shore to the European side of the sprawling city.
After a disappointing kebab surrounded by wailing mosques and whirling dervish touts last night, I slept the sleep of the dead. I’ve just breakfasted on the hotel roof terrace overlooking the sparkling Bosporus, and now I’m off for a good rub down in the Turkish bath in the basement before flying west to Canakkale this afternoon to meet my fellow swimmers.