Schengen & Swimming

On Friday I took my week's worth of admin and travel plans to a Visa Consultant to apply for my Schengen Visa, which will entitle me (as a saffa) entry into the European countries. The place was in [details removed for paranoia reasons], in a tiny room just big enough to fit a single desk. Well dodge, without going into details. But if I don't receive any calls on Thursday then all's fine with my application.

I fly from Gatwick airport on 18 September, where I'll meet up with Gillette and the rest of the swimmers who are attempting the 15km crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar, which connects Europe to Africa. From Gatwick we fly to Gibraltar, and then cross into the south of Spain (into a small town called Tarifa) where we'll spend a week. From there, I plan to backpack around the rest of Western Europe for the next three months until mid-December.

As if that's not enough, I've also been in contact with Steven Klugman, another Capetonian open-water long distance swimmer, who's coming to England in a couple of days. In February this year he became the first South African and the first male to swim across False Bay. Last year he won a swimming marathon around Manhattan Island. If all goes according to plan, I'll be seconding on his attempt at the English Channel double. i.e., to France...and back, in one day. To date there have been only 17 successful double crossings.

The "seconds" escort the swimmer from a boat and assist with providing refreshments, taking photos (ah-ha), etc. Basically helping out. That should be an experience! Read more about both swims in this Sunday Times article.

UPDATE [30 Aug]:'Strait across' by Sue Seger, published in The Witness today.
Also, George Brunstad - a retired pilot - became the oldest person to swim the English Channel today, at the age of 70.

UPDATE [03 Sept]: Follow the progress of Steven Klugman's "Double Trouble" attempt over at Open Water Swimming South Africa.