We arrived in Gibraltar just before sunset. The airstrip is as wide as Gibraltar itself and the landing was spectacular. Gill's friend Chris ("The Chrisalator") fetched us from the airport and we crossed the border into Spain where we've been sharing an apartment in the heart of the town for the past week.

We haven't done much more than drink, eat, tan, sleep, and repeatedly kill a few good Borat quotes or Spanish phrases, in and around Tarifa and the Costa del Sol region. The weather's been ok - this place is notoriously windy but the sun's always out in force. The language barrier has been a difficult one, also considering that Chris speaks fluent Spanish, so I haven't really had to do much talking myself.

The swim took place yesterday, after waiting the whole week for the wind conditions to improve. It was a great success with all eight swimmers (seven South Africans and one American) reaching Morocco in under 4.5 hrs. I believe the Strait of Gibraltar is the busiest shipping channel in the world and we were continously dodging giant container ships...from a small inflatable dingy it's truly an experience worth repeating. Upon arriving at Morocco's coastline I caught sight of two flying fish - wow, never seen anything like it. We also saw some Pilot Whales on the return trip. Congrats to Gill, Ryan (who is now the first Saffer male to swim the Strait) and the others who reached their goal and who I've spent my time here with.

UPDATE [28/09]: Siblings conquer Gibraltar at News24.com (features one of my photos)

It's my last night in Tarifa. I said goodbye to Gill, Chris, Ryan and Nicky earlier and depart on my solo trip up the coast towards Cadiz and then Seville on route to Portugal where I'll spend roughly two weeks. Will write again soon, so adios until then!

HI I SAW YOUR ADD ON TV ABOUT
WINNING A MAKE OVER
I REALLY THINK I NEED A MAKE OVER
EVERY TIME I MENTION IT TO MY HUSBAND
HE SAYS I DON'T NEED IT BUT WHEN I LOOK IN THE MIRROR I THINK I DO

Hmmm, yes. What, when, why, how?

Anyway. Today I leave behind 36 Andrew Reed House and fly Gatwick to Gibraltar, from where I cross over into Spain. Here I'll be spending the next week in Tarifa (kitesurfing mecca), on the south coast - minutes away from Costa del Sol - "Coast of the Sun". You can view this "interactive" map of the region - I think the designer was tripping out when he did it. Click on the "Gibraltar" blob.

I've written briefly about my itinerary before, in case you missed it. So this is really an update to that entry...

I've been on stand-by as a second for Steven Klugman's English Channel double swim, but unfortunately the weather hasn't been behaving (no suprises there) so I'll miss out on that. Bummer...it would have been awesome. But, I have Gill's swim and three months of backpacking through Western Europe to look forward to.

I'll be updating this blog-turned-travelog when I can, and will be uploading raw and unedited *gasp* photos to my travel photoset at flickr.com. You'll notice on my blog pages that the most recent photos appear down the left-hand side and link to high-res versions. Leave a comment on a photo sometime, that would be nice.

Also I'm reachable via any of the regular methods, at some point or another. Pick one.

Now I'd better finish my ironing and check that everything fits in my backpack. I'm taking less than I did for 3 weeks in Scotland two months ago...should be interesting. Travel light, they say. Eat your veggies, they say. Blend in with the locals, they say. Don't talk to strangers? Easily debatable.

life is an open road - it's the best story never told

Adiós amigos!

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.