Day 20 - Unfortunately the kite surfing capital of Europe, Tarifa,  is living up to its reputation and the fierce and unpredictable winds are preventing me from unleashing my doggy paddle on the Strait. Still maybe this is a blessing in disguise as I now have a great opportunity to rest up, feed up and train up with Helen providing excellent company as always! Thanks to Blue Seventy I have a brilliant Helix wet suit which I have been testing out along the waterfront and with sea temperatures fresh but very much bearable and Morocco visible through the haze and constant passage of boats I am starting to feel a little bit more confident about the crossing...

Swimming the Strait will be an amazing challenge for me having only recently taken to the water  and I still harbour many an innate fear of the deep blue ocean. The greatest achievements in my life so far have all come at the dinner table - 22 Pizza Hut slices, 77 chicken wings at Hooters and 3rd place in a national pie eating contest - so the swim represents a great opportunity to finally achieve something that can take pride and place at the top of my CV.... Wish me a lot of luck, judging by the weather and my stroke I´m going to need it! Conditions are looking up for fri, sat and sun so flippers crossed. 

Thanks again for the phenomenal donation response - update on this to follow shortly....