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Celebrity Comments:
"Hi Angus, It was great to meet you at K. Alfred today, and I would like you to know that you are one of my Heros, irrespective of whether or not you complete the channel. I of course hope you do complete it and in a time that really pleases you, and in this and in all else, I wish you the very best." - Tony Himself"Hello, you came to my shcool today and gave me an xbox for winning the art compition and i just wanted to say thankyou very much and sorry i was really shy in assemberly. Hope you complete the swim in july." Robyn westwell - Winner of the Channel Art Competition 2010.
" Dear Angus, I am of course most sad for you and send you a hug! However I feel fate just would not stop this summer, throwing one thing after another at your attempt to swim the channel. I am sure we will all be with you next summer, and also in this time of loss. All energy to you. love Dee xx "
" Angus, I'm so sorry to hear that you've had your 'last chance saloon' pass you by. Please don't give up (I know you won't!) you've shown so much grit and determination in this mammoth challenge you set yourself. You're right to take the advice of your pilot and your safety is paramount. There are few who understand the enormity of what you have embarked upon.
You will come back stronger next year and I really do wish you every success with your swim. I know I'll be following your blog - it's brilliant.
Take care and keep at it. Enjoy your new home and job too, especially now you've got time to!! Becky x "
"Angus, just wanted to say I know how you're feeling at the moment. I'm currently waiting on tide 2 for this week (14-22) and it's total agony. Everyday when I call the CSPF I get a no and then there was a massive glimmer of hope for Sunday only to have that dashed at 7pm tonight. I don't think there's many 'non-channel' people who understand what we're going through and it's probably worse for you as a solo swimmer. Wishing you all the luck in the world for your challenge and I hope you're successful.
If you're on tide 2, I might well see you in Dover!
Good luck :-) " - Becky.
"Yippee!! to you feeling better. If you get to swim next week, Fab, especially for you, knowing it has been your focus for so very long. I know you will do it, and do it well. When? time will tell. The irony of you doing this so that others will have clean water, yet struck down with infection, having swam through dirty water. . . my thoughts are with you lovely. Dee x "
" Hi Angus, sorry you're not well enough to swim today, I'm glad you decided to wait until you feel properly ok before u go for it. Good luck with your swim! I am sure you will do it when the time is (finally!) right - it must be very frustrating for u to have all these setbacks - Jenny :)
PS My daughter Robyn was delighted to see she won the art challenge! She is in a happy/shocked daze! Thanks for organising it all."
"Hey Angus well done for making such a difficult decision, it is vital you are fit lovely. maybe we can do our bit and get that amazing figure of 15 grand up even higher before you set off. love Dee."
" Hi Angus, stay focused cobber!! your goal is simple!! I mean, Spare a thought for Stephen Hawkins; his goal is to make complete understanding of the universe, why it as it is and why it exists at all! Get well soon Angus, 'chin up cobber' " Paul. Perth WA.
" Angus, I'm so sorry you have had to make such a difficult decision; my whole-hearted support remains with you." Tony.
"Hi Angus, am checking your website daily to keep track of your swim and my fingers are firmly crossed that a) you recover quickly from your illness (remember what I said, "you're young and fit" so you will!) and that b) the weather then improves so that you can get out there and do your stuff. Don't let these last minute hiccups turn into major disasters in your head - you WILL get through them and you WILL swim that channel!! All the best, Sigi"
" Hi Angus, I went to work this evening and had several people come up and ask me how you're getting on. So sorry to hear that you're on antibiotics, hope you recover with all those Spanish soups, TLC is a great tonic! You have a plethora of strangers here wishing you well, and us of course!!
lots of love, Fiona, Beatrice and Olmo xxx "
"Stay positive! Hope weather and fitness turn out OK for you.
As it happens, we are crossing the channel on Sat 28 Aug too - but we have decided to go underneath it...." James.
"Angus, only happened upon your blog last week, and it really is inspirational what you are doing. Don't lose hope in the weather, or yourself. Absolute respect and the very best of luck to you."
" Don't panic, the weather gods are looking after you. giving you a good , strength building rest, then flattening the sea on Friday ready for a perfect day on Sat. take advantage of it eat and chill. GOOD LUCK. Dino(from Circuits) "
" Hey Angus - we're thinking of you and hoping you get a break in the weather. Just had a proper look at your site - it's beautiful, and the video very sad but inspiring too.
Good luck and all the best - will be following you on the site.
YVo. x "
" Angus, have a great swim when then weather is in your favour, smell the coffee and croissant's on the other side as you swim :-)) "
"Ah lovely Angus here`s hoping you to France this bank holiday weekend! See you poolside. Dee x "
"Enjoying your blog Angus, this is getting very interesting. You maybe the one and only channel swimmer to have swum the channel in a cast......James Graham."
"Dear Angus, The Pacific Ocean is sunlit and placid as viewed from my window at the moment, and whatever the conditions you decide to swim the Channel in, I know you will be blessed by warmth in your heart. You are so surrounded and protected by loving thoughts and caring friends and your own fierce determination. Bless you. Affectionately, Aunt Marion."
"Och aye the noo here you go
with a cast on your arm-oh no!
You're a record breaker
and a hero maker.
So Angus come on START THE SHOW!" - Cousin Isla.......and Jonny
"Hey Angus, I think that what you are doing is great! Best of luck from me,Fiona and Kay here in Limerick, grand bisous."
"Hi Angus, go Angus go! You can do it! Lots of Love, Charlotte xxxxxxx "
"Hey Angus - I have been thinking of you lots; I did post a comment but can't see it, so writing again to make sure you know you are getting all my positive vibes... Not long now, you are doing so well! Enjoy the last few days of training....." XXXXXX Jess
"Keep going Angus! I've got every faith in you.....
I've known you for 20 years & I know you've got this in you (it will be far from easy, but you HAVE got this in you)..... an amazing effort especially considering this "speed bump" that life has thrown at you recently.....
Just trying to get a gig at our house by a band we saw earlier this year.... and we will be charging an entrance fee where (of course) the proceeds will go to the charity :o) more details to follow for any onlookers!
Come on Angus COME ON ANGUS." Mitch
"You can do this!! We've seen you train!!
Bestest of luck for your swim-what an incredible thing you are doing. We are all behind you and wish you every bit of luck!
Peace and Love" - All at Tooting Bec Lido!
"I just don't believe it! I am SO sorry - after all your hard work and training. The main thing now is to keep strong - know that everybody is thinking of you and wishing you well. The body can do amazing things with a positive mental attitude and you have to be one of the most positive people I know..." Virginia - L.R.W.A
"Sorry to hear you're a bit broken! Cross fingers (although that might be painful for you) for a speedy recovery." Wai - King
"Hey Angus,
I just read about what happened to you. I'm really terribly sorry. I've been following your blog on and off since January.
I wanted to wish you the soonest recovery. You will be fine, don't worry. But I got some thoughts while reading your last entry and I wrote to share them.
If you have reached your peak fitness level both physically and mentally is for a reason, maybe one that's even bigger than swimming the channel and that you cannot yet
foresee!
It's so dangerous and easy to take things for granted, but life can be quite surprising and we humans certainly are poorly skilled to judge most events in our lives when these are still fresh.
I guess what it all boils down to is keep the faith. Be well." Antonio
" Oh Angus! I am heartbroken to hear about your accident today. What a blow. I know how much hard work and dedication have gone into your training over months and months....not to mention the cost of all that pasta! If anyone can come back from the brink and salvage something from this sorry episode I am sure that you can. Perhps the courier firm that owns the van which knocked you off your bike would like to make a generous donation to Lawrence's Well Roundabout Appeal? Much love and good wishes for your recovery." Flora.
Hi Angus,
I think your blog is great! I can't wait to see your next film. Mum and I both loved the film in the snow....that must have been cold! See you soon,
Ivo
(+Jane)
" You're looking very fit, Angus! I'm away in the early am but will return 8 July. Next lesson is the following Friday so I'll ask the girls about sponsoring you and I'll do the same - probably - that weekend. Good luck. Will watch your progress and I know you will do well. Love Liz xx "
"We can't wait for the judges to come to our school on Weds. We are all ready with our imaginative and diverse works of art from children aged 5-11. See you then Angus, Love Charlotte x "
"Dear Angus,
I have been reading your blog for quite a while and recently reread the whole blog.
Well done on your efforts to date, however the next push comes soon.
You have been catching 'duck itch' which you can look up on wikipedia. It comes from swimming in shallow water. Most important thing is to scrub down with a exfoliant brush after your swim whilst standing in the shower, and also try not to stand on your feet in for too long in shallow water.
I am an outdoor swimmer, a poor one now, but once upon a time I was a reasonable racer.
Have you looked at sports psychology, because you might benefit from resharpening your focus on the positive aspects of your challenge. I read somewhere that the channel swim is 80 per cent mental and 20 per cent physical.
I respect the way you have targeted the swim and look forward to seeing you complete same.
regards
John
You can do the swim"
"Hello Angus :) You Came to our school on the 15th of march we all say a big thankyou for coming to our english class and answering our questions :D Enjoy ur swim across the channel :) " From Douglas Hawkins 8HY & Alice Yates 8NP.
"Hey Angus, love your site! Very inspirational. congrats on the Rottnest swim, great work. Look forward to some summer swim training together." Holly x
"Hey Angus, Well done on a tough swim and overcoming the demon thoughts ;) look forward to seeing you on your return- it'll take a bit of adjustment to the chilled see here -We'll have some mulled wine to warm your cockles" xx Eileen
"Great work for a great cause ... best wishes for a successful crossing!" - Lyndal T.
"Hi Angus Congratulations on your Rottnest swim! Fantastic. And if you can do that now, with months of distance training to come, you're going to be in a great position to do the Channel. Take care of your shoulder, and enjoy a well-earned rest.
By the way, I think it's cruel to post pictures of yourself in clear blue water when we've just had yet more snow, and getting a decent swim outside seems hopelessly far off! Congrats again." Best Karen T.
"Just got back from Ireland and checked the blog to find out your exciting news. Well done, matey - what a great achievement!" - xxxxx Flora, Dan and Ollie.
"Hi Angus, Congrats on Finishing the Rotto Swim!!
It's a hard event! The currents closer to the island and the swell can be tough. See you next year? :-) Perhaps in a team?
All the best for the Channel Crossing. You're a legend for the crazy cold water training you're doing." Richard
"I want to thank the blogger very much not only for this post but also for his all previous efforts. I found channelangus, extremely interesting. I will be coming back for more!" - Joen Baldwin.
"Thanks, this was helpful for me as an academic source in a paper I am writing at university." - Bernice Franklin.
"Hi Angus CONGRATULATIONS on your successful Rottnest Channel swim, a difficult day with very strong currents. Met you at Rottnest afterwards and chatted about your Rotto effort, my EC attempts and your coming English Channel swim this year. Keep training, training and you will make it. Will continue to follow your inspiring blog. Maybe you can view mine http://www.farbeyondtheblackline.blogspot.com.au which covers my 2008 & 2009 attempts. Good luck!!!." Carrol Wannell(8 Rotto solo swims - Perth Western Australia.
"Mate just saw your video of the swim. hardcore. to learn front crawl and do that in 3 years is awesome! serious respect!" - Mike H.
"Hi Angus - we met you the other night and expressed surprise at sea swimming on such a day. Hope the training is going well. I seem to remember that I might have met you training on crutches in the park too - my dogs were not very crutch friendly - sorry! I was just impressed to find a man on crutches going up the steepest hill in the park." - Fi.
"Really entertaining and informative web site me ol mate. Look forward to seeing you off from Dover next year and replenishing the carbohydrate stores in the nearest bar on the other side." - Groomy.
"Congrats on the shoulder healing Angus. Might be time to start loading up the fat reserves now, you don't look insulated enough to even be approaching cold water in this weather - it's freezing! Maybe some nutritious Rachel's yogurt would help? ;¬) Onwards and upwards!" - Ben K.
"Congratulations and good luck in your most worthy endeavour. The water containers are functional and beautiful. Yes water is life for us all - we are made of the stuff and it
seems more than natural that we should spend as much time as possible in it!
Keep up your faith, determination and the big day in August will soon be
here." - Jacqueline
"Great website Angus and really enjoyed your blog.Hope the shoulder contiues to improve. Really admire your perseverance and for such a worthwhile cause.
Not nearly enough is being done by the International community to highlight the suffering of people who do not have access to clean water. It really is a disgrace that in the 21st century more help is not forthcomming from the rich countries.Here's to your success and as we say in Ireland. More power to your elbow !!
Or should I say shoulder?" - MaryL
"Hi Angus, I loved your video footage and detailed account of your swim on that snowy December morning. However I think today’s swim defiantly scores a high or should it be a low!!! Pun intended!!! At a modest 4.5 degrees!!! In anyone’s open water training raceme. It was COLD!!! Even for me. It’s all good training for you. See you in the morning for a 7am swim. Lots of Love Fiona x"
"Hi Angus, I found your site from a link off the Rotto (Rottnest Island - Western Australia) swim site. I am a pom living in Aus & am training to swim the Rotto race solo & swam Christmas day in Margaret River (south west of Perth) and grumbled that I felt cold after 2 hours. I think the temperature was 21 degrees in the water. I think I need to toughen up!
Good luck with your training & I'll look out for you at Rotto - the party after is awesome.
Happy swimming" - Charlotte.
"I've been looking with horror at the pictures and videos of you swimming in the snow......I just can't imagine it!!! Early May was our earliest cold water swim and that nearly killed me!
Glad you had a good Christmas. Strange to think that this time next year your swim will be all but a distant memory!
I hope that 2010 is hugely successful for us all!" - Virginia Prifti - Founder LRWA.
"Hi Angus, Just been reading your website....got up to early 2009 on your blog, excellent writing, I couldn't stop reading. It's amazing what you've achieved especially doing a marathon on crutches...and setting a world record! Sounds like you're a real expert at colds though, guess that's an occupational hazard when dealing with cold water! I cannot believe that you were unable to swim front crawl 3 years ago...maybe there's hope for me yet!
Crikey, better go to bed! All the best, Mike x"
"Hi Angus, just met you in the BBC canteen. Good luck my friend! Rather you than me!" - Richard
"When you said leave a comment, I had every intention of taking the p**s, however having read your blog You have inspired me to swim more in the summer. Not the winter though only people of limited intelligence stay in for more than a minute in the winter. Having read your blog mate i have no doubt you'll cruise accross the channel this summer. Good luck and bring on the summer club races. Ill wait for you at the finish." - Brighton Mike.
"Angus my friend.. your madness is only exceeded by your dedication. admirable !" - Mont's
"Good luck Angus, a very worthwhile cause. See you on the other side." - Greenfly.
"Hi Angus! I was at the assembly you took today and went and signed myself up for the swimming straight away - Good Luck " :) - Hannah, Blatchington Mill School.
"Hi Angus, Nice site!! Hope you refueled adequately after Saturday. Have a good weeks training." - Jon Hughes North Wales Sticklebacks.