Sept 12: Swimming The English Channel

1.
Charging Electric Vehicles…
140 miles.

That’s the driving range for the all electric 9-passenger van we’re using in England. It matters, because we often take our friends on trips to beautiful sites around the country. Most of the time, the driving range easily covers our round trip. England is not the size of USA, after all. However, at least once a week, we do need to use charging stations as we approach the max driving range. For the first two weeks, our experiences using the rapid charging stations were delightful. Easy as pie. Like clockwork. 

Last week, we encountered our first hiccup. Actually, it was more like a series of facepalm moments.

After a wonderful day exploring London, we realized we didn’t quite have enough battery juice to take us to our home for the night. “No big deal,” I thought. “We’re in London. There must be plenty of charging stations.” Moments later, google maps confirmed my optimistic expectations. There were indeed several close to us. I drove to the closest one on the map, and quickly located the two chargers without any problems. Fantastic. However, both chargers were in use. Bummer. I shrugged it off immediately and simply drove to the next closest location. The second location belonged to a private parking area, and I was turned away by security personnel at the entrance. It was a bit annoying, but not a big deal. The security guard was kind enough to tell me about another charging station at the gas station “just down the street”. Third time’s the charm right? I drove to the gas station as directed. To my dismay, there were no longer chargers at this location. 

Three strikes? No worries. This isn’t baseball. My Italian and Portuguese friends and I laughed about the situation. After looking at the map again, there were two more “available” options in the area. The closest was in a McDonald’s lot. “Perfect!”, I thought. When we arrived, the restaurant was closed down and the lot…was surrounded by a gate. At this point a bit of stress was building. My available driving miles continued declining as I drove from station to station. There was one more charging station close to our location. Everyone in the van was now silent as we drove to it. The mood had changed.

As we approached, we immediately spotted two available charging stations. Happy, happy, joy, joy! The celebration was premature, because I soon learned the chargers were not operational. Yikes. I searched google maps again. There was only one more station between our location and our destination. As precaution, I drove 20 mph below the speed limit to save battery life. Cars honked and swerved around me angrily. Ten minutes later, we arrived. Two charging stations were open and were beaming with lights. I figured they must be working. I plugged into the first and read the message: “Please wait…”

So I waited. And waited. And waited. Nothing happened. 

The last charger was two spots away, and I pulled in feeling nothing. At this point, my optimism was as low as the battery life. Figuring it wouldn’t work, I went through the motions of plugging in the charger and selecting my payment method. 

Charging! Wahoo! We celebrated by grabbing comfort food from the convenient store.

This experience made me grateful that I don’t personally own an all-electric vehicle. The infrastructure isn’t quite there yet. 

On a lighter note, our electric vehicle misadventure turned out to only be a minor annoyance and a slight setback. We also enjoyed the amazing feeling of relief and created fun memories with friends.

2.
Swimming The English Channel:
The English Channel is a treacherous stretch of water separating the shores of England and France.

It has long captured the imagination of daring swimmers, and the journey has become one of history’s most iconic marathon swims.

It measures 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) in a straight line. However, the Channel’s powerful currents, unpredictable winds, and frigid waters mean swimmers often must cover significantly more miles. Even on the most perfect day, it’s a daunting task, requiring a plunge into waters that barely rise above 62 degrees Fahrenheit.

For those who dare, time is a fluid concept. Some set off at the witching hours of 1 am. Others choose a later start, at 7 am or beyond. Either way, their bodies and minds battle fatigue and the likelihood of the pitch-black embrace of the night. 

Weather, of course, is the unpredictable antagonist in this aquatic drama. Some days, the Channel grants its swimmers gentle waves and calm winds. On other occasions, it unleashes big swells and powerful gusts. On a good day, crossing the Channel is a formidable task, but on a bad day, it becomes a life-threatening struggle.

First Attempts:
The story of the English Channel’s swimming conquest began with pioneers like Matthew Webb. After a seaman had improbably floated across on a bundle of straw, Webb decided to make the crossing without artificial buoyancy. His first attempt ended in failure, but he refused to surrender. In 1875, he set out from on a journey that would etch his name in history. Battling challenging tides, which delayed him for five long hours, and enduring the sting of a jellyfish, Webb finally emerged victorious after 21 hours and 45 minutes in the water.

Webb’s triumph inspired others, and over the years, nearly 80 failed attempts followed. It wasn’t until thirty-six years later that Thomas William Burgess became the second human to defy all odds. On September 6, 1911, on his 16th attempt, Burgess crossed from Dover to Cap Gris Nezin 22 hours and 35 minutes. For this attempt, he had trained for a mere 18 hours, with his longest practice swim covering only 10 kilometers (6 miles). Before taking the plunge, he savored a hearty meal of ham and eggs.

Over the years, numerous swimmers etched their names into the annals of Channel history, their journeys marked by extraordinary records. 

Fastest Time: 6 hours, 55 minutes set by Trent Grimsey in 2012
Most Crossings: 44 times set by Chloë McCardel
Oldest Swimmer: 71 years old set by Linda Ashmore in 2018
Youngest Swimmer: 11 years, 330 days set by Thomas Gregory in 1988

The English Channel remained a timeless challenge, where history meets the relentless force of nature. The brave souls who attempt this marathon swim become legends in their own right.

Thanks for tuning in to 2-2-2 Tuesday! If you have any feedback, comments, or suggestions, we’d love to hear from you. Have a wonderful week.

Zack and Farah