I can't believe it's now a week since my Channel swim. It has gone so quick. I'm still re-living it so often in my mind.

On the whole I've recovered well. However, I had swelling to both forearms the day after the swim and these became quite painful. After a couple of days the left one went down and ceased to hurt. But the right got much worse! I had a couple of Drs look at it while at work and they diagnosed 'Tenosynovitis'. Basically an inflammation of the sheath around a tendon. This caused a lot of pain on movement of my hand or thumb and a sickening grinding sensation! I now have my forearm in a splint to prevent movement and I'm taking pain killers, and anti-inflammatories to reduce the inflammation. I'm sure in a few days it will have settled down.

Being back at work has been quite strange. Especially as I have the worlds worst suntan! A very distinct line across my forehead where my swimming hat was! Even a week later it's still there! At work I've been nicknamed 'condom head'!! However, it was nice to walk on station and see posters up everywhere congratulating me. Made me feel really good.

Since my swim I have been told a little story that has made me feel quite sick!! I'm so glad I was not told this at the time. Apparently, Mike was preparing my feed and had put my bottle in the bucket. He was just getting my banana ready when all of a sudden he had projectile vomitting!! He saved the banana, but he vomited all over my feeding bottle and bucket!! As I was about to come in for a feed, he pannicked and just grabbed some bottled water to rinse off the sick. He then passed me my feed as though nothing had happened! I'm so glad I was not told at the time because I don't know what I would have done!! Thanks for not delaying my feed Mike!

In my last post I spoke of the French people who greeted me at Wissant. I have since found out that some were actually from Belgium - sorry! A man called Ward managed to find me via my blog and his friend Veerle has sent me some pictures that were taken. These can be seen on my Facebook Group.  It's so lovely to hear from these people who just happened to be present at the end of my swim, and who gave me such a warm welcome to France. Veerle is now a Facebook friend of mine. Who would have though that having only spent about 2 minutes in France, I would make a new friend! Oh and the little dog is not a Poodle! Silly me! It's a Malthezer called 'Billy'. Still really cute!

Mark