26th Feb. The 59 degrees North Orkney Adventure Kayaking van was there. Eager kayakers launching off onto a sea of surf and waves. A dog walking man said to me, ‘They are going to get very wet.’ I replied, ‘So am I,’ as I made for the rocky slip. The water was gorgeously cold. A seal lurked in the tangles as the kayakers stroked the rising surf. It was strange to think that they were on our table at The Orkney. Tourism Awards Ceremony the night before.

1st Mar. A calm and sunny day. In like a lamb, out like a lion, or so the saying goes. The water is warming! Everyone will be dipping soon. I will have to avoid the crowds.

5th Mar. It is colder than Finstown, so only 111 strokes! Less than 7,000 to go, wo! Ho!

My aim is to swim from The Hall of Clestrain to York Factory in Canada, where John Rae served, and back. One stroke is equivalent to one mile. This is around 8,000 miles, give or take a league. Please sponsor my foolhardy attempt to support The John Rae Society. We are in Denmark for a brief holiday. If given the chance, I will dip in the Baltic balm.”