Not grumpy, really very pleased

As I mentioned earlier, I volunteered to be an observer for the Channel Swimming Association Ltd at the beginning of the year. It sounded like a good way to pass the time, make a few quid and possibly take a few photographs.
For those who don't know, the Sport of Channel Swimming traces its origins to the latter part of the 19th Century when Captain Matthew Webb made the first observed and un-assisted swim across the Strait of Dover - swimming from England to France in 21 hours and 45 minutes.
Over 80 years ago, in 1927, (at a time when less than a dozen swimmers had managed to emulate Captain Matthew Webb’s feat), the Channel Swimming Association (the CSA) was founded to authenticate swimmers’ claims to have swum the English Channel, and to verify crossing times.
It assists and advises swimmers who intend to make a Channel Attempt. It regulates the conduct of such attempts - and aims to further the Sport of Channel Swimming. Over the years it has developed into the internationally recognised controlling authority of Cross Channel Swimming in all its forms throughout the Strait of Dover and is the Governing Body of the Sport.
Accreditation is accorded only to those Swimmers registered with the Association, who agree to be bound by the rules of the Association whose attempt has been observed by Association Officials and who are escorted by Pilots registered with the Association, using Vessels registered with the Association.

CSA OBJECTIVES

1. To establish, supervise, interpret and amend the rules of Cross Channel Swimming in the Strait of Dover.

2. To promote the sport of swimming across the English Channel and to encourage International friendship among the members of the Association.

3. To investigate and authenticate (subject to payment of any fees) claims of persons to have swum the English Channel under the auspices and jurisdiction of the CSA and CM Ltd.

4. To assist with information and advise those intending to make Cross Channel Swims in the Strait of Dover.

For more information go to: www.channelswlmmingassociation.com

Anyway, I observed 8 swims this year and wrote reports about all of them. The Observer's report enables the CSA committee to decide whether the swim should be ratified and entered into the record book, it can also be obtained by the swimmer.
I try to make my reports accurate, but interesting. Nobody wants to read that the same thing happened every hour for 12, or more hours; that would be so boring.
The point is I obviously succeeded in my objective, because the CSA Awarded me their Observer of the Year Shield, for the Best Observer. I'm so proud and happy this blog is going to have to be renamed.

To see my photos go to Photobox

Channel Swimming 1

I've volunteered to be an observer for the Channel Swimming Association (CSA), which is the official body overseeing channel swimmers. The English Channel is one of, if not the most, challenging place for swimmers in the world.

The shortest distance from the UK to Frances is about 21 miles as the crow flies. Nearer 28 miles for a swimmer, because of the strong tidal currents.

This image shows a GPS plot of one of the swims that I observed.
The water is never warm and sometimes very cold. 17°C (62.5°F) is about the warmest it gets. To add to swimmers' problems this is also one of the busiest stretches of water in the world. Up to 500 ships pass through the Straits of Dover every 24 hours. The Ship AIS web site is a brilliant way to see just how busy it is.
The rules of the CSA prohibit anything but the most basic swimming costume and cap, no bouyancy aids and no protection from the cold.

I can do that, give me a job!

Last month I turned 60 and decided that I should sign on at my local JobCentre. For those of my readers who live outside the UK a JobCentre is the place people go to find financial support when they can't find work.
My local JobCentre closed in 2006, so I looked on the Internet for the nearest alternative. The JobCentrePlus website has lots of interesting data, including the fact that one has to register by telephone. Fortunately it's a freephone number, because registering took 75 minutes of ear bending.
A few days later a couple of pounds of paper landed on my hall carpet. This was my 'Jobseekers Statement', together with an appointment at the nearest JobCentre (in Dover 8 miles away) and instructions about the documents they needed to see.
As I have been a bit prudent, I have been able to survive for the last 18 months on savings, ISAs, With Profits Life Insurance maturing and my few stocks and shares. In total my wife and I had just over £16000, so after cursing and tearing my hair out to find evidence for these I loaded a ton of paper into my briefcase and caught the bus to Dover.
The first person I saw looked at my Statement, said I would not receive any assistance, removed half the pages and changed my claim from Earnings Related to Contribution related. Apparently you have to be as near bankrupt as makes no difference to receive 'Earnings Related' benefit.
I was then passed on to a nice man who explained that I could look for work similar to what I had been doing for 3 months, then I would have to take any job I was offered. I have to report to the JobCentrePlus every fortnight and provide evidence that I've done 3 things each week towards finding a job. This effort will result in a payment of £59.15 per week, which is supposed to pay my mortgage, utility bills, and food and drink. Is it any wonder that most people on benefit try to make money on the side?
I really went to the JobCentre primarily for assistance in finding work, as 18 months of my efforts have failed. JobCentres don't provide any real help until 26 weeks after you apply to them, by which time I shall be starving and presumably willing to do anything for a few crumbs. Also at that time, if I still do not have a job, my benefit stops! I can apply again, for a different sort of benefit, but my 40 something years of 'National Insurance' contributions only buy £1537.90 in Job Seeker's Allowance. In the last year that I was able to work I paid £5665.94 in 8 months!!!
That isn't insurance, it's extortion.