THE BIG DAY

RELAYED FROM SEAMUS TO MY LOVELY WIFE ONSHORE

It was touch and go as to whether Danny would start his swim this morning as the captain of the boat did not feel that the conditions were ideal. However, they decided to go for it because if they didn't it may have been that Danny would have to wait quite a while before the next opportunity came along.

2.40am - Danny began his swim in the pitch black. Apparently it was quite a bit choppy but he was in good form.

5:00am - Still pretty choppy - Martin got in the water to join Danny for 30 mins.

7:00am - Danny is doing well - he is swapping between front crawl and breaststroke because it is hard to keep the water out of his mouth with the roughness of the sea. He is managing to eat and drink as planned. He is swimming at 48 strokes a minute.

Please keep messages of support flowing to his mobile.

9.00am - Had a text from Seamus to say that Danny is looking strong at the moment. There are big swells though and the forecast says that it is going to get rougher. He is about 1 mile from the separation zone and continues to take on lots of fuel. Seamus says that he has that familiar determined look about him that we have all seen before. Come on Danny!

10.20 - Seven hours have been and gone and Danny is still looking strong and very determined. The swell has dropped which is great although there have now been sightings of jelly fish. Obviously the crew are doing their best to point them out to Danny so they can be avoided. Martin is in the water with him at the moment and it is helping to keep him motivated. Hopefully 8 hours to go - France is definitely getting a lot closer!! - Thanks for the messages so far - they are a great help.

11.30am - Danny is clearly hurting now - it is thought that there are about 8 miles to go.- 6 hours swimming... he is still fighting hard for it.

12.00 - Danny is tiring a bit now but France is looking bigger and bigger. Martin is back in the water with him - there are still about 6 hours to go. He is currently in the french shipping lane with big tankers all around. The wind has started to pick up again but not too bad. He is managing to eat/drink well and is still in good spirits. Keep those text coming!!

12.35 - Just spoken to Seamus, Danny has apparently had a very good hour with Martin in the water. He has picked up some good mileage and everyone on the boat sound very positive that Danny is on track. Come on Danny!!!!

13:00 - Seamus just text the following "The clouds are closing in but Mr Bryson is not finished yet, this bull of a man is on the charge. Dare I say, things are looking promising"

13.40 - Poor Danny keeps getting cramp and is very tired. He must make sure that he continues to keep a steady pace otherwise he could miss the landing spot and add another couple of hours onto what is already a torturous journey. He potentially has 3 hours left if he keeps stong but if he misses the spot it could add on a good few hours.

13.50 - Danny has been swimming for 11 hours solid. It is now raining heavily but so far he is showing no signs of slowing down.

14.20 - Martin has got back in the water for another hour stint with Danny. Seamus says that everytime Martin gets in the water it really helps Danny to stay on track. Great job Martin.... They are getting nearer and nearer - hopefully not too long to go now.

NOTE - no GPS signal for last couple of hours. He is closer than he looks!

14.40 - Text from Seamus "The howling wind and relentless rain only seems to spur him on. He has picked up the pace again and going in for the kill. France is getting nearer and nearer, we can smell the baguettes from the boat!"

15.40 - Danny is tiring with every stroke and grimacing with pain but is still pushing on. The wind and the rain are still trying to push him away from the shore but still he surges on. It is very tough. Martin is going to enter the water in about 40 minutes for the last big effort to reach French soil.....

16.45 - Less than a mile to go but a very strong current is in danger of taking him past the headland to his landing point. Big swell and worrying times. Come on Danny you are so close now........

17.15 - It looks like he might just get into the headland but it is touch and go yet. Hoping one hour to go. Danny is exhausted by steady.

17.35 - Last massive surge from Danny. About half an hour until he lands on French shores - GO DANNY GO!!!!

18.00 - Sorry, but the last update was not right - Danny is still stuck in a nasty current at the moment - he is about 400m from the shore and not going anywhere at the moment as the current is too strong. Please everyone keep praying!!!


18:20 - This was the last text I got from Seamus but had the best news ever - "My god that was stressful - Danny got taken off course and ended swimming for his life. Too far away due to rocks and tides. News however is that 2 minutes ago we witnessed Danny stand on french soil. The guy is a legend, a channel conqueror, was it ever in doubt?"

MY HUSBAND IS A STAR - HE HAS JUST COMPLETED THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF HIS LIFE - YAY DANNY XXX

Total time in the water - tbc