SWIMMING/Round Ireland Swim: Having enjoyed two days of calm waters, the team encounter choppy conditions again. Wind stirs up the water on Strangford Lough and showery rain falls. Two tides meet at the Strangford Narrows. Some of the team are borne along by a favourable tide, while others must fight hard to make minimal progress.

Thursday, July 6th

Such conditions can be deeply frustrating. "The wind and tide are against you and you're pumping really hard for half an hour. Then you look up at the boat and the guy tells you you've only covered .4 of a mile. That's soul-destroying. Then you do it all again just to make another .4 of a mile in half an hour," says Nuala Moore.

"Still, however tired you are, you've got a job to do."

Friday, July 7th

A southeasterly wind blows hard against the tide as the expedition heads toward Carlingford Lough. "A very tough day," says Ian Claxton. "The wind was right in our faces. We were getting hit around the water in every direction. There was constant chopping, which means you can't get into your rhythm. You get disoriented too; you can have trouble looking for a landmark, looking for the boat to your side." Despite these conditions, the swimmers cover 32 miles.

The team are becoming accustomed to two unwelcome features of the country's eastern waters: pollution and jellyfish. The Irish Sea has a plentiful supply of both. By now, everyone has been stung by the latter. Near busy ports, the water tastes rancid. Rubbish bobs along in the swell. Mouthwash and dental floss nestle alongside the protein bars and energy drinks in Nuala Moore's bag.

Saturday, July 8th

Boat warning. The words are heavy with menace. Gale force eight winds in the Irish Sea force the swimmers and crew to return to shore early. Conditions are expected to remain dangerous for a few days, so the swim can't resume until Tuesday.

Before the team must return to shore, huge waves create a kind of treadmill effect. For Claxton, it's exhilarating but ultimately futile. "Those huge waves are great to swim in, but they push you backwards. You could swim for a couple of days and not go anywhere." In such stormy conditions, the safety of the boats that accompany the swimmers must also be considered. They are particularly vulnerable to a storm since they are moving so slowly.

After an intense week, the team have two days' rest while they wait for conditions to improve.

Tuesday, July 11th

The break has been appreciated since, as Nuala Moore puts it, "what we've done in the first week is swim a marathon a day". However, after the storm-induced hiatus the team are anxious to get back to the water. The jellyfish have a field day. Claxton is stung in the face and Ryan Ward sustains a number of stings.

In contrast to the end of last week, weather and water conditions are favourable. Last night's full moon heralded the arrival of fast-flowing spring tides. The swimmers pass Rockabill Lighthouse and Ireland's Eye on their way to Howth Head.

Wednesday, July 12th

Howth is an important milestone. Eight days in the water have brought the team from Donegal to Dublin. They are a quarter of the way around the country. Despite a jabbing southwesterly wind in their faces, the swimmers make good time across Dublin Bay. The tide remains favourable. Jellyfish count: low.

Since biochemists are not generally noted for their tendency to participate in sea-swimming expeditions, Claxton, who co-owns a water testing business, is at a distinct advantage. As part of the expedition, while swimming across Dublin Bay he collects water samples, which will undergo laboratory analysis. Research in the area of human physiology is also being conducted during the expedition.

kennyseanf@yahoo.co.uk