A curious phenomenon occurred at Punta Bianca – the cliff talked. It was as I lay in my tent that I noticed it- people above me on the cliffs chattering away. I got out of my tent to look, but no one was there.  The sound of the waves breaking on the pebbly shore was echoing against the cliffs, enough to drive anyone mad should they stay on the beach long enough.

I left in the afternoon, as a breeze was building that would hopefully push me back to mainland Italy. Offshore downwinds are my favourite, when you start on flat water and the waves gradually build. The waves were perfect, but only for a couple of kilometres in the middle of the channel, sadly the wind then dropped. Surfski has got to be the best way to build fitness – every effort to catch a wave is rewarded with a free and fun ride, a great example of operant conditioning.

The crossing was around 30km and in the middle, the nearest land 15km away, I fought some mental battles. I could feel my heart beating, and when I thought about it, began to get lightheaded, the panic rising. I put some music on, had a swim, and managed to calm myself down. The scars of my last heart scare run deep, it will take a while for them to heal completely.

I thought about what I wrote yesterday, about being so fortunate to do this trip, and then I thought about all the people in a similarly priveleged position who choose not to live adventurously. But the more I think about it, the more I think that choice simply doesn’t come in to it – we’re just a product of our past.

I arrived in Castiglione and went to the sailing club where I left my boat and had a beer with a group of friendly sailors. By the time I’d been shopping and eaten it was past midnight and I was exhausted, so fell asleep next to my boat at the club.

Tomorrow (19th June) I think I’ll have a rest day.

Diabetes

Did you know you can view my live blood sugars here?

Another good day. I only injected 1 unit of levemir in the morning and 0 novorapud which meant I didn’t have to eat during the paddle. I thought the beer could screw things up but I guess it just replenished some lost carbs as I only has a small rise. I then had a big fatty meal of sausages with cheese, pesto and marscapone. Despite this my levels were stable overnight. There’s no way I could eat that many calories from carbs and match it with insulin correctly – my sugars would’ve gone crazy.