Quite simply some of the most beautiful waterways anywhere - Lough Erne, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. This was the site for my boating holiday in August 2009 and my audacious self-invitation to the open water Irish Championships - still not quite sure how I plucked up courage to do that. And what's more I was chuffed to bits to limp round the 17km course in 6 hours. It was an undeniably pedestrian time, but one which to me seemed utterly immaterial compared to the fact that I'd endured and finished in waters which I understand didn't get above 14 degrees C. And for that my eternal thanks go to Martin Cullen for allowing me to take part. Finished - not a moment too soon!