SWIMMING/ Round Ireland swim: Early in the day the swimmers are alternately swept forward by the tide and pinned back by the wind. Fast forward, rewind. In Nuala Moore's words, "it's like being in a washing machine".

Thursday, July 14th 

Later, conditions change. For the first time since the expedition began the team have both tide and wind at their backs. The sun is shining as they plough through the water off the Wicklow coast. They advance at a speed almost three times what they achieved farther north. Even the jellyfish are co-operating: a chill northerly wind drives them deep.

Friday, July 15th

Ryan Ward takes each day as it comes. "There have been good days and bad days: days when the flow is with us and the sun is shining and days when the tide hasn't suited us and we've been cold and wet."

Today belongs to the former category. The weather is kind and the swimmers continue to benefit from fast spring tides. They reach the southeastern landmark of Carnsore Point.

Saturday, July 16th

The team run through their daily pre-swim stretches at Rosslare Europort, eliciting bemused stares from ferry passengers. The weather remains fine, although the tide has slackened. The swimmers leave the Irish Sea, passing into the Celtic Sea.

Two weeks in and the expedition has found a rhythm. It's a collaborative effort, involving a large support team.

"We've all gelled now," says Ian Claxton. "We've got into the routine after the teething problems of the first week, when there was a lot of emotion. All the swimmers have to worry about is swimming; the rest is looked after."

Tomorrow is a rest day, so the team can relax tonight. There is a theory that beer numbs the pain of jellyfish stings. No one has discredited it yet.

Monday, July 17th

It's warm and the water is calm, but there's a catch. The tide has veered north as the team move west. The miles are slow. It's a long slog. "We were spoilt rotten with the tides on the east coast," says Nuala Moore, "but the tides are totally unpredictable in the Celtic Sea. This is where the mental game begins."

Anne Marie Ward has that Monday morning feeling. "I felt every mile of it, and when you're physically tired you find yourself mentally questioning what you're doing this for. But I got over it." The team pass the 300-mile mark on their way to Helvick, Co Waterford.

Tuesday, July 18th

Sometimes they're struck by how surreal this business is. Today, a passing English sailboat solicitously inquires if the people on the expedition vessels bobbing around in the Celtic Sea are in distress. No, just taking a break from swimming around the country. Who would believe it?

Tom Watters is "hitting autopilot at this stage". He's developed a mental routine too. Out in the water he thinks about home. It's a way of getting through the day, of overcoming the vastness of it all. The team reach Ballycotton, Co Cork.

Wednesday, July 19th

The unusually high water temperature allows the swimmers to regain body heat more quickly. The sun has disappeared, though. A mist falls and there is an eerie calm on the water. The tide remains unhelpful and progress is slow.

The team reach Kinsale. They are halfway around the country. Ian Claxton is keeping his eyes on the prize. "I'm not getting too excited; there's another half to go. I'll be excited when there's one day to go."