wild(ish) waters

Two contrasting swims this weekend. More accurately three swims. Two twenty minutes swims in Dover Harbour at the start of the Channel swimming training season and a lovely 2.5km meander along the River Cam from Byron's Pool to Newnham Swimming Club.

Dover beach was filled with over 100 aspirant Channel soloists, relayers, veterans and assorted supporters. At 10 o'clock the massed swimmers where sent into the harbour for a twenty minute swim at 9 degrees C. For those SLSC, Serpentine and other seasoned cold water swimmers we got out with a mere shrug of the shoulders, but among the less hardy there was a whole lotta shakin' going on. After an hour to stop shivering and stuff yourself with a bacon sarnie, it was back in for another swim. Feeling ridiculously confident, Carl and I, stopped several times to chat, float and spout on about the the wonders of being in the sea. And for the first time in a while, found myself chilled after getting out.

I thought a day at home with Kate might be prudent, so didn't go off to Oxford for a swim in the Thames in Sunday. But Monday saw me up at Byron's Pool on the Cam with 30 other Outdoor Swimming Society members to celebrate the poet's crossing of the Bosphorous Straits 200 years ago. A lovely 2.5km meander through fields, overhanging willows; being brushed by silky weeds and ending at the naturist Newnham Swimming Club. Where I felt I had to take a naked dip. Not a lot on show though after the hour in 10 degree water.

May 1 and 3rd log - 2km at 9 degrees and 2.5km at 10 degrees.

what a relief

phew...a week (nearly) of work and not a chance to swim in TBL. So it was lovely to firstly meet up with Elizabeth and Alex before swimming and then to experience water that was cool, but not cold. So I was able to do a mile of easy strokes - I'm sure Alex lapped me at least twice.

Now that the water is cool it doesn't matter so much that today was the last day of the sauna - at least until late September. It's been such a blessing to get warm after a chilly swim.

Mucky Dover Harbour tomorrow morning. Yikes.