Wednesday 25th May, Cogden & Hive 7pm

MG has been struck down with a summer cold and has to save her energy for the next 2 weeks work so I only have walking companions tonight. Feeling energetic after too much caffeine I hatch a plan for MG, the mascot, the mascotini and I to walk from Hive to Cogden and see the shingle plants (hopefully in full flower) where I then leave them walking and run back via Freshwater, meeting up again for a swim at Hive.

The beautiful evening light creates tall shadows and dark colours for the thrift but we have missed the sea kale flower. Its green and purple leaves are everywhere but almost all the flowers are over now, the only colour highlights coming from a few early yellow horned poppies. We may be in between the most interesting flowerings but the shingle ridge is still an amazing sight.

Running back into the sun through evening scented honeysuckle clouds over springy rabbit mown turf storms could be seen forming over Devon. I think every farmer and gardener is praying for rain this evening. I dropped down from Hive cliffs just as MG walked back to the beach. Remembering that I have no washing facilities for the next 24 hours (the plumbers are in) I had a split second thought about whether its best to be dirty from a run or salty from the sea. The sea won. Slightly choppy but calmer than expected given the gusty south westerlies the sea was melt-water milky blue again. Diving under there was a disconcerting amount of weed but the fresh cool water was very welcome.

SW

basking sharks spotted off Dorset coast

.. a picture for MG 

Ok, this is not Dorset. Taken about 10yrs ago while working in the Caribbean. Its a baby reef (?) shark otherwise I would not have been in the water...

Basking sharks really have been spotted all along Dorset coast already this year though, including from the Cobb at Lyme and off the coast at Hive. Would it be exciting or heart-stoppingly petrifying to meet one in the water?

SW

Ringstead, Saturday 14th May, 8pm

The south westerly winds had been keeping us from swimming for a few days despite clear-ish skys and the occasional spot of sunshine so we decided to venture further afield and try out Ringstead. Door to beach was under an hour, not bad. Ringstead is a beautiful small bay with double protection - the limestone massif of Portland blocks from the SW and a reef just off the beach breaks any smaller waves that do whip up. Ideal. 

It is a slightly schizophrenic spot - four massive cargo ships were queuing to get into Portland port to the west while the peace and emptiness of Purbeck lies to the east.

The water was calm and clear as hoped although by the time we were swimming the light was fading making the water appear inky black. Basking sharks have been spotted recently and we were a bit nervous/excited about the thought of bumping into one in the dark.

Getting out we felt the wind that was stopping us swimming nearer home and had to change quickly. Reviving hot chocolate and biscuits helped reduce our shivers to an acceptable level and we set off for the return journey west, driving into the sunset.

SW

may day

May day evening swim at west bay under threatening skies. It seemed to be raining everywhere except over us. The sea was a stunning blue-green and the light was almost eerie. I was still horribly hung over and the sky looked bruised and brutal - we did consider just drinking the hot chocolate and going home dry. Luckily we got over our initial fears and had a beautiful swim. The sea and the air felt exceptionally clean. The wind was strong making us freeze as soon as we left the water. I had to jump back into the sea twice just to keep warm. 

As usual we probably stayed in a bit too long and shivered into our clothes (at 12 deg we need to remember the sea is still a bit fresh). Fortunately MG saved the day with hot chocolate. We were both left feeling oddly calm and serene. Marvelling at the light and watching the fulmers bob on the water, we had to stop ourselves going back in for another dip and tear ourselves away from the empty beach.

With warm weather and warmish seas there has been much obsessive swimming over the past few weeks. We are hoping to still update this blog with stand out swims and we have plans to swim further afoot too - along Purbeck coast and in land - The New Forest, Dorset rivers and Dartmoor.

SW