As with many of our swims, it all started with a scream and then some pathetic whimpering. For once though, it was not one of us swimmers - we were all still fully dressed and toasty. It was The Mascot who, being a touch melodramatic, had nudged her damaged paw and decided to let the whole beach know about it. She was swiftly escorted back to the car to recover on the back seat.
A glorious sunny autumn day, blue sky, clear air and a calm-ish sea. Four swimmers took the plunge into waters turbid from the previous 48 hours rain. We had already gone eastwards along the beach to try and escape a small slick of encroaching scum - muddy run-off and best-not-to-ask stuff that comes down the rivers after heavy rain. Striking further out the sea cleared enough to enjoy the beautiful cool water. A few stabbing sensations observed all round which means it must be getting cooler. One of the things I love about cold water is feeling pains in bits of your body that you did not even know existed. It is also amazingly energising - whatever stresses or moods we arrive with at the beach, after a few minutes in the water all is forgotten and we are all incredibly glad we made it.
MG disappeared off towards the horizon while SW, SN and KH came back to the shallows. Since some of our members had to take to bed after the previous days swim we decided on a slightly shorter dip today. Drying off, the sun was out and I was barely shaking at all. MG made it back in one piece which we were all very glad about as although its a comfort to swim in a group, at the end of a swim we would all be hopeless in a life-saving situation having already spent all our store of heat.
Forecast remains good for tomorrow, October is turning into a swim-fest.
(Later on, looking down at the sea, and contemplating a second swim, but you have to draw the line somewhere....)
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