Burton Bradstock Sunday 13th March 5.00pm

MG

SW is house bound by a cold which is probably more annoying for him than for me on this glorious day, so I won't go on about it. I'm slightly over swimming by myself (there's no one to laugh at my jokes or pour the cocoa) but as the day steadily improves until by tea time there's barely a cloud in the sky, I know I'll regret it if I don't. So I descend from the hill top where I've been walking the Mascot and the Hairy Aunt, and put in an appearance at Burton. I've been so anxious to miss the Sunday crowds that I've actually left it a bit late, and am just hopefully wondering if it isn't too cold, when the sun breaks clear of the only cloud in the sky and everything is cast with it's rosey balm. I give myself a pep talk ("it's going to be fine, everything's going to be fine") struggle out of my clothes and advance. The water is much clearer than it's been for a while, but I must say it does feel cold, not helped by my practically falling in as the bottom drops away after three steps. But the feeling of the warm sun on my face as I strike out is unbeatable, and looking back at the empty beach, and up at the blue sky – it's worth it without a doubt. This is a good one.

I'm in for ages on my third dip, and force myself in when going underwater causes a fairly spectacular brain freeze. As I change a knowledgeable family approaches on the horizon "have you been going in all year?... yes, I thought you must have been". I feel proud and reflective as I think back on the year (I'll save my reflections for SW) and gaze rather dreamily at them. They clearly think I'm insane, particularly when the woman asks me if I do triathalons, which though extremely gratifying, will inspire hilarity in anyone who knows me… (lazybones).

I jump in the car and motor home singing along to The Beatles "I'd like to be, under the sea, in an octupus's garden in the shade….". Yes, I would.

Ps I'm thinking it's almost time for KH to put in an appearance. KH?? You know you want to…