2012, The Highlights

It's been a wet, cold, blustery year, but in amongst it all we've had some cracking swims - here are a few of the (mainly unblogged) highlights.....

 

Thanks and love to everyone - the team, our new swimming friends, among them RL, SM, PA, GW and our new heroic mascot Charlie (a black lab who frequently swam out to try and save GW), the jellyfish, the sharks, the biting cold and the balmy warmth, the cakes, the jokes, the injuries, the blue fingers and stabbing pains, the complaints, the thrills and spills. Here's to 2012, all it's highlights and lots of swims ahead in 2013!

 

MG

 

Sweden, November

 

Had this been two years ago.... maybe I would have broken the ice and swum....

 

 

 

As it was, RL and I contented ourselves with extreme toboganning. Oh brave winter swimmers of 2010/11, what happened to you!

 

MG

 

at last

... after a ridiculously long break we manage to combine decent weather and MG and SW all in the same place at the same time...

We both managed to miss swimming completely in October and only had one swim each in September so we were a bit daunted by the idea of going swimming in mid-november.

By the time we made it to West Bay it was gone 4pm and getting dark... at least the water was calm and the beach was looking as beautiful as ever. MG sensibly had her boots and I instantly regretted not having mine. How bad could it be? We used to think November was warm. A few seconds in the surf and my feet were numb. Ouch. We were embarrassingly cowardly and ran from every wave but gradually inched a little deeper and deeper. Finally we ducked under and swam for about a minute - then out to gasp a bit and then back in for another minute or two. Following our second dip I ran back to get changed (being cautious as I have lost all my bodyfat after being ill and have really turned into a bit of a wimp) while MG continued for a third hair-washing swim.

As always we felt fantastically invigorated afterwards - especially pleased to be albe to still get in (just!) after such a long break and feel we could get hooked again very quickly...

North Norfolk weekend Sept 15-18th

Much swimming during a long weekend in North Norfolk with family. The whipping north winds made it feel freezing despite the blue sky and this combined with average 1 hour walk from car to swim point meant that all swims kept brief to avoid hypothermia. Felt a bit pathetic in September and the sea was a fine temperature but those winds are mean!

First stop Wells, the main beach was really busy with families enjoying the autumn sun. Started with a swim in the deep cool channel which cuts across the expansive beach - massive sand flats on the other side of the channel are only accessible by swimming across and so its totally deserted yet within earshot of all the sunbathers and families playing games. A bit of a surreal contrast.

After lunch a long long trek across empty sands to the sea at low tide followed by long wading through shallow water until eventually deep enough to dive under. The sea water much warmer than the channel, positively balmy. Treated to beautiful sight of a seal in the water with us, head bobbing up and down a few times about 100m away.

Next stop Thornham. Stunning walk across empty salt march to a vast empty beach - sand as far as the eye can see with a silvery glimmer in the distance betraying the ocean. I had forgotten just how vast this place is at low tide.

Much like at Wells beach there is a wide creek which crosses the beach and makes for good swimming when the sea seems just too far away. This creek is lovely for its emptyness. Not another person in sight. In fact nothing in sight except sand, sky and water.

Final swimming stop was Scolt Head Island. A long held favourite spot. A sand-bar island which can be reached on foot at low tide by wading across creeks and marshes while trying very hard not to fall over in the deep oozy mud...

...All the slipping and sliding is worth it for the stunning sight on arrival at this deserted island paradise. 

As always the swimming was a bit distant and the winds were really strong (no problem for waves which would keep us from swimming in Dorset, instead the problem is freezing on the hour long trek back) so we opted for another creek swim. The tide was still going out at this point so we had to be careful - being swept out to sea a real danger here. A run, a dive, a quick swim then a dash back to clothes before the wind chill kicked in. Brief but lovely!

SW / EW

September 4th, Cogden - sprats!

Swimming at Cogden with MG amongst the fishes. The early evening sea was boiling with mackerel and their prey. A bit odd having so much activity going on around you... what if all those fish attract a bigger predator...? Luckily all remained clear on that front. 

We saw a man from Bristol cast a net into the shallows and pull out a bulging sack of silvery sprats. Congratulating him on his catch and asking where we could get our hands on such a net he very generously gave us handfuls of his sprats to take home for tea. Being bag-less we got changed and wrapped the fish up in our swimming costumes. Floured and fried they were delicious eaten whole - probably a bit too big as some of the crunching was a bit disconcerting but the flavour and freshness was unbeatable.

SW

Seal watching sometime in August

An extremely belated post, sometime at the end of August for family reasons I went on a little boat trip to see the seals that hang out on the spit at Blakeney. It was one of those things you never do unless when you actually live somewhere until guests arrive . You have to book and arrive on time due to the tide. Ours was the last trip of the morning before it turned.
I have had the occasional seal swim around me especially at Titchwell. But here there were SO many and lots of babies as well. Some of them were still preggers and absolutely enormous. A few shuffled into the water and swam around the boat it's amazing watching something which is so awkward on land become instantly graceful.
On the way out through Blakeney harbour I also spotted the perfect house boat..

JJ

Monday 6th August 2012, various times, Hive

12.30pm

The first time MG and I have been to Hive since the terrible rockfall of a last month. The area of beach we usually swim at is closed off while they investigate the stability of the cliffs. It makes the beach feel very different, sad and even more beautiful. Our thoughts are with the young woman who died and her family.

The sea was rough with some decent waves so we jumped in before we could think about the cold or the swell too much (well, nearly, MG did a classic sprint in to the water which was suspended at ankle depth and replaced by a worried frown, the waves looking bigger face to face). The water was milky, pale blue. Clear enough to see knees but not feet. Big waves were great fun after a few weeks of flat calm... Although I forgot how hard it is to swim in rougher seas - and how much water you end up swallowing when trying to talk.

Getting out was a bit traumatic, the waves were not too bad but just as I was about to launch up onto the beach with an incoming roller I saw a compass jellyfish one foot in front of me. Shouting a warning to MG then swerving to avoid meant I mis-timed my landing completely and was caught in the middle of the wave and tumbled up the beach, washing machine fashion. At least I avoided the jellyfish, kept my trunks and goggles on and hopefully escaped pebble ear. Luckily MG made a more dignified landing.

SW

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7.00pm

Return to Hive, R to follow...

Walberswick, Suffolk 28th-30th July

Luckily since I'm still hobbling the campsite was quite close to the water just the other side of the sand dune.

JJ

Swyre, Friday 27 July 2012, 5pm

Every swim is good... but this one was breathtakingly so. A twenty minute walk through fields and reed-beds brought us to a nearly deserted beach. Glorious views, perfect weather. The water was clear, calm and clean (and free of jellyfish). After a cooling swim the shingle was hot and smooth. Couldn't be better. No wonder this is KH's favourite beach.

SW

Portland, wed 25th July 2012, 3pm

Church Ope Cove, more ideal swimming in clear, warm water...

SW

Yesterday, 24th July 2012

We are all horrified to hear of the landslide at Freshwater yesterday, and our thoughts are very much with the family of Charlotte Blackman, as well as those who were injured.

The Swimmer as Hero

Scolt Head Island 24th July

Arriving at the little harbour of Burnham Overy Staithe I felt the extreme bad temper caused by an injured ankle and too much time spent indoors melting away. Hobbling down to the marshy creek close to the ice cream van there are people basking in the sunshine despite the slightly fettered smell and kids covered head to toe in marsh mud climbing and sliding up and down the banks. We walk up the creek half in the water half on the muddy flats in the vague direction of the sea. People gradually thin out and we can only see other groups of ones twos tramping out in the same direction. As the tide is going out you could definitely swim or canoe out to the island. Once on the island (really it looks like a massive sand dune) there is some further walking/hobbling to the sea. Which is incredibly warm and clear not that deep but we float around and then bake on our own sand bank like seals. This is how summer is supposed to be! Because it is in every weekend supplements best beach guide recently+ school holidays there were quite a lot of people but it still felt empty and isolated. The added bonus of swimming in the creek I think makes it one of my favourite swims.
JJ

Cogden, Tuesday 24th July, 4pm and Hampstead Ladies Pond, 5pm

Enough beautiful beach shots recently - here are some sculptures which have appeared behind the beach, looking striking against a brilliant blue sky. A great sociable swim, for humans and dogs, thanks to C and J for the post swim melon. A few more jellyfish but all were avoided with ease.

SW

Hampstead Heath, 5pm MG

A long, lazy afternoon on the roasting hot heath, followed by a gentle plop into the ridiculously warm ponds. Absolute bliss. They're jam-packed but I can't resent it - it's just so good to see people using this incredible London treat.

Cogden, Monday 23rd July 2012

I still cant get over how blue the sky is... another hot and calm day. The sea is really warming up now. A beautiful swim at exceedingly quiet Cogden, marred only by the first appearance of a lone jellyfish - looks like a Compass Jellyfish which do sting but it wasn't very big.

SW

Hive, Sunday 22nd July, 11am and 6pm

MG

Another two day swim; SW and I collide at Burton at 11am for a long swim in the water that is improving by the second - clear, still, perfect. We swim absolutely miles out and agree that were there a pier with which to measure our distance we would officially be beyond it. We then realise we have to get back to shore and so rather anxiously start the long haul in. It's infuriating that after 15 minutes or so we begin to get cold - there is even a hint of a teeth chatter - but with another swim later in the day in our sights it isn't too agonising to leave the water and the beach....

Distracted by family stuff, I can't quite make it in time for SW's summons of a 4.45pm swim, and shuffle down alone at about 6. To my joy, the water and beach are crowded with our crownies - SW and SH plus friends hunkered down on the beach, and KH plus friends in the water. What a pleasure to be all together, and so unexpectedly. It's a truly perfect swim - I pass KH getting out as I get in and then swim off into the distance to practice my pearl diving (poor) and backstroke (improved). It's amusing to watch the crowd on the beach pointing out a huge school of mackerel that is boiling the surface in the distance, and as I get out I noticed the little slivers of silver that are white bait scattering the tideline. SW, a new carnivore, questions whether he can guzzle them raw.

KH and I linger on the beach for a long gossip in the perfect evening sun, and marvel how just a few short weeks ago, she was cut off on the A35 by the Dorset floods of biblical levels. Things are suddenly very different, though who knows how long this is to last...

Hive, Saturday 21st July, 10am and various

Special entry from our top guest blogger, RL

Burton Bradstock 21st July or
"The day when RL crammed in several months worth of swimming into a single day"

9.15 Sydling St Nicholas

MG arrives to pick me up. Surprisingly, the sun is out in full force which bodes well for our day of swimming. I arrive furnished with large green apples which we eat in misguided attempt to prepare us for our morning swim. Drive passes with much hilarity, Tim Minchin and reminiscences of previous delightful swims. Cannot believe that this is the first time I have swam ALL YEAR, except for very brief immersion at Greenhill in May. Rather wish I had not shared this fact with MG and SW shortly after his arrival. They are smug, and boast of many many respective swims in the icy depths. In order to persuade them that I am in fact, hardy swimmer, I cast off all garments with reckless abandonment, and encourage immediate entry into the sea, which does look very inviting (although I know from experience that appearances can be misleading...). They seem reluctant, but woman appears who is swimmer known to MG from previous expeditions. She describes MG as "beacon for Bridport swimmers", and refers to her many brave marine endeavours with evident admiration . MG looks highly pleased and I kindly do not remind her of previous incidences when her reluctance to enter the sea has not been quite akin to this description (I don't know WHAT you are refering to - if it's the time when I said it was too rough to swim THOSE CHILDREN SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IN! Ed). After this episode, woman looks hopefully at us from along the beach, and there seems nothing for it but to go in. After the water (11 degrees) has frozen off several layers of my skin, I'm really quite enjoying myself, and we all agree how lovely it is. The sun is already rising high in the sky, and I look forward to my return.

(hearty swimmers breakfast RL has neglected to mention.... Ed)
  

14.30, BB

My  second trip to BB is without my fellow swimmers. I pass a lovely afternoon reading on the beach, and it really does feel quite hot, so in I go again. Am much cheered by squealing of two men as they go in. A warning comes from a lady in a floral swimsuit who tells me that it is quite cold in there, really, and I had better be careful. Oh no I say breezily, I've been in once this morning and it's really quite warm (Question why I feel that I have to exert superiority over her, when in all reality I was not having the time of my life, temperature wise - think must be down to the floral swimsuit). Actually, the sea has warmed up quite considerably, and it's really very pleasant swimming in the afternoon in the hot sun.

18.30 Return of MG and SW.

Very pleased to have some company in the sea once more. Most of the other people swimming and sunbathing have gone home, and we sit on the beach and chat. The beach looks beautiful in the early evening sun, and it is one of those precious moments in life when you are in good company and have had a quiet day of enjoyment. The sea is still fairly warm, and very clear, with the occasional fish. We swim out quite far, and SW chooses this moment to remind me of the shark washed up on the beach on Boxing Day which I had hitherto managed to forget.
We swim back to shore, I feel that the day has made up for a week of horrible Dorset weather. On BB beach in the sunshine, there's nowhere I'd rather be.

Shingle Street, Suffolk, 17th July 2012

An amazing, isolated spot. Huge banks of shingle covered in a riot of colourful plants. Exposed, windy, desolate, beautiful. The grey sea when you eventually reach it laps at the steep shingle banks, calm but almost creepy; like it could rise up and flood all the land at a minutes notice.

The shingle is as steep as Abbotsbury but with the added complication of a major river mouth (The Alde) so the warning signs everywhere against swimming are not without good reason. I did some research before travelling and read that it was safe to swim so long as the water was clam and you went in at the southern end of the beach... and I was so lucky - woke up on the 17th to blue skies and a flat sea.

I was expecting the worst from the water after 2 weeks in sunny Portugal but was amazed that the temperature felt hardly any different to Albufiera and after a few seconds reticence I was in and swimming. I was feeling a little nervous of the NO SWIMMING signs (there were three in a short stretch) so I kept near the bank but had a beautiful swim and a great reaclimatization to UK waters.

Now all we need is some calm weather in the SW...

50 Shades of Grey

MG

After SW's disgusting splurge of sick-making swim porn below, let me retaliate by illustrating what the West Dorset beaches currently look like in some sort of defence for having now been out of the water for who knows how long, maybe 6 weeks.... 

By my reckoning, in something like the last 30 months I have missed two months. December 2011. And June 2012. Smell the irony. That includes the month in which I broke my arm.

But rumours that something better this way comes.....