Old Hunstanton, Norfolk 12.30

A shameless rip off of MG and SW but I did just swim off the edge of the world...
JJ

Old Hunstanton, Norfolk Sun Set 22.00

Since the thrill of winter swimming has worn off a little and the need for gloves, socks and hats is long past the swimming in the not so frozen north has been much the same, not boring of course lovely and glorious but not exactly summer blog worthy. Not that this excuses the radio silence. I thought that this last week before the summer solstice/Midsummer I should try and make the most of the long evenings/early mornings and swim as late or early as possible or really whenever I can grab the chance.

The beach seems to be completely empty( apart from a couple disappearing off into the sand dunes clutching glasses and a bottle of wine). As ususal I start to feel ridiculously self conscious but this soon passes as I wade into the water. There is slight swell so I  dive under. I float around waiting for the red glow to finally disappear on the horizon. The sun has definately gone but as I dive under and float over the waves the sky stays stubbornly pink. Clearly I am not going to win this waiting game with the Sun so I get out before the chill sets in, maybe a little earlier than normal because I am alone. When I look at the photos at home the sky is so much darker than it actually seemed at the time.

Lighthouse

JJ

Literary Dips, Hay on Wye

MG

During a frantic week working at the Hay Literary Festival, swimming gaps are hard to find which is a constant frustration when the Wye here is as deep and swimmable as a swimming hero could hope. I grab a half hour gap on the Thursday, the first blue-skyed day, and hurry down to the river bank to take the plunge. In previous years I've had a struggle with the current here, but with lower water due to a lack of rain, and a better spot above the rapids of the Warren (recommended by HL, who is also here working and has managed to persuade not only Spot the Dog but also one of her authors to swim with her...) I'm in seventh heaven, plunging in and swimming up river. It feels warm and though murky (not the icy clearness of the Dartmoor rivers I am used to) it's glorious and perfect. I return to the site and burst into the green room, bedraggled but reborn.

I grab a second swim on the final Monday, delaying my unwilling departure as far as possible. I persuade a river swimming novice, AT, to join me and together, heads pounding with hangovers, delirious from lack of sleep, heart broken from the end of the festival, we get the hit we need from the perfect, still water. If we'd planned it better we could have left early and practically swum home, or at least down the Wye as far as Tintern. Maybe for another year.

Literary and aquatic gems. Thank you Hay.

Cogden, Saturday 4th June 2011, 3pm

After yesterdays sun more unsettled weather returned but the air was still warm and the sea still calm. A quick picnic on the beach with SH and the visiting EW and P was followed by a swim. P dived in fearlessly while EW took some encouragement but made it in on the second attempt. During our picnic we had been watching mackerel running up the beach in small shoals, making the water boil and hoped to see some while we were swimming but they had moved on up the coast by the time we got in. Drying off in the warm wind the sky became increasingly threatening so we headed off before we could be caught in the coming rain.

SW

Cogden, Friday 3rd June 2011, 3pm

Perfect weather, quiet beach, calm and clear water. Ideal conditions, a perfect swim and lovely to be in the water with KH again.  First time this year that it has been really warm and sunny - so good to lay on the smooth hot shingle after a cool swim. Heading back to the car, the yellow horned poppies were looking glorious at the back of the beach and provided an alternative to the standard pretty beach shot..

SW

Thursday 2nd June 2011, West Bay

Wind from the NE on our part of the coast means calm seas and lots of swimming.

I recently found a new running route to the sea from my home which is half cross-country and today seemed like the ideal time to try it out. I managed to persuade a member of the support team to meet me at the beach so I only had to run one way. 10k is enough for me at the moment.

Dodging cows and cow pats and more dangerously, deep hoof prints in dried out mud I had a great run along a river towards the sea; bounding over electric fences, (mostly) avoiding nettles and clambering over stiles. I heard my first cricket of the year, saw a beautiful fox and plenty of buzzards. The town stretch a bit less interesting but tarmac easier going and I was getting knackered by then so appreciated not having to concentrate so much!

Its half-term so the beach was busy for West Dorset but thats still pretty quiet. The water was flat calm, murky but clearing (in a few days it should be crystal) and fantastically refreshing.

SW

cake

A more palatable image for MG than last weeks shark... Practice baking for mid-summer beach cake eating evening... 

SW