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

24th April, Easter Day

MG

Exactly what we always swore would NOT happen has now happened to the blog. We got complacant, we said we'd catch up on our entries, and meanwhile we swam and swam and swam, and now we are about 250 entries behind and can never hope to catch up; SW and I on the last grey day (16th) staying in too long and getting multi-coloured and hysterical; spotting the spider crabs coming in in herds to mate at Cogden (17th); KH and I speechless at the beauty of water like cut crystal at Burton (18th); SW departing for warmer climes and the mercury here instantly hitting 27degrees; and today and yesterday my solitary splashes at 7.30am, when the beach is empty and I walk half a mile to where a drop of sunlight splashes through a dip in the cliffs and I can swim far out, alone and heroic.

I think our best approach now is to accept that our regular blogging days are over. We'll make a final heroic splash at our end of season jamboree - The Battenberg Party - where we are extemeley excited about beach themed food; polenta sandwiches (sandy crunch) cinder toffee (inside of Crunchies, exactly like the cliffs) and salt crusted Margaritas....

Meanwhile think on us and envy, for as KH and I agreed, life in general can't get much better than this.

The Dorset Contingents first attempt at a video....

MG caught this swimming moment on film, starring the mascot. It was colder than it looks! 

ps MG - thank you to JJ for pointing out that it really is our favourite swimming quote in action;

"He couldn't make out where the voices came from as no-one was about on the beach, until looking out to sea he caught sight of the heads of two figures leisurely approaching the shore, laughing and talking as happily in the deep water as if they were sitting comfortably in deck chairs on the sand"

Charles Sprawson on Jack London

Monday 11th April, West Bay 6.15

After a series of perfect days we were not going to let a little wind stop us. By the late afternoon the showers had cleared and the sky was blue again so we arrange to meet at west bay with an especially re-opened bar as the wind is making it feel a bit fresher...

head of SW just discernible in middle of photo..

Plastic bags were shooting along the beach like high-speed tumbleweed. Waves were coming in at 45 degrees. The wind was sucking out body heat. But the sky was still blue and the water did look lovely.

Most waves were quite small. Definitely not a problem in summer, probably ok today. Stripping off felt a bit foolhardy as we secured our clothes with rocks to stop them joining the tumbleweed and we made rather tentative steps into the foam. The waves were mostly fine at close range and after a few delays and prances we were both in and it was beautiful. 

The Mascot clearly thought we were madder than usual and dragged my towel down to the waterline in an unusual protest. Being sensible, we stayed close to the shore and kept the swim brief. Getting out was fine so long as timed with an in-coming wave. And I did not have to go so far for my towel.

Playing in the surf and foam was fun and after some time in the sea the whipping winds felt oddly warm. MG was taking some shots for the blog and managed to catch me being totally overwhelmed by a large wave. Luckily she did not catch me being tumbled up the beach too.

A post swim hot chocolate which tasted deliciously like toblerone rounded off the swim nicely (made with honey as SW has rather foolishly given up refined sugar for lent).

SW