By: Blonde Two
“Are you going swimming?”
This question, in certain circumstances, is a perfectly reasonable one. However yesterday morning it seemed a bit odd for a few reasons:
1. It was six thirty.
2. I was at the beach not the pool.
3. It was dark.
4. I could see my breath.
5. I was cold even in my ultra-thick down coat.
6. I was talking to a complete stranger.
7. The stranger was riding a bike.
8. He was not wearing swimwear.
Luckily I had got it right and this very lovely chap was one of a group of wild swimmers I had gone to the beach to meet. I had hesitated to ask the question and was fully prepared for him to:
1. Say no and look askance at me.
2. Say no and ride off looking scared.
3. Ride straight past me because I sounded like a weirdo.
It appears that the question, “Are you going swimming?” has become a regular part of my vocabulary.
I had my swim (you may notice the start of a new addiction here) and loved it. The water is currently warmer than the air.
I am reliably informed that this may not be the case in February
This new addiction is proof you’re no longer a member of the human race as we know it. A superior being, in fact. The founder of an organisation (present membership, now and for some time to come: one) devoted to resurrecting the principles of ancient Sparta.
I know just enough about this form of self-mortification to confirm the truth of “the water is warmer than the air”. Plus something extra: the key to one’s comfort (a relative state in this instance) is to keep one’s shoulders below the water-level at all times. That way virtually the whole of your body (except your face) is protected from any wind that is currently active and which is the true source of unwanted coolth; the basis of chilling a bottle of white wine when you lack access to a fridge.
As a matter of personal interest, what has been the lowest ambient air temperature during one of these immersions?
Various methods of temperature checking seem to be failing but the BBC (who must not be questioned) suggest that at 8 o’clock this morning the air of Torbay was 3 Celsius.
Pleased to have been returned to my immortal status, must confess to have been feeling a bit earth-bound recently!
Well – you did frequent the outdoor pool in Priory Park Malvern as a teenager, before it closed. (At least, you TOLD me you were going swimming ….!) However, the pool closed for winter & you wandered up to the Bluebird Tearooms instead! Happy days? Love, B2’s GM
I was swimming! I used to love it and still love an outdoor pool (or a sea is just as good!)
Mum and I used to use the outdoor pool in Stourbridge early on Sunday mornings – – – (in the summer.) It was fun, but I’m still shivering.