Sunday, 8am. One of my favourite feelings, while driving around the coast to Freyberg Beach on a sunny Sunday morning, is seeing the earlybird swimmers gliding across the sea’s surface with their bright caps and tow floats, and knowing that I’m about to join them.
Beautiful evocative writing Shona, you’ve inspired me to try and update my little swimming / outdoors Substack!! It’s lovely to hear about and remember my magic 18months in NZ via your writing. That dawn chorus! Nowhere else in the world sounds like it! Winter coming here in the UK and the lake temperature dropping fast, definitely a mind over matter time of year.
Brrr. I am so inspired by your dedication. I wish I had the oomph to swim weekly.
I swam last week and because I always ditch the wetsuit in October, I just tried with the radiator top. Bearable and burning cold at 13.5 water temp but no hope of sinking my head under, so will just have to buy a helmet, I think.
I've noticed many folk now swimming with the tow floats and thin k its a great idea, especially as I mostly swim on my own, although lately have asked husband to be an eye on the beach.
Love the violet seasnails, always thrilled when one turns up on the beach.
Good to read your words again, Shona. Happy swimming.
Beautiful evocative writing Shona, you’ve inspired me to try and update my little swimming / outdoors Substack!! It’s lovely to hear about and remember my magic 18months in NZ via your writing. That dawn chorus! Nowhere else in the world sounds like it! Winter coming here in the UK and the lake temperature dropping fast, definitely a mind over matter time of year.
Brrr. I am so inspired by your dedication. I wish I had the oomph to swim weekly.
I swam last week and because I always ditch the wetsuit in October, I just tried with the radiator top. Bearable and burning cold at 13.5 water temp but no hope of sinking my head under, so will just have to buy a helmet, I think.
I've noticed many folk now swimming with the tow floats and thin k its a great idea, especially as I mostly swim on my own, although lately have asked husband to be an eye on the beach.
Love the violet seasnails, always thrilled when one turns up on the beach.
Good to read your words again, Shona. Happy swimming.