The midwinter swim took place 2 weeks ago, on the day before the shortest day of the year. Since then I have been working as a district nurse while the usual one is away on study leave and have had even less free time than usual.
Simon decided he would join me in the swim. There were lots of people gathered at Surf Bay with 347 taking part in the swim and lots of spectators. Amazingly the sun shone, there was little wind and the waves were small. (You could almost imagine you were on a tropical beach if you tried hard!). There were even some dolphins swimming in the bay.
Some brave souls stripped off well before the event but I waited until the last minute. Some people were in fancy dress and there were quite a few men in bikinis. The ambulance was on hand and the search and rescue helicopter overhead but fortunately neither were needed.
As the countdown took place and the start was sounded people rushed into the sea but we were well to the back of the crowds. The water was not as cold as I expected it to be, even when putting your head right under water, but I wouldn't have wanted to stay in for too long. However my feet did get very cold on the sand.
There were some fires in oil drums on the beach and Simon found himself a cosy spot by one of them to get changed afterwards. It was good to have been able to take part in a truly Falklands event and to have the T shirt to prove it.
Simon decided he would join me in the swim. There were lots of people gathered at Surf Bay with 347 taking part in the swim and lots of spectators. Amazingly the sun shone, there was little wind and the waves were small. (You could almost imagine you were on a tropical beach if you tried hard!). There were even some dolphins swimming in the bay.
Some brave souls stripped off well before the event but I waited until the last minute. Some people were in fancy dress and there were quite a few men in bikinis. The ambulance was on hand and the search and rescue helicopter overhead but fortunately neither were needed.
As the countdown took place and the start was sounded people rushed into the sea but we were well to the back of the crowds. The water was not as cold as I expected it to be, even when putting your head right under water, but I wouldn't have wanted to stay in for too long. However my feet did get very cold on the sand.
There were some fires in oil drums on the beach and Simon found himself a cosy spot by one of them to get changed afterwards. It was good to have been able to take part in a truly Falklands event and to have the T shirt to prove it.
1 comment:
We're very proud of you - what brave parents-in-law!! If you feel at all homesick on your visit to Bristol, we can always make a trip to Weston or to the Docks in town...? Simon :)
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