I'm delighted to report that our meeting with Sean and Andy from British Waterways yesterday was a success: a positive dialogue and exchange of perspectives. Thank you Gentlemen! No 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' metaphors needed here.
I learnt more about water safety - including the dangers of dead deer floating down the Witham .... And I've got some exotic-sounding locations to check out for potential river-swimming spots, including the South Forty Foot Drain (!) We'll continue to talk to Sean and Andy and to other partners about river and lake swimming in Lincolnshire. It's brilliant that BW are helping us with advice and guidance.
Watch this space for a post from our BW guys 'A Day in The Life of A BW Manager'
Now, I can't leave this post without mentioning the documentary on TV the other night about the Slovenian River Swimming Man - Martin Strels - swimming the length of the River Amazon. It was almost unbelievable stuff - and it puts Matthew Parris' Thames crossing into context! The 'navigator' was pretty alarming - an all-night professional gambler and super-market trolley collector in the day - he was prepared with a map and GPS sat nav which he was familiarising himself with .... he seemed to literally lose the plot later on. Watch it again if you can. http://www.channel4.com/programmes/big-river-man/4od It makes all other 'wild' swimming seem a bit sissy sardine. There was a serious message (apart from proper preparation if you are swimming the Amazon) and that was the sadness about the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. See this article for more http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/jan/04/swimming
And finally, just to prove that Lincolnshire really is the Potato County - see this potato I spotted whilst out on my walk at lunch time today - abandoned on the path near the Arboretum.
1 comment:
Swimming in the River Witham -
I'm keeping an eye on your meetings with British Waterways with interest. I exchanged emails with Nicola this week as I'm considering a swim with a friend (no date planned yet) from Southrey to the Kirkstead bridge on the Witham (or perhaps the slightly longer distance from Kirkstead bridge to Tattershall bridge). I have to say that it seems your genial approach with BW seems to be winning them over. A penny for my thoughts? Providing swims aren't carried out wrecklessly and the authorities are aware that those wishing to enter the water have respect for other water users, themselves and the river environment, I'd like to think that there should be no reason not to do it. Good luck and I hope you continue to make headway with BW.
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