Welcome to Waterblogged



Welcome to our Blog. The majority of the content is about our outdoor swimming activities; with other comments, thoughts and pictures along the way. See our website http://community.lincolnshire.gov.uk/blueskyswimming/


and our videos on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Nicola8259



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Wednesday 30 March 2011

The Missing Link


Monday sees Fen Girl grumpily falling out of bed at 4.30am for an unnaturally early start up to Cumbria for the day. Business for the day done and dusted by 11.30; the real purpose of the trip kicks in...seeking an antidote to my horror of the Lakes (Wastwater hell on Three Pools trip with Sharn last September - urghhhh!)

WHAT A SUBLIME DAY!

The weather was stunning; just got clearer, brighter and warmer as the day wore on, and glorious sunshine right through to sunset at 8 ish...what a treat.

Unusually for me, I had a bit of a plan in mind. Even more unusually, I'd done a little preparation and borrowed OS map of Western Lakes from library (what a great British institution that is!) I had it in my mind to swim in Buttermere with maybe a little side hill climb to burn off a little energy.

Braving my innate fen dweller vertigo I climbed up a bloody steep hill on path up to Red Pike etc. Got some serious wobbles when I made the mistake of looking back down and some serious worries about my ability to climb Snowdon in June - eek!





Anyhow, I'd certainly recommend Bleaberry Tarn as a suntrap spot to rest your bones and catch your breath. The shallow little lake was crystal clear and calling loudly but sadly pretty rocky for my tender feet (forgot to pack the river shoes of course!) I did manage a quick dip but it was all very inelegant; wobbling on the slippery rocks, doing a great interpretation of our transition from web footed amphibians to upright land lubbers....





















Of course, I was really keen to continue the climb to the summit - but I wasn't sporting the regulation goretex, alpine sticks and huge rucksack combo's that everyone else seemed to have. Just an extra jumper, a bottle of water, and a fab mint iced choc crunchie cake from "Lunch" in Keswick (basic survival kit surely?!)

So it's back down (havoc on the bloody knees, creaking like a good 'un), reaching the lake side by late afternoon all pooped and clammy - perfect for a refreshing dip! Of course, it takes me a good 1/2 hour and trek 1/2 way around the lake to find the perfect launch spot - a little pine clad promontory on the north side, soft slatey pebbles and a quick drop to deep swimmable water. Only trouble was lack of cover for changing into cozzie, so in the end I just went for it and the poor hikers had to look away! Thanks for the round of applause as I inelegantly (I know - again!) stumbled on the stones and ended up sat down in the shallows with a big splash! The water was bloody cold; toe crunching temperature, I would estimate 5 or 6 degrees.



HEAVENLY SWIM! SO beautiful to be in the clear calm sweet water surrounded by sunlit fells and a crystal clear sky overhead - lucky me; I felt so alive. The post swim glow kept with me all evening as I walked back to the car and set off for the long trip home.

A special day for me, rounded off by meeting this lovely couple of native yellerbellies now exiled in Wiltshire. Jan & Les Pailthorpe are my kind of people - enjoying a nice glass of red in the sunshine after a day's walking. We had a lovely chat and they make it on to the waterblog hall of fame of special people I've met on my swimming adventures. Enjoy your trip to Scotland Jan & Les; I hope you get in the water with all that lovely seafood you're looking forward to!


If this brilliant day sets the standard for my 2011 waterblogged adventures I'll be a very happy sister indeed!

Sunday 27 March 2011

BST Quickie



Bloody parky at the beach today, but brief spell of watery sun so I took my chance and got in a quickie on the rapidly ebbing tide.




No idea of the temperature since sinking my high tech £2.50 fridge thermometer in the lake earlier in the week...judging by the colour of my legs (orangey purple) after I'd estimate 5-6 degrees - tres bracing 3 miles south of Skeggy!


Grizzled self portrait says it all really....





Boys just ignored their mad Mum completely - but then they were very busy with their civil engineering project en sable....











Thursday 24 March 2011

Two Lovely Treats


Ta da!

Too too nice to go to work this week - so I didn't!


Two blissful days at home, mooching around in the sun, soaking up those first rays, and...


... TWO very chilly dips in the lake!


It was actually really scary to get in for the first time since November; felt pretty weird to strip off and wade out into the clear cold water.


The Canada geese were honking in encouragement (or derision?) and it took me a good five minutes to get in past my legs, so they had turned an attractive mottled orange by that stage.

Anyhow, it was a massive relief and massive high to find that the familiar cool water endorphin rush and overwhelming sense of wellbeing pinged straight back as if there'd been no winter break. I felt on top of the world enjoying mint tea in the sunshine afterwards, soaking up the solitude and peace - PERFECT!


Dip # 2 was today with intrepid Justin along for company - he launched himself in bravely with the minimum of fuss, kindly clearing the goose poo which had collected a little from my traditional launch point. I, on the other hand, adopted a more cautious of approach - basically standing there like a wimp up to my waist whinging "I can't do it..!" (Nic will recognise this pattern all too well!!!) Poor Justin was getting super chilled while I prevaricated but eventually I launched myself inelegantly out into the lake. Once past the painful part we both fell into silly smiles and trademark "oohs" and "aahs" as we enjoyed the sun on the crystal clear water and beautiful surroundings.


So, I've broken the winter break and feel SO MUCH BETTER FOR IT!


By the way - temperature recorded 9 degrees before I rather stupidly managed to sink the thermometer - hope it didn't scare those snoozing carp too much!


Couple of pics to follow tomorrow when I find my USB cable thingy....

Thursday 10 March 2011

The Bairson at Mabo




Oh Yes!! The Bairson (Basen / Basin) at Mablethorpe really was a swimming pool - see the splash. Apparently there were displays of high diving from a one-legged WWI veteran.



It's now the boating lake.... shame!

http://www.visions.org.uk/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=14&page=6





But it looked like fun all the same .... Here's comment from someone who was there (love the spelling of Basen).

"The Picture shown is of the old basen opposite the Fulbeck pub, just up the prom, as a kid we used to play up there, I was about ten when they emptied it of rowing boats so it was about 37 years ago. Apparently at the turn of the Century swimming lessons were given there. I was born in Mablethorpe, down Waterloo Road, it was a nice place to grow up in".....Wayne O'connor, Germany (Wednesday, August 17, 2005)"

Wednesday 9 March 2011

Counting Down the Weeks


Anticipation is mounting as the opening season draws nearer. The stores have the new season swimwear in already. Minus 4 Degrees C and a frost yesterday morning but hey - it's only 2 weeks to the spring solstice. I've been showering with the bathroom window open in preparation for the cold and I'm scouring the internet for opening times: Brockwell Lido is still leading the way with their Early Doors April start. Unheated in April? But after that everything would feel lovely and warm.
Who's joining us For
Lido No 1?

Wednesday 2 March 2011

Early Doors - Brockwell Lido - Hurrah!!


The longest season in its history at Brockwell Lido: in 2011 the season opens on April 4th and goes all the way through 'til 31 October. Wow! That is impressive. Freezing cold water but we're impressed. So how many trips to South London will we make this year? This has to be the earliest opening Lido this year. Well done Fusion who run the Lido and who are doing good things for lidos around the UK.


Yeh, Yeh! Counting down - under 5 weeks away. Yippeeeeeee