Great North Swim

Here are the Super Seven. We all joined a new WI group (Roe Green WI) last year and since then we have become good friends and share a passion for wild swimming. Ladies put forward suggestions for groups they would be interested in and I said I would take anyone who fancied an introduction to wild swimming up to Redbrook Reservoir. That was the beginning! It didn’t stop at a taster session, it became a regular Sunday swim, with other days thrown in for good measure. On our first visit Jenny, very creatively, made herself a dry robe with a dressing gown sewn into a coat, by the next visit she had bought the real thing. Each week someone would confess to a new purchase and our love of swimming outside where we were at the mercy of the elements grew and grew.

Redbrook Reservoir is up on the Moors. It can be pretty wild up there and we have faced rain, snow and powerful winds. We have got into water that was 2º, we have clung onto towels and clothing to stop it blowing away in mighty gusts that churned the water up like a washing machine and we have managed to get dressed with frozen fingers. Our first few visits were quick dips, but week by week we ventured further and stayed in for longer. All through the Winter we swam wearing our costumes. Neoprene gloves and socks and woolly hats were our only concession to the cold. Our friendship grew over helping each other to get dressed, yelping as we got into cold water, encouraging each other to swim that little bit more, laughing hysterically as the wind blew the water into our faces and going for a well earned breakfast after a swim. The breakfast has become part of our routine on a Sunday, so much so that our table in Crumbles Cafe in Delph is always ready and reserved for us and Andrea knows our order.

It is good to add a bit of a challenge into the mix, as if the cold swims up in Saddleworth weren’t challenging enough. We decided to enter the Greater Manchester Swim in Salford Quays. It isn’t as wild as the moors, but it can be just as daunting. The Super Seven rose to the challenge and went to regular swims with Uswim in Dock 9. Here we upped our distance swimming under the supervision of the fabulous Uswim Team. The Greater Manchester Swim was on a gloriously hot, sunny day in May and we loved it.

We loved it so much that we decided to book the Great North Swim in Windermere….maybe with a little persuasion from me! We swam regularly in Redbrook and the Quays in readiness and before we knew it the adventure was upon us.

We booked into the YHA in Windermere for the Friday night. Jenny and Suzanne drew the short straws for the top bunks in the rooms. It was clean, comfortable and ninety percent of those staying there were doing the swim on the Friday, Saturday or Sunday so we had a good time chatting with swim loving people. As we tried to sleep a storm raged above us. The Lakes are renowned for rain, but this was on a biblical scale. It poured and poured, the thunder roared, the lightening lit up the sky and then it raged and roared again and again. It didn’t seem possible that so much water could fall for so long…but it did. By the time we went for breakfast it seemed to have abated and we could see the seemingly calm water of Windermere in the distance.

We looked out with trepidation but also excitement. This was it. We prepared well with a good breakfast and hoped the rain had stopped for good.

The swim attracted nearly eight thousand swimmers over the weekend and it was buzzing by the time we arrived. Some early waves had already set off on their swims and some of the swim runners were out too. We heaved our bags onto our backs and set off to register and then….the heavens opened.

It was bouncing off the ground, you could almost have a practise swim in the puddles. Then the thunder crashed and the lightening sparked. The wave that had just set off was stopped and the water was evacuated. Safety is always paramount, but we had everything crossed that we would get to swim. Everyone huddled under shelter and we waited.

We watched the rain ease off and then they announced things could restart. There was a delay on races but we didn’t care, we were going to swim….hurrah!

We braved the benches that were sinking in the soggy ground and waited for our waves to be announced. We were in three different times. Margaret, Jenny, Anne Marie and Suzanne were the white wave……they set off to the changing tent with butterflies in their stomachs but well prepared and excited to face Windermere.

As I set off to get ready for my red wave half an hour later, I passed the girls as they were about to go through to the warm up….and that were still smiling…just!

We all have timing chips on our ankles, we have a wrist band with our number on and our hats also have our swim number on. We were checked in on the automated timing mats and then we went through to the swim area. You have the chance to acclimatise and get in the water for a few minutes, which I did as I swam only in a costume. As it was a mile swim the girls had opted to wear their wetsuits. I had kept my fingers crossed that I could go skins as I don’t think I can still fit in my wetsuit. The policy at the Great Swim is that you can only go skins if the temperature hits 15º, which it did, thankfully.

There is a motivational moment before you get in where they get you to limber up and ready your muscles. A rousing talk from the organiser, encouragement from a guest speaker and then it is all very real. A mighty cheer from the spectators, a mighty cheer from the swimmers and then the countdown….and we were off.

The eager beavers who are out to rush in and race off chasing fast times went at the front. As they powered themselves off with a splash of energy the rest of us eased down the matting until we touched the stoney floor and flung ourselves into Windermere. We had all been shown the course, with the half way buoy bobbing somewhere in the murky distance. As I had said to the girls, take it one buoy at a time. We kept the buoys on our right and swam. Some were breast stroke swimmers, some were crawl….I did a bit of both. There were safety kayakers all the way along the course and they were absolutely brilliant. They cheered us on as they kept a careful eye on every swimmer, it all makes you feel very safe as you head out into the middle of Windermere.

It certainly was a challenging swim. There were lots of leaves in the water that had been battered down by the storm and every time you touch something like that you have that millisecond of aaaaargh! Breathing becomes something that you actually have to think about. The cold can make you gasp a bit, the waves that hit you in the face can take you by surprise and the vastness of the water can make you breathe at a different rate. The adrenalin is pumping and if you wear ear plugs as I do you hear every rasping breath you take echo round your head. It takes a conscious effort to regulate your breathing and ease into the swim. This is a challenge in itself, especially for those doing their first swim. Once you have your breathing under control it is the muscles that you feel next. Arms and legs pushing through the waves and chest muscles controlling the deep breaths. You become aware of your whole body. The tingling fingers as they cool down in the water, the shoulders as they power through the strokes and the feeling of being both a part of the world around you and at the same time a minuscule dot in the vastness of nature.

One buoy at a time I swam on. I turned at the half way marker and swam across choppier water but it wasn’t until I headed back towards the finish that I realised how choppy the water was. I was heading straight into the wind which made it much more difficult and I had to regain my breathing again. With the half mile buoy behind me it was through gritted teeth that I forged ahead. One buoy at a time. When I saw the two triangular buoys that marked the beginning of the end I had that extra surge and plowed ahead.

As I got out of the water it was time for Ruth and Louise to do their swim.

I got dressed and headed to the spectator area to cheer them on. Their smiles before the swim were even bigger after their swim.

We all felt fantastic. The sun had actually winked at us between clouds and the storms were something we laughed about. We had done it and the sense of achievement was enormous.

Wherever you looked there were swimmers proudly wearing their t-shirts and medals.

We certainly put the WI in sWImming!

Our motivational cans! Full fat coke helps to kill any yucky stuff from the water after a swim.

And now to look to the next challenge……………

It’s a secret

I woke up to blue sky and sunshine so I sent out a text to see if anyone fancied a swim. Margaret was up for a spur of the moment adventure and so we decided to seek out the Secret Reservoir in Bolton. It is actually the Reservoir of Dean Mills and it sits in the shadow of Winter Hill, but locally it is referred to as the Secret Reservoir. It was an apt name today as it was rather elusive.

The trusty satnav told us we had arrived as we drove up the single track lane. With no water in sight and surrounded with moorland we just had to find somewhere to park. There were passing points but I wouldn’t be popular if I’d blocked one of those so we drove on. Then the trusty satnav became not so trusty. Turn left. Left!! The reservoir was definitely on our right so we abandoned the satnav, we were on our own….but not for long. We pulled in for a car to pass and rolled down the window. A very helpful man explained that the reservoir was most definitely on the right and unfortunately parking was difficult. Before we could move on a van came along driven by the lovely Lance. We apologised for keeping him waiting whilst we were asking about parking and he said we could go a bit further on and go onto his private road and park….what a lovely chap.

Once parked we set off, uphill. Up to the road. Up a track that led nowhere.

Back down to the road. Up the road. Up a track towards Winter Hill. Up steps….up up up. The view was wonderful, but no sign of any water.

If we don’t find it at least we had a good walk. Up a little bit further then, Hallelujah, we spotted water.

It wasn’t easy getting in as there were large stones and we were ungainly, but we didn’t care. We were being so careful not to trip on a rock that we didn’t notice the cold. We swam out. There was big sky, moors all around us, the wind blowing and us. A couple of hikers appeared, they said hello and shook their heads in disbelief as we swam. Then we were alone, at one with nature and just a small part in a big beautiful picture. It was wonderful, wonderful to swim in so long as you didn’t put your feet down on the squishy, squelchy peaty bottom.

Getting out was as tricky as getting in. Thank goodness that there was no one to witness us balancing on rocks and clambering up the bank, but we didn’t really care. We’d had a mini adventure with a lovely swim.

Baltic in the Baltic

Sometimes we all need to challenge ourselves, to leave our comfortable lives behind and to do something that puts us outside our comfort zone. The size of the challenges will vary from person to person. What is a challenge to one person is the norm to another, as we all differ so do the challenges we face.

I swim outdoors all year, I swim in sun, rain, wind, snow…but I took on a swim that was a challenge for me. I entered the International Polish Winter Championship 2025….GWSC – Gdynia Winter Swimming Cup. It was two days of racing in the icy waters of the Baltic Sea. I really was baltic in the Baltic.

The event took place at the Marina, but as an introduction to the Baltic I had a pre-competition dip in the choppy sea from the beach. Oh my, it was cold. The wind was blowing a hooley and the waves were vicious. I had travelled with my swim buddy, Victoria, and we met up with Karen and Dave…QSwim Adventure…and fellow USwim members Val, Amy and Julie.

We didn’t wear our neoprene gloves in preparation for the competition where we were not allowed them. The cold was ferocious on our fingers and toes, but we did it. I hadn’t been brave enough at home to go without and I was relying on Adrenalin to help me endure the pain. I emerged with all digits still intact and I felt amazing. This was what I had flown out to Poland for, the challenge and the excitement, for the chance to step outside my comfort zone. Once I had dipped in the Baltic I felt the adventure had truly begun.

Friday afternoon was registration. We picked up our swim passports which gave our swim times. This was it, we were ready, we were nervous, we were excited.

Saturday! Oh Lordy, this was the start. We met at the marina and shared pastries in the hope that some calories would boost our fight against the cold and give us a surge of energy….or maybe just distract us from the nerves.

Half an hour before our events we went into the changing tent. The one paltry heater wasn’t quite enough to warm us but the nerves were jingling enough to distract, until….we were called and walked to the ‘hot bus’. The wind was brutal as we stepped outside and it made the air temperature about -11. I was only swimming 25m but in those conditions it was challenging.

The hot bus was a lovely, warm interim. We waited until called and then we were led out to our lanes.

It made you feel quite special to have your name announced to the crowds. The breakwater and the lane barriers ensured flat water even though the wind whipped around us. The crowd were cheering but all we thought about was having to get in 3° water quickly. The rules were quite strict and we only had five seconds for each instruction. As we lined up the first announcement…Take off your clothes…robes and shoes were put in the boxes and carried round to the finish for us. Crikey, it was cold. It was an intense cold that felt very different to the coldness of Manchester. Get in the water. Five seconds to climb down the ladder, hold on with one hand and dip the shoulder of the other arm in the Baltic. Go. Swim swim swim. It was freezing but there was no time to think or worry about the cold. My hands hurt but I just swam. My feet went numb but I just swam. It was a relief to slam my hand on the board at the end and that was it. We had done it.

I felt incredible. What an absolute buzz. I felt I could do anything, but most of all I knew I could get through the three events I had on Sunday.

Me, Julie, Karen,Val, Amy, Dave and Victoria

We all have our own challenges, mine was 25m on the Saturday. Dave swam 100m and won his heat easily, but Amy was an inspiration as she swam The Baltic Beast…1km. That’s 40 lengths in 3° in just a swimming costume and a swim hat. It was a privilege to watch her compete, she is a beautiful swimmer. My swim was 25m breaststroke and I couldn’t have water going over my head which was great as I didn’t want the brain freeze, but Amy was swimming freestyle. She cut through the water as sleekly as an otter and won her heat beautifully.

There were two mobile saunas which we warmed up in after the swims. When Amy had completed her swim and had all her layers and her dryrobe on she then went in the sauna…and still shivered!

Sunday was bathed in sunshine, but the water temp had dropped under 3º. We were nervous but had the confidence that we had already experienced the water. I had three events throughout the day and it started with the 50m breaststroke race. I actually came third in my age group….that was a win for the oldies!

50m is not a long distance, but when I turned for the second lap I could feel my fingers freezing, I thought a toe or two might have sunk to the bottom of the Baltic and the cold was trying to snatch my breath. I had a deep respect for Dave and Amy who had swum lap after lap, they really were amazing.

With the first race under our belts, Val, Julie and I had big grins in the sunshine. We sat in the sauna to warm up but I don’t think my toes….I double checked and I still had ten…ever thawed out throughout the day. We had some soup and prepared ourselves for event number two…the fancy dress fun swim.

We had decided on a Victorian swimsuit and Dave went as Captain Webb to celebrate the 150th anniversary of his Channel swim. We had made more effort than anyone else so everyone cheered us, everyone wanted photos and we felt fabulous. There was no pressure to race and we just enjoyed the swim.

We absolutely loved the attention and as we had our photos taken afterwards we didn’t notice the cold. Eventually we did have to warm up though, so it was back to sauna….with huge grins on our faces. We were the celebrities of the moment….and quite rightly we won the prize for the best costume!

The last event was the relay. There had to be a mix of sexes and so Julie was our first swimmer, followed by Val, then me and our fastest swimmer, Dave was fourth. There were some super teams who finished all their laps in half our time, but we had fun.

The championships were over, what an amazing experience it was. There were swimmers from all over the world, I sat in the sauna and chatted with a lady from Argentina, there were swimmers from Latvia, Austria, Holland, Belgium and elsewhere. Some were world champions, some were there for the experience like us. It didn’t matter about age, experience or ability as there was an event for everyone. We had a blast and were already talking about ‘next year’.

The whole experience was a challenge, it was rewarding and it was done alongside amazing friends. The cold was unbelievable but we overcame our fears and embraced everything. If anyone is thinking of entering this or similar events I can recommend it. If I can do it then so can you!

I can truly say….I WAS BALTIC IN THE BALTIC.

Seven Degrees

Oh my, oh my, it was a toe tingling, finger freezing start to the day. The Quays looked like an art masterpiece: the water was flat, the reflections rippled, the sun was shining and twinkling off the patches of ice on the dockside and the swimmers arrived with big grins on their faces.

It took a mighty effort to take my dry robe off and to put bare feet onto the freezing floor but I did it. My feet froze as I stepped down the ramp and I managed to get as deep as my hips but that was where I came to a halt.

I always find it so difficult to get my shoulders under as it is so painful. Each time I go to a polar swim I tell myself to just walk down the ramp and to get straight in, but my legs just come to a stop half way. Victoria swam up and said there was no shame in only going half way….that was what I needed! There was no way I wasn’t getting in. I was noisy, I grimaced and I splashed ungainly but I took a breath and went for it. My yelping echoed off the buildings around the Quays and everyone knew I was in…at last.

I gritted my teeth and started to swim. It is woolly hat weather and there is no way I’m getting my head in until Spring. I did a lap and was probably in for about fifteen minutes, but it was enough.

I was wearing 5mm gloves but my fingers froze. They are tight fitting and when your fingers are numb with cold it is almost impossible to get them off. I’m surprised I still have my front teeth as I have to pull them off with them.

I had wrapped my clothes around a hot water bottle so they were lovely and warm as I tried to get dressed. I didn’t go into the changing tent but stood by the steps. The road is at the top of the steps, there is a bus stop, the Alchemist is on the other side, people were walking by…lots of people were walking by because the Makers Markets were on outside the Lowry. It was a very public place to get dressed. As people got off the bus or walked by, all wrapped up in winter layers, they often stop and stare and sometimes take photos. For this reason we try to be careful, but when you are freezing and shivering and your fingers won’t work then all thoughts of modesty go out of the window. There is always a flash of a cheeky cheek or a frozen nipple but no one cares…except the unfortunates who glance the wrong way as they pass by lol.

Nope….there is no photo of a cheeky cheek or a frozen nipple!

Once dressed the only place to be was round the fire pit.

We might have been freezing but there were big smiles all round. The endorphins were gushing and we felt fabulous. We were also hungry so we nipped in the Lowry for a bacon butty.

It was a very cold but rather splendid start to the day.

Of course, the safety team were all on hand and I’m always grateful for that. I might swim all year but you should never underestimate water and especially cold water.

The next dip will be the Santa Swim in a couple of weeks….brrrr.

Organ Donation Week

Friday, 22nd September marked the end of Organ Donation Week. Manchester Team celebrated it at the Handforth session. All the marketing around organ donation is pink so everyone scoured their wardrobes for pink clothing, we made a very colourful sight. One donor entered the room and thought he had walked into a Barbie convention. We were bright, we were colourful…we were very, very pink! Pink clothes, pink shoes, pink hair, pink balloons, everywhere you looked there was pink.

We had pens, pin badges and lots of information on organ donation. Organ donation is now an ‘opt out’ system. This is also known as deemed consent, or presumed consent, everyone is considered to agree to donate their organs when they die unless they record a decision not to donate. To be able to donate your organs you have to die in a hospital because the organ needs to be ready for transplant into a recipient within ninety minutes. This makes the whole process fast moving. It is also one of the reasons people need to have conversations with their families. On the death of a loved one there isn’t time for a big debate on whether someone would want or not want to donate organs. A recipient will be in a very poor state and the organ needs to be retrieved and transported to them in a short space of time for it to be successful. We talked with our blood donors about this system and the speed in which teams will move to retrieve, to transport and to transplant.

Team members and donors added a Polaroid photo to our board to show their support.

Tissue donation is slightly different. It seems to be the poor relation of donations, sadly. We tried to spread the word about it today. Most people know about blood donation, we take about a hundred bags of blood on each of our sessions. Each bag will have 470mls of blood in it and it is known to help those who have had accidents and lost a lot of blood, people who have sickle cell, cancer patients, women who have had traumatic births and for numerous other conditions.

We know that a heart transplant saves a life but not everyone knows that tissue donations improve lives immeasurably. Tissues include blood vessels, bone, cartilage, corneas, heart valves, tendons and ligaments. When asked about donations a common reply is, “Anything but my eyes,” yet it is eyes that are so sought after. When my dad died we gave consent for his tissues to be donated and they used one of his corneas in a 77year old woman. That lady will have been given the precious gift of sight and that is a wonderful legacy from my father.

To donate tissues you have to opt in. The gift of improving someone’s life is wonderful and I wish the powers that be would promote it more. So many people need to be told so that they talk as families. Sadly, it isn’t only old people who die so we need to make it an easy conversation and not one to be feared or ignored. Young people can have a say on their wishes too. Let’s talk. Let’s educate. Let’s save and improve lives.

We did our best to have conversations with donors and promote organ and tissue donations.

Reeham is happy for her organs and tissues to be used after death. As a Muslim she said it is sometimes difficult to encourage others of her faith, but she feels it is a charity that goes on and on and necessary for all faiths, including Muslims.

Sophia brought her friends along to her donation and they were all keen to support organ donation. The future is safe in the hands of generous young people like them.

Dressing up seemed to make the smiles bright on session.

Archie works in transport and he arrived half way through the day to collect the afternoon blood donations. He was only in for a short time but he agreed to having his hair sprayed pink and posing for a photo. What a good sport.

Whereas organs have to be used within ninety minutes tissues can be stored for up to five years!

It was a long day and we tried our best to get people to talk about organ and tissue donation. It isn’t the easiest conversation but the more it is promoted the more it will become one that everyone can have without being afraid of upsetting or frightening others.

At the end of the day we packed up, but our work is never done. Sadly, there is always someone who needs blood. There is always someone who needs a heart. There is always someone who can see again if only someone would consent to them having their eyes. There is always someone who has a terrible accident and breaks a bone badly…maybe they need donated bone to help them walk again. The Liverpool Tissue Bank has a store of donated skin in case of a terrorist attack or another such disaster. The list is endless.

So have conversations. Opt in to tissue donation. Register to give blood. Give the best gift you will ever give.

Boxing Day Dip

I have always wanted to do a Christmas dip in the sea, so when I saw one advertised in Morecombe I booked it.

We were so lucky with the weather. Although it doesn’t matter if it is raining when you swim outdoors, it makes life more pleasant for getting undressed and dressed. If there is a dry space to dress then swimming in heavy rain is absolutely joyous. So, no rain today, but it was windy and the sea was crashing in. We swam between breakwaters and they did their job magnificently so we had waves, but waves that were fun to bob about in.

The swimmers set off on the count of ten. They swam a 500m course. They got in to cheers and swam off…that was the last I saw of them. I don’t mean they all perished in the winter waves, I mean they swam out and round the breakwater whilst we dippers prepared to dip. The dippers had far more fun, in my opinion.

There were some crazy costumes…a lobster, a Christmas cracker, grown men dressed as babies, Pingu, Pikachu, a ketchup bottle and many more. I went as an elf.

It is a pebbly beach at Morecombe and I regretted not taking my thick soled beach shoes. I carefully hobbled into the chilly water along with about a hundred others. There was squealing, cheering, yelling and lots and lots of happy smiling faces.

Some ran in then straight back out again. Some dunked then got out.

Some had a little swim around. I was part of the latter group.

It was wonderful. It was an hours drive to get to Morecombe and I was in the water for nearly ten minutes, but it was so worth it. You could feel the energy and the joy…along with the freezing fingers and toes.

There were foil blankets to wrap up in when we got out.

We dressed and had our hot drinks. It had been amazing.

The coast around Morecombe is very interesting. I had a little mooch around Heysham, what a quaint place. The tide was high and the waves were crashing in and splurting spray high over breakwaters and walls. It was wonderful to watch. The power in the sea is breathtaking.

And there we are, Boxing Day done and dusted…but, WOW, done and dusted with a mighty blast.

Merry Christmas

I can tell I’m getting old now as the year has flown by. It used to take twice as long when I was a child. In fact, December seems to have been supercharged.

Today is Christmas Day and what better way to celebrate than having a festive dip. I went to Cowbury Dale and met up with the swim girls.

It was chilly, but dry. The water temperature varied wherever we took it, but we think it was probably 6°. We are sensible and we kept an eye on the time, ten minutes from when we were fully under…apart from heads…brrrr. It was marvellous, bloomin’ cold, but marvellous.

After ten minutes we got out and then it was the most difficult part of our trip, getting dressed. Freezing fingers make it difficult to pull on socks, to fasten shoes and to do up zips. We eventually got our layers on and could drink our hot drinks and try to warm up.

It was amazing. Cold water swims make you aware of your whole body. It has been a long week at work and I was tired and sluggish when I got up, but after my swim I felt that every cell was tingling with life, it is how I recharge my batteries and how I reset my mental health.

We have had a very busy week at work. What better gift can you give than the gift of life. A lot of people have been giving that gift and with the pressures of the world at the moment it is heart warming. Of course, we have managed to fit in some fun moments too…

We had a little competition to create a Christmas decoration. We could only use the things we had on session. I love it when people get creative and the results were fabulous.

Second place, Jess with her teeny tiny Nativity

Everyone did a great job.

Laura’s Angel with a test tube snow globe

Phil was very proud of his Christmas Tree

My favourite was the reindeer hat, but I loved them all. I think it was clear I was never going to win with mine. I had been to the theatre the day before to watch A Christmas Carol at the Octagon, it was such a great performance and I still had it in my head so I wanted to continue the feeling in my creation…ha ha ha.

We enjoyed some festive food on Thursday. The day began with most of the team getting together at base. We don’t usually go in unless we are drivers or going on the mini bus to session so it was good to all get together. Breakfast was provided and it was as good a time as any to sing a little Christmas jingle. There is a little intermission on it. I do like to step into the realms of risqué and this was no exception. I could argue that there was nothing in the song that isn’t mentioned on the questionnaire that donors have to complete, but I understand completely that someone somewhere might take offence to my turn of phrase and I would never want to do that. We are a very diverse team and everyone was happy, but others might not like it. So, if you want to know what’s obliterated then you’ll have to meet me in person and I’ll sing it for you!!

We headed off to the sessions, half the team at Sale and half at Ashton. Each team had a festive lunch, it was a day of lovely food.

So….Merry Christmas everyone.

Now I need to get ready for my Boxing Day Dip!

Life takes over….

I love writing, but I’m a lazy writer. I’m very good at prevaricating and I will even let work get in the way of picking up a pen. There’s no point in me paying for a site that I don’t use so I’ve given myself a good kick up the backside and opened the app. This will be a little catch up, a little look back on all the things I should have written about. All the words that were floating about aimlessly have been netted and tethered in my mind so I shall commit them to paper….in a digital papery sort of way.

I shall begin with today. Today was amazing. Today I went to Gaddings Dam in Todmorden for a dip with Rachel. We hiked up the steep path…I really need to get fitter as I huffed and puffed my way up but the feeling when you get to the top is awesome. The air is clear, the view is beautiful, the wind is exhilarating and the water is ready and waiting for us to get in.

I can’t lie, the water was bloomin’ cold, it made our toes tingle, our fingers freeze and every particle shout out, “Wow, we are alive!”

We loved it.

Going back a week, Hallowe’en is my next memory to write about. I went to a Mad Hatter tea party, I did a Hallowe’en firework swim and I dressed up at work. You can’t beat a bit of dressing up, spooky clothes and face paints, I love it.

Gale is 50 at the end of the year and for her fiftieth year she is celebrating every month. Sue and I were invited to the October birthday at the Richmond Tearooms. It was ‘fun’ getting on a bus into town wearing a frock coat, a glow in the dark rib cage top and flashing skull lights in my hair….oh and skeleton leggings lol.

Sue stayed ‘normal’ until we arrived then she donned a rainbow wig and flashing unicorn horn.

A bit of dress up, a few drinks and good company…lovely.

I had wished that I’d been a bit more adventurous with my make up. I made up for it the following evening when I went for a spooky swim. Victoria and I whizzed off to Boundary Water Park where we joined the other girls at the Uswim Hallowe’en dip. I went along with a Day of the Dead theme. There were some good costumes, but I was definitely the most colourful.

Swimming in the dark is wonderful. The water was inky, black and cold. The level was quite low but the weeds were high. They wrapped themselves around our arms and legs and tickled our faces. It added to the scariness as we looked like the monsters from the deep when we got out as they entangled our limbs.

It wasn’t just masks, face painting and weeds that made people gasp. Jackie and Cath had a clothing mishap which gave the drivers of Holmes Chapel a thrill. As they tried to get out of wet swimwear at the back of their car that was parked on the road that runs alongside the water park their dry robes slipped and they flashed and mooned at cars. We heard the beeps but not their squeals lol. I haven’t decided what was the scariest….weeds or flashing at drivers.

I was working in Hindley for Hallowe’en. It was fun to stab people in my spooky costume.

So I’ve made an effort to get writing again and I must keep it up….

It would be rude not to….

Rude Health were down at dock 9 this morning for the rude health summer soaker. Yoga, a swim and then breakfast…oh and a little play with some inflatables thrown in too. What better way to start a Saturday morning.

It was a drizzly, grey start but as we breathed in deeply, stretched up our arms and loosened up with a mini yoga session the sun shook off the clouds.

There is an inner child in everyone, so who could resist playing around with some large inflatable lips when we got in the water.

There were rude health hats bobbing all around the dock. It was so much fun.

All the sunshine, the swimming, the yoga and the big smiles certainly gave us an appetite.

It was great to have a free breakfast when we got out of the water. Danielle from Rude Health had muesli pots with coconut milk, almond milk, oat milk, yogurt and fruit. I had some muesli with coconut milk and coconut yogurt and a few blueberries. It was so tasty that I had a second pot and when I heard the chocolate muesli was a good option I had some of that as well. I wasn’t the only one to go back for seconds (or thirds!) and they were taster size pots….okay, I’ll admit it I was a bit greedy, but it was good.

The sun was shining and everywhere you looked there were smiles. I love being in the water but the camaraderie and laughter after a swim is wonderful. Today people stayed around for longer as they enjoyed the breakfast. There was a great atmosphere.

We all got a fabulous goodie bag with two boxes of muesli, an almond drink and a face cream.

Just before I got out I had a play on a lilo. It took a few goes before I managed to actually lie on it, but once on it felt like we were on holiday….Costa del Salford.

Thanks Uswim, thanks Rude Health, thanks sunshine and thanks to all the great swimmers who made this morning so fabulous. The positive energy was shimmering around us and maybe some of those people who walked by will be inspired to come down next time and give it a go.

The Weakest Link

This year I’ve been on the lookout for challenges that put me outside my comfort zone, that stretch me just that little bit further, that make me think ‘why the heck did I sign up for this’ but when I complete them I’m on a high and feeling amazing. Today I am buzzing from my latest feat…I did the Cheshire 12 Mile Challenge. I was amongst some pretty awesome swimmers who took my breath away with their fitness, their focus, their strength, their commitment, their speed…basically their sheer awesomeness! I was definitely the weakest link at the event, but I completed it. I didn’t do it in fast times but I did it. I didn’t have a smooth, efficient swim stroke, but I did it. I’m still telling myself that I only went and bloomin’ DID IT !

I’ve entered swim events before, but I have stuck to my trusty mile swim. I’m comfortable with the distance and I can do it all in breast stroke if I want because I’m not very good at crawl and it is a distance that doesn’t irritate my metal knee. So, a few months ago when I was asked if I fancied joining a swim buddy on her team for the 12 mile challenge I initially thought I’d love to do it but I am just not capable. I thought a little bit more and then decided why not. The past two years of covid chaos has shown us that life is for living, for experiencing and for not putting off things. We only get one chance at life and we need to adorn it with accomplishments both tiny and mighty. I was in!

The 12 Mile Challenge is open to teams of up to three people. Every hour on the hour a swimmer gets in and completes a mile or half mile swim. Our team, Chicks With Kicks, had three members which meant we each swam four miles over the twelve hour period…throughout the night. Swimmer One started our marathon at 8pm.

I was the second swimmer in at 9pm.

Our team captain was in at 10pm.

When I arrived at Boundary Water Park and realised I was surrounded by swimmers who have swum the Channel or were training to swim the Channel, a team of three who are swimming Jersey to France in a weeks time, a swimmer who is swimming 41 miles round Jersey later this year, swimmers who have blasted Coniston end to end and others who have completed similar achievements, I had an inner wobble. My mile swims were small fry compared to their blue whale wins. Thankfully, Jackie reminded me that everybody starts somewhere and I was facing my challenge for me and that challenge was as good as any one else’s…thank you, Jackie. Of course, encouragement didn’t just come from Jackie. Everyone supported and cheered on each other, the camaraderie and feeling of belonging was strong throughout the night.

Jackie made me smile with her ‘new goggles’

Our base under the gazebos looked like refuge. As we chilled between swims on camp chairs in layers of clothes, huddled beneath Dryrobes clutching hot drinks and snacking on all types of goodies.

We also gravitated to the brazier to keep warm too.

The challenge began at 8pm. Those in teams had decided on their order. Those swimming solo would have to get in every hour on the hour.

We were swimming in a lake, a lake with weeds. Our first swims were in daylight and it was quite a daunting sight for me to see the weeds beneath me. I had bought new clear goggles this week in preparation for a night swim, they gave me a full on scary view of another world just below the surface. The weeds raised their spidery tendrils that slipped along your body and wrapped themselves around your arms. Sometimes a large clump would splat you in the face and it made me jump. I concentrated on my breathing and in the worst parts of the lake I could only do breast stroke and close my eyes when I slid above those freaky fronds. I swam on regardless and completed mile number one.

My second swim started at midnight and with little light pollution it was quite dark. The mile consisted of two laps marked by buoys with flashing lights on them. We all had lights on our tow floats and swim wear and it was quite beautiful to see the colours moving through the darkness on the inky black water.

On my first lap I had a moment when I was attacked by weeds, I was behind the other swimmers and the safety boat was a distance away. All I could think about was the weeds and I struggled to banish the image in my head of them wrapping themselves around me a pulling me down. The water was pitch black so I couldn’t see them and once I’d given myself a stern talking to I ploughed on. By the second lap I was enjoying it more. Mile number two completed.

I tried to nap but it I couldn’t. I was getting through the night on tea, energy drinks, chicken drumsticks and chocolate….and Adrenalin.

When I started the 3am swim the sun was starting to emerge. It was beautiful in the water, all 21° of it, but it did mean I could see those blasted weeds again. I saw them, I swam over them, I conquered them.

My last mile started at 6am. It was fully light, I was aching and I was tired, but I did it.

The team did it.

Nicola and Tina were awesome. They whizzed round the course. They are inspiring swimmers. Nicola swam the length of Coniston last week, Tina did it fairly recently and they are both looking at the Channel for their ‘Big’ challenge next year. They would be joining three more amazing ladies…Team REDD having been in training for their Jersey to France swim which takes place in the next two weeks. Three amazing ladies who also inspire me to push on with my swimming.

Heather swims down at Salford Quays with us all and she was there doing a mile swim every other hour. Heather is another lovely swimmer, but after last night she will also be known for her crazy footwear.

Not everyone did a relay. Roy was fantastic as he did half a mile on the hour, every hour. He’s no spring chicken and it was a great achievement.

There were swimmers doing Swim the Channel Up North, swimmers doing a mile on the hour every hour and some doing longer distance relays. Gareth was in another league though, he swam the entire twelve hours, he didn’t get out he just swam. His brother in law was there to throw drinks and sustenance to him every four laps. I cannot even begin to know how he achieved that. I feel like I’ve done an endurance challenge but his is off the scale. But….we all rose to the challenge and even I, the weakest link, did what I set out to do. We were all amazing.

What a night. I’m shattered now, but I’m thinking about the next challenge….

So…thank you to Uswim for hosting the event, Dave and Karen are so supportive and encouraging. Thank you to the safety team who kept a careful eye on us all. Thank you to all the swimmers who smiled, cheered and encouraged and especially to Nicola, Tina, Jackie, Cath, Zoe and Heather.