No point swearing at limpets

Right flippin’ miserable weather out there this afternoon. I’d already had to walk over a mile in the pouring rain to the pharmacy and then down to Havelet. I had too many layers on so I was as wet inside my dry robe as it was outside. Then the rain got into my badly closed bag and soaked all the rest of my clothes. Plus, my hand warmers were too close to my Twix, and so I ended up with two sticky chocolate fingers (and we all know how nasty that is).

And yet I’ve got this goofy grin all over my big old hairy ugly mug. Because I’ve just spent 38min. in the water (a balmy 10.5ºC), including bumping into my wonderful swim bud Biljana and having a socially-distanced catch-up chat (shout).

As an antidote to the lockdown blues, there is nothing like sharing the sea with such a kindred spirit. Not even the bulging bag of pharmaceutical goodies I picked up earlier.

Stay safe and well, everyone. 

Big love and socially-distanced pretend hugs. xx

Quick dip in Havelet. 20min or so at 9.7°C. Tide almost at its highest.

Just caught the last of the sunshine before it dipped behind the trees on the Terres. Lovely conditions. Two other swimmers: one lady in from Octopus slip, and a fella with great tats who joined from ice cream slip. All more than safely distanced. 

Stay safe and well, folks xx

Lockdown day two: Ozanne Steps

Weather: 6.7°C, light breeze, fair but turning to hail near the end of my swim.

Sea: 9.6°C, minimal swell, 30min. or so before high tide.

Cliff path was muddy. You’ll need decent walking shoes, not your best trainers. Accessible from Bluebell Wood going south, but quicker to head to end of Becquet Road and head northwards.

Steps down are uneven and slippery. Some sections are grassy / muddy. Take care.

Rocks at bottom are rough and uneven. Some areas very slippery. Take some beach shoes with decent soles to wear to water’s edge.

I went in just before high tide. Probably better to aim for half tide going down. Quite sloppy when tide is high.

There is a rough access point on the southern side of the rocks, but swimming doesn’t look tempting. I gave that a miss. Too rocky.

On the northern side there is a section which looks flatter and almost like a landing place. Just to the left of that is a pseudo-mini-slipway that stays tight to the rocks and leads back towards the cliff. It’s possible to step down onto that and walk into the water along that pathway. Take care, though, as some parts are weedy.

Area to the north of the rock outcrop is great to swim. Don’t get too close to the cliff when the tide is rising: there’s quite a slap and backwash.

But I loved my swim. Managed 18min. Attracted some very inquisitive and disbelieving onlookers.

Stay safe and well. xx

First swim of this lockdown. Wonderfully peaceful in the gents’ pool on my own as darkness descended.

Managed slightly over 20min at 9.9°C.

Another swimmer arrived just as I was about to leave anyway so we were always safely distanced.

Stay safe and well, folks xx

While I've been fiddling with a new iMac, the cloud, external drives, passwords, etc and swearing more than Biljana on a cold day in Havelet (trust me - it's possible, just...), I found some old photos.

I took them over the last 10 years or so. Seems there's always been a passion in me for the island's beaches and seas, but only now am I getting in, instead of pressing the shutter.

Anyway, I'll post a few up over the coming days, weeks, months, whenever.

They're only low-resolution as the originals are sitting on a lovely but as yet uncooperative external drive.

Let me know what you think.

Love, peace and happiness to all. x

That feeling when you’re sitting cosy and warm in a lovely heated car, the grey clouds are menacing, the chill wind is gusting, the tide is choppy, and there’s fat raindrops on the windscreen...

But then that feeling when you’ve been in the fresh water with some equally mad friends, you’re invigorated and ready for anything, and you’re drinking hot chocolate and chatting about dogs with neckerchiefs.

Yeah, *that* feeling beats all the others. Xx

While I paddled the shallows at Moulin Huet recently, Gary took a cracking photo of me.

Now my mother-in-law has used that photo as inspiration for her latest painting project.

Pretty special, I reckon. x

Heading home after a great Pembroke group dip, and amazing cake afterwards, when I got the urge again.

So I diverted to the ladies’ pool for a quick half-mile double-dip in the fading light.

10.5°C, wonderfully still, and alone for much of the time. 

Head now in a better place. Thank you, friends. xx

It’s been a tough week, and I’ve really struggled mentally. Bipolar II makes me seek physical and emotional solitude to be able to cope. 

But late this afternoon I knew where I needed to be. So in the darkness and with the rising tide slapping up the slipway, I grabbed some Havelet therapy.

Hope to be more sociable soon. x

Grabbed some much-needed late afternoon Havelet therapy with Biljana. 

Lovely swim. Reset the head and refreshed the body.

What a gorgeous island we live on. x

Grey, dull and miserable... And the weather wasn’t up to much either...

This afternoon at the gents’ pool. 9°C again. 

Wet, gloomy, winkles everywhere... these jokes write themselves.

The blue sky is pushing the grey clouds away, folks; 2021 is going to be an absolute smasher.

Thank you to everyone who has helped make this community so welcoming, so friendly and so positive. But especially thank you to Min, who has been the heartbeat throughout.

We all have mentioned it during these past weeks, and it will continue to ring true: sea swimming has huge physical and mental health benefits. The inclusive, non-judgmental attitude of both this group and the wider sea swimming community will help ease whatever challenges we all face during 2021.

And as this group continues to grow we all will meet new people, make new friends, and share new experiences that can only make us stronger and better people.

So have a wonderful time tonight. Happy New Year to you all. 

And let’s go a little bit crazy at Chouet tomorrow morning 🤪 x

In the middle of a mega-swim today (90min., 40/42 lengths - I lost count), it was great to catch up with a friend and talk about the mental health benefits of open water swimming. 

We chatted about our experiences and how swimming - and talking about our struggles - helps to heal.

I’ve always been very open about my breakdown and bipolar disorder, partly to try to help destigmatise the whole mental health issue. 

I appreciate that it’s not something everyone wants to discuss, but if there is ever anything anyone wants to share, get off their chest, or laugh about (yeah, I can tell some funny tales about being in the depths of depression) please feel free to grab me or message me. 

Swimming’s great. Chatting’s great. Swimming + chatting = free therapy.

Have a great Friday afternoon. x

Wonderful early evening skies over the gents’ pool, Castle and islands.

Shame the blog won't let me upload the pic... :-(

Played hockey today and got a cracking dead leg right in the meat of my left quad, so headed for a recovery dip at La Vallette. You know, just a quick splash and paddle to help avoid muscle stiffness.

Anyway, one thing led to another, and 45min and 24 lengths later I finally forced myself to leave the pool about 6pm. Complete darkness and silence, no wind, swimming alone: what a perfect way to reset body and mind.

Hope your days have all been equally satisfying. x

Waiting for the last few waves to stop sloshing into the pool, 11.20 today.

Ended up having a cracking half-hour. Water was great, company and conversation even better.

Hope you’re all having a good day.

Lovely in the pool today. A few groups, pairs and singles swimming or bobbing about.

Managed another half-hour or so, then strolled into Town for coffee and lunch.

Not a bad life, eh?

Already there’s a wonderful, inclusive feeling in this group. I’d love to think that we’ll bump into each other as the weeks go by. But how will we know each other?

Is it time for some club swimming caps / cossies / budgie-smugglers?

Or some waterproof carnations and “Hi, my name is...” badges?

Hi everyone at Guernsey Swim All Seasons, 

I’m a newbie to all this: my first sea swim proper (not counting family beach visits) was last Thursday at Chouet – thanks, Sinead x

Since then there’s been a dip each day of usually 30min, and I’m totally addicted already. The physical and mental boosts are amazing. And the swimming community has been completely welcoming, kind and considerate. 

Tonight was my first night-time (well, darkness) swim. I had the pool all to myself: 10 easy lengths, 500 calories burnt, according to my watch. Afterwards I grabbed a hot shower and coffee in the changing room.

So thank you, everyone. This is the start of a beautiful friendship.