The sun is finally back. No more torchlight entries to the cold welling deep.
Well actually, today, there wasn't a lot of welling going on on account of the 0.5m low tide. Another long chilly wander out to find a swimmable depth. But now there was an additional pain - rocks.
Yes rocks and lots of them. The group were taken aback since all recalled this section of the beach being a bit smooth and sandy. Not today.
Rocks are a particular pain when the lower limbs are anethsetised by the cold since you don't really know how badly you've barked your shins until later. Emma also reported scraping her belly in a vain attempt to become seabourne. Pete wandered our a bit further and thought all was well until he was also grounded again. Sara however had none of it and was soon demonstrating her trademark perpendicular path south. Emma & Pete returned to frolic a bit with Joan who announced that she had forgotten the thermometer and dashed rapidly out of the water in order to retrieve it. Anyone else doing this would have been under suspicion of not wanting the full monty with regard to dawn refrigeration - not our Joan. Emma however, sprinted after her and the baton was passed. We gathered round to see the result which was a miserly 3.5 degrees.
Pete ran widths of the sand in order to warm up - a process which seems to favour all parts of the body with the exception of the hands. Emma & Sara walked slowly & companionably back, enjoying being able to do this in full daylight for a change. Joan had already enjoyed a warm shower by the time we reached her. Sara told us about her exploits of swimming round the pier in the company of a "naked" swimmer whose hardiness would test our collective resolve. All enjoyed tea and looked forward to events planned for days ahead when the arrival of the sun would no longer be a novelty.
Swimmers: Joan, Sara, Emma, Pete
In: 7.15
Out: 7.27
Air temp: 1 degree
Sea temp: 3.5 degrees
Sea: A long way away, perfidious when reached
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