I wanna be, I wanna be a Male Model.

Alex models Lidl's finest florescent compression wear

Just Joan on the beach this morning - drying off.  We really need to get the timing right.
Pete and Alex arrived simultaneously, Pete from the car park and Alex striding along the front having run in from Woodingdean - more marathon prep.  We were joined by strangely naked figure.  Figuratively that is - sans the necessary kit for swimming - Stefan?  No, Ollie but not about to take up life saving duties - couldn't stop because apparently he had to "talk to India".  He just came to be sociable and to apologise for the non-reappearance of Pete's socks.  These were made up for however by the very real appearance of Alex's full length florescent compression socks - a Lidl bargain.

Another non-appearance were the buoys.  Gone for the winter - Joan reported that yesterday was their last.

The sea was "deck flat" as the Australians say and creepily foggy but Pete suggested that they swim west and that he would turn round when he saw Alex coming back.  Conditions were nigh perfect as the pair cleared the groyne and struck out.  The tide was low and getting more so and soon, tendrils of weed were flickering past bellies so remembering the calamity of the stranded maidens earlier in the year and no Ollie to carry us home, the decision was made to head for deeper water.  All went well and after a while, Alex announced that he was turning back.  Pete however, had the bit firmly gripped and decided to head on to Rotters - never been done without a wetsuit before and today, conditions were right.

The two waved and parted company, Alex to battle the current and Pete to find a landing spot past the toilets.  Pete made land about 25m from shore and had to belly skim the rocks and weeds but reached the shore unbruised or cut.  The pain however, was about to begin.  A missing swim sock the night before was the source of the problem.  Pete jogged back gingerly in barefeet, cossie and still wearing his hat.  If he was half expecting admiring glances from the passing commuters, he was way off.  Most seemed to be looking beyond Pete as if wondering what had happened to his carer.

The feet survived and Pete arrived back in time to rejoin Alex and wish him luck for the outcome of his thesis later in the week.

Swimmers: Joan (earlier), Pete, Alex
International conference delegate and sock stealer: Ollie
Air temp:  13 degrees and very still
Sea temp:  around 14 degrees
Sea: Marie Celeste