Icecream head? Mine's a 99.

It was properly dark when the keymaster arrived in the shape of Joan with the means to allow us to enter nirvana.  Yes, it's hut time again!

Unfortunately the keymaster struggled since all had reckoned without the dark and none had bought torches.  We waited as first Joan then Emma blindly fiddled  - then Pete came to the rescue since this was a rare occasion when he had bought his phone.  The sickly greenish light from an early 2000 Nokia was sufficient for us to gain entry.

After the rough and tumble of last week, today was calm and although two degrees cooler on land, felt much more comfortable.  The tide was in and Joan led the charge to the beach - One can only assume that she has hobbit's feet because running on the stones, Pete was in pain all the way.  The sea was warmer than the air but still potent enough to instantly freeze the toes.  For the good folk of Saltdean, it must have seemed like a Roman orgy was in progress somewhere in the dark, with alternate squeals from Ollie and groans from Emma as the withering briney inched further up the body.

Anyway, this was the start of widths season and letting Joan frolic solo, the others joined with a will to grind them out.  The sea was perfectly still and when we could see it, perfectly clear, absolutely beautiful, no sunrise treat this morning but the first collective ice cream head of the winter.  The first is always the worst because you forget that it gets better after a few minutes.  Anyway, the rosy glow appeared all over our bodies and then it was time to leave, Pete being the last to exit with four widths under belt and the others, two.  One feels that Emma is only just getting warmed up whilst Ollie declared that two was his limit each week until June.

Much discussion of Dip & Dash for New Year's Day and also, the SSF Swim Song for Dec 22nd.
Hoping that many will turn up for both to participate or simply sing & eat.

Swimmers: Joan, Emma, Ollie, Pete
Apologies: Poorly Hildi

Air temp: 6 degrees
Sea Temp: 8 degrees
In: 7.05
Out: 7.20
Sea: Bombay Sapphire

My eyes, My eyes!

Pete & Ollie went for a run this morning - separately, missing each other in the car park by seconds, Pete must be running better than he thought since Ollie failed to catch him.  5km later and nicely warmed up in spite of the cutting westerly, Pete joined Emma and an apologetic Ollie on the beach.
Both appeared to be looking for the sea - it was a way out and quite boisterous.

Emma and Ollie seemed to be in no hurry to start, explained no doubt by the fact that both had forgotten not only boots but gloves as well.  Pete felt doubly smug as he donned his neoprene bonnet. probably now a fixture until spring. Trying to look cool is not an option at these temperatures. Wading to deeper water was torture for the feet even inside socks. This week Emma vied with Ollie in the squealing-like-a-girl stakes.  Ollie still wins.

The sea was playful negating anything but splashing but all made in Paul C's words " a serious attempt at swimming".  Pete's goggles steamed up and so tried face down in the water without them....and discovered a brand new level of pain.  Won't do that again!

The sea and air were both steady at 8 degrees and the trio were undecided which was preferable.  Water just won but only because with most of the body under, you couldn't feel the biting wind.

Discussion on the beach about possible New year's Day frolicks - the consensus was an SSF "Dip & Dash".  Our version of an aquathlon. Details to be ironed out.

The shakes returned properly today with Pete distributing tea evenly over his hands and yoda.  Still, first sub 10 of the season, it can only start to feel better after this, can't it?

Swimmers: Ollie, Emma, Pete
In: 7:18
Out: 7:28
Air temp: 8 degrees
Sea temp: 8 degrees
Sea: Playful

Mind the Gap - Weds 13-11-13

Posting the blog requires routine.  When that breaks, days creep past and thoughts of what happened
vanish like footprints in the sand (sorry).

One of those lovely times when you can just feel the tendrils of summer and winter meeting under the waves.  The sea temp was hovering in double figures, the tide in and the surface calm, perfect for widths and much enjoyed by Ollie, Hildi & Pete.  Bootcampers Joan and Ema opting for an early dip once more.

Back on shore, an unmistakably winter-like four degrees greeted the swimmers.  Much was made again of the winter yodas, Pete & Hildi once more feeling smug and warm (ish) under theirs whilst Ollie kept the flag flying for traditional british modes of changing.

Ollie did model some new lines in SSF post swim wear see left - watch for developments. In all a very satisfying dip with the prospect that balmy days like this are about to come to an abrupt end.

Swimmers: Joan, Emma, Ollie, Hildi, Pete

Air temp: 4 degrees
Sea temp: 10 degrees
In:    7:10
Out: 7:30
Sea:  Glorious
Bird: Some kind of gull