Wild swimming!

[Gemini]

Daisy, no way will OH be entering the water
I just want some moral support for my first time, so she will sit on dry land. I have to book her a ticket though. Once I know what I am doing I won't mind going alone as all my DDs have done at various times.

[Daisy]

Gem, I'm sorry, I misunderstood. I'd forgotten your OH doesn't enjoy sea swimming like you do, so is unlikely to enjoy this swimming adventure.

[Gemini]

Daisy, she DOES actually enjoy sea swimming but only if the sea is warm enough. She found it too cold this June, we usually go to Majorca in September. I don't like cold water, but she is a wimp

[Daisy]

Gem, my misunderstanding. But I agree with her, if it's too cold it's not so pleasant.

[Gemini]

I will let you know if I actually get in tomorrow!!

[Daisy]

Gem, I'm sure I read somewhere that your first dip should be no longer in seconds than the water temperature in Celsius - so if the water is 10C that's your "dip" time.

Good luck. xx

[Gemini]

I almost didn't do it, as it wasn't as hot day as previously and there was a breeze.
However I did and was glad I did.

It was cold. Despite the time of Year and the heatwaves we have had lakes are still cold!
I only stayed in about 15 minutes, mindful of the temperature, my age and it being my first time. Although I am no stranger to sea swimming, that is slightly warmer that this was.
I chose to swim in the Monet lake. A beautiful lake with waterlilies and willow trees.

There is a large family lake and 3 smaller ones which are only for adults, Monet being one of them. I will definitely go again before the summer is over
OH took some photos.

[Gemini]

Me in the beautiful Monet lake WhatsApp Image 2026-07-20 at 13.50.50.jpg

[Daisy]

Gem, what a beautiful lake. You did very well swimming for 15 minutes. It must have felt really cold when you got in, but hopefully was better after a few minutes. Were you the only person swimming in it?

Is it so cold because it's fed by a stream, or is it so deep that it doesn't hold the heat so well?

[Gemini]

Daisy, there were several other people swimming in that lake, but it's quite a long lake so plenty of space.
It didn't get any warmer! In swimming pools which feel cold I always feel they quickly feel warm. It's not deep, I could touch the bottom for quite a lot of it, but I suppose being a big lake it never gets what we think of as warm.
People swim in these lakes all year round, even when there is ice

[Daisy]

Gem, some people are very brave/tough/foolish to be swimming when it's icy. I definitely wouldn't want to do that.

Were you able to relax and appreciate the beautiful surroundings?

[Plantaholic]

Gem, that looks lovely, would like to join you. I used to swim in the Thames

[Gemini]

I would love your company Plant

Yes, Daisy, I definitely appreciated the beautiful surroundings.

Well today I am taking the plunge again as it were.

A friend told me she had booked to go for her first wild swim, after me telling her about mine. Her OH was going with her, but not to swim. I tried to book 2 places so the 4 of us could go the OH's keeping each other company on dry land. They are usually both playing golf on Tuesdays but not today. As with most days in summer all tickets were sold out however so we couldn't. Her OH was more than happy to let me have her ticket, and my friend to have a swimming companion.

I have advised her to have warm things to change into!

[Daisy]

Gem, how was your wild swim today?

[Gemini]

Oh Daisy it was lovely! We went into Horseshoe lake this time which seemed a lot warmer. My friend and I both loved it, swam a long way and we'rent too cold. She loved it too and would go again. We sat in the sun afterwards then had coffee and cake in the cafe. It was hard to tear ourselves away, but we had to as her OH was collecting the GS's ( the American ones) from the holiday play camp so she had to get back.
It was lovely to have company in the water, and to be out and forgetting everything for a while.