2nd - 4th May - Dover

Half the team made it down to Dover for training this weekend and what a gorgeous weekend it was. On Saturday there were 90 swimmers, 93 on Sunday and 40 on Monday.

I swam all 3 days. Phil (J-Cloths) swam Saturday, Sissy (a new reserve) swam Sunday and Alison and Sam on Monday.

The beautiful day hides just how cold the water feels in these early sessions. Time achieved now is worth waaaay more than the same time later in the season.

The weather on Saturday and Sunday was GORGEOUS!! I've caught the sun (particularly my right ear lobe!).

Saturday and Sunday saw 2 swims each day, with only one swim on Monday. I swam 35 mins then 45 mins on Saturday; 40 mins then 45 mins on Sunday; and a full hour on Monday.

There was a very chilling wind on Monday which made it feel absolutely freezing. Hopefully the others will add their view of the swim.

The water temperature according to Sandettie (a good approximation) was 10.9C on Saturday, 10.8C on Sunday and 10.8C on Monday.

Hayling Island 12th April

Lesley & I joined Jim & Phil for a quick dip at Hayling Island. Although the weather was overcast the sea was beautifully calm.

The water was 11.6C according to my watch. Just a simple swim - to the closest buoy and back. It took forever to get to the buoy and I had to keep readjusting the course and the tide kept pushing me to the shore. Eventually I got there and after saying hello to the others who were already there we turned around and swam back. It was then that I realised just how strong the tide was as we were back in absolutely no time. So fast in fact that I overshot!!

A nice day out.