A few years ago, when I was feeling blue, my dear friend Linda B suggested we try open water swimming. Apparently such an activity is good for your mental health. So me, Linda and Anita all braved it that year at Cliff Lakes near Tamworth. After the summer season was ended, Linda moved back down to Somerset and abandoned ship; and Anita, having loads of other things to do, also gave it up.
Intermittently since then, I keep ‘having a go’. Mostly warm weather swimming and, being a very anxious swimmer, seeking out supervised sessions.
Once again, I’m up for having another try at it. The water temperatures are improving and locally, here in Balsall Common, Lavender Hall Fisheries has created a swimming lake which is very shallow, so warms up a treat.
Although the sessions are not supervised, I toddled down there last Friday to give it a try. I met a lovely bunch of women who swim and share their experiences as the ‘Bluetits’. One of the ladies, Karen, had booked on again for Sunday, so I toddled down there again to join in. Oh my, it was lovely. The ladies were so kind and friendly and looked after me a treat as I wobbled my way round the lake.
Afterwards, we went into the café and tucked into toasted cakes or sausage sandwiches and imbibed hot cups of tea – and nattered.
Once home, I looked on the Bluetits website and saw another session on offer – this time in the River Avon at the Saxon Mill. I’ve watched the Bluetits activities at this particular venue for a long time on Facebook and often wanted to go, but been put off by the fact that it is a a river. I was also a bit put off by the fact that it was on Bank Holiday Monday at eight o’clock in the morning.
However, I thought I’d go and do a recce. Then I thought I might put my kit on just in case. And yes, you’ve guessed it!! I got there, the ladies were wonderful and Tricia, a very experienced swimmer, guided me in and bingo! I did a swim in the Avon.
It was particularly poignant because the back drop to the swim is Guys Cliffe where the Masons meet. I thought of John a lot and the times we’d had there at Christmas concerts and parties.
It was lovely. The birds were singing, the water was clear, the shrubs were in full flower and the ‘Bluetits’ were merry. Here we all are – pre-swim and excited for the experience ahead.
Can’t be bad, eh? Feeling life in all its fullness? Go me!!
Take care everyone. God bless.