Groupie

The Bennett's of Bath were in Felixstowe for the week-end at the end of October/ start of November to take advantage of Seamus and Anel's last week-end in the big house on Links Ave. Naturally we headed for the beach on the Friday. The weather had cooled significantly so we were all wrapped up, but it was a lovely evening with the sun setting over the gently lapping shore at the 'lagoon'. (I'm sure there must be an EEC regulation about calling a piece of the north sea surrounded by concrete a 'lagoon' on the grounds of false description.) I hadn't planned to go in but the weather forecast for the rest of week-end was pretty dire so I thought this would be my only chance. I had my trunks in the car but no hat and had to use a sheet (actually Maddy's Halloween ghost costume) for a towel. The water was freezing! I've no idea how cold as I'm not good at gauging it but I had a quick swim out to the end of the spit and back.  Since stopping working in London I haven't been having my weekly dip in the Serpentine so I'm not drilled in cold water enjoyment like I used to be. That was part of my reason for swimming now, so I'd be prepared for the Christmas swim at Felixstowe and the New Year's Day dip in the Frome at Farleigh and District Club.

Maddy and Amy were indifferent to my ostentatious aquatic activity, however it did draw one admirer. A very posh old lady came over to congratulate me for my pluck. She seemed genuinely pleased to see someone doing something out of the ordinary. I do think that the world is divided into people that think you are mad/ stupid to jump in cold water and those that smile and think it a joyous and celebratory thing to do. I think it is the latter group that have the greater openness and zest for life.  

Anyway self-affirmation aside, it was very cold but I was glad I'd done it.

It chucked it down on Saturday but I reluctantly managed a dip on Sunday. Seamus and I went to the lagoon. It was a pleasant evening so quite a few people were there walking dogs and so on. I didn't want to strip off, wal

k through a crowd of onlookers and get in the sea to make a spectacle of myself so Seamus suggested a spot just near his new house below the steps near the old beach hut. This was a much more private spot but this time I was going off the idea because of the cold. It's very easy to talk yourself out of a swim and be left irritated with yourself that you didn't 'just do it'. So I had a quick swim, with only an audience of Seamus. I have to say that I was glad that he was there just in case of an emergency. Ever since the rip tie incident in the summer my respect for the sea at Felixstowe has increased. So that's my training for Christmas morning complete, roll on December!