Ice cold

We had to walk the last mile as the 4x4 was getting stuck in the melting snow. 2 days earlier it had been -15oC at Welton so now with the sun shining Mike had taken me up on my offer to go for swim (it was a joke). As you see the ice was firm. Only Mike's determination to dig a hole found any water. The ice was about 4'' thick. I said we should really swim go under the ice and pop-up in a 2nd hole (another joke) but Mike pounded another hole. Before I new it Mike stripped off and in he went. I had suggested he took a rope as I didn't fancy searching for him. It was also my excuse for a wet-suit but, I know- I whimmed it!

Will -what about my hair- Bennett followed and we were all frozen. Only difference with Finland was that the nearest sauna was 6 miles away. Same time last year we managed a 300m swim. It is becoming a habit which I thoroughly recommend

Ullswater and Derwent Water

The beautiful water at Ullswater

and Miriam looking beautiful at Derwent Water.

2 from Ullswater and 3 from Crummock Water

3 from Hell's Gill

Ullswater- and the Great Lakes

The Lakes are Great.

September 2010

Is outdoor swimming getting popular? I've had 3 weekends swimming in the Lakes and we've not seen any other swimmers. You could agrue that the rain, low mist and 14oC water puts people off? But we've had some great swims.

First was Derwent Water with Miriam after climbing Sharp Edge on Blencathra. Warm water a bit too shallow to the big island and back. About 1:30 hrs.

Next day lost in the rain climbing Great Cable but Crummock was bathed in sunshine and Miriam enjoyed kayaking in the warmth while I swam around the clear water.

Later in the summer I went with Will (pictures above). We arrived late at Ullswater camp site. Will dropped me off at Howton about half-way down at 19.00. Good I didn't try the whole thing. Will drove around to Pooley Bridge with a plan to paddle down and meet me. After swimming in warm water with the sun setting for over an hour there was no sign of Will. I assumed the worst but had no choice but to keep swimming. As slight panic set-in, getting dark and no idea where to get out, Will appeared smiling with Jack on the kayak. Slight diasater, he'd tried to start in the river at Pooley Bridge but the current had caused him to capsize and loose some kit (nearly the car key). Jack leapt onto the opposite bank and wouldn't get in again. Finally Will managed it and had to walk a fair way with the kayak. We got out after 21.00. Having rehearsed 'no food after 9pm-is there a war going on?' we found a pub which served us and all was well. Still the Ullswater swim needed another look.

The next day didn't look so promising. Again we climbed Sharp Edge (I recommend it) and went onto to Bert's on the west side. After lots of tea and cakes we did not feel inspired to go swimming in the rain. Still we were there and Bert was intrigued so we set off to Wast Water. This is a must-start at the Youth Hostel- easy parking and lots of young faces in the window wondering way we were putting on wetsuits in the rain. Will dutifully got the kayak going, Jack run along the bank and I started swimming. Like the Ullwater swim it was a little over 3 miles. Unlike Ullswater it was cold and I had no idea of where I was going. After about 30mins Will appeared smiling. I felt sorry for him in the rain but he was happy and the coke and sweets were needed to spur me on. After another hour I saw the orange kayak on the bank and realized I was at the end. I changed in a huge puddle. We never saw Scarfell Pike or the scree slopes but now local knowledge came in handy. Bert took us to a back to Nether Wasdale and a pub which brewed its own beer. Having seen nobody out I found out why, they were all in the pub. Good beer and chat and warm. Eventually we had to leave. Great, not only does Will paddle but he drives too! The 1st photo is from Hell'e Gill which we went to on the way home. A little tame as no recent rain.

Late August and the weather look good for an attempt at the full lenght of Ullswater (photos on Ullswater plus a few extra). My friend Simon had been ealrier but hadn't made the whole way-at least 7 miles. So a sunny bank holiday we picked up Miriam in Appleby-in-Westmorland. And 5 swimmers and 3 kayaks met at Glenridding. It was beautiful. In we went taking it easy and it was colder than we thought, about 15oC. We stuck together and swam over to the far side side by the rock. We arounded the dogleg after about 1:30 and were swimming at 2.4 mph. Too fast for me. Simon and Eddy (the 14 yr old brother of Alister Brownlee, World tri Champ) kept on at that pace. Alan McCartney and I plodded on. At 2:40hrs Anton unfortunately got too cold and we caught him. Even a cup of tea from a passing yatch wasn't enough to keep him going, so he pulled out.

We could see the full length now and it wasn't good. Fortunately the water was not so deep here and warmer. My feet which had gone numb came back. Mim was epic pulling alongside with coke and jelly babies. At first we didn't stop much but later stops were lifesavers. Turning around revealed the most gorgeous lake/mountian views. It was inspiring. Why swim in a pool? (I know the answer). After 3:10hrs there was some way to go. My wetsuit was causing considerable discomfort to my 'privates'. After several bouts of what looked like fighting a sea monster I managed to untangle myself and the swimming recovered. Still the arms just went round there was no strength. Our escort kayakers then went to rescue another canoe but we swam in to Pooley Bridge in 4:30hrs. Simon had been ther for 30 mins and looked good. The GPS in the lead kayak recorded 7.2 miles. We then found a pub which had let us park there during the day and though weary felt great about the day. Furthest I've swum by a long way. Couldn't be done without Miriam supporting. The perfect place for long swims

A Beautiful Swim (Location: Undisclosed)

Somewhere on Dartmoor, surrounded by huge rocks and a pool deep enough to jump into - totally heavenly! Grid reference/ directions available upon request to family members and close personal friends only...

BennettSwims Goes Urban

Generally there are no coastguards involved, and I normally stop at a measley 1km, but none the less here’s my contribution to this little family collection of swims. Outdoor swimming in London can actually be pretty fantastic!

London Fields Lido: My local. And lucky me, because not everyone has a heated outdoor Olympic sized pool within walking distance of their house. Renovated and reopened in 2006 it’s a great escape from bustling Hackney.

Brockwell Park Lido: Another recently revamped pool. Slightly swanky changing rooms and a nice little café on the side means it feels a bit more like a spa than the municipal style I’m used to - a real treat.

Parliament Hill Lido & Hampstead Ponds: Both in Hampstead Heath, the lido is stainless steel lined which gives a lovely sparkle to your laps when the sun comes out! For something a bit more in touch with nature, the ponds – particularly the secluded ladies’ one – are just as cold, but with more mud and moorhens.

The Serpentine: The water gets a bit murky after prolonged hot spells, but this is possibly the only place you can swim next to a pedalo without something having gone very wrong.

Park Road Lido, Crouch End: Tucked away behind a dodgy looking plastic leisure centre, the pool itself is actually lovely. Surrounded by big trees and grass banks for lounging on, it didn’t really matter that the cubicles left something to be desired.

Tooting Bec Lido: Far and away my favourite swim of the summer. The pool is gigantic (90x30m) and rain on the day I went there meant I was only sharing it with a few clockwork triathlon swimmers. A bit run down in that nice way that lidos are sometimes, and quite a lot like heaven.

Hampton Open Air Pool: Heated to a toasty 28 degrees on the January afternoon I went there with Mum. On most days that would be like swimming in bathwater, but since it was only about 4 degrees outside we were both smitten! So much so that it's prompted me to finally get my first post up, which is saying something.

I’ve got a couple more pools on my list for when the weather perks up, I’ll be sure to report back!

Dr. Bennett Memorial Swim, New Year's Day 2010

It has taken a while to get round to writing this entry. A year ago to the day from this swim Dad died. So this year the new year's swim was dedicated to his memory.

The turnout was brilliant, about 40 people including children I'd guess, although only seven were brave enough to swim. This was a improvement on the previous two years - three and five respectively. On the drive over to Farleigh Hungerford the car thermometer didn't rise above minus 2 degrees, but the day was clear and bright, and importantly, windless. Before getting in the water I gave a brief dedication to Dad and his memory was toasted by the group before we turned to the icy river.

The other gallant blokes all entered the water by the rope swing with a variety entry styles from starfish to 'the Japanese' and an ostentatious splash. I opted for a more dignified climb down the ladder followed by a roll on to my back letting out a gentle 'owh, owh, owh' as a homage to Dad's favoured method of entry into cold water.

After a very brief swim in the frigid water we all headed to the bank but the current was pushing against us. It wasn't strong, but it was enough to give the event a little frisson of danger as we all clamoured for the ladder.

Once out victorious photos were taken, ski clothes put on and sloe gin sipped before heading to 'dungeon' at The George a 700 year old pub in near by Norton St. Phillip. The view from the back of the pub is amazing. It looks unchanged for hundreds of years, just fields, a few honey coloured cottages covered with a dusting of snow.

We all agreed that it was a great day and we'd meet the same time next year and Dom even booked the dungeon again.

PS Dom made a great video of the swim that you can see on YouTube, just type 'Farleigh Hungerford swim' or 'John Bennett swim' into the search box.