Lake Windermere

Lake Windermere

Friday 29 May 2015

LANZAROTE BLISS

Sad to hear that the rest of Europe is suffering from rainy, cold weather.

Here in Lanzarote the weather is hot and the sea is 19.2C. After the joys of the mighty Nene this is  swimming heaven as the water is crystal clear, unusually calm and with lots of fish.

Every morning I have swum 4 or 5 Ks before breakfast and then settled down to a serious day of relaxing on the beach or by the pool. But don't fret dear reader, I have had to make important decisions like whether to use tanning cream or sunblock or do I have a roll with my salad?

Sadly I will be back for school on Monday and returning to the wet cool weather. Can't wait.

Half a term to go and then a retired old gentleman I will be.

Thursday 21 May 2015

BRING ON THE SUN

Or more importantly warm water.

Yes dear reader I am off to Lanzarote for some R and R with plenty on sea swimming in water temperatures that will not bring tears to my eyes.

Today the river was hard work after the rain, flowing faster and feeling a bit colder. I must admit I found it hard work swimming into the stream but enjoyed the return leg. I was 2 minutes slower over the 2 miles so I was definitely struggling going into the current.

I am looking forward to returning to school fit, bronzed and blond, well a bit fitter, less pale and slightly sea and sun lightened locks!

Sunday 10 May 2015

PILING UP THE Ks

Despite taking 2 fieldwork expeditions away from school in the last 3 weeks and having to spend cold afternoons umpiring cricket, I am now managing to get 2 or 3 good swims in a week.

This weekend we are not at school so I have had 4 good swims in the interestingly rust coloured waters of the Nene. Fear not for my health, the experts assure me that it is only plant sediment as the river foliage is now beginning to grow after the winter.

The water is hovering just over 12C although it did drop slightly after the rains this week. Happily I can report that the Swans with attitude have let me swim past them this week so they seem to have worked out that this fine figure of an athlete can't swim fast enough to give them any trouble.

Nature watch:

This week I have swum very close to swans, a heron, plenty of ducks and Canada geese and most interestingly Highland cattle with giant horns. I have also seen fish through the murky water so the water must be ok!

Just playing the new ACDC album. The neighbours should be awake by 8 o'clock on a sunny Sunday morning anyway.



Setting off. 7am. Only 13 and a half hours to go!