Day 112 - 8th October 2010

Two swims today; 7.15am and 7.45pm.

Morning 7.15 am - Bob, Bella and I swam once around the pier in a very calm sea. The tide was seriously low so we had to walk out about a quarter of the pier; boy that was chilly! To make it an interesting swim we went under the pier and then swam clockwise around, straight against the tide. A very decent swim, but certainly a challenge as the tide was really strong.
Coming around the head of the pier felt like a real struggle. Even coming into shore, which is usually the easier bit, was a fight as well. A good morning exercise.

Evening 7.45pm - 12 of us went for an evening swim around the pier. Bob, Bella, Fiona, Leo, Midge and others not so well known to me! It was great!!! The water was warmer than this morning, but because you couldn't see the sea you didn't know if it was wavey or not. As it turned out it wasn't overly wavey, but there were some waves that surprised you. We all wore light bands around our wrists; a couple had head lights as well. For safety we agreed to stay together, but of course in the dark you really feel all alone as you can't see anyone. We all met up at the head of the pier and treaded water for about 10- minutes to take photos and enjoy the amazing lights of the pier and the city far away from us. Then a big swim back around and under the pier and back to the beach. Because I couldn't see anyone I felt a few times that everyone else had already got back and I was the slowest struggling to get back, but of course everytime I stopped and looked around I saw some in front, some with me and some way behind. The darkness really does throw you in the sense that you feel all alone even when you're surrounded. It really was an amazing experience and one that so few get to ever experience; real Disney stuff! When we got back and changed, Fiona called the coastguard to report that we were all back and safe, good result as losing someone would have been a bummer! Then off to the pub for a drink and a look at the pics Leo and I took. What a great nights experience as well as being another training exercise to boot.