17 go wild (swimming) in Dorset

Oh my goodness! Last weekend saw an epic mass exodus of SEVENTEEN Brockwell Icicles down to Litton Cheney in Dorset to take over an entire youth hostel for two days of wild swimming, all masterminded by the non-evil genius that is Fran (the brains behind a recent trip to Pells Pool). Brockwell lido didn't know where the hell everyone had gone, and Dorset didn't know what was about to hit it.

It began the way of all good adventures - viz. getting up at 5.45am on a Saturday. Fortunately our Driver for the morning - the ever accommodating Noelene - came to collect me from my very door, and with Peter and Talya as fellow passengers, the 4-hour journey positively flew by. We even found time to browse the winter collection of the legendary Fleet service station:

Peter makes a rash purchase

We convened joyously with the others at a campsite by Durdle Door, stopping to admire the unique signage...

What more could you want?

 ... and dove-tailing beautifully with Sara, hot off the press from a recent jaunt to Madeira. Giddy with excitement we began the descent to sea swim #1.

If you're not familiar with what a durdled door looks like, this is what I'm talking about:

© Random Dog

Changing on the beach was a relatively civilised affair (relative to all subsequent such occasions) thanks to a handy outcropping of rock:

Metamorphic facilities

Togs, hat, goggs, and before you could say "Durdle Door" all 17 of us were bobbing along in a deliciously clear and blessedly warm (say 17 degrees) sea like so many freshly podded peas, making a beeline for the open Door. Buoyed by the salt and peer support, we took on the surge and crash of waves coming at us through the 'tunnel' to pass under the looming craggy arch - one of the most exhilarating and surreal paths I've ever swum. I hope this video gives at least a bit of a flavour:

For swim #2 we simply shoed the feet and scampered up and over a hill to a Seychelles-style bay on the other side, where the water had an amazing white glow (and unfortunate sulphurous whiff at close quarters) from the surrounding rock.

All for one...

And one for all!

More lovely swims (interspersed with occasional panic on my part amongst the terrifying weeds), followed by some less dignified changing-under-towel motions, piles of cake and lashings of Rachel's amazing licorice and mint tea (and then something stronger...)

Candy under full sail

The correct cake-cutting stance

Multitasking

Attention all sipping

"Have YOU got my whisky?"

Even Martin, who started in a wetsuit, soon learnt the error of his ways:

Before

After

Just time for an aerobics class led by top coach Alfonso, photographed by the above Martin (thanks Martin!), to get the blood flowing and the girls giggling:

A new low for all

A range of abilities

Brockwell Inmates on day release

For swim #3 in the afternoon we picked another beauty - Worbarrow Bay. But what's this stinging sensation spreading down my right arm...now my left? Jellyfish jeopardy! Only little 'uns though, just enough for a thrill.

(And for those jellyfish sceptics - Talya I'm looking at you - might I refer you to a recent article by that august organ, Wessex FM News, reporting "A number of jelly fish have been spotted off the Dorset coast following the recent heat wave," hem hem. Also worth noting that Wildlife Trust Officer Julie states "we do get quite excited when the jelly fish come around because you never know what could be following them." Well Julie, I hope we did not disappoint.)

 A few top pics of Worbarrow Bay from Martin again (I got distracted by swimming):

Instinctively forming an orderly queue..?!

Sea mist and jellyfish - what's not to like?

Alfonso's award-winning dive technique is sabotaged!

Entirely surrounded by swimmers!

Here Fran deploys her magnificent jacket-wot-is-also-a-towel-wot-is-also-a-changing-cubicle to great effect and the unbridled envy of all; Santa, if you're reading, this is what I would like for Christmas please:

Dignity at all times

I think now might be an appropriate juncture to get out of the water for a rest and have a little comic relief courtesy of the Youth Hostel Association. Ours was a cosy place to call home for the weekend (modelled beautifully below by Rosie), complete with massive open-plan living area, fully equipped kitchen and six dorms with the all important bunk beds...

A stylish pose

There's really nothing like trying to make up your bunk bed with drastically tight-fitting sheets in a dorm with three other girls to awake some ingrained, primeval capacity for sustained and uncontrolled giggling (David, watch video at your peril):

Down with skool

Just time for a few pre-dinner drinks courtesy of a seemingly coronated Sara, before a hop and a skip to the pub next door for dinner.

Have some madeira m'dear

A night cap or two au hostel, followed by enough giggling in the dorm to collapse both bunk beds, Sara zooming up and down the ladder with commendable alacrity, scattering pine cones and hairbrushes under the duvets of others... at last, lights out, sleeps.

Up at 7.30 Sunday morning for sea swim #4 - the wonderful West Bay. Here, Sara, Candy, Noelene, Marianne and Miranda kick off proceedings with a Chariots Of Fire-style dash to splash, followed by an unscheduled mouthful of salt water for Peretz:

West Baywatch babes

 Happy and refreshed we returned to the hostel for a hearty breakfast...

...featuring the much anticipated, lovingly constructed Peretz omelette:

Well done if you've made it this far! All that remains is our fifth and final splash for the weekend - this time a river swim for a bit of a sea change. Here things took on a notably chillier edge, causing quite a ripple amongst us so-called 'hardy' 'winter swimmers'. But the water was lovely and light and clean, and the surrounding grassy banks and nearby wooden footbridge made for a hushed and intimate setting (especially if you ignored the prowling swans asserting themselves in your peripheral vision).

 

Hang on where did Candy go?

Brockwell Icicles Forever!!

Just durdle do it