The January Swimmer

Last Saturday we were blessed with the first sunny day in what feels like an age, perfectly coinciding with this month's installment of the Swimmer - wot luck! I'm sure you know the drill by now: meet Hampstead when all the world's still abed, gallop to dip at Hampstead Men's Pond, canter to splash at Parliament Hill Lido, trot to splish at Serpentine, and finally stagger to splosh at Brockwell Lido.

A record-breaking 30 in attendance this time, including healthy representation of ladies and Brockwell Icicles alike. Moreover, our very own Peter was out in full photographic force, wielding serious Nikon camera and directing shots in no-nonsense voice. And frankly the results are so wonderful I'll let them do the talking (with a couple of my own humble offerings - no prizes for guessing which). Thank you Peter!!

Hampstead, 7am

The Swimmer family grows

The mighty Jayne and Anna

The marvellous John and Marc

And of course the luminous Marcus and Peter

Hampstead Men's Pond

 And yet...

The paradox of the ponds.

Water temps were up more than a degree from the December Swimmer - so, bracing but not offensively so.

Chocks away

Bottoms up

John's 5-degree face

We were treated to sunrise over a most stunning backdrop of low, amassed purplish-blue clouds on the horizon, looking for all the world like a spectacular mountain range.

A lady, egad

 See what I mean about the clouds?

Another classic from the Jonathan trunks wardrobe (matching pillowcases available)

Not bad for a selfie, Peter

Swimmer legends Will and Simon

Parliament Hill Lido

Typical January scenes at the lido

Will has even managed to coordinate googles with Swimmer hat

Marc making it look easy

En route to Serps

Parliament Hill: well worth the climb

The mighty team

Serpentine

A personal highlight for me at this point was the inauguration of my top Christmas present - viz. a Dry Robe! Basically an oversized dressing gown with bags of room to get changed within - the dernier cri in outdoor swimming dignity, and a welcome upgrade from the totally inadequate tree that had hitherto served as changing facilities.

Perfect exposure

This is possibly the funniest swimming picture I have ever seen:

No wait maybe this one:

Back into running kit in time for my traditional and highly restorative mid-Swimmer smoke, plus hot sweet tea from Anna and blessed cake from Liz. Fortified for the last leg home!

Everything in moderation (including healthiness)

Photos peter (ha) out a bit here - apparently mr photographer had to down tools to become mr leader of the fast group. Is there no end to his talents?

Highlight for this stage has to be John nipping into a shop for the laudable purpose of procuring his customary packet of fruit pastilles, then passing them on to Marc on the trot in manner of relay baton handover.

Brockwell Lido

Triumphant arrivals...

The fast team

 (Peter's so fast he got in the picture before the shutter closed)

Marcus inadvertently takes out an old lady in his excitement

And the final swim - possibly one of the best ever at Brockwell, perfect 6.something degrees, full-on sunshine, dancing light patterns on the bottom, healing waters on tired limbs, and body generally awash with endorphins.

 

Oh and I might have gotten a little carried away with my preparations...

 Maybe I'll get a tattoo for the Feb Swimmer.