Topsham to Turf

Swim across the Exe estuary? Why not? Apparently they used to do it all the time in the 1930s; from Topsham on the north side, to the Turf Locks on the south. Mike, the local ferryman, has revived the tradition, and 41 of us gathered for the off at high water, at 6:30pm. Crowds gathered on the quay and cheered as we plunged into the brackish brown - but very warm - waters of the Exe. When I finally emerged on the other side, about an hour later, it was with a red face and muddy moustache.