Moonlit swimming

Dartmoor in the moonlight is totally beautiful but also nerve-wrackingly strange. Everything was bathed in a silvery glow, and as I walked towards my swimming spot I could see my shape moving in a moonlit shadow. Suddenly, out of nowhere, there was the sound of thundering hooves. Not wanting a moonlit encounter with the four horsemen of the apocalypse or ineed a herd of spooked Dartmoor ponies I quickly left the area. I drove a bit further and approached from the other side. The moon was high and it was reflected perfectly in the still water: a round shiny disc. I walked in, and ripples slowly moved out, elongating the reflection. I slid in and floated around in the silence. Well, I say silence, but actually there was quite a lot of noise. Owls hooting, the occasional whinny of a pony, and odd rustles and snuffles. The feeling of total isolation - apart from the wildlife around - was overwhelming.