Stormy swimming

Storm Imogen has been battering Devon for the last twenty four hours, the culmination of three days of atrocious weather.  Ellie and I were both desperate for fresh air and a swim, and headed off to Brixham, which we guessed would be the most sheltered spot.  As we drove along the coast road and got our first glimpse of the Bay, we could see it was dotted with white horses, an unusual site in these parts where the sea is so flat.   Down at Fishcombe, we happily got changed and headed down to the water when who should pop up but the local seal. Neither us felt like swimming with it so we got back in the car and went to nearby Breakwater Beach, where the sea was frisky but manageable, and there were no seals in sight.   We swam along towards Berry Head, bumping through the chop and being whipped by angry little gusts....and admired the Gothic house with its widow's walk towering above us.  We turned back towards the beach.  As we neared the Breakwater it started to 'sing' in a rather eerie but also beautiful way, a sort of musical howling.

Sun and sea

Today Torbay felt like the Mediterranean. Sparkling clear blue sea, unbroken sunshine, white shingle coves. We swam from Fishcombe to Churston, meeting a seal on the way; I have encountered him before (he is well known in the area). The underwater scenes were amazing. The sunlight played through the sea, illuminating the rocks and seaweed. It was mesmerising. We then found a huge slab of rock, the perfect sunbathing terrace. Bliss.

Swimming with seals (part 2)

Swimming with a seal sounds all very lovely but in reality it isn't. ..I think it's something to do with the sheer size of it and the fact it can swim up under you and take you by surprise. I was in Brixham, swimming between Fishcombe and Churston Coves. It is beautiful there. Crystal clear water, and I swam over the most ethereal eel grass beds, which are home to sea horses (but none were visible). I was happily absorbed in my watery world, watching fishes etc, when I noticed a dog in the water. I then did a classic Tom and Jerry style double take when I realised it was a seal...and made a beeline for the nearest rocks. I cowered there pathetically for a while before realising I would have to be brave otherwise I'd spend the rest of the day there. I made my way back, clinging to the shore all the way. Thanks to the girls in the lovely Cove Cafe at Fishcombe for looking after my stuff.