Some summer highlights

Anstey's Cove, Torquay

South Milton Sands

I've been so busy there hasn't been much time for blogging so I'm just picking out a few memorable swims from the last couple of months.   A blistering afternoon at Anstey's Cove when it felt like Greece.  Several stunning swims at Goodrington where friends have opened a brilliant new bistro, Cantina.  Numerous dips in the blissful balm of the River Dart, where the latest temperature was about 17.5 degrees.  And a lovely swim with Kari and friends at the National Trust watersports festival at South Milton Sands, complete with spider crab.

River Dart 

Goodrington 

Scorchio!

After of weeks of incessant rain we suddenly have a heatwave. Lynne, Geoffrey and I set off towards the sea at Goodrington beach in Paignton, enjoying the feel of the warm red sand in between our toes, to swim the mile south to Broadsands. We soon found ourselves over the most fascinating reef, and spent ages pootling around looking at the seaweed, anemones and shoals of tiny blue fish. We then swam on, saying hello to an eccentric canoeist wearing nothing but a minuscule pair of trunks (him not us), past numerous little coves, before hitting Armchair Rock. In the final part of the swim, in the approach to Broadsands, the water was lagoon-like, glossy like a swimming pool.

We did it!

Well after about six months of planning, hopes, dreams, frustrations, and shredded nerves, the big day finally came. The inaugural Agatha Christie Swim took place in Paignton, between the pretty beaches of Goodrington and Broadsands. 250 hardy souls swam what seemed like quite a bit more than a mile. The bravest - including the Mayor, Nick Bye - pictured here - did it without wetsuits. Respect. The event wasn't without its hiccups - especially in the water, I seemed to swallow half of Tor Bay - but hey, if we can raise thousands of pounds for the BBC Radio Devon Air Ambulance Appeal, it will have been worth doing.