Author Archives: words and signs

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About words and signs

I am an Artist and Writer, living and working in London. I am grateful for all the things I have been able to do in my life and for what I am doing now. I serve Christ and seek to share Him with others…

Ladies pond: Hampstead Heath

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A wild and blustery day seemed perfect for the wildest of swims. The Ladies pond is about 100m long and very dark and deep. Stepping off the ladders from the pontoon, was like striking out into mystery and a degree of fear. No one knows what lurks below the surface, but what we see as we stretch out in the natural water is very beautiful. Miranda and I managed 600 meters back and forth across the pond. We stayed in the middle corridor due to the possibility of falling nature…

The windy day brought many leaves, small branches and dandelion seeds hitching a ride on the surface. Having bits of objects brushing past the body as we swam, was a little disconcerting, but no problem as they were swished out of the way. It was lovely to swim in such circumstances and the people we met and talked to were friendly and shared their feelings about this unique place.

The water turns white skin to Incredible Hulk green.. the algae is key to the natural cleansing system of the pond culture. The water is still except on this very windy day when it ripples like the surface of crepe paper. The breezes blow and trouble the water in patches and the trees around the edge that protect the pond from prying eyes, dance like animated performers on a watery stage.

So peaceful and healing and forgetful of the city as we brave the dark water. Time is lost and effort becomes easier and we becomes part of the scenery. The water is 21°C with an initial start at the cold, but it disappears quickly. Such a lovely day and worth the long journey to share the experience..

Last swim: Rhodes beach: Greece

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A swell swim today. Getting out past the breaking point and out to the ups and downs of the rollercoaster ride was fun. The sea is beautiful and thanking God for all His mercies to us in these last few days. I am conscious of His favour and an touched by His love to me. Out in the sea I am at the mercy of the waves and their power is huge. Nothing taken for granted and dependence on the Creator of this great ocean.

The sun shines down making a silver river on the wave tops and the horizon is misty blue. It gives the feeling of wholeness and the presence of that hidden power that keeps the body buoyant. The sense of vulnerability is similar to being on the Pastors street patrol and the utter dependency on God for safety. The sunshine can mask the dangers and I still have to be wary about walking in and when to put my feet down on the way out.

“The Lord does whatever pleases Him in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths….” Psalm 135:6

Mediterranean evening swim

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The hot disc of the evening summer sun sank quietly with all colours blazing behind the Turkish mountains. It lasted fifteen minutes and slowly disappeared leaving a bright red glow along the edge of the horizon. The sea was churning at the upshot of a sharp breeze. Breakers crashed, turquoise ridges of milky water and white foam bombarded the beach.

Just get in. Time the breakers so that the undertow does not drag your body over the stones. So refreshing to get out past the breaking waves and enjoy the swelling tide.

The water is cool on the skin and the salty water holds the body up. Swimming is easy and floating is relaxing. I lined up my feet with the distant, sinking sun. All things converge as the water holds me fast. The disc had gone and the trappings of power fade and disappear in the dimming light.

All that is left is the huge swelling sea. It holds no promise of safety and no promise of a safe landing. Time to swim into shore and watch the waves to time the landing. The waves help the swimmer, but the drag back from the undertow can cause problems. Even a smaller breaker can push a body under and hold you there in its powerful crash.

More happening another evening.

Lindos: Rhodes island: Greece

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This town is on the West coast of the island and is about two hour journey in the bus. It feels quite a bit hotter than Rhodes city and is built around the coast with hills steeply down to beaches. The ancient fort stands as a citadel in the top of the cliffs. Too hot for me to climb… too hot to lay in the sun.

The main beach is taken up with sun loungers and parasols, and they really are necessary, sitting in the shade with a breeze from the sea is good.

The beach is sandy and very hot. The water inviting, although there is a greeny tinge to the first twenty meters. I think the children mostly play there…. After that is clear blue water and it is easy to see the sandy bottom, small shoals of mini fish swish and dart in the shallows. There are no hoppers on the beach and no flies. Although I did see an ant carrying off a snack.

Boats are anchored in the bay and there is a yachting club further round the coast. Lots of boats to swim around and the water is always deep and clear. Moving lines of turquoise blue that never rest and make the water a truly 3D space.

It is lovely to swim in such happy conditions. The sea get colder the further out I swim, and it is welcome relief from the unrelenting sun.

Mediterranean Sea: Greece: Rhodes

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Besides being very salty, the Mediterranean Sea does not have huge tides. Sitting all morning at the one spot and no noticeable change in the tide levels. The waves crash against the ruins of a stone wall and the beach is smooth pebbles. The sea stretches out into unrelenting beautiful sea-green colours. Swimming is really easy but most people stay on the beach to catch the sun, so plenty of scope for a longer swim.

Rhodes: Mediterranean Sea

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The sun was sinking lower behind the distant mountains, which ran like a spine across the horizon. Umpteen shades of purple, from lilac where they met the sky all the way to deep, regal purple where the sea washed the shores. The sea so lightly turquoise at the edges becoming deep green very quickly.

Swimming was such fun- a heavy swell and waves breaking on the shore in frilly white ruffs. Back and forward across the beach, upheld by very salty water. The Mediterranean Sea has a high salinity point. It has 36 ppt (parts per thousand) It is almost closed to other bodies of water. It tastes more salty than as you other area of water I have experienced. It also bouys the body up on the surface of the water.

I haven’t been in the Mediterranean Sea for many a year and I had forgotten the deep colours that make it so attractive to look at and swim in.

At one point I flipped onto my back and my feet seemed to touch the evening sunbeams where the rays beamed from the cloud and shimmered down like blessings on the gorgeous water.

Who could resist this. Bobbing about like a cork and feeling so free.

“If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.”

Tomorrow come quickly…

Dock2Dock: River Thames: Victoria dock

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The day started with a beautiful morning and the journey was very straightforward. Tents and stalls were set up an the Crystal Cafe had lovely snacks and ” bottomless coffee” all morning.

The water was 19°C and very peasant. No need of wetsuit and the enjoyment of feeling the water against the skin, was closer to nature. This swim was very different from the countryside swim last week. The Thames is a working river and there are many remnants from the past activity. Expensive housing takes the place of the quayside warehouses and giant cranes for loading and unloading the boats, are now decorations or monuments.

The water was clean, freshwater, with a slight tint of brown algae, which keeps the river purified in the nature cycle of river life. I took on a few mouthfuls, but it was not unpleasant. The swimming was easy and pain free, except for the back of my neck. I flipped over on my back a few times to relieve the tension. I looked straight up at the sky, with nothing in between.

Swimming feels good, when you get into your pattern of motion and you can swim and think and ponder as you go along. It was strange swimming past landmarks from the city, that I recognised and I wondered what the viewers by the side of the river were thinking as they watched us swim past them.

That was the first time I have had a swim in the Thames, and it was really good. Victoria dock is where the salt sea begins to mingle with the freshwater of the river. Someone suggested it was “brackish” water…

Other people at the event were friendly and it was easy to talk to people about their experiences. The official photographer took my picture, so I don’t know where that will end up..

I swam round the 1.5 Km course in about 47 minutes…

Hever castle: Kent: Endurance swim

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An early start for a 9:15am swimming event. The day was grey and overcast and a bit chilly walking around in a costume. There very few swimming without a wetsuit, and a huge crowd of swimmers gathered at the walled garden, and down to the lake edge.

I felt nervous, as it has been a few years since I have swam this far out in the wild. After an initial flurry of arms and legs, the pace settled down to a comfortable stretch. I was not competing so I took my time towards the back of the group.

The water was opaque and a very happy 22°C

I followed the markers down the side of the lake, and across the lake, down the other side and then down a river which eventually came out back at the walled garden.

It was a very enjoyable swim. I can get a bit panicky about open water, because I don’t know what is under the surface. I had a few swishes with plant fronds along the way, but it was fine.

“He will guide you, continually” This has been on my mind lately. It is confidence to trust in the Lord and be able to rest in the truth of His Word.

We trust when we cannot see and God gives us the victory when we reach the end…

I swam the 2Km in 66 minutes…

Inishowen head: Atlantic Way, Donegal, Ireland

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It didn’t take much to turn the weather. We watched the fronts coming over and the downpours of rain. In between the glorious Spring sunshine gave the hint of the future Plains of Heaven.

The dull interlude found us at this beautiful and idyllic Atlantic beach. Everything is perfect- the golden sand, the dark and mysterious rocks and a clear sea with small breakers. Who could resist.?

The water was 8° Centigrade and not that cold, the winning chill was provided by the stiff breeze coming in off the breakers. Just my Selkie suit today and a run down the shiney beach into the water. It was ok to wade through, but at that moment the deep blue front loaded with rain, broke over the shore. I chickened out and ran back, wet, but not exactly swimming! Grabbed my clothes and my sister, Valerie, helped me get back to the car before we got soaked.

What a lovely treat.. I feel the Summer holidays beconing me. To go down again and again to the sea…

UK Cold Water Swimming Championships 2019

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UK Cold Water Swimming Championships 2019
Tooting Bec Lido: South London Swimming Club

 

I am not sure what I was expecting on my first foray into the Open Water Championships. But the reality was amazing. Everything was so organised and helpful especially to a first timer. I signed on in November and did very little preparation, mainly because I didn’t know what to expect. The air temperature was 8°C and mild for January. The water temperature was 3°C – a bit colder…

When I got there with my husband, we enjoyed coffee and cake and saw the pizza stall warming up and the hog roast rotating above the coals. Lots of stalls with swimming related goods for sale at reduced prices. My favourite was the “Selkie swim” tent and I bought a swimsuit there. Also quite a few stalls promoting swim holidays….

I stood beside Andy, hopping about in my mind, whether to do this or not. I hadn’t been in cold water in my skin for two years. I had to decide and stick to it… I got changed and went through the barrier. No turning back now…

I was with a group of seven women, all of us around the same age, and they were very kind to me and encouraging. Half way round, I took off my coat, as I figured I needed to feel some cold. I was very apprehensive and excited at the same time.

At the stop before the last one, we were standing on the pool side and suddenly the sun came out and the beams shone on the surface of the water and also on us. It was a great feeling and I knew and felt that God was encouraging us too… the nervousness abated at that point…

We all got to the last stop and a very kind lady took my bag, to take it round to the opposite side, so I could get it after the swim.

The announcer called us to get it. That was the biggest shock to the body, but not actually that bad.. shoulders under… 3,2,1 go… it was fantastic swimming in that water. It seems to purify and lighten everything. Any body pains disappear and any bad or negative thoughts are gone in a moment. I swam as fast as I could and very quickly the cold didn’t matter at all. My body just seemed to know what to do and it felt powerful and strong to cut through that cold barrier to reach the end.

I felt sorry it was over…  I scrambled out of the water in a very undignified way, and the people on the other side told me I had come second… I was very touched by their kindness.

As I walked to Andy I was glowing and bright red.! I felt good and I felt my whole being had been renewed. He said “Well done..” I went and got changed in the tent, which was beautifully warm and the friendliness of the other swimmers was uplifting.

I am so grateful for today. I have been a woose about the cold water this year, but now I am back on track… I have a new Selkie swimsuit and I’m going to get one of those amazing swim parkas….

“Like cold water to a weary soul, is good news from a distant land.” Proverbs 25:25