the swims of 2011

Lakes and Rivers

River Cam, Newnham Riverbank Club

River Nene at Tansor and Wadenhoe, Northants

River Sava, Slovenia

Loch Lubnaig, Trossachs

Glen Etive, Western Highlands

Ellerton Lake, North Yorkshire

Easedale Tarn, Cumbria

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

Lake de Presil, Italy

Cardingmill Valley Reservoir, Shropshire

 

Sea

Calshot Beach, Hampshire

Coldringham Bay, Borders

Cley-next-the-Sea, Norfolk

Madellena Archipelago, Sardinia

Outer Hebrides – between the isles off Barra

Bamburgh, Northumberland

Tenby and surrounding beaches, Pembrokeshire

Whistable, Kent

 

Lidos

Tooting Bec

London Fields

Hampton

Temperatures varying between 0.5 degrees C to 20 degrees C.

Strel Swim companions

From our trip to Slovenia with Strel Swimming Adventures. Apols to those I didn’t have a shot of. For more photos see the folder on Picasa here. Hint – watch it as a slideshow.

John and Katie

L-R: Sarah, Alison, Mrs Ape

Sandi

Speedy Clare

L-R: Ape, Angie and Shirley

Alan - google him!

James

Shirley discusses lighting with Alias

Slovenia day two – Lake Bled

An early start to be sorted into hats. Not the thrilling experience of newcomers to Hogwarts, but the more athletic swim to a bouy and back to see who would be swimming with who. I was sorted into the pink hats (fast) with Clare; and Kate was sorted into the green hats (slowest). Back to the hotel for breakfast before a drive to Lake Bled

where we did the first of three swims. Firstly to the church – where we splashed and played for a while

then back for some lunch

fuel for the long swim!

before heading off down the length of the lake (around 2.2km) to rest at a swish lido and get some swim tips.

Slovenia day one – Lake Bohinj

Despite being on a plane surrounded by FC Samba football fans, who managed to murder Joy Division’s “Love will tear us apart” by singing, “Gib, Gib will tear us apart again” for almost two hours, we arrived in Slovenia having read the papers cover to cover and mastered the quick crossword. Such are the travails of the modern liberal.

Met Saso at arrivals and piled into a transit van for an hours drive to the glorious Lake Bohinj

Where we had a quick swim

The wonderful Mrs Ape

before meeting all the other Strel swimmers. A few drinks later we were all pretty friendly and ready to start our adventures.