Saturday, September 12, 2015

today!

Today I woke up before eight, very unusual for a Saturday morning. Well, I actually woke up at three, certain I'd been woken by a sharp rap on the door from deep within a dream. But there was no one other than the pounding rain there. I was paranoid, as lady in her nineties was robbed and beaten in her own home at 5 am yesterday morning, by two men who broke in. It's horrifying. And makes me scared for everyone and myself, too.

That aside, I woke up early, which was good, as I was going to my friend's house by the sea. She lives on a beautiful terrace right by the beach, with incredible views all round and exquisite decoration. It was a joy to be there. The family swims every day of the year, come rain or shine and a couple weeks ago we conceived a drunken plan to go swim with her before the Autum really started. Hey, the sea is a balmy 12-14 degrees at the moment, warmer than the air, some days. 

It didn't feel like it... I thought I wasn't going to be able to do it, I confess, but she threatened that there would be no watermelon for women who didn't swim, so amazingly, instead of taking twenty minutes to submerge my boobs, then shoulders, I actually went from waist deep to swimming in one jump. I was last in, but I'm still proud of myself. 

It's not like I haven't swum in the sea before (though, not this year) and the sea is at its warmest right now - yet it still felt like an achievement. Perhaps because it's quite common for me to spend the day in bed on Saturdays. Eileen says we have to do it again at 8 next week.... she's an early riser. 

I have to say, and I'm sure you know (though you may not have experienced the cold of the Irish Sea like I know it) that getting in the sea makes you feel just incredible - the tingle, the energy, the ionization, the blood thrumming in your veins and the sensation of purity and cleansing that envelops you after is just magical. And worth it. Though I don't think I'll ever be a convert to winter dips. October is my limit. 

However, there was the promise of warm showers and breakfast - Eileen's house is a house out of a magazine -  three storeys, high ceilings, tall sash windows, art everywhere as her husband sells it, beautiful colour schemes, sea views, an upstairs kitchen and dining room. It's a pleasure to be in, light, wood, art, it's delightful and inspiring. We had breakfast - watermelon and coffee and chocolate croissants and bread and jam (swimming makes me hungry like a beast) and talked and talked and talked til after 1, and resolve to do it again next weekend.

Oh, and then I came home and bought these, even  though I can't remoteliy afford to. I need to renew my swimming membership, because a) exercise, b) I've lost 9 or so lbs in the last while, which is very nice, and c) when I started swimming in the sea today and felt strong and capable instead of flailing around weakly, and it felt good. But I wish the money fairy would pay me a visit.  

3 comments:

Ms. Moon said...

Nope. Never have swum in the Irish sea but have dipped in the cold springs around here. I know what you're talking about! It's like rebirth!
Those boots are nice. I bet they'll be warm.

Sabine said...

My mother-in-law used to go in at least once a week at Seapoint in Dun Laoghaire. I joined her a few times, oh amazing, yes! (Especially on a sunny day in July). That and the small crowd of daily swimmers. But I admit, I found excuses like slippery steps, seaweed, dogs, rain, . . . but never the cold water. That would give you a bad name.

Jo said...

Lol, Sabina, those Forty Foot types are hardcore :)

Mary, I'm worried they'll be too warm, I'm a hot foot. But I'm gonna risk it.