TWIN LAKE CHALLENGE - DAVID HACKWELL ET AL

TWIN LAKE CHALLENGE - DAVID HACKWELL ET AL

One evening last autumn, I got thinking what I could do as a challenge in my 40th year! I had

started open water swimming in 2010 and, as I'm sure you know, its addictive. Where the idea came from, who knows but it went like this- "To swim the two highest lakes in England and Wales in 12hours"..... This initially seemed a relatively easy thing to do, drive to Wales, have a swim, drive to England and have a swim. A few days later and a bit of googling, the two lakes in question are Llyn Llyffant and Malham Tarn. approximatley 150 miles between the lakes. No problem. That was the thought until I got the Ordnance map out...!

The nearest parking for Llyn Llyffant was 7.5Km away with and accent of 450m So the challenge was set.

I invited anyone who I thought mad enough through a Facebook Event page and surprise surprise there were a few takers.

So the day was set, meet at the carpark in Wales for 9.00 a quick stroll, swim, stroll then over to Malhan (Yorkshire) for 5.30 a quick stroll (this was only about 500m) then a swim across the tarn and back. Challenge complete.

The day arrived, and 8 of us (6 swimmers, Me, Alan, Jo, Paul, Pete and Ray 2 dry people Adam and Derek) plus two dogs set of up Snodonia national park.

The weather started a little windy (!) but clear until we were a mile or so into the walk.

The clouds started to come down, the tops of the mountains appeared then disappeared. The wind now was gusting where you needed to stop walking to ensure you weren't blown off your feet! the walk was an easy stroll right upto about 2K away from the lake then the climb started and the path disappeared. Under foot was a constant mossy bog but luckily the wind was blowing us up. A few stops and a few "next ridge and we'll be there", Llyn Llyffant came into view. Not the most awe- inspiring lake, more like an overgrown puddle, but a lake it is.

Now the winds howling and cold, so shelter is found (well we hid behind a few rocks) to get

changed into our swimming attire. In we go, F##K! its freezing, I swam across the lake then back, no longer than a couple of minutes and that was enough to loose the feeling in my feet fpr the next 2 hours. As the last are swimming back the clouds came down and we couldn't see the other side which was only 50m away. Getting dressed in a gale and in pouring rain is no fun.

The trip back down the mountain was, to say the least, a wet one! the rain came down constantly and horizontally all the way back to the car. Back at the car it was time for another change as we were all now as wet as we were when swimming.

An uneventful drive the 150 miles to yorkshire, where we met up with 7 more OSS's (Nez, Sam, Jessica, Neil, Victoria, Jenny and Joy) who were joining us for a swim in Malham Tarn. The weather cleared up and we all got changed again! and then marched of across the fields to the tarn, a spectical to be seen, 12 neoprene clad nutters walking through a field of cows!

In to the tarn and to the 6 of us who had just done Llyn Llyffant is was like a warm bath!

A great swim in a lovely lake. crystal clear waters, a bit of a chop and in all we swam around

1.5Km. A quick change then to the local public house for a well deserved drink.

Aky.

Hmm Saw this email about swimming 2 lakes in a day from some bloke on face book.. Although I new Ii wouldn't do both i thought the Welsh lake sounded good.. so I signed up & then forgot all about it... a few weeks later a reminder email requesting my presence at some remote car park in theSnodownia National Park reminded me that I had signed up.. at this point i thought how do i get out of this.. Self Harming.. some limp excuse... i tried both but in the end fate made me go.. So Saturday morning 7am I awoke, packed my bag, grabbed the sat nav & off i set.. Still in a sleepy state on the motorway a convoy overtook me filled with face i half recognized from the last swim I had signed up to.. 2 hours later after driving up several mountain paths & through numerous farm gates we arrived at a car park that looked more like a set from star wars and as baron as Tatooine.

Oh well, at least there were a few of us. So after re introducing our selves and a couple of photos to mark the event.. off we set.. just a 7km walk to Llyn Llyffant.. the Narvana of Welsh swimming.. So off we set.. It was a little over cast & a bit windy but i thought the sun would soon break out and shine on us.. (as it does on the richious..)

Several minutes in I realised this was no easy mission & back pack full of chicken sandwiches & flask of coffee may be required (note to self.. don't eat all at once).. also i looked at my clothing & hoped it would be sufficient if we wandered off course.. any upwards on onwards. I had my new sat nav.. what could go wrong.. an hour in and i realised we as a group) only had a rough idea of where the lake lay & I would be relying upon my sat nav to guide me in.. any way.. how could you not find a lake? A couple of hours in now & the group had split.. pathfinders to the front & the rest chatting & and following.. I was near the front & thinking I was close split to go round a rather large rock.. wh'en i came out the other side my fellow front man was wet from the waist down... he had slipped into a bog.. phew i thought.. glad that wasn't me... minutes later we discovered a small puddle.. hope that's not it.. so we kept looking.. suddenly. the mist came in .. visibility down to 5 meters.. when it cleared we had found Llyn Llyffant. haragh. some what of a anti climax may I add. Thinking I should go back & let the others know i turned about and set off. Suddenly i was neck deep in a bog.. panicking i managed to get out but I was soaked from head to tow.. even my Iphone took a soaking.. However, I managed to get out and save myself and warn the others.. 10 minutes later we were all at the LLyn.. to say it was small- uninviting & cold are some what of an understatement.. although Aky the organiser seemed over joyed.. (he had tried 3 times previously to find this jewel in the welsh mountains.) Before we knew it the rain had started..never mind.. we are going swimming. without a word people were stripping & changing into wet suits.. Within minutes Wales had what seemed like a new found Seal Colony..and everyone was heading to the water.. instead of the usual Seal noises all one could hear was F**k its cold & Jesus Christ.

I though all this way & we are about to witness a rebellion.. However.. the True Grit of the team shone through & one by one we held our nerve & got in to swim.. well errm crawl as the water only proved to be around a foot or so deep.. within minutes though we were all in and all out as it was possibly the coldest water on Planet Earth. So out we got.. and now in the pouring, wind driven horizontal rain we tried to dry down, change back into out clothes. Mine.. were just as wet as my wet suit after almost drowning in the Bog.. So a quick cup of coffee & a sandwich and we set off back.. Jubilant that we had managed to swim.. The journey back was almost as hard as the journey up.. The wind, rain and absolute misery of coming down the mountain in those conditions was horrendous. I am sure if it wasn't for the fortitude & the fact we were all volunteers you would have seen grown men cry & send up the distress flares to see if Air - Sea rescue could send young Prince William to save us. After another 2 hours we made the track to the cars.. warmth once again filled our hearts that this epic journey was about to end. (well for me it was) the rest would have to pack up & drive to the next lake. For me.. it was 2 hours in my car.. sat in wet clothing on a wet drivers seat before I was home..

All in all a great day out. Thanks to Mr "Aky" for arranging & thanks to all who took part for the company & an experience that no other will ever have.. A true Wild Swimming Expedition"

Alan.

When you circulated immediately is was a yes! Two swims in one day would always be a yes.

Tunnel vision then kicked in and I did not read the small print i.e. 15K walk up and down the side of a mountain. A phenomenal challenge hiking to the first piece of water and a fusion of feelings from anti climax to utter exhilaration. The lake was small than expected, visually it looked fantastic. The weather was as wild as a Heathcliff scene from Wuthering Heights, we were all soaked and wind swept and the climb was steep, I remember repeatedly saying 'are we there yet' like I had regressed to being 5 yrs old..it was tough and exhausting but exhilarating.

The swim was quick as it was very cold/windy and clouds were coming down which brought

torrential rain with them. I was first to have wetsuit on and stood in the water, it was frozen must have been c6c, given the air temp I was a bit panicky that I may get hypothermia when getting out..it took some time and cajoling to get me in and swim..I did and pleased that I did.

The journey back was quick and the food was eaten fast too as I tried to get warm and somehow

dry. I forgot that I put my jeans/cords in a plastic bag..when I came to wash them some days later they were soaking still..I could still squeeze water out of them! The journey to next swim required sleep..which was achieved..thank you Aky for driving.
Malham tarn again was phenomenal. We arrived being the only car in the car park..before long there were maybe 8 cars? 12 people swam the 2K swim in c12c fantastic...high fives all round and then off for a well earned two glasses of red wine

Fantastic...what an achievement and the only woman..yes yes

Jo.

Firstly, although I enjoy the beach and water - I’m a terrible swimmer.

I was first introduced to open water swimming during a training course many months ago. Although I like swimming, I get bored very easily in our local swimming pool finding it repetitive and sore on the eyes. My friend told me about a ‘meet’ at Hatchmere one evening, and the date was set....

After managing to swim to the other side of the mere, I soon heard myself gargling the immortal words... ‘ah’. It transpires that there is actually no where to get out on the otherside, and I had to tread water for a few minutes and then swim back... quite different from the 20m lengths that your body accustoms to in the local pool! I don’t believe Hatchmere is the cleanest of mere’s – but what an amazing and refreshing change from the chlorine and veruca ridden swimming pools!

After several more swims in Hatchmere and Pickmere, the local ring leader ‘Dave Aky’, a fearsome fellow ;-) suggested a ‘twin lake’ challenge, which came across as a most appealing adventure,  especially as I don’t get chance to do much swimming.

The walking element was about 7km to the highest lake in Wales, albeit the blustery weather

conditions made it a challenge! The clouds soon came in the and weather changed... as we walked higher, the temperature drops were, rather rapid. At the same time, the scenery was amazing and the air ‘fresh’. Unknown to me the bright green lush grass in some parts turned out to be a ‘bog’, and I soon found myself in slush to my waist, not evening have time to take in what happened... (note to self - if I repeat this type of adventure, don’t stray alone)!

The tallest lake in Wales wasn’t a lake that day.... quite small, but never the less inviting purely

because of the challenge. Teeth chattering, I quickly put my shorty wetsuit, took a breath and

entered the water (note to self – get around to buying a full wet suit). A short swim across the water, and we were out. Changed – hot coffee, and walking back down to the cars. The walk down seemed further this time walking down having to steady ourselves, coupled with hurricane type wind and rain.

Thankfully I didn’t have to drive to Malhan Tarn.

Back into my ‘shorty’ wetsuit and straight in the water.... ice cold. I headed off across the lake, and was soon overtaken by everyone else. Not being the greatest swimmer, I can only manage short spurts of front crawl and having to rely on breast stroke. However, my swimming is improving largely down to the open water swimming. As I swam alone I notice that the large manor type house on the hill adjacent to the lake didn’t seem to move... hmmm... not a good sign that I was making progress!

Just as the other side started to come into distance I started to spy a ‘way out’, and planned to walk back being, well, exhausted. However, as I reached the other side – everyone else started swimming back... ahh. As I treaded water for a short time, one of the tribe (props to Ray ‘the Dolphin’) offered to swim back with me.. How could I refuse? It felt like I had my own Dolphin at hand, encouraging me to swim and keeping an eye on me too.

My hands were grey and orange with the cold (or was that my vision?)... not appealing to everyone, but I never really noticed or cared for it, as I was enjoying myself so much. Despite the obvious exhaustion, I felt exhilarated with the achievement.

In short, fantastic time with fantastic company. Damn good exercise in the open, and a great way to enjoy swimming.

Paul.

It seemed like a good idea at the time, sat cosy and warm in front of a laptop, when I agreed to join

David “Aky” and bunch of like-minded outdoor swimmers for his “Twin Lake Challenge”: an

attempt to swim in the highest lakes in Wales and England (Llyn Llyffant and Malham Tarn,

respectively). Two months later though, with eight of us gathered one May morning in a remote carpark in Snowdonia – the starting point for the first leg, the 7km trek up to Llyn Llyffant – buffeted by a persistent chilly wind, and with ominously dark clouds lurking nearby, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one feeling a little uncertain. This was definitely going to be an adventure!

The ascent to Llyn Llyffant was challenging, through a landscape of a spectacular and desolate beauty featuring huge walls, abandoned slate works, hidden bog puddles, and fragments of a WWII plane wreck. With increasingly grim determination we finally reached our objective a few hours later, and were rewarded with a striking sight –

a small lake with clear cold water rippled by the wind, and surrounded by rocks surreally peppered with more wreckage (including an engine and a wheel). We quickly changed into our wetsuits and with some trepidation (as least for me!) made our way into the icy water: the bottom of the lake seemed to consist of thick boggy mud over uneven rocks, and I felt my exposed hands and feet turn to blocks of ice almost immediately as I managed to breaststroke a width of the lake. Other hardier souls were able to stay in longer, but it was enough for me to say that I’d swum in the highest lake in Wales – made even more special by its remoteness and all the effort taken to get there.

There wasn’t much time to savour our achievement however – almost as soon as we got out of the

water the rain started, and the hike back was a gloriously miserable affair as we got wetter and

wetter (more than when we were in the lake, even). No time to dwell on it though once we reached the carpark again – we still had another lake to get to! So began the long dash cross-country to Yorkshire, picking up more outdoor swimmers along the way before we arrived at the second lake: Malham Tarn.

Malham was a real contrast to Llyn Llyffant – a much bigger body of water, but more easily

accessible just a short walk across a field from a carpark – and perhaps seemed a little ordinary after the adventure we’d had earlier in Wales. Still there was good swimming to be had here – the water again cold but beautifully clear, with the rocky lake bottom visible beneath and trees lining the more distant lakesides; and while the sky was overcast the rain held off long enough for our pod of 15 or so swimmers to get a good long swim.

My favourite memories include chasing after a crowd of bobbing coloured swim hats (I’m not a fast swimmer); continually mistaking two pillars at the lakeside on the way back for two non-swimmers who’d come along with us; and leaving the water at the end through what felt like hundreds of “British Gas Great Swim” flip-flops, temporary abandoned by people when they’d first got in.

And then that was it – shivering as I ran back to the parked car, struggling into my warm dry

clothes, and feeling the satisfaction of completing the challenge. Gathering in a pub nearby we were finally able to relax and reflect on our achievement. It might look like madness from the outside, but for me it’s during experiences like this that life seems to be at its most colourful. Thanks to Hacky and everyone else who made it such a fantastic day in so many ways: I know that the vivid memories of the Twin Lake Challenge – and Llyn Llyffant in particular – will stay with me for a life-time.

Pete.

When Dave mentioned the idea of a twin lake challenge I thought sounds like fun and a good

challenge. So accepted thinking it will be a pleasant day out on a balmy warm spring May day.

When the day arrived it was a cool overcast windy morning, we then set off for out first challenge into the Snowdonia national park, as we started our ascent the wind began to gain momentum accross boggy typical snowonia terrain, the mist and clouds came down and the rain started and temperature dropped. Due to the weather conditions the ascent seemed more like 20k that 7.5k. We finally arrived at Llynn Lyffant which I must say was small and uninviting with the exception of the wreck of a crashed aeroplane my son Adam found fascinating,first in the water was pippa the dog who was glad to escape from the lead! The rain began to increase and wind really blow, time for our first swim! to say it was cold and miserable is an understatement, however did not curb our enthusiasm and we duly completed the first part of the challenge into the water circa 5 degrees,  shallow, boggy therefore quick swim across then out and dressed as quickly as possible.

By this time the wind and rain were blowing sideways. Had a quick cuppa and soggy sandwich and back down the mountain in gale force and stormy conditions. There is something eerily beautiful about Snowdonia in such conditions, makes one feel small and insignificant amongst the regal yet foreboding mountains. After a slog down the mountain we finally arrived back to the warm and dry car.. After a quick change of clothes we were off up to Malham Tarn amongst the glaciated valleys and limestone pavements of North Yorkshire. Early evening by the time we arrived therefore very few people around however a herd of cows looked on disdainfully and confused at these beings dressed in rubber walking across their field. We then had a lovely swim across the tarn and back circa 2k. The tarn was positively balmy by comparison the llyn llyfant and lovely lake to swim with stunning views from the lake in all directions. Our challenge complete we were all tired but elated so decided to finish off the evening for a pint/glass in Malham and shared our experiences of the day. The challenge complete to round off the day stopped at a traditional chip shop near clitheroe for a traditional fish and chippy supper complete with mushy peas! A memorable day, great company and unique challenge.

Ray.

All in all a great day, our pioneering, epic, never done before, stupid challenge was completed.

The last word.....is always mine, a while i begged, pleaded, demanded.....well you get the picture for people to add to the growing list of blogs so that people the world round can see the amazing place we swim in, the wonderful friendships that are forms, and in the hope that it will inspire one and all to join in, this blog is a fantastic example of just that, the swims look soooo tempting, the people i hope to swim with one day, on their home turf and ours. Thanks so much for the blog and any more please feel free to submit them. LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING OF YOUR OTHER ADVENTURES .....WHICH SOUND LIKE THEY WILL BE PLENTIFUL!!!!

Swallows and Amazons in Grasmere

After the success of Buttermere, i decided that i would put together another swim. Now with so many lakes and tarns to choose from the difficulty would be in the picking!! Putting it out to general vote the concensous was that due to the water temperatures dropping a smaller lake would be better. You would think that would be easy wouldn't you but no, you have several factors to consider, parking, walking to and from the lake, changing areas (normally behind a tree), distance to swim, areas to get in and out of the water. 

After a bit of research it was decided that Grasmere would be graced with our presence, the invite went out....would people want to do it,  after a brief return of the sun many people had cleaned and put away their wetsuits for the winter. Within 20 minutes of posting it 9 people had said yes...great, i would not be on my own in the water. Occasionally inquiries were made...numbers were rising.

Rather nicely Britain had been treated to a mini heatwave and i was keeping my fingers crossed that it would continue into the swim, but alas it was not to be, Monday saw the clouds come over, the rain pour down and temperatures plummet. At this rate we could be swimming in the snow!

Sunday morning dawned damp and windy, the drive over to Grasmere saw conditions worsen the closer we got. Despite over 30 people saying they would attend you could not help wonder if people would want to swim on yet another cold and dismal day.

I had been given permission from owners Martin and Angela Clark, of Banerigg guest house to use their private gate which leads down to a lovely little jetty into the water. Martin met us outside the guest house, his large garage doors open for an area for us to get changed in and store bags and clothing. Martin is a keen open water swimmer and raises money for Cystic Fibrosis a charity close to his heart, it had been agreed that all swimmers would make a donation to the cause. There were already people there, Michael Harrison stuggling into his wetsuit early he was that keen to get in! And talking of keen, Martin informed me that one swimmer had been so keen to do the swim they had turned up a day early.....Sally Smith.....now that is dedication to the open water, i am pleased to say she returned on the correct day and swam with us.  

Pretty soon there was a steady stream of people filing along the road towards the guest house. The garage was full, chat and laughter flowed as those that regularly swam together met new faces and introductions were made. In the blink of an eye 27 neoprene clad people were stood in the wind and rain eagerly anticipating the swim. Martin then informed us the water temperature which when he took his daily dip that morning had been 9.8 degrees. Gulp...now that is cold!!!! But we were changed so we were definitely going to be getting in. Then the next piece of information from Martin, the size of the pike that had been caught by an angler the previous day...lets just say they were large....did it deter us...not a hope.
The  next obstacle was crossing the road, i am not sure what the cars, buses and lorries thought of 27 rubbered people crossing in front of them but am sure utterances of nutters could be heard!!
Going down the steep steps towards the jetty brought about nervous chatter and laughter, i can tell  you there was NO stampeed to get in the water. Eventually we were all on the shore line, chatter dimmed considerably then all of a sudden people started entering the frigid water. After the normal gasps about temperature as the icy waters started to enter the wetsuits, they started swimming away from the shore to let others get in, once we were all in we headed for the  middle of the lake. Front crawlers rapidly and very abruptly resorted to breaststroke as the cold water 'icecream' headache kicked it. Myself the headache was bareable, the pain from the cold hitting the front of my neck and chin was not. We used the distance from shore to the middle of the lake to get used to the cold. Hands and feet went numb pretty instantly but the rest of the body so far was fine. One of the many beauties of swimming in a lake is the scenery, and to stop for a moment and take in the colours and shades of the autumn leaves on the hills and mountains around us was breathtaking, the mist gave the swim a slightly mythical feel as well.
Acclimatised to the temperatures we decided to swim down to the shore on the left hand side, we must have looked an amazing sight, 27 of us plowing through the water which sat like glass in front of us, the only ripples and waves were the ones created by us. At the shoreline, thermally clad people stood with mouths agap as some of us clambered out so say hello. It just goes to show how easy it is to make friends when you are an open water swimmer, a young lady came towards us, talking about open water swimming, she was doing trialthons and swimming was her weakest disapline (as it tends to be with  most triathletes), where did we swim, when did we meet, could she join us. Yes, yes and yes, the more the merrier i say!

Once all the swimmers were together it was agreed that we would swim the lengths of the lake, and any other variation that we fancied doing. A group shot off to the left and another to the right. One of the pleasant and rather pleasing aspects of open water swimming is that there are swimmers of all abilities and levels so you are guaranteed to find a swimmer to pretty much match your speed and style and this happened with me this swim. Its not only reassuring but also spurs you on to swim further each time. On this occasion us swimmers seemed to pair up, matching stroke for stroke with only inches between you is a wonderful feeling, you seem to gravitate towards each other like water magnets and metal. I would like to think its good to watch as well, our little group had 5 in and at one point i could see that we were all in perfect timing with each other, it was lovely to be apart of it but i would have loved to have got some footage of it as well. Following the shoreline i could see David Hurst making his way on yet another watery adventure exploring as he swam.

It is very special to look around in the tranquil water and see pockets of swimmers each on their own journey through the lake, catching the occasional snatch of laughter. After over an hour in the water the cold started to get to some of the group, hands and feet had long since gone numb, the icecream headache had dulled to a low roar but was bareable. Clawing of the hands is not painful, it can look abit strange, your hands can feel spongy and the fingers no matter what you do will not go together and will either take on a claw like apprearence or splay off in all different directions. It does not stop you swimming but there are drills you can do to combat that feeling of loosing your 'pull' in the water.

The decision was made to head back to the jetty and the warmth of down filled jackets. Reluctanly we headed back, during the summer i had swam in the same lake where the temperature had been 21 degrees, such a difference from today but wow what a wonderful experience, it does make me wonder what it would be like to swim there when the hills and mountains are covered in snow. I offered to take the lads on at swimming butterfly all the way back, ok they said, after two strokes from me (not easy in a wetsuit!) i stopped to make sure they were doing the same.....to be met with a chorus of laughs they had no intention of attempting it....next time lads!!!!  Getting out brought its own problems, feet literally so numb you did not know if you were standing upright on them or not. It took a minute or so to get used to that feeling and to start walking so that we did not damage ourselves in the process.

Climbing back up the steps, we were welcomed with the sight of people in various states of dress, from those still shivering struggling to get out of wetsuits to those glugging warm drinks, wrapped in thick warm clothing. The swim was made extra special when we realised that children had got in and played with us, its good to see them and their smiles of achievement.
Getting out of wetsuit in the cold, with clawed hands is a challenge not to be underestimated, all thoughts of dignity go out the window when you are half undressed with the towel that is wrapped round your middle threatening with every movement to decend to the floor and reveal all to those around you! Eventually we managed it and dressed in every item of clothing i had brought...minus the normal...knickers...you would have thought i would have learnt i have done it that much this year, but yet again i had worn my swimsuit to the venue and forgotten to pack underwear...i was not the only one but for some reason i was the one the good natured ribbing was directed towards!

Again guest house owner, Martin, proved to be an invaluable and thoughtful host, permitting us to use the lounge inside to have our coffee and cake. Some people left to go walking or shopping in the lake district, the rest of us bundled ourselves upstairs to chat and dissect the swim. It was wonderful after the exhileration of the cold swim to feel the blood returning to the extremities.Jo Bolams daughters had swam, but had suffered from the slight fear (understandable at their age) of the possibility of seeing or as they told us even getting eaten by a fish....this was swiftly resolved by telling them to act like a starfish and the fish would not be able to swallow!!!. It was brilliant being able to see the swim from the eyes of children, its doubles the delight of such a swim, fingers crossed and they come back and swim with us soon. Friendly rivalry in races brought talk round to next years races...and who was going to beat who....it makes for an exciting new season ahead.

One note to self though...the next swim...keep and eye on Debbie Taylor and Sam Plum...off they had gone through the water in their own adventure, eventually aliting the water and getting through the mud and onto the island where they discovered a building to play in. They put it akin to something from the book Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome, and so that became the title for this blog. In they came from the cold still dripping slightly from where they had been in such a hurry to get dressed, giggling like school kids, clearly they had enjoyed themselves. Kathryn Ayre, Liz Reed and Dorothy Mills had made a miriade of cakes for us all to enjoy and i must say they went down a treat.

At the end of the start of the last two swims we have expressed our pleasure at swimming and been relucatant to admit this might be the last one of the season....well that has been said twice...and twice after the swim i have listened to people comments and gone straight home and organised another....yep same thing happened again this time....so the next social swim is the 23rd of October at Rydal water in the Lake District.....how wonderful would it be if we could make it a mass swim....it could be the last social one of the season afterall!!!.

A very much heart felt thankyou to Martin for allowing us to use his jetty and his hospitality, we will see you next year Martin for definate.Thank you all for such a wonderful turn out, i quote Liz Reed whose post swim response was "Never fails to amaze me how much I love it",