First open water swim of the year (apart that is from the three stokes of splashing in the sea at Anglesey at Easter time) and it was c-c-c-c-old but beautiful.

There really is something special about swimming outside in the sunshine with the swallows darting around over head and the geese trying to share the Loch space with you that is hard to beat, and just can't be matched by a chlorinated and busy pool.

I should however remembered my age and the need to do proper warm ups before swimming in a wetsuit as my arms and shoulders are really aching now. Then again, maybe spending afternoon stacking the woodshed and gardening had something to do with that too.

The littlest one is bed, the older two are watching Lord of the Rings. I'm off for a much needed radox bath.