It's been too long...

Well it has been a long time since I posted.

My daughter is now 7 months (almost) and swimming weekly.

The water outside is warm enough to be swimming good distances, not long now and the indoor pool will become redundant again until the Autumn.

But what excites me most is that we've found a nearby swimming spot that can be used daily and is truly beautiful (well seaweed aside). It's on the River Dart and it's only ever been us there pre-during and after swim....lovely lovely lovely. I'll take a picture and post it soon as I've resolved to write more regularly now! Hmmmm, we'll see. Fingers crossed....

Freda Frog practises her diving technique

The youngest Devonshire Dipper has now had her first two swimming lessons in Dartington. She 'Swims with Sally' who has already had her totally submerged....I was more scared than Freda but she was fine! Here she is looking hot to trot, practising her diving technique, in her neoprene swimsuit, lucky little frog.

Her second swim was with her best friend Eva.....Eva took to swimming exceptionally well, she's a bright spark. Picture to follow.

Stoke Gabriel swimming...brrrrr

Stoke Gabriel is now the village we proudly call home, we are new here but we love it and have been made to feel very welcome by some extremely lovely people. It has made us look forward to the next part of our lives together as a family even more.

We try to swim in the Dart as often as possible, there is an inlet off the Dart that is home to the infamous River Shack and also Stoke Gabriel Boating Association, both of which are a huge part of the local community.

We pay very close attention to the tides and also have not as yet swum in the main body of the Dart as it is a force of it's own and we want to get to know it and seek more advice before we take that step. Stuart is planning to organise a swim from Stoke Gabriel to Totnes this summer, which is about 4 miles and we are hoping our swimming friends from London will join us.

The video below shows an excellent dip we had earlier this year. On this particular day it was so foggy we couldn't see all the way to the river itself, the water was eerily calm, which made for a truly mystical and somewhat magical dip. These swims, even though short are always the best swims.

Burgh Island - When 3 lovely serpers came to stay...

29th December 2009 our very own Nick 'the fish' Adams and Sakura 'oompa loompa' Hingley ran from Bigbury to Burgh Island in their swimmers simply to avoid paying for the ferry and they even BEAT THE FERRY TO IT!!

They darted across the water only to reach the pub before we did and avoid paying the two pound charge incurred if you board the trusty ferry. Well open water swimmers know best and I wasn't complaining as they used their savings to buy Stu and I lunch - what a lovely, slightly bonkers lot BUT they are officially Devonshire Dippers now. xx

Bantham Estuary - First swim as a Mum...

This was one of the best swims of my life. After 8 weeks of no swimming and 6 months of swimming with a bump it was wonderfully liberating to be in the water with the winter sun warming my back late on a windy November afternoon.

Bantham estuary was the perfect place to have my first post baby swim as it is where my huband proposed and where we swim together regularly throughout the year.

I will never forget the feeling I had during this swim...truly amazing!

You will see in the video that I entered the water with some reluctance, it was November 2009 and very windy, we had never seen the water so far up the quay, normally the water doesn't come in over the edge of the wall that you see me sitting down on (twice!) to launch myself into the water (more like plop myself!)

Even though it was windy and the water was choppy, the sun shone and kept me warm whilst Stuart and Freda watched from the shelter of the boathouse. Just brilliant.

One of my most memorable Devonshire Dips.

The Serpentine - A final wave to the ducks and the swans

This morning, 18th August 2009, we visited one of our most treasured London swimming spots, the Serpentine for a final dip as London dwellers.

The Serpentine and the Serpers have been a big part of our lives together and we have spent a lot of time over the past few years, dipping, shivering and drinking tea in the company of the 'men' and the Serpers posse.

For those of you that haven't been to the Serpentine before the London day begins and swum with ducks, swans (and some slightly bonkers regulars!) you're missing out. There is something special about arriving at the Serps winter or summer (although winter is by far our favourite) sliding and plopping into the water (cold or warm although again, cold is our favourite!) and then spending as much time as you can eek out of the pre-work morning, drinking tea and shivering your way through a conversation or two with a selection of brilliant people.

Today we visited because we're off to Devon on Thursday and we just wanted to say 'see you soon'. Not Goodbye as we'll have to come back in the winter to swim in the Serps. A winter cannot go by without at least a few dips in the icy waters of the Serpentine, life would just not be the same.

So to all the Serpers, come and visit us in Devon for some wild dips, icy or warm, you're always welcome.

Our love and duck pooh kisses

Olivia & Stu xx

Tooting Bec Lido - The last ' London based' breakfast club

Wednesday 19th August - A joyous yet sad occasion

Today we will go to Tooting Bec Lido for our last 'resident' breakfast club. A tradition started for swimming enthusiasts who are also partial to fine food and wine or in the morning coffee.

We will start the day with a dip, which at this time of year can be anything from a few lengths to a few miles or even hours if you're training for the Channel, but if you're me, this year it's no more than a mile as our baby is due in a month and I'm taking it easy because I can and because it's nice to have a leisurely swim and just enjoy the view (and also avoid being bumped by the many who have descended upon our treasured Lido to make the most of this heat!)

Once we have dipped we will eat delicious bread, pastries and drink delicious Italian coffee...we'll bring our own ofcourse!

This is all done amongst the company of trusted swimming friends who are mostly bonkers and who we'll miss unexplainable amounts.

Our last two dips in London, Tooting Bec Lido and The Serpentine to say a fond farewell to our swimming friends who have made a huge impact on our lives and who we hope will always play a big part in it. Again....Lido-ers please visit us soon (and often!)

LOTS of love

Olivia & Stu xxx