Taper relief

Saturday

I have waited a long time for an opportunity to make an “Inland Revenue Inheritance Tax” joke! In reality, it was a relief to taper from the 10+10 to a weekend of “short but fast” swims – as prescribed by the Channel General.

And I was ready for it…up early, made the tea and porridge for the journey (advantage of the car driving itself…), protein snacks and banana for afterwards and grabbed a couple of fresh towels. I shaved and showered then was off down to Hythe. An hour later I was parked and went to the boot to grab my swim bag…it wasn’t there. With horror I recalled it was on the kitchen table!!

I had backup cap/goggles from my TriClub bag so approached the beach to see if anyone knew of a local shop where I could buy a pair of speedos? The assembled crowd found my predicament hilarious…with offers of a woman’s one-piece swimsuit; a mankini; and “swim naked, you lazy…”. Luckily a swimmer offered up a spare costume and I was ready for a full…3 hours!

3 hours!! That’s just one feed (or two if you include the contraband that I had smuggled in my new trunks…although Mandi called me out on it as I descended to the water “Is that contraband I see there?”…”No I am just pleased to see you!” – which in retrospect would have worked better if the contraband was not in the back of my trunks!)

The wind got up during the 3 hours making it body surfing down the beach and slapping against the wind and tide on the way back. But nothing could ruin my elation… 3 hours! It was soon complete and I headed for home. A chance to see the Wimbledon Semi Final and a summer party in the village. I was able to enjoy a “semi-normal” weekend for the first time in as long as I can remember.

Sunday

A late night and early start was tougher on Sunday…but with a lighter wind and more protection in the harbour, I was keen to get another short swim done. Sarah was also bringing Phoebe down for a quick dip, to join me at the 2 hour feed. Something else to look forward to…

Again two hours passed rapidly with a couple of circuits (and a PB on number of strokes from the slopey groyne to the wall…351!). Then a feed of CMP and Battenberg and I returned for the “lap of honour” – the name I give to the last circuit…so that 3 hours is really only 2 hours and a “lap of honour”!

With 20 minutes to go, I returned to shore and Phoebe joined me in a triangle to the “yellow ducks”, up to the “tomato” buoy and back to the beach. She was a natural and a channel swimmer in the making.

The journey home was tough on so little sleep…but an afternoon snooze and the Wimbledon Men’s Final awaited…the latter was nearly over by the time I had finished my nap!