April 24th, swim 10, Southport Marine Lake

Our 10th swim – a landmark! Not the most beautiful;  Southport Marine Lake resembles a large-scale suburban pond, where the sailing boats are real and not models. We had to shoo the swans away from the area we wanted to swim in. We avoided the signs saying ‘No swimming’, but still managed to feel like naughty schoolchildren expecting to be told off at any moment!

April 24th, swim 9, Formby Beach

A sunny April Saturday; during our visit grandparents were settling down to play with small children on the beach. No-one else was in the water. We didn’t notice the slight swell on the outward stretch, but it got in our mouths when we turned back.

April 10th, swim 8, Loch Lubnaig, near Callander

A swim stop on the journey home. Another crystal-clear Scottish loch in a beautiful setting. It feels such a privilege to swim here – will miss this when we are back in Manchester.

April 9th, swim 7, Loch Linnhe

Not so special, this one, in the sea loch on the doorstep of the holiday house at Ardgour. Early morning. Ben Nevis in the background.

April 7th, swim 6, Tobermory Harbour, Isle of Mull

This was a tremendous setting, swimming in front of the multi-coloured harbour-front houses. Everyone from our holiday was there supporting us. The harbour was absolutely still and we swam out round some buoys and back. We were warmer than on the ferry journey over to Mull and there was a coffee shop just opposite to dive into afterwards.

April 5th, swim 5, Loch Leven, Fort William

A drizzly day with a stiff breeze. We swam around a small island, which was further than we had realised. At the far side the water was very shallow and we were swimming through seaweed; we couldn’t settle to a regular stroke and were both panting. Despite being a sea loch, the water tasted fresh this far up. We got very cold, through being in the water for so long; nearby kayakers were wearing drysuits.

April 3rd, 4th swim, Loch Lomond

Travelling up to our Easter holiday in north-west Scotland. Stopped on the shores of Loch Lomond for a swim. Beautiful, clear day, but snow on the peaks and water bitterly cold. Fantastic situation to swim. Decided that, in these conditions, swimming straight out not the cleverest idea. Quite a treat in the middle of a long drive.

March 21st. 2nd and 3rd Swims. Hatchmere and Pickmere, Cheshire

Isobel at Hatchmere

Together at Pickmere

A sunny Sunday in March.  Two easily accessible Meres in Cheshire.  Water slightly warmer than Derwentwater.  Managed approx 500m in each Mere.  Slightly surprised or disgruntled swans, ducks and fishermen.   A lovely way to spend a day together, sun glistening on the water and two Meres to ourselves (apart from surprised and disgruntled).

Feb 28th 1st swim: Derwentwater, Cumbria

The Beginning - just before we jumped off the end of the pier.

COLD!

Note snow in background.
Supported by Sheila’s friends and family who were gathered in the Newlands Valley to celebrate her 50th.
Very cold; there was ice in the lake the previous day.

The Beginning

Phil and Isobel are both 50 this year.
Time for a challenge: 50 open-air swims this year.
Can be in the sea, rivers, lakes, meres or open-air swimming pools.
With Phil having bladder cancer, we would like to raise money for Cancer Research, so please support us through Just Giving at http://www.justgiving.com/50swims.

2015 – 5 years on, and bladder cancer is becoming a distant memory.  Phil still has annual check ups which have been clear for eight years now – only another seven to go before he is discharged.  Many thanks to the urology team at Wythenshawe.