Amanda guffawed and Rhona rolled her eyes as I entered the loch. The water swirled around my ankles, I had to stride in, over uneven stoney ground yet no stopping.. breathing deep and swinging my arms up… Ooo! Cold knees.. Ooo! Baltic thighs.. Oooooo! my Mary!
The 3 of us had started swimming outside in open water during lockdown.. from slightly illicit summer sunshine through autumn mists and into slushy icy water. Rhona first, always the trailblazer.. Amanda had swam outside in Vermont, where her parents lived, through the years…but city girl, me, I could only remember once swimming in a lake before.. Now, the exhilaration of the chilly water, rush of adrenaline and glorious feeling of winter sun on my face was just… breathtaking…'ALIVE!' I shouted as I hurled myself into the water…WOO!
Rebecca shouted 'good one Timmy' from the bench.. support crew, Rebecca, steady and wise.. she’d have homemade brownies and hot chocolate ready for us after the dip.
Amy and Rachel chatted and laughed from the waters edge... 'You absolute nutters' Bants.. always the bants.
My breath was short, sucking in quickly, and barely out, each time feeling the dark water slosh over my shoulders.. but my head was up, neck stretched taut, my face upwards avoiding the waves as much as I could..
They say your most recent swim is the best.. so today, surrounded by friends.. this was better.
These girls are my Dream Team.. like apricity - the feeling of the winter sun on your face.. these girls are a warm hug, a sunny face, a supportive arm, a raucous laugh, a place to be me.