Lake to lido to river

We got up and had a light breakfast in the Youth Hostel before heading towards Ullswater. We found the most amazing ‘beach’, with cover from the road and the rain and privacy to change and a decent gradual pebble path into the water - which was much colder than last night in Windermere.

It was exhilarating.

Once we’d changed, we headed to Saltwhistle, the very centre of Great Britain. There we had a leisurely hour in the heated lido, enjoying the freedom of warmer water and working up an appetite.

Lunch was yum, in the Water Tower Cafe - highly recommended if you’re ever passing. I even bought cheese scones to take away and to take home.

Then a drive towards Durham. We stopped off for one possible river swim but the clamber out of the water looked a little harrowing. So we landed up elsewhere in the River Tees, in cola coloured fast flowing water with slimy rocks underfoot. Fighting the flow was a challenge, as was getting in and out of the river, but it made us laugh a lot.

After a lot of messing around, we got dressed for the 4th time today and drove to York. We’d booked shared hotel rooms where we changed for a 5th time and ate there, playing games too, although with much less energy than last night.

What a special special day. 3 more counties ticked off. Love these friends and love these swims.