Last Buoy of Summer

(Possibly) the last swim of the season. The imminent roadworks on the Erskine Bridge may put an end to these sessions.

It was crazy. There were 4 of us; Heather was in a fiercely foul mood in the dark in the car park but we all knew (including her) that if she just got in the water everything would be fine. It didn't stop her swearing at me (even more than usual) and threatening to stab me (a lot). Jenny was game and easily persuaded; Robert was feeling outnumbered since all the boys had deserted him. We had a laugh about his imaginary friend and took photos of him with his arm around thin air. Not much wider than Mike who had promised to be there...

It was great. Not too cold, really calm, getting light and as Robert said we burnt more calories laughing than swimming. We talked to the ducks. they quacked back, Jenny got herself over the stones without assistance and Heather wanted photos taken of her feet. We had quite a short swim, punctuated by photos and Robert's attempt to divebomb one which had Heather screaming so loudly I'm sure they could hear her at Ardlui. I laughed so hard I could hardly breathe never mind swim.

This was the buoy that Heather and I had to touch, aka the Buoys of Summer. (One to cement a great memory but a duff photo and I'm not sure what's going on with the lens in my goggles...) We rarely visit this buoy, and it was the first buoy we went to this year so it's fitting we went back at the end. At least this time our wetsuits didn't freeze to the ground when we took them off. Since we only touched one buoy, we had to touch the boy too (a quick pat on the arm). Robert puts up with quite a lot! We had a swim out to the sticks without our wetsuits; Robert showed off by doing butterfly back to shore while Heather and I had a more leisurely suitless swim back.

If it was the last swim of 2013 it was a fantastic way to end a great season. thanks to all of the Loch Lomond Loonies for making it great.

And, even better; I'm now off work for 2 weeks. Happy!!!