Morning Steemians!
Ready to come on an adventure with me? Well, you know how I said in my post yesterday that it was raining? By the afternoon, I was desperate to stretch my legs and get some proper fresh air. The rain eased off, and even stopped for a while, so I headed up onto Dartmoor for a swim in the river Dart!
There's a huge movement around wild swimming, but I really wasn't aware of it when I started over 10 years ago. I came to it very naturally. One very hot summer evening, my other half and I were out for an evening walk by the river, and I simply couldn't stand feeling too hot and sticky - so stripped down to my tee shirt and hopped in! I can't say I swam very far that first time- it was more like a quick dunk - but it was gorgeous, and I was hooked.
Since then, I've explored the pools and calm stretches, waterfalls and rapids of the Dart - sometimes swimming with friends, sometimes swimming alone. Yesterday was a blissful solo trip - the perfect reset after a particularly stressy week with all sorts going on both at work and at home.
Safety First
When I reached my favourite spot, I took a little bit of time on the rocks of the shore. I always have a check around to see if anything has changed - can I see anything in the river that's not usually there? Is there anyone else around that I need to be aware of? How fast is the river flowing and what's the level of the water like? See, it's easy to wax lyrical about the beauty of swimming in cold, fresh water under the oak trees and sky - but you have to respect the nature of the water. A rainfall further up on the moors can result in a stronger current and higher levels. It can also mean things get washed down the stream - mostly natural, such as branches, but it's always worth a check. I'm not any kind of expert in wild-swimming safety, but you really need to keep your common sense switched on to stay safe. If you'd like to read more about getting started and things to consider, I recommend The Outdoor Swimming Society's website as a great source on the kind of things you need to be aware of - cold being one of the most important considerations.
All looked beautiful and clear - and because there was quite a breeze going on, I didn't waste any time in stripping off and getting in. BRRR! The recent rain had taken the temperature right down - but I was soon over in my favourite channel towards the opposite bank, zooming down the river with a fast breast stroke to warm up. I love swimming downstream in this bit- because you're just below two waterfalls, the current is quite strong and super-powers each stroke you make - it makes you feel like an olympic champion! Swimming up-stream… not so much! That's hard work and my arms were burning by the time I got back to the top. But you're headed towards two beautiful waterfalls and gliding under oak trees - you can't help but grin like an idiot as you go!
There's something about the water in the Dart that makes you feel like you're swimming in liquid silk - and for the hour I was swimming, I was completely present in those moments, enjoying the feel and the peaty smell of the water, the air and the birdsong- and watching the wildlife. I saw a gorgeous little yellow wagtail of some sort feasting on the flies that hover at the river's edge, a huge yellow dragonfly, a couple of greeny-blue beautiful demoiselles and, after I got out, a hornet zoomed past!
I always end my swim by edging in towards the base of one of the little waterfalls - the aerated water makes for the most delicious natural Jacuzzi experience! Yesterday, once I was out, there was no sun to lounge in, so I quickly dried and dressed in as many layers as I had brought with me, and I was really glad to pull the hood of my hood over my wet hair to conserve some heat!
It really was the perfect, dreamy Saturday afternoon- a reset for both my mind and my body.
Are there any other wild swimmers out there? I'd love to hear about your favourite swims in the comments. I hope you enjoyed your adventure with me - any upvotes and resteems much appreciated!
Happy Sunday
Eveningart x