So I love water. Being in it, watching it and I don’t mind walking in it, providing I’ve got the right weather gear.
But I’m not the biggest fan of getting wet walking in it, then swimming in it, then trying to get dry and dressed in it! Mind you I’m guessing few would actually list that as a top ten activity.
So this morning I was due to go and meet the local Bluetits (such a great name) to wild swim. Its a small but fun and friendly group, and a key part of my weekend activities. When I woke it was chucking it, when I next checked it was still pouring, I checked two apps and both said rain. It was undeniably raining, there was no way to get around the fact that it was raining.
Hmmm would I still go, someone on the group chat had bailed, perhaps it would be cancelled. I phoned the leader, I was saddened to hear her words ‘I’m still going, but its up to you.’ Gosh she was determined. I was contemplating bailing but got my kit ready which is a major feet ( towfloat, shoes, cossie, towel, drinks, layers, waterproof bag for kit, waterproof cover to keep kit dry). I looked again – still raining.
I texted to say I wasn’t going and decided to pop to the shops instead. I started walking to the shops, but that little voice at the back of my mind said, you’ll enjoy it, in 10 years you might not be able to swim in the rain, and its only rain.
So, I got in the car and committed to the decision. I am not great at decisions, correction – I am crap at decisions. But I wasn’t going to back out now, unless of course there were no parking spaces…… ( its good to have options 🙂
As I approached the layby the rain got heavier. Damn there was a space! Double damn, others were there and had seen me ! I was now visibly committed.
We swam, we laughed, the mist was coming in, the rain drops bounced on and off the water like fingers on a keyboard. The swell ebb and flowed, we stretched and floated, we talked about motivation and how fortunate we are.
And now 4 hours later, warm, dry and fed I actually wish I was back in there.
Life literally is so short – learn to love the rain.
Chapter 4 