#30daysofswimming

[viviennerickman]

Today marks #30days 'of something' only I'm not entirely sure what. For quite a few years I have embarked on #30daysofswimming every April it's a great time for refocus and for daily practice. I swim nearly every day of the year so I'm not sure what I gain from a 30 day stint right now... I want to run, swim, and feel the wind in my face, write words, record images and shout out loud in wide open spaces.... So happy April, let's get this #30days 'of something or another' started! ~ #mountainlove (at Snowdonia National Park)

[viviennerickman]

Lundy | 2 I take your teasing Northerlies Bathed in sunshine What thundery showers? I walked the streets In hail It’s all wet Right? Tall Black Falling Heavy ~~~ #30daysofswimming #factorfiction (at Newport, Wales) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvxDo7sjX_q/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=cmrpip5i72ye

[viviennerickman]

Wight | 1 East 5 or 6 chills my wet hair Visibility is mostly blue Horizons remains a little hazy Good times shimmer on the surface Remember to breathe ~~~ I use every April as a bit of a creative reset. It used to be about taking a swim everyday, new location, chasing weather, bigger, better, tougher... Yet it’s the month I injured my back, the month that gave me hope when I didn’t know what the outcome would be, last year I used it to to explore my writing and published a little book, it also was the month that gave me great courage to make changes in my life. Life is never an easy ride but fast or slow challenge comes in many forms. ~~~ #30daysofswimming #factorfiction (at The Solent) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvv1Vj8DEwc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3runm7ig7dm3

[viviennerickman]

'Tales from the riverbank'

Day 22 ‪#‎30daysofswimming2016‬

I loved that book so much as a child, 'Wind in the Willows' I still have the dog eared copy somewhere. Any location with overhanging trees has me right back there.

Today was a brief dip in the little river, (it's not actually a river but it has all the right vibes of a Wind in the Willows setting). The lake felt warm as the afternoon temperature slowly dropped. No kingfishers, no ducks, no swans, just me...

[viviennerickman]

‘A three lake / one crag kinda day’

Day 21 #30daysofswimming2016

An attempt to combine a day of fav mountain activities with my nearest and dearest, his climbing / mine swimming... neither of us enjoys nor partakes willingly in the other, hmmm,  a possible recipe for disaster but we were willing to at least attempt it.

It went well, I dipped, paddled and swam in three (yes three!) lakes and he got a  few climbs on a beautiful (did I say that?) gritstone crag. All the lakes were crystal clear, and felt warm. There were variable depths but all on the scale of ‘shallow’, shallow enough to be mindful not to stir up the bottom on entry. I clearly did stir up the last one, because I was met with the words “blimey you need to get out it stinks in there!”

Great day! 

[viviennerickman]

'Perfect conditions' 

Day 20 #30daysofswimming2016 

It was perfect conditions for not feeling pathetic, to feel for a flitting moment slightly gazelle like, perfect conditions for an odd wind to be whipping across the lake making it deep, dark, inky, the same perfect wind to fan the heath fire across the lake that while I bathed fire fighters tackled it's flames. I felt indulgent and blissful, yet sad and useless.

[viviennerickman]

‘Here’s to invincibility’

Day 19 #30daysofswimming2016

By 5pm I’d seemed to have packed in an entire week’s worth of to do lists and outdoor adventures. It’s amazing what a drop of sunshine and an increase in temperature can do. 

Today’s swim was in Llynnau Mymbyr, I chose to visit the spot where the twin lakes meet. It was no more than few feet deep where I swam, the rocky bed glistening in the sunshine. It felt good in the water, I didn’t want to get out. 

I had that invincible feeling all day, it’s been a while since it’s been there. I jumped off a rock (ok small tiny jump) but it felt epic and even tripping over my own clumsiness towards the end of the day didn’t sway the good vibes. Bring it on!

[viviennerickman]

Non hot tub verses pond skaters

Day 16 #30daysofswimming2016

Another early start and before we could say “check out the snow on the mountains!” we were reccie’ing the Afon Lledr for a suitable swim spot. 

It was cold first thing, and my slowing digesting, hearty breakfast did nothing for me wanting to part with my clothes and jump in a river. We took our time deciding, discussing the pro’s of the ‘non hot tub’ verses swimming with the pond skaters. The pond skaters won.

Unbelievably clear and cool, a hailstorm passed through... magical.