January swim - The challenge begins

On Friday the 24th January, I meticulously packed my bag for the first swim of the challenge. The month had run away from me, and I realised that soon I would run out of month, so it was time to get a move on and do the swim. So I packed my wetsuit, swim shoes, towels, base layer and other warm clothes for afterwards, good socks and a hip flask of good whisky, and went to bed with trepidation in my belly. We awoke early on Saturday (nothing new there, I am mother to a 16 month old and a 4 year old who do not differentiate week and weekend) and we headed off in the car, destination Coombe Martin beach in North Devon. Half way to our destination? My eldest threw up in the car. All over my towels. With one hour to go to the destination, we decided the best thing to do was to abandon the plan, and head home. I was GUTTED, and beginning to be very worried that the challenge was in jeopardy before it had even begun. The weather for the next day was looking awful, and yet the conditions for the Saturday had been perfect. I spent a great deal of the evening searching for more local swimming spots, so we wouldn't have to drag our poorly offspring too far just so their Mummy could fling themselves in cold water. And then I settled upon the perfect spot. I live in Weston-super-Mare, and Clevedon is a sleepier version of my home, just 20 minutes away down the M5. After looking on the website of the Outdoor Swimming Society and their extensive map, I stumbled on a listing for a a tidal pool, right on the seafront. I have lived in Weston many years and visited Clevedon frequently, yet I never knew this existed! I didn't really want to use up my North Somerset swim so early on, but as the challenge at risk, I decided this venue was perfect. So today, we set out at 9 in the morning, and headed off down the motorway. I had butterflies in my belly but was determined I would do it. We parked up, and the rain that had been falling on us all the way there seemed to get heavier. Hell, I was about to get wet and my family had a massive brolly, so it seemed unimportant! I strode to the pool with a purpose and a determination not to back out. The water looked relatively inviting, so I went for it. No point hesitating, that just would make it harder. The water was FREEZING, easily as cold as my Boxing day swim, but at least there was no current to nearly sweep me away. I managed to stay in for around 5 minutes, but my hands were so cold that it was impossible to stay in longer. I really thought that hand and feet protection were not that important, but I know now that proper gloves and wetsuit socks are essential. My wetsuit proved worth the money, as it kept me relatively dry and warm.

The whisky was much needed! My favourite part of this swim was hearing my eldest daughter shouting "Go Mummy! You can do it!" throughout the swim. And then when I was in my hot bath on return home, she came up and presented me with this.