First Swim of 2025

When I see the snow, ice and floods widespread in Britain, I wonder how central Edinburgh has escaped most of the recent dire weather. It’s been a sunny day here today, not exactly blue skies and puffy white clouds, but sunshine nevertheless pouring into the house showing up my lack of housewifely skills on the dust front. 

When I left for the beach this morning it was dark and my phone said it felt like -8°.  Actually I didn’t think it was too bad until I was caught in a blast of NW wind. I could hear the waves hitting the beach as I got off the bus and I must admit if it hadn’t been for 3 other BlueTits arriving I wouldn’t have gone into the sea by myself. The tide was the highest I think I’ve seen at Porty, leaving little space to change.

The water seemed very cold having not been in the sea since Christmas Eve, but the company was warm and my heated gilet made the hour’s journey home tolerable. The buses weren’t on my side and the traffic made it slow going but a hot shower and a Starbuck’s coffee saved the day.

I am not tempted to go out again this afternoon.