Boxing Day Dip!

Monday, 26 December 2022

Written by Kestrel Lodge

When the breeze barely ruffles the surface of the water, and  snow-capped mountains are reflected perfectly on the mirrorlike surface of Bassenthwaite Lake, not even a duck dares glide by to disturb the serenity of the scene.

Crisp and cold, with blue skies overhead--these are the winter days I seek, these are the precious beautiful winter days where...

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order." 
                                                                                                          John Burrows

Today, was not one of those days.

Today, the collected nutcases of the smith/wade clan from kestrel lodge descended upon Bassenthwaite Lake to disturb the peace, the serenity, the majesty, the sheer beauty and wonder... for a bloody cold swim!

I did mention that this was the collected nutters from the families, right?

There were definitely more than a few of us. All ages, sizes, genders, orientations, and even some of us didn't come from either Yorkshire or Cumbria. I know: what is the world coming to! Northeless, fearlessly we all took the plunge on this chilly Boxing Day morning...possibly afternoon.

It isn't something we can call a tradition; it'a more one of those things we want to become a tradition, if you know what l mean? Something to wash away the cobwebs after the excesses of Christmas Day. To get the blood pumping and the skin tingling, and l promise you, it really does make you feel so alive. There's really nothing else quite like it.