“I’m walking by the sea and the shingle sings for me” (The Who, 1971)
In my previous blog post (What a Diff’rence A Day Makes) I wrote about the importance of focusing on the joy, the treasure or the ‘specialness’ that each day offers. I will admit to, at times this winter, having found this challenging. January seemed to go on for an inordinately long time and, while there have indeed been some wonderful signs of Spring, in February, this month (as is often the case) is teasing us, getting our hopes up, only to remind us a day later that winter is not over yet. It is all too easy to feel a bit gloomy when the weather is dark, wet and cold and all I really want to do is to hibernate.
This winter, I have been following the work of Lia Leendertz and I have found her weekly updates inspiring in helping me to identify something positive or noteworthy about each day. Every year, Lia produces ‘The Almanac, a seasonal guide to the year ahead’. In addition to her annual Almanac, she writes a blog, produces a podcast, and, since last Autumn sends out a weekly newsletter in which she shares ‘three seasonal things’ she has noticed that week. She calls it ‘Lia’s Living Almanac’ and she encourages her followers to also share their ‘seasonal finds’. In so doing the weekly updates become a dynamic record of the season, whether that is what is happening in our natural world, what festivals and festivities people are celebrating, what food they are enjoying, what sounds they have heard – or anything really that is going on around us. It serves as a wonderful reminder that there is, after all, something wonderful to be celebrated or enjoyed about each day.
There is a blessing in the air,
Which seems a sense of joy to yield
To the bare trees, and mountains bare,
And grass in the green field…(Wordsworth, 1798)
High Tide
At Clevedon, where I swim in the sea, it is only safe and accessible to swim at or around high tide, due to the huge tidal range (one of the largest in the world). In winter, due to the shorter days, this limits the times that a swim is possible. Those possibilities are often further restricted by the weather, which can tend to be rather stormy at this time of year. On ‘non-swimmable’ days I have had to look for ‘seasonal finds’ elsewhere. However, looking back through my recent ‘seasonal’ swims I have been able to identify at least 3 wonderful, unmissable and memorable mornings when my trip to the beach lifted my spirits more than it usually does and gave me additional reasons to celebrate winter swimming.
Interestingly, all three of these ‘seasonal finds’ happened with the 8.00 am high tide. These morning high tide swims are always my favourites. The beach and the roads are quieter, the day has yet to really get going, and it is a great reason to get up and out of the house, feel energised and enjoy the fresh air.
What 3 Things?
So here are three of my ‘seasonal finds’ that contributed to a joyous January of swimming through winter:
1. January 9th 2023 at 8.30 am – Getting thrown – laughing – out of the sea and onto the shingle. When the sea is rough like that, not much ‘proper’ swimming can be done. However, after a week of not being able to get in the sea, the joy and the laughter of a ‘bounce’ in a tide like that is an energising tonic – and a valuable reminder of who is ‘in charge’.
2. January 22nd 2023 at 8.00 am – Watching the sunrise as the moon went down. Facing West, we don’t really see the sun rise, at Clevedon. We are more famous for the beautiful sunsets. But that morning, as the sun was rising behind us, the whole sky was pink. It was magical. And the sea was as flat as a pancake.
3. January 24th 2023 at 8.30 am – Frozen seaweed. It was certainly cold, tip-toeing over the beach to get into the sea that morning, but what an amazingly beautiful sight. It was probably (and hopefully) my coldest swim this winter with the air temperature at -2 Celsius and the sea temperature hovering just below 6. I only stayed in for 5 minutes, but those sunny and frosty mornings can’t help but light up your day – and make you glad you got out of your bed to experience it.
Looking back and identifying those 3 ‘seasonal things’ has helped me to appreciate that the month wasn’t as grey and dismal as I sometimes felt it to be. At the risk of sounding like ‘Pollyanna’ (Porter, 1913), it is, indeed, possible to find something positive, notable and pleasurable about each day, each week and each month. And now, with February almost over and the days getting longer and lighter, there is so much more, every day, to notice about the changing seasons and the world around us.
March, when days are getting long,
Let thy growing hours be strong
To set right some wintry wrong.
~Caroline May, 1887
You don’t have to find something, of note, every day, of course. You could, like Lia Leendertz aim to note 3 ‘seasonal things’ each week. Or you could, as I have done here, aim to note 3 or 4 things each month. What ever works for you! And whatever gets you through!
Just remember to ‘keep swimming’!
References
Leendertz, L. (2022) Lia’s living Almanac. https://lialeendertz.substack.com
May, C. (1887) Lays of Memory and Affection: the seasons and the sea, Randolph & Co.
Oliver, B. (2023) What a Diff’rence A Day Makes, justkeepswimmingBillie.wordpress.com
Porter, E.H. (1913) Pollyanna, Page
The Who (1971) Time is Passing, from the album, Who’s Next, Decca Records
Wordsworth, W. (1798) To My Sister,
Just Keep Swimming 