>>1187
Not into outdoor swimming per se, but I do like recreational activities outside of the strictly regimented areas. During the past heat wave for example, I spent many a day dangling my feet in a local shallow river, as well as spending a few nights camping next to said river whenever fortune afforded me the opportunity.

I too spent a few drizzly days in that area and had a lot of fun. Didn't go swimming, but went on the "gorge walking" up the rivers and so on, getting nice and soaked. All good fun. There's a lot of entertainment to be had on these isles. Good to see others making use of it.

I've never swum in a lake (there's a swimming lake in Bristol, but that isn't really wild), although I do swim whenever I'm at a suitable bit of seaside.
But you make it look like fun, OP.
I do wish that there were more suitable lakes in my area.

>>1187
Yeah. Feels great, m8. I sea swim maybe once a week, but lakes and rivers are a particular treat.

Pic is Black Moss Pot in the Langstrath - a great spot.

>>1260

That's odd, as it's one I've twice meant to do and didn't. Just got back from the Lakes today and did Wast, Elter, Ennerdale, Rydal and Lowes over three days. The weather was outstanding.

What's the climb in like at Blackmoss? Also, how long is the walk-in?

>>1263
It's a few miles walk from the nearest 'civilisation', but a thoroughly easy-going and pleasant one. The climb (or jump) in can be a bit hairy, but I would think you could find an easier spot down-stream and swim up to the pot itself.

>>1274

Thanks old chap. Next time I'm up I'll head up the beck.

Your pictures look lovely. I want to go swimming now but have to tidy up for our French guest who has been known to upbraid us on the state of our 'cup-boards'.

>>1274

Forgot to ask - what's your policy on wetsuits and all that palaver?

>>1277
Ah. Pics from google - not mine. Although I have pretty similar ones. Anonymity and all that.

>>1278
I can't be bothered with a full wetsuit. In winter, though, I use neoprene shoes and gloves and a regular swimming cap. You'd be amazed how much heat you loose through your hands and feet.

>>1279

That's interesting. I'm opposed to wetsuits for mobility and pansiness reasons. My mrs. has been going on about gloves and shoes, though, and I pooh-poohed her. More words to eat by the sound of it.

I think the worst thing about being out is the walking in. Rocks and small stones are a bastard sometimes. Those shoes sound a good idea, but how are they for swimming in?

>>1280
<--- this sort of thing? They're great. I only use them if I have to, but soon forget I'm wearing them, to be honest.

>>1282

Thanks. I thought from the look of them they'd drag a lot. Are they better than the 'sock' types (>pic)?

[x]rage for conversation.

...and it was in the North Sea! Woohoo! Got into the water at Scarborough on Sunday and though I got the worst case of ice cream head ever, it was great. I really must get a swimming cap.

Anyone else been out yet? I plan on doing the Serpentine this week.

>>1684
The thing that always scares me about Scarborough is the yellow froth that comes in with the waves. I once saw a baby crawl into a pool of seawater in a hole someone had dug and come back out covered in yellow froth. I hear its because there's a sewage works outlet quite close to shore.

Then again I haven't been since I was a kid. Maybe they have sorted it out.

>>1685

Oh I know what you mean, but it is much better nowadays. The water was very clean indeed - if a little brisk!

>>1769

I appreciate the care taken to add that little hump bit.

Saturday was a good day. This is our lass in Esthwaite, watched by our hydrophobic dog.

We saw no Nessie, but she did get stared at by a fish later on in Loughrigg tarn. Very unsettling I can tell you.

>>1836

Had a go out in Gaddings Dam today. It is a fine place and is kept up entirely by volunteers (who amongst them raised the money to buy the place I believe).

If anyone cares I'll put up a picture. [x] Rage for swim blog.