Swim Weekend

'Twas the night before solstice...  Actually it was Saturday afternoon, and the weekend before the winter solstice.

Maria Island looked like a volcano as we swept, cleaned and organised the Nippers shed for the Big Event the next day:  Spring Bay Suicide Awareness Network Annual Winter Solstice Swim at Raspins Beach.

Having made all presentable, we repared to Wattlebanks in Orford for a self-congratulatory coffee and even a bit of cake.  The mist still hung on the river.

We gathered at 6.30am on Sunday for final preparations.  The goddess was with us - no wind, no rain.

tea and coffee station

setting up for the choir

the choir in action later

congregating

Sue leads the charge in at 0800

Raelene leads the charge out, possibly at 0801

I'm in there, but obscured.  It is such a wonderful thing to be part of.  I felt so alive afterwards and ate 2 veggie patties for breakfast, and another 2 for lunch at home.  I hit the wall at about 1.30pm and allowed myself the indulgence of lounging on the couch reading The Wind in the Willows with the heater on all afternoon.

 I managed to be awake at 8.30pm to watch Miss Fisher, then Why Didn't They Ask Evans?

Bobbin didn't quite make the distance.  We both slept very  soundly.