Following a trip to the lake in 2019, I began near daily visits for a swim. Meeting new people, including a number of long distance swimmers, I soon built up a network of swimming buddies with whom to explore the 330 acre lake. Accompanying one of these swimmers on her training swims for swimming the length of Windermere, we were soon doing many 2-4 hour sessions, taking in 10-12 km without getting tired.

Once again, I was reminded of my endurance levels that I had seen lost in the 7 year gap since my Spanish sea swimming days had abruptly ended.

With one of these swimmers scheduled to swim the Channel, training every day, & taking time off for sessions each weekend at Dover, among other venues, I was reminded of my dream.

Watching him prepare, & then successfully swim the channel, reminded me just how close I had got.

As I swam through the winter, enjoying water temperatures as low as 3.5 degrees Celcius, for a kilometre or two each morning, I was eagerly waiting the opportunity for doing many long swims with some of my swimming partners from the previous year.

After taking some time away, on the South Coast, I returned to near Milton Keynes, in an attempt to re-shape my life, with swimming being a regular part if plans allowed.

Starting a new business in November, 2019, after almost 4 years focused on helping a non-profit organisation, I decided to create a business of my own that would give me ultimate flexibility. With Covid19, however my own flexibility became irrelevant, compared to the global flexibility to adapt to the outbreak. Soon I saw those activities parked, with bookings all cancelled or postponed indefinitely.

With no access to the lake, unable to swim in the mornings, all I could do was wait.

In May, the lockdown rules were lifted, & we could swim once again.

It was time to find my rhythm once again, & rebuild my style.