The best thing that happened during 2020 was discovering surfing. Having a bad back and a dodgy knee I always though I would not be able to do it. A few of the Lapper’s had lesson with  Inchydoney Surf School, and I was hooked. Surfing is like being a child again and a complete relief from everything. All you can think about is catching that wave and trying to stand up. The thrill is incredible I cannot recommend it enough. I took my daughter Lucy and her two pals lots of times over the summer. It did not matter that I was with them, we all had such a laugh. So I now own 4 surf boards so I can take the girls and am now part of The Surfing Babes whats app group.

March 29th 2020 Beacon Beach @ 2pm

Low Tide 02:42 (0.94m)

High Tide 08:52 (3.26m)

Low Tide 15:01 (1.01m)

High Tide 21:08 (3.24m)

Waxing Crescent Moon

Strange times indeed.Ireland is on Lock down, and we are not allowed outside a 2km radius from our house, due to the Corona Virus. Lough Hyne is a bit further than 2k, however I am so very lucky to be able to walk to what I call the Beacon Beach. It is tucked away just off the road up to the Beacon.It is the opposite direction to the Cove Beach, so if the wind is wild on one beach it will be calmer on the other.

 It was still windy and the tide was lowish, I had to force myself to get in but it was so worth it.

Round the bouy, the only company on this swim. My two dogs are waiting for me on the shore. Big shout to all my fellow Lough Hyne Lapper’s who are keeping my spirits up on the whats app and I can’t wait to back swimming with you all soon.

Take care, stay safe.

March 28th 2020 Lock Down Kitchen Disco  Baltimore @ 9pm

I love dancing just as much as swimming. My kitchen has never been as clean due to the Corona Virus and I have moved around furniture so myself and the girls can do work. So as on Lock down we decided to have a Kitchen Disco. I asked friends to send me their favourite dance tune and we compiled a new play list.

We got dressed up and had a lovely candlelight dinner.

And we danced and danced.

Fair play to the girls they lasted a good two hours, I carried on till 2 am.

Corona Virus Disco Play list can be found on Paula Marten Spotify. We are dancing again next Saturday and taking requests.

www.paula marten.com

March 27th 2020 Baltimore Swim @ 5.30 pm

Low Tide 03:23 (1.06m)

High Tide 09:30 (3.19m)

Low Tide 15:42 (1.15m)

High Tide 21:49 (3.16m)

Waxing Crescent Moon

My second swim of the day, Maria and Jim are already in, we are doing loops of the Cove Beach in Baltimore as well as practising safe physical / social distance.This is before Lock down and as Lough Hyne seemed be getting very busy due to the good weather we decided to keep it local.

As I swim around to the right the temperature of the water drops. There are plenty of visuals both above and below and as it’s evening, I am loving watch the light change as we swim around.

My eldest daughter is dipping with her friends after a hard day home schooling. I feel so sorry for them having to deal with this situation, but delighted that they are going into the sea I can see the positive effect it has on her.

A very special place, I feel very privileged to live in such a beautiful village and be able to swim here.

March 27 th 2020 Beacon Beach dip @ 9.30 am

Low Tide 00:32 (0.76m)

High Tide 06:49 (3.35m)

Low Tide 12:48 (0.82m)

High Tide 19:00 (3.32m)

Crescent Moon

My Fellow Lough Hyne Lapper and neibour Siobhan along with her beautiful baby bump are having a dip in the Beacon Beach on this beautiful, beautiful morning.

We both did not want to get out it was so beautiful, I felt amazing for the rest of the day, and had a swim in the evening too.

Definately feeling more positive after that.

March 26th 2020 The Cove Baltimore swim @ 5pm

Low Tide 00:03 (0.70m)

High Tide 06:20 (3.39m)

Low Tide 12:17 (0.76m)

High Tide 18.31 (3.34m)

Waxing New Moon

We are keeping it local and have to plan swim times according to the tides, the tides are not as relevant to Lough Hyne unless going through the rapids. Alice is dipping. Maria and I wait for Jim neither of us have our phones , so we get in we are just doing loops of the Cove.

My daughter and her friends are dipping on the opposite side. They laugh at me as my feet apparently stick up while taking photographs , sooo embarrassing !!

Love swimming around all the bouys , all a boat free making it safe for us.

I can see the Cape Clear Ferry in the distance and Baltimore Pier.

Olympic Sailor Maria waits for slow coach me.

Two fantastic laps of the Cove, I went  home for tea in great form. Jim and I chatted about music and when we were teenagers we would listen to full albums and know them so well, the  sequence of songs and how they take you back . So I listened to full albums like a teenager.

The Joshua Tree by U2 and Talking Heads, Naked.

Jim was late but joined us at a social distance of course.

March 23rd 2020 Lough Hyne Dip @ 10 am

High Tide 04:40 (3.37m)

Low Tide 10:54 (0.70m)

High Tide 17:00 (3.33m)

Low Tide 23:08 (0.65m)

New Moon

You can’t beat a short dip in Lough Hyne in the morning. Teaching has changed due to the Corona Virus we are having to communicate with students through e-mail, whats app and phone calls. Not to mention home schooling. It has made me feel very anxious and tense, working on the computer. The water sure helps with setting me up for the day. I would much rather teach face to face and miss seeing the students work and all my colleuges.

Much appreciation to my daughters teachers for all they are doing teaching online, sending texts and letters of support.

I feel very, very lucky as lots of my friends have lost their jobs, taken huge pay cuts or working part time due to the Corona Virus. I have friends working for the H.S.E, N.H.S, supermarkets and chemists who are working night and day. We appreciate all the work you are doing for us all.

Still too cold for Minty.

March 22nd Lough Hyne Swim @ 11.30 am

Sunday swimming but all keeping a social /physical distance .

Ann Minihane from the Southern Star is taking our photo.

At the gap some decide to go around the island and some to swim to the rapids.

Just before the rapids there is a pontoon. Jo, the action man that he is, dives off.

From the rapids heading towards the gap, its shallow and covered with lush green seaweed and flooded with light.

 There is no sauna, social distancing continues and no there is no sharing of cake. I sit in the boot of my car with my dog Ernie, who just loves it here as much as I do even in these bizarre circumstances.

March 21st Adventure Saturday Ballyally @ 2pm

High Tide 03:18 (3.12m)

Low Tide 09:38 (0.93m)

High Tide 15:43 (3.12m)

Low Tide 21:54 (0.83m)

Waning Crecsent Moon

I love swimming off Ballyally Pier. It tricky to get to just beyond Lough Hyne, you really have to know the way but so worth it. Even on grey wild and windy days like this the water is just a wee bit warmer than Lough Hyne.

We can see the wild spray of the waves crashing on to Bullock Island. We swim around the island in summer. We just swim to the middle and experience the thrill of being in the waves.

Its just great fun I feel exhilarated, a short break from the relatively new situation of living with the threat of the Corona Virus.

And of course keeping our distance, but still laughing.

March 19th 2020 Lough Hyne dip @ 10 am

Tide 01:09 (2.84m)

Low Tide 07:38 (1.31m)

High Tide 13:51 (2.81m)

Low Tide 20:13 (1.24m)

Crescent Moon

After their dip, these inspirational ladies social distance line dance to keep warm.

I am alternating each day with dipping and wet suit longer distance swims. This morning socially distance swimming with Aisling, Alice and adventure Jo.

Jo swims underneath me, he is full of energy and is such a tonic to swim with. He swims very fast as has to wait for me to catch up.

Jo speeds off in a flash of bubbles.

We are joined by a seal. I am no longer terrified of seals they always have kept their distance. So far anyway.

We swim back along the edge and see a heron too.