July 11th 2017 Ballyalla, Barloge, Bullock Island swim @ 7pm
Low Tide 00.58 (0.85m)
High Tide 07.17 (3.31m)
Low Tide 13.22 (0.84m)
High Tide 19.33 (3.38m)
Waning Full Moon
I had the song” Tonight is going to be a good night” in my head as a gang of us gathered in Lough Hyne car park. We are going to car pool over to Ballyalla. Simon has invited us all for bean and chorizo stew at his families boat house, which was formally the old Coast Guard Station. As we arrived it looked as is the swam had got the messages on Whats App that we would be there.
A very enthusiastic bunch even on a misty, dull day we are all ready for our evenings swim. Orange and black are in.
In a splash we are off.
It might be grey and misty but the water is warmish. And full of lovely colourful sites underneath.
I am hovering about taking snaps as there is debris and jellies all around me.
Suddenly two swimmers bump into me while taking this shot, below.
Riona and Miriam tangle up in the shot but it looks like one of them is holding the tentacles. My daughter Lucy is helping me research the Jelly fish, so we have identified this as a Common Jelly Fish (Aurella auirita).
Here they are minus jelly fish, Riona and Miriam both who have just started open water swimming since spring. Riona only started swimming in January, so prepare to be further inspired by this pair.
I of course am far behind everyone as I keep stopping to take shots.
It starts to drizzle as we get to the “Coosh” as its shallow swimmers have to walk across.
Green and grey appear to be “in” too.
Lucy reckons this is a baby Lions Mane? (Cyanea capillata)
I am facinated I could just watch the graceful movements of which change the shape of the jellyfish, but try not to get too close at the same time, especially if it is a Lions Mane.
Some swimmers have turned back at this point and others are on their way back from Barloge Pier, I am tempted just to return with them as my goggles are fogging up but I want to go as Barloge has boats and bouys there other visuals I am very interested in as an artist, so I swim on.
Oh bouy.
Noel, James, Partick, Declan, Riona, Miriam and going around Bullock Island and so am I now..
I am a bit nervous I have to admit this as the water can be very different behind that hunk of rock. However I am in good company and its the first time for Riona and Miriam who do not show any nerves at all at all.
My goggles are really fogged up I cannot see a thing, I am amazed this group shot came out but Noel is missing.
This shot represents what I can see so I stay right behind Declan and follow his feet. I am aware of the waves lifting me gently up and down and can see the white spray from the rocks at the edge of Bullock Island.
I have no idea what Declan is pointing at, I can hear Riona and Miriam laughing, Noel and the others are keeping a watchful eye on them.
The discussion is we are hungry and hope there is bean and chorizo stew left.
There is and Riona and Miriam are thrilled and said it was ” The best swim ever “. It was pretty amazing and so was the stew Simon and the craic was great too.
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