June 4th 2017 Barloge, Rapids and Lough Hyne swim @ 11.30am
High Tide 02.03 (3.00m)
Low Tide 08.27 (1.00m)
High Tide 14.30 (3.00m)
Low Tide 20.52 (1.00m)
Gibbous Moon
As usual we all met in the car park at Lough Hyne, there were lots of swimmers and kayakers , ready to enjoy the splendid sunshine on this Bank Holiday weekend. Just as I am about to get in I am asked if I want to go to the rapids. In a flash I am in the back seat of a car driving to Barloge pier, with what looks like two naked men. (They were wearing trunks).
I soon realise I am with a gang of experienced swimmers, most of them are in their togs. I get in the water and start swimming as I know they will be much faster than me.
I take a quick moment to snap Barloge Pier.
To my left Bullock Island and through the gap the Atlantic Ocean.
I turn around to the channel leading to the rapids and magical Lough Hyne.
A lady in her togs whizzes past me. The sea weeds are all pointing in the right direction for the rapids.
The suns rays dance amongst the seaweeds.
We all head further up the channel.
Below I spot a bed of mussel shells, while swimmers wait for me to catch up.
The gang of swimmers that went in at Lough Hyne pier are already at the start of the rapids.
I can feel the pull of the rapids and I am being swept past them. I nearly die as James jumps in right beside me I just capture the splash.
I get a shot just at the end, where you have to keep to the left and swim into the corner.
This is just at the corner.
Walking back along the wall to the start again. Wheeee …………….
A very strong swimmer swims up the rapids. Wow….
I slip back in and try to get as many shots as possible.
I never tire of going through the rapids, it is an incredible adventure, I feel very privileged to have this experience.
Before I know it I am swimming to the island. The swimmers I am with are fast and its choppy. I just have to keep calm and keep swimming. The water is amazing, the sun is shining I just relax and enjoy it.
I pass two new lovely red bouys. No one is stopping to chat and I am on my own, but I feel great and even swim to the boat at Mrs Kelly’s Pier.
No time for tog swimming today ( I need cake) and we are all collecting rubbish and having a general tidy up. We have to look after this rather lovely spot.
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