Cycle via Broadwater Park and Lake (the former full of people enjoying the sun, the latter the usual fowl and blue-green algae), to the usual getting in spot, having left it late to avoid the gangs of Pokemon harvesters. Thankfully we seem to be past the peak on that one. But wait, there's an angler sitting there. Don't want to get involved with him, or experience any collision of tackle.
Pedal up and down for a bit to see what the rest of the bank is like. Limited choice, due to the many reedy clumps (of which I approve - more shelter for wild things). Also, survey the stream connecting the lake and the river. It looks a teeny bit grimy and green, but not too algae-ridden. A bunch of little black fry (young fish) are busy gobbling up the nutrients from there, so that's some algae taken care of. Mental note to steer to the opposite bank when passing this outflow.
Having picked a spot, wade in. Wow it's really warm, compared to the last few times. Fix googles and ears, and paddle across. Tie the thermometer to hanging branch.
Plan is to go upstream for 20 minutes, and down for 10, and to see where that takes me. Back here hopefully.
This section is a series of bends, all roughly the same geometry. It could be natural, I don't know, but it's also part of the Wey navigation. There are some houses on the town side, but it's all fields to the south-east. Elsewhere on the Wey, there are distinct canal sections cutting corners and leaving the natural river to meander behind the cuts. See blogs passim.
The flow is not arduous today, so upstream work is quite acceptable. The sun glows on certain patches, and hides behind the taller trees. I'm facing it so when I'm sunlit I can just see lens flare. Floating leaves try and cover my face. There are occasional clouds of insects, but they are all little harmless ones. I don't notice any birds or big fish. I have to dodge one pleasure craft. As suspected it's too late in the day for hire boats from the Boat House.
Talk to a pair of passers-by (muggles?). Mum is amazed that there's someone actually in there. Wow! You're swimming? Is it clean? Do you do triathlons? (Me: Yes I am, yes I think it is, no just free range things). [To 15 y-o daughter] you should do this maybe. (Yes you should).
As sort of predicted, I make it as far as the beer garden of the Manor Inn, where they have a mooring place. Too many people, quick turn around. And the time is getting on. Much easier on the way back, because of the current obviously, but also swimming stroke is more organised. Lose count of the bends, it seems they've put an extra chicane in since I came up. Ah there's the orange rubber fish on my thermometer, I'm nearly there. Untie it, holding the string in my teeth as I swim back across to the left bank. Get out on schedule.
There are not too many days left in August to build up 10 km! This swim : 900 m (with a liberal application of trig to work out the distance). Total to date 1800. I'd better include Swim to Space 3 : umpteen laps of a tiny pool at our holiday apartment in Crete. For which I will book in a very generous 700 m (30 C!) for the whole week. 2500 m total.
I need two swims like this per day to reach the target.
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