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Having bemoaned the lack of opportunity for a mid-winter swim around these North Essex estuary parts, it was to our very good fortune that @AnnaJCowen and I stumbled across the bonkers West Mersea Boxing Day dip. Sadly the wetsuit was back at base, and so was the enthusiasm. An early morning bicycle ride from Wivenhoe out to Mersea Island had inflicted enough damage already on the boys down below.

Hey hoe.

And so what started out as a simple Boxing Day head clearer soon became something else. Having traversed [get you] the delights of the new stop / start Boundary Road, down to the Hythe, once around Rowhedge, a festive spin through Fingringhoe and then the short cross along the choppy waters of the Stroud, we stumbled upon a beach of bonkers Boxing Day swimmers.

Blimey.

The annual West Mersea dip seemed to be growing in popularity. Over fifty swimmers were assembled, many in fancy dress, others simply in their shreddies. Mr Gingerbread Man perhaps wasn’t quite prepared for the chilled waters, but his biscuit outer body at least had the back up from the reliable boys of the RNLI.

The countdown seemed to take an age. Mr Ball of Edam with his wire cutter swimming trunks up his backside didn’t look so proud having hung around the shore edge for almost half an hour. You could do with a Gingerbread Man, or lady, to liven things up, fella.

5! 4! 3! 2! 1!

Hurrah!

World endurance records weren’t broken, but a bloody good time seemed to be had by both swimmers and spectators. A doggy paddle out towards the boys in the RNLI boat, and then back to the beach for a much deserved steaming hot mulled wine.

Chin chin.

The buckets were shaken; pockets were emptied and the RNLI boys were rewarded for very kindly giving up their Bank Holiday. I’ll be hoping for similar mild weather come the 21st next month when it is a return to Lake Brockwell and the annual winter swim.

Once a Brockwell Icicle, always a Brockwell Icicle.

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