Jon_Brown wrote: - I'd suggest it has far more to do with the decline of UK manufacturing industry.

...........and the water companies made to spend some of their ill-gotten profits on upgrading their antiquated sewage works.

Wildswimmer Pete

Looks like it might have come from lead workings, and be contaminated with not just lead, but cadmium and other heavy metals.

Wildswimmer Pete

River Severn, Shrewsbury, 25-7-13: 21.0C

Wildswimmer Pete

Hatchmere, Delamere Forest, Cheshire, 23-7-13: 24.0C

Wildswimmer Pete

Just a bit of a heads-up. The atmosphere over the UK is increasingly unstable with the possibility of torrential showers or even thunder over central England and the Mersey basin, while Wales, N.Ireland and Scotland aren't so quite at risk. Bear in mind that the ground is iron-hard so rain won't soa...

"Rob believes in campaigning, which may mean telling uncomfortable truths. Perhaps as a result some people (fishermen?) want this book banned! A bookshop has received requests not to stock it!" Speaks volumes :-( Full page: http://www.wild-swimming.com/ and yes, I do have a copy :-) Wildswimmer Pete

R. Weaver, Frodsham, Cheshire 18-7-13: 27.0C

The algae seem to have disappeared with the water just greenish. No discernible current, water level normal.

Wildswimmer Pete

Looks like an attempt to divide and conquer - like the angling industry's attempt to drive a wedge between paddlesport and wild swimmers.

As the saying goes: "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."

Wildswimmer Pete

Wildswimmer Pete wrote: The club holds the fishing rights so problems with access.

Oops - that should read "The club holds the fishing rights so no problems with access"

That's what happens when I'm tired and overheated.

Wildswimmer Pete

River Nene, Islip/Thrapston , Northants 16-7-13: 24.0C

I went swimming in one of the small interlinked lakes that form part of the Nene.

Wildswimmer Pete

And then there is our local one at Farleigh Hungerford, which I'm sure Pete will know of. Certainly do. Rob Fryer, together with Yacov Lev founded RALSA. Details of the swimming club: http://www.wild-swimming.com/farleigh.html but beware, Rob will sell you a day ticket. The club is responsible for ...

morsey wrote:Did a massive jump off a bridge (not that one) into the Avon yesterday, it was the bomb!

Any pics?

Wildswimmer Pete

Sorry folks, I misread the thermometer - it should be 26.0C and the date is 12-7-13. I've probably been overheating! Still one of the highest water temps since 1976. Pete, do you overheat when actively swimming in water as warm as that? And your being adapted for cold, does it make warm water more u...

River Weaver, Frodsham, Cheshire: 29.0C This is the highest temp I've recorded since the scorching, drought summer of 1976. Water is slightly slimy through algae, although blue-green cyanobacteria are never found in the Weaver. Possibly down to the brackish water - the river is fed from salt springs...

Peter Brown wrote:Most of the general populace are idiots.

Amen to that. We wild swimmers are brothers in arms with paddlers, and suffer similar adverse public opinion.

Wildswimmer Pete

"The River Lune, Kirby Lonsdale. A great bridge jump not for the faint hearted at around 60 foot." Believe it or not, jumping from bridges or other structures is illegal (at least in England and Wales) Don't think the death to jumping ratio favourable at Devils Bridge Kirkby Lonsdale !! Averages a ...

BUMP! Now it looks that Summer '13 might have arrived (avoid blinking!) Anybody thinking of wild swimming while the warm weather is here? I can't indulge myself because of my health but I'd appreciate reading about/seeing everyone else having fun. Bear in mind I'm not allowed to drive any more. Wil...

Andy,

What happened? Could you PM me or send me an email?

Wildswimmer Pete

Sorry guys, I haven't forgotten you, but I'm having some of those "bad brain" days and can't write anything sensible. Some short replies until I can get my marbles back in place and produce (cough, splutter) a masterpiece. Pete, can you give any advice on avoiding overheating while wearing a wetsuit...

Weather station conveniently located at the start of the great north swim, at Low wood marina. The weather temperature seems to relatively accurate, and at a guess its what the swim use to measure it. http://englishlakes.co.uk/watersports/weather.aspx Ian Looking at the data from the englishlakes.c...

Hatchmere, Delamere Forest, Cheshire, 7th June '13: 21.0C

Wildswimmer Pete

River Weaver, Frodsham, Cheshire, 6th June '13: 19.0C

Brisk current, water has lost its muddy turbidity and now just greenish from algae.

Wildswimmer Pete

15C? Very good - I'm surprised how quickly open water has recovered after the longest, coldest winter since 1962. For short swims at 15-16C Speedos and swim-cap are adequate. However for long bare-skin swims I'd suggest 18-20C unless the swimmer is accustomed to chilly water. Water temperatures arou...

R. Weaver was 18.5C this afternoon (Jun 3rd) so Hatchmere won't be very much behind.

Wildswimmer Pete

River Weaver, Frodsham, Cheshire, 3rd June '13: 18.5C

Water temp only just making normal for the time of the year. Current very sluggish, water greenish and slightly turbid. Level at usual level.

Wildswimmer Pete

spray the inside of the wetsuit boots with some antibac spray, leave for 5 minutes. Rinse out well with fresh water, either cold or warm as it doesnt seem matter. I use antibac hand cleaner as a lube when pulling on my neoprene boots - keeps them reasonably fresh. I don't wear a wetsuit but I need ...

Is there anywhere I can take the kids in 'summer' for a swim without having to pay? cheers Yep - Hatchmere. There is a designated part of the lake for swimming, see http://hatchmere.com/ There's no charge for swimming in the lake. This year the long winter has depressed water temps but from the end...

Pete, thinking about that, is there a standard depth where water temperature is supposed to be measured? If the warm layer is a couple of feet deep, I suppose a swimmer could stay mostly in that. FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) specify 400mm which I assume applies to ASA controlled eve...

Pete you are more erudite, polite and genuine than many ukrgb'ers and your posts are always interesting! It's a pleasure to have you on the forum :-) Ta very muchly, cheered me up no end! ;-) I'm in the Lakes this weekend and was debating bringing the wetsuits for some Church Beck canyoning.... hmm...

Hatchmere, Delamere Forest, Cheshire: 13.5C

Given the icy, torrential rain earlier in the week I was gobsmacked to record 13.5C. In fact I'd gone in wearing my winter kit expecting 8-9C.

Wildswimmer Pete