Warmest place in Britain

Ullapool was, according to the weather forecast, the warmest place in Britain yesterday at a balmy 17 degrees C. It was absolutely delightful, proper spring time. We packed flasks of coffee and a picnic and set off to Achnahaird Beach which was beautiful, circled by mountains. We set up camp on the sand, using the deckchairs for extra comfort, beside a convenient outcrop of rocks where we could put our bags. It was very warm so after reading my book for a short while I decided to go into the sea for a bracing swim. And bracing it certainly was! The water was very cold and also there were some waves; not the highest I have seen there, but high enough to knock me off my feet if they caught me the wrong way. In fact there were a couple of people surfing and another couple body boarding later. Unlike me they were all wearing wetsuits. *

Anyway, in I went twice, with James accompanying me to the water’s edge, and back out I came twice, having only got in as far as my knees. I was about to give up when James reminded me that I had managed to swim on the cold blowy day that was New Year’s Day. Inspired by this, I tried again and this time I got right in, partly because I stumbled just as a wave was approaching. I was pleased that I had managed it but I didn’t linger long. 

When I left the water James proffered my lovely new dry robe which was my birthday present from him. It is the warmest piece of clothing that I have ever owned! It’s rain proof on the outside and the lining is made of absorbent material. I removed my cossie from under the dry robe and sat in the deckchair; in about two minutes I was complete dry and warm. 

* Jennifer has kindly lent me her short-sleeved wetsuit but it is currently too small for me!