Well that was a waste of time

I never finish a swim and come out the pool and think, "Well that was a waste of time."

Never. 

Today was no exception. The pool at Dalebrook is super nice :-)) 

6:53 a.m. 

14.5 degrees sea temperature ... so warm :-)) 

Happy Friday!!

Shirley xx 

Stoked

6:56 a.m.

My "stoked" happy face after my swim...

Stoked: adjective - excited or euphoric 

13.7 degrees sea temperature...

What makes you happy? 

Shirley xx 

Essentials

6:58 am 

Essentials for winter sunrise swims....

1. The "tempeature" guy ( Anthony has been taking the temperature for 7 years now) and nobody ever agrees with his digital themometer! :-)) If Anthony is not at the pool, then I get the dreaded task. 

2. Flippers ...they are the best investment in avoiding urchin spikes in your feet! They also help me at high tide to swim faster...

3. Friends ...meeting all the other sunrise swimmers every morning is the joy of my life. Lots of laughter and chatting and the best way to start the day!

4. Salty sea water that is so cold it takes your breath away. It often happens that I come out feeling amazing and "stoked" on a high for the rest of the day!!

What is essential to start your day? 

Happy Tuesday!! 

Shirley xx 

The beauty and mystery of right now

Movement is living and exercise is medicine.  - John Zapotocky, 92 

A cold front has come through this weekend to Cape Town and we arrived at the pool in a storm. 

The sea temperature has dropped to 11.5 degrees and we had a very quick swim! It was lots of fun swimming in the rain. We even had hail. All the rain has been wonderful as we are still going through a serious drought. 

I was wanting to post a picture everyday of my sunrise swims! I cant believe its already September  on Saturday! 

 Happy Monday xx 

Hello August

My morning routine since January has been to wake up at 6 a.m. to  a cup of tea.

Put on my costume and clothes and drive to the tidal pool in Kalk bay. 

Then jump into cold water and swim lengths with all the other "crazy" sunrise swimmers. 

It's the most crazy and beautiful way to start everyday! 

Then I'm in my home "studio" for the rest of the morning to potter and create with clay...

Today we had a whale in the bay and we watched it's huge tail flapping out the water.

We are so blessed to start the day this way! 

Paradise found... 

Happy Wednesday! 

Shirley xx 

What's luxury for you?

7:34 am : the most beautiful red sunrise this morning is luxury for me! 

13.9 degrees sea temperature 

My new little slab jugs that are almost ready to fire 

The colours are Malachite and Granite 

A  cuppa tea and carrot cake in this sunny cafe is also luxury! 

The Lighthouse cafe in Simonstown ...I love all the French decor and cute tables...and the food is good! 

In  her memoir Plant Dreaming Deep, poet and memoirist  May Sarton wrote, "If someone asked me what the idea of luxury is, I think my answer would be: flowers in the house all year round."

What's your idea of luxury? 

Happy Friday 

Shirley xx 

Breathe...

6:58 am : A very early morning  we  at the pool! It is still so dark!!

7:28 am the sun has risen and we are finished our swim and ready for a large  cup of tea!!  Sea temperature was 14.1 degrees... 

We pop into the lovely Salt restaurant in Kalk Bay after our swim...

for a quick chat with our shivering friends who have also been swimming with us! 

Yesterday we celebrated to wonderful life of Nelson Mandela! He is a hero and I love this quote of his...

May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears. 

This is one of my teapots for a customer with the bright orange aloe flowers and two little willow warblers. I'm busy making a few more smaller ones for a market I will be selling my work at. 

This week has flown by! I'm remembering to...

breathe...

always leave room to exhale after each inhale...

Happy Thursday 

Shirley xx