Tuesday 22 April 2014

Life In The Slow Lane

Picture courtesy Carol Benett 
Swimming. My new thing. One of the best new things I've ever done.

I trawl up and down the pool. Just me, myself and I.

Up. Down. Up. Down.

My mind is almost a blank as I propel myself through the water. Sometimes it settles on something. But not for long. I find it very therapeutic actually, without all that stuff roaring around my head.

There was a time I enjoyed hockey, athletics and high octane aerobics. Or dancing for hours on end in nightclubs. But now I want peace. I don't want loud music. I don't want other people shouting instruction at me. I want to be left alone.

Time seems to stand still in the water. I like that.

The surface ripples, as I move through it. An occasional splash from a fellow swimmer. The light bounces off the the water making pretty patterns.

The water makes us all equal too. Me, the young girl, the elderly lady. We are all the same in the water. Our bodies are buoyed and capable. There is no distinction. Another attraction for this body conscious, insecure, ridiculous girl.

Leanne xx







14 comments:

  1. Hi Leanne
    This sounds ever so blissful! I am glad you are enjoying your you-time. How do you get your mind to be blank?? My brain won't ever shut up. I don't like swimming much but, I do go for jogs three times a week to find solitude and to clear my head. I try to distract myself from daily dread by listening to a silly runners game in which I am runner 5 in a postapocalyptic world, forever trying to escape zombies. I did say it was silly! Cxx

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    1. That's brilliant!! I've told my eldest about it. He goes running and is very fond of zombies. I hate running. I do it occasionally, but I still hate it. xx

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  2. Good for you, Leanne. I love to swim and wish I had more time for it. I'm glad you're enjoying it so much.

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  3. I find being in the swimming pool incredibly relaxing, I swim in the slow lane too. Just breast stroke, no hurry, yes I must go again soon. Heather x

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  4. Found your blog through Gillian's she mentioned your photos and I came to check it out... She is sure right ...love your pictures. I'm now one of your new followers.

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    1. Hey Taciana,
      Thank you for hitting follow. Gillian is too kind though. West Cornwall is such a beautiful place, it doesn't take much to get a good photograph. xx

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  5. Oh and I thought is was only me who wants peace rather than loud and busy activities. I much prefer a quiet evening to a loud music blaring dwelling. Your swimming sounds blissful Leanne, enjoy :-)

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  6. I started swimming a few weeks ago....again......and loving it.......again......don't know why I stop!

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  7. Good on you Leanne - sounds absolutely perfect! So nice when you find your 'thing'. I have a chatty brain too and enjoy walking to keep it from getting too noisy. Enjoy your swims :-) Mel x

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  8. you make me want to take up swimming! x

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  9. Oh yes, well said, we are all equal under water, I like that. Old lady breaststroke (head above the water, thank you very much, don't want to actually get my face wet or take my contact lenses out!) is my specialty. x

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  10. You've sold it to me Leanne. It's SO long since I went by myself. Normally I'm lucky to get in a quick couple of lengths before I have to go and admire the somersaults and play games with floats and be the diving board and give rides. Although that's good too. I'm glad you're enjoying the swimming so much. A peaceful moment in our lives is essential I think. Hope you're having a nice week sweetie. CJ xx

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  11. Lovely post Leanne. I love swimming and don't do it often enough!! :-)

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  12. Hello lovely lady and so finally I get around to read one of my fave blogs again. I had to start here as I am reading most of your post, but excuse me for only commenting here and there. I am so happy that you have discovered the joys of swimming, it is just such a wonderful sport and such a wonderful way to escape life. I have a deep love for swimming and I often dream of the day I can get my head under the water again. It was on of the ways I recovered from meningitis and even though I have tried quite a few times to do it since falling ill recently, it just seems too strenuous for my body right now. Enjoy every stroke, loose yourself and smile!! xoxo

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