Ring Out, Solstice Bells

I was riddled with hangover as I got in the car this morning. The hangover was courtesy of my final gig of the year, the fun packed, Goldie Lookin Chains at the Tramshed. You knows it, I certainly did this morning. I drove off at 6:30 to get into the sea at Southerndown with lovely Helen Payne.

When I woke feeling like death warmed up I checked my phone and thought that I wouldn’t be heartbroken if Helen cancelled, no such message was forthcoming so off I went, it would turn out that Helen was hoping that I would cancel, no such luck Heir Doktor!

It was very windy when I got to the sea front and when Helen turned up I asked her who’s idea this was, reader, it was mine. We did it last year as well as a celebration of the Solstice. The water was really choppy, but with a Viking yell - well that’s what it sounded like in my head - I ventured in. I continued to call to Valhalla as the waves smacked us, Helen’s shrieks were more Operatic and mostly audible to dogs. Within the first few seconds of being in the sea I was rid of the hangover, it’s a Christmas miracle. It felt great to be yelling and diving into waves as the dawn broke on the shortest day. We left Poseidon to his shennangians after ten minutes of jumping around in the sea. When I got out it was the best I’d felt all day, mind, that was a pretty low bar.

I don’t think I’ve managed to get into the sea as much I did last year, simply because the weather’s been shit and it’s been easier just to go the pool at the Hilton, but a sea swim just makes me feel so damn zingy and meeting up with Helen or Steve Ford for a splash about just makes it extra special and fun. It’s just getting over the psychological barrier of getting my shit together and getting out, as I’m just about to feel the cold lick of the sea I do think sometimes ‘I don’t have to do this.’, but the fact is that I always feel better after. It’s joyful and life affirming, and I’m hoping to squeeze a few last cheeky ones in before the end of this fantastic year.