Friday already and a fabulous bouncy bob at high tide.

Nothing starts the day better than a challenging swim in a very well-understood and respected bay.

There is a turn in the weather so on our return I decided to do some autumn chores in the yard. I was energised for action by the splash and bounce of the sea.

Before loading the garage with summer paraphernalia I collected a stored portrait. A friend and I plan to have a good old natter about the experience of having our portraits painted. My two were painted 10 years apart and I have never before viewed them together.

I had no idea they had both chosen almost identical colour palates.

Seeing them together and again is a curious feeling.

If I posed now the hair would be grey, the black garment would be a swimming costume and the deep jewel red would be a towel or robe. Cold water swimming is my superpower, I wish those younger women had done it because it really gets me through the tough days. And those two younger versions of me had some really tough days.