My apologies for the repetitive nature of this week’s blogs but the swimming conditions this week are almost perfect. I had a quiet lonesome bob last night. Squeezing a swim out of a gap between a dog walk and supper.

Although not seen from this view there is a small defensive castle, built 500 years ago. Hidden by the bushes on the right.

For some reason I pondered on the exitement of moving-in, to a new-build castle. Although this one would have been a place of work and not a home. But on evenings like this in 1525 there would have been soldiers tossing pebbles into the sea from the small beach and others looking out at the small island from the tiny battlements. I don’t even know if recreational swimming was a thing then.

They wouldn’t have had my excellent swimming entry into the bay . But scrambling over the rocks or swimming from the beach would be easy options for a Tudor Bobber.If sea swimming was a thing for him.

Weirdly despite the peace and tranquility of my swim, there was a drama unfolding in the distance , on the green stretch of land opposite the steps. Many emergency vehicles with blue flashing lights had gathered at the site of a new car park. Bringing me swiftly and ponderingly back to the 21st Century.

21st Century Drama, a 16th Century castle and a peaceful swim all squeezed into one little bay.