A Man In Deep Water
Lancashire Life|October 2017

Most men reaching 60 settle for cake and a card. Bury’s John Mather decided to swim all 17 lakes and he wrote a book about his experience

A Man In Deep Water

THIS was an adventure both challenging and memorable. It also made me aware of both the beauty and fragility of this wonderful land.

It was my 60th birthday and I decided to celebrate by swimming the length of all 17 lakes contained within the English Lake District, little realising the time, effort or the planning involved. These 17 range in size from Brotherswater, the smallest which is just under a mile long, to Windermere, which is ten and a half miles.

I did eventually complete the task even though it took me three years, starting in June 2014 and finishing in October 2016. I began with some of the smaller lakes in an attempt to build up my strength and stamina.

Even though I was rewarded with tantalising glimpses of red squirrel, cormorants, woodpeckers and deer, surely nothing compared with a chance sighting of Bassenthwaite Lake’s resident ospreys in majestic flight.

Open water swimming may be proving very popular in the Lake District but it comes with considerable risks. I might consider myself a strong swimmer, but I really struggled on a section of my Windermere swim. That hurt.

Everything started so well. Three friends joined me on my first swim in Loweswater, a mile long lake situated in the remote north west. Bright swimming caps were fitted and goggles adjusted as we pushed off from the northern end. It is difficult to convey the silence; that all embracing dry stone wall to wall silence that literally took my breath away. Impetuously, I powered into a full blooded racing stroke for the final, vital few strokes.

We next turned our attention to Buttermere, a near neighbour. It’s no wonder it is a mecca for wild water swimmers because it’s situated in one of the most dramatic valleys in the Lakes. There is something gloriously elemental and reassuring with being on water and surrounded by such mighty peaks.

この記事は Lancashire Life の October 2017 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Lancashire Life の October 2017 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

LANCASHIRE LIFEのその他の記事すべて表示
A Shopper's Paradise
Lancashire Life

A Shopper's Paradise

‘Anything is possible’ is the boast of a famous Knightsbridge shop and it could equally apply to Clitheroe, where shoppers come eager to pick up something just that little bit different, especially in the run-up to Christmas

time-read
6 分  |
November 2020
Back from the brink?
Lancashire Life

Back from the brink?

There are signs hedgehog numbers might be recovering, and we can all do our bit to help them, says Alan Wright of Lancashire Wildlife Trust

time-read
3 分  |
November 2020
Lancashire Life

Memories of a LANCASHIRE CHILDHOOD

Blackburn-born Sara Foster has had a string of bestsellers on the other side of the world. With her latest novel now out, she reflects on her Lancashire roots

time-read
3 分  |
November 2020
The tale of BEATRIX'S VALLEY
Lancashire Life

The tale of BEATRIX'S VALLEY

Land once owned by Beatrix Potter is at the heart of a noisy row over how we enjoy the Lake District

time-read
6 分  |
November 2020
Liverpool's pyramid scheme
Lancashire Life

Liverpool's pyramid scheme

We’ve seen the shape of things to come – and it’s a pyramid. But are you ready to spend the afterlife piled high with 34,591 other people in Toxteth?

time-read
5 分  |
November 2020
Around the world in 2000 paintings
Lancashire Life

Around the world in 2000 paintings

Preston artist Martyn Hanks has spent 60 years globetrotting with his paints and brushes

time-read
3 分  |
November 2020
WALKING THE BORDER
Lancashire Life

WALKING THE BORDER

This glorious walk in the hills around Earby takes a peek over the county line

time-read
7 分  |
November 2020
We will remember them
Lancashire Life

We will remember them

For a hundred years the Cenotaph has been the focal point for a nation’s grief, but few know its connection to Kirkby Lonsdale

time-read
5 分  |
November 2020
A pawfect day out
Lancashire Life

A pawfect day out

The grounds of Holker Hall at Cartmel are a favourite with human and canine visitors

time-read
3 分  |
November 2020
A LEGACY of LOVE
Lancashire Life

A LEGACY of LOVE

An unusual war memorial in Lancaster is a haven for wildlife and young people from the city

time-read
4 分  |
November 2020