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Who remembers this from two years ago? Couldn't resist re-using it.
(Maybe Vladimir and his amazing swimming polar bear will join as
again.)<br>
<br>
A bridge too far last time but we're all a lot tougher now. <br>
<br>
Aquatic apes of the Isis,
<div> <br>
</div>
<div>December is upon us, and you are no doubt anxious to get your
toasty toes into the water. </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>It is a little known fact that the term 'wassailing' is
actually a contraction of 'water-sailing', an auld winter custom
of December swimming thought to have originated in Oxfordshire.
The custom was practiced at 'yuletide' (so called because of the
especially prized faster riparian December currents, and the
sounds they make, akin to yuling, modern: yelling. Spiced apple
juice and flapjacks were traditionally awarded to hardy folk who
could swim a country mile in mid-December. Yule logs were then
burnt in local hostelries to warm these romantic heroes.
Mistletoe, named for the frequent occurrence of frostbitten toes
lost through such japes (it was colder in those days) was hung to
allow toe-less swimmers the sweet compensation of kisses from
rosy-cheeked serving wenches and bejerkined swains. Not swans.
They had all been wrangled for the Christmas table. </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Swim 17 found us joined by the Cherwell, and, maybe a little
more acceleration there from. We will therefore attempt the happy
mile from Folly Bridge to Donnington Bridge, erstwhile Oxford
eights row-boat-super-highway. Term will have ended so it is to be
hoped the young folk have deserted the river for the turkey table,
but a fair bit of looking out will no doubt be required. </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>As there has been a drop in temperature inside and outside, the
distance is a little less than we submarine hardy perennials are
used to - approximately one mile. We will meet at <b>11.00am</b>,
<b>Sunday 15th December</b>, at this carpark:</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div><span
style="border-collapse:collapse;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><a
moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://g.co/maps/s7v2s"
style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">http://g.co/maps/s7v2s</a></span>
</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>off Meadow Lane, Oxford, second-left after the canoe club.
Meadow Lane is the last right turn off Donnington Bridge Road
before the bridge from the town side, or the first left from the
Hinksey side. The carpark is an unkempt wee council number with
plenty of bushes for changing in. Last time I visited it was free
but bring a couple of quid in case. </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>We'll walk up the towpath to Folly Bridge weather permitting.
If the weather is coming down harder than Theresa May, it is a
short drive to the Hinksey Pool carpark near Folly Bridge and
we'll shuttle. We will be able to get out of the water very close
to the cars. </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Afterwards, we propose a festive pub lunch at the Isis, a
little further downriver - a must-visit on the pubs of the Thames
tour that we are also engaged in, and a fitting setting for a
little wassailing. </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>As outdoor swimmers and romantic heroes, who can resist the
lure of the Thames (known as Isis) for the Last Swim of the year
2013? We promise yule love it. </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Yours, with seasons' greetings (so named because of the ancient
custom of calling the heroic swimmers 'sons (and daughters) of the
sea').</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Jeremy & Sef and the dark blue wassailing wahoos of the
Isis<br>
<br>
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face="Calibri" size="3">By joining any jolly jaunt with Jeremy
and Sef you agree to abide by the Outdoor Swimming Society's
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<p style="MARGIN:0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font
face="Calibri">Before signing up to join the OSS or
partaking in any swims mentioned on this site or the Outdoor
Swimming Society facebook page, please read the OSS swim
responsibility statement. By signing up to join the society,
or participating in any swims, or using any material on the
Wild swim map you confirm that you have read and understand
the OSS swim responsibility statement and accept its terms.</font></font></p>
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