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OSS Swim the Thames 18: Folly Bridge to Donnington Bridge
by Sefryn Penrose 06 Dec '11

06 Dec '11

Aquatic apes of the Isis, December is upon us, and you are no doubt anxious to get your toasty toes into the water. 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 one makes when swimming in them, 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. Swim 17 found us joined by the Cherwell, and, maybe a little more acceleration therefrom. 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. 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 *10.30am*, *Sunday 11th December*, at this carpark: http://g.co/maps/s7v2s 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. 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 some cars up there. We will be able to get out of the water very close to the cars. 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 apres-wassailing wassailing. As outdoor swimmers and romantic heroes, who can resist the lure of the Thames (known as Isis) for the Last Swim of the year 2011? We promise yule love it. Yours, with season's greetings (so named because of the ancient custom of calling the heroic swimmers 'sons (and daughters) of the sea'). Jeremy & Sef and the dark blue wassailing wahoos of the Isis PS. This swim is part of Swim 30 in Michael Worthington's *I **♥** the Thames*. *e-mail: Oxford(a)outdoorswimmingsociety.com * *OSS swim responsibility statement:* *By attending you confirm that you are a member of the OSS and have read and accepted the OSS swim responsibility statement:* * http://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/index.php?p=swimming_tips&s=responsib… * *All swimmers swim at their own risk.*

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Sunday 11th swim - wetsuit request
by Sefryn Penrose 04 Dec '11

04 Dec '11

Dear all, If anyone is coming to the Thames swim this Sunday 11th who has a spare wetsuit to lend, size 10-12, suitable for a 5'6" woman, it would be greatly appreciated. Do let me know if such a thing is possible. Thanks, Sef

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December dip
by Pam Jones 02 Dec '11

02 Dec '11

Which wave are we going in - red, green or blue? Pam x

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Re: [OSS Oxon] December dip
by Chris Dalton 30 Nov '11

30 Nov '11

I quite fancy a spot of Rule Britannia! CD On Mon 28/11/11 3:32 PM , "Pam Jones" pamjones(a)btinternet.com sent: Which wave are we going in – red, green or blue? Pam x

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New Year's bash menu orders
by Jo-Anne Rutterford 28 Nov '11

28 Nov '11

Hi All We have 24 peoples confirmed attending - what I need to do by the end of this week is pay a deposit of £10 per person at the Perch for all that are eating. Attached is a spreadsheet of those attending, together with any menu choices already made (also re-attached is menu!) Can you please update ASAP so that I can get this done and dusted :o) Ta muchly Jo

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New Years Awards
by Jo-Anne Rutterford 26 Nov '11

26 Nov '11

Dear All Please find attached your list of nominations for our New Years Awards ceremony: Year 1 on the Thames 2011: A year of fun and frolicks! Please only vote for one response in each category - the award will be given as stated for each category. There will be additional awards on the night, but those are secret!! Thanks all in advance of you taking part Jo

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Oops - menus attached now!
by Jo-Anne Rutterford 19 Nov '11

19 Nov '11

Sorry all - just keeping you on your toes

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Award nominations and Attendance
by Jo-Anne Rutterford 18 Nov '11

18 Nov '11

Hi All don't forget to get your nominations in by the end of this week!! voting opens next week :o) Also - can you please confirm your attendance on the 2nd by next Friday as I need to confirm and pay deposit at the Perch. Attached are the menus, so if you can also let me know your meal choices I can then pre-order... only 42 days to go you know!! Jo

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New Year Awards Ceremony
by Jo-Anne Rutterford 16 Nov '11

16 Nov '11

Dear All Can you please let me have your nominations for the following awards, which will be given out at the New Year's bash Please ensure all nominations have full explanation, as you will need it to be clear to all folk. Voting will open in one week, so get all your nominations to me by Friday! 1. Most memorable moment 2. Most 'interesting' walk!!! (open to interpretation) 3. Landlady/landlord of the year! 4. Worst (or best) cheat! 5. Best scavenge 6. Casanova award - romance no knows bounds on the river?! 7. Most inappropriate changing moment 8. Best commedy moment 9a. Most improved swimmer 9b. Most backward sliding swimmer!! 10. Best swimming toy/accessory 11. Best recipe 12. Most memorable camping moment 13. Best quote 14. Best nickname 15. Most travelled swimmer 16. Bossy britches Also, suggestions needed for party games for the New Year Bash!!! Swimming or swimmer related encouraged Jo

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OSS Swim the Thames #17 - Danger Bridge to Folly Bridge - Sun13Nov11@10:30am
by Sefryn Penrose 14 Nov '11

14 Nov '11

People of the Isis! It is time for the triumphal entrance to Oxford (part 3). With this fine scholarly city as our backdrop, we will be epically engaged in an elemental struggle: humankind and nature. From Danger to Folly. No really. We will be starting at Danger Bridge at Port Meadow and swimming down to Folly Bridge, a distance of 3.09km. The route will take us past such exciting Oxford sites as the station! allotments! Osney Mead industrial estate! Avis car hire! the ice rink! We will also be a part of Oxford's great swimming traditions - at Port Meadow, where swimming galas were held in times past, and at Folly Bridge, the starting line for the annual police vs. carworkers race of former years. As the route goes through the city, shuttling is going to be a little complicated but the plan is to meet at* 10.30am *on* Sunday 13th* at the Hinksey pool car park (marked with green arrow) off Abingdon Road: http://g.co/maps/ctnr2 We will then shuttle some cars and all swimmers to the Walton Well car park at Port Meadow (green arrow): http://g.co/maps/7w2cg Walton Well carpark has recently started charging and it is possible that Hinksey has too, so if you're driving bring a pound coin or two. We'll then swim down to Folly Bridge. We'll have a small walk along Abingdon Road from our exit point to the car so bring something you can walk in - less than 5 mins but on pavement. If we can find closer parking possibilities, we can relocate before we start. We'll then have a pub lunch at the Head of the River, a converted riverside warehouse on Folly Bridge. The throw-downers who did this swim last weekend say the river was a toasty 11 degrees and a good time was had by all. See you there, toyers with danger, flirters with folly, Jeremy & Sef & the indomitable inexpectatum pleco of the Isis *e-mail: Oxford(a)outdoorswimmingsociety.com * *OSS swim responsibility statement:* *By attending you confirm that you are a member of the OSS and have read and accepted the OSS swim responsibility statement:* * http://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/index.php?p=swimming_tips&s=responsib… * *All swimmers swim at their own risk.*

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