We take the coastal path and walk into town. As soon as we leave the front door the sound of the sea drifts across the fields towards us. This morning it has a deep throated roar not unlike an aircraft coming in to land. From the brow of the hill the waters of the bay in front of us are a mass of high waves - a surfers delight.
Three 50 something ladies in swim suits and swim caps are sitting on the sand enjoying themselves. This is - to put it mildly - an unusual sight. They seem oblivious to the cold.
Sometimes the waves hit the women head on with a force that knocks them over. They pick themselves up, plonk themselves back down, and then giggle and laugh like teenagers. Every so often they walk into the sea and cavort, hands above their heads, in a Rubenesque North Sea version of a hula dance. Over the last few days it's become clear that this lunatic desire to partake in cold water swimming is as popular with townsfolk as it is with students. The ladies are still on the beach when we retrace our steps half an hour later.
Two students spotted in town. The first of the season. They've probably come off the overnight sleeper. Their bright clothes contrasting with the green and brown tweeds favoured by locals. The blossom is out on the cherry trees but the windows in the student dorms remain dark and unlit. By the weekend the towns population will have effectively doubled with the return of 10,000 enthusiastic youngsters. The character of the place is about to change. Soon it will be ablaze with light.
The modern restaurant in the old post office continues to look festive although the outside tables display an unwarranted optimism about Scottish January weather.
In a window slices of orange strung to make a Christmas garland. I'm guessing the garland was made by students a month ago and has been left to slowly turn brown over the holidays. Will the room smell of orange when they open the door ?
7 comments:
Cold water swimming is good for the circulation, I believe. I'm not going to prove or disprove it.
Cold water swimming, like many outlandish ideas, must be good for something! Hypothermia?
I get cold just thinking about it.
Hari Om
St Andrews, the place of winter swims, January al fresco tables... and pre-spring cherry blossoms! YAM xx
Cherry blossoms? Hope springs eternal!
Hopefully the oranges were dried first.
What to say to the ladies..."You go girls!" Me, no way!
I'm captivated by your beautiful shot of the cherry blossoms.
Finished The Crown last night. No sightings of the Wee House, but I recognized many other paths, buildings and trails around town.
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