And so, a milestone achieved

[GOOD_GRIEF]

Hello all. Those of you who read my posts from last summer know how much I mourned to loss of my ability to even walk the beach, much less swim in ocean.

Well, one more barrier has been breached. The Lucky Dog and I went to Halsey Neck Beach in Southampton this weekend. I made it from the parking lot to the staircase over the dunes, down onto the sand, and across to the surf. All in all, about 1/3 mile from parking lot to freezing surf foam. We walked at least another 1/2 mile along the hard sand that's been pounded by the surf, letting the waves wash up our legs. Then we walked back, sat down in the sun and took a snooze to the sound of the waves and the gulls.

Glorious! Fan-freaking-tastic! Home at last!

The Atlantic is far too cold for swimming right now, and this stretch of beach is kind of dangerous - even for very strong swimmers. So I may not get to swim this water this year. I don't want to put anyone else in danger trying to come get me.

But oh, watch out! Next year I just might make it!

[CT-5012]

Congratulations! 😁 Well done I think you deserved your snooze in the sun and you enjoyed yourself which is really important you sound as if you had a great time. Good luck with the swimming next summer.

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to CT-5012]

Thanks for your good wishes. I was so depressed last year. It was the first summer of my life that I didn;t get to the beach. I couldn't even go in the pool because while I could dive in, I knew I couldn't climb the ladder to get out! We fixed that this year, putting a staircase at the shallow end...and yes, I can still swim! Just not strong enough for the Atlantic yet.

[Rimmy]

Wonderful !!!! Good on you - and so much more to come .....

Best wishes

Rimmy

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to Rimmy]

Thanks, Rimmy.

Honestly, if this is as good as it gets, I'll take it!

[TooSore]

Nothing like the sound of the waves to put one at peace!

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to TooSore]

You have no idea how my soul ached for the sight and smell and sound of the ocean. I was in the water before I was 24 hours old. I could swim before I could walk.

[yogabonnie in reply to GOOD_GRIEF]

You will love this . I heard Lynn Cox speak once. thisislovepodcast.com/episo...

[Ruadh in reply to yogabonnie]

Incredible. Have just listened to it. Loved the closing words by Lynn Cox : we do need each other, no matter the species.

Have shared with a member of my family - who has GCA - and who loves to swim.

Thanks for the uplift - glorious.

[SnazzyD in reply to GOOD_GRIEF]

Sounds like the Disney mermaid film where the mermaid in human form is denied any contact with the sea because it’s a danger. She is in bliss when she finds a bit where the water comes in through the wall and her soul sings to the sea. 🧜‍♀️

[Hollyseden]

Great stuff. A snooze to the sound of the gulls and the surf sounds like heaven. Makes me pine for the years we lived in Cornwall. Well done you! 😊

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to Hollyseden]

There's nothing like it. I feel there's real recovery underway now!

[Hidden]

Wow! I'm green. Fan-freaking-tastic indeed!

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to Hidden]

Your turn will come. Nothing hold we rebels down for long!

[scats]

Brilliant! I know just how you feel as I too am still trying to reach my own bit of coast. I've still got two more fields to cross. No romantic sand dunes just mud but masses of birds. I'll let you all know when I get there.

[GOOD_GRIEF]

Ah, that's the other side of our sandbar...the Shinnecock Bay.

[Rose54]

Upwards and onwards

Well done that feeling of achievement is the best

Fresh air and the sound of the sea just cant beat it

[SheffieldJane]

Wonderful hope giving news!

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to SheffieldJane]

Yes, Jane. It is. For all of us.

We get better!

[yogabonnie]

I love to swim too. And just learned a NEW stoke about 4 years ago..It was terribly hard to teach this old dog a new trick but now that I know it it is bliss. Called Total Immersion. And I think the swimming is such a gentle thing to do for our PMR. Just what our muscles and bones and brains need! Water.

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to yogabonnie]

I tried that a few years ago. My problem is that I can't seem to stay under the surface. I float in the bathtub!

[Jackoh]

So encouraging! Onwards and upwards!!

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to Jackoh]

It is encouraging, for me and for all of us!

We get better!

[morrison]

Good for you. Up and on. I took my 4 year old today for his swimming lesson. Nearlyexpired in the heat. But still managed. Xx

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to morrison]

Try taking a shower in the locker room beforehand. Or jump in the pool and get wet before they start.

Either way, you can drip dry while you watch...