07:30
Wake early...clearly excited about something (perhaps its the sea swim at 1330hrs?).
After the photo shoot at the 40ft yesterday to whichonly the important types and the lookers were invited to attend (some question marks as to why I was left out?) there was much talk about the perceived water temperature (5 degrees they posited). This news dropped a few people off the Saturday swim list I can tell you.
07:50
I know lets watch 'Sneakers'...its a real classic...sent her indoors right back to sleep.
10:55
Text arrives seeking affirmation...feign enthusiasm and machismo (quite a leap having watched 'Charlies Angels' on RTE2) "Big Time" I reply, exuding confidence I'm sure.
13:15
Just completed weekend tasks of vacuuming (new Dyson - gets the thumbs up from me - superior suction - her indoors has yet to use it - I'll let you know the female review)
13:17
Applying togs to body - note arrival of hirsute male in Ireland jersey via the front window (the joys of apartment living)...there's no getting out of this now.
13:25
Leave for Seapoint. In depth discussion regarding "ins and outs" of really spicy foods takes place...safe to say, while the Etna pizza in Milano is very nice, I wont be ordering it again anytime soon unless there is some kind of wager involved.
13:34
The 3 fools are delaying proceedings by discussing weather and taking photographs. Aoife makes outrageous claim "it looks warm". This is not taken too seriously. There are no humans in the water. There is a man who is talking up the fact that he has just "enjoyed" a swim - in hindsight this is clearly a lie - I suspect he hangs around down there with a towel to encourage people in to the water and mock them while they flail around as their limbs fail to work in such a cold environment. "concentrate on what part of your body is the coldest" is a helpful last thought…"I want to disprove an accepted study [in some scientific journal]" - the freak
13.37
Its time. There are expletives. A brave initial rush is followed by a quick exit. Then in…tests were undertaken while in the water, Aoife tells us that if you cant touch your thumb to your pinky you are hypothermic…looking for an excuse to get out I keep trying this test (sadly I keep failing). The water is unbelievably cold, unacceptably cold. I could not countenance swimming for 10 minutes in this let alone an hour. The head does not go in the water - this is key, it is all about breast stroke - breathing is very shallow.
13:42
OUT OUT OUT. The external temperature is 8 or 9 degrees and it is a delight to get out of the water and be greeted by it.
Bodies are red/purple and very goose bumped.
13:50
Dressed and drinking a little hot chocolate…talking about the cold, admiring the impressive thermal underwear.
14:00
Having walked home, feeling like a days work is really done now its time to relax, have a few cups of tea (cranberry and sanguinello for me) and watch Ireland take England to pieces. Verbal dressing down/ chastising for ownership of certain DVDs 'Batman and Robin' (Batsuit with nipples) is balanced off with 'The Princess Bride'. "Everyone has a few stinkers" he unhelpfully tries to relieve the tension/ bruised DVD pride. I think he spotted 'Guess Who' in the corner and fancied himself against the the master. But ultimately he departs to get home in time for the England game…the strange man with thermal gear and an Ireland jersey (could he really be a parent?).
15:00
Finally recovered (I think) after a hot shower.
Thought Italy would do better against the Scots
17:26
After quite a lot of complaining from my stomach and lower intestine this last hour things have finally come to a head with a run to the toilet. The cold shock to the stomach is going to see me miss the start of the match…just as well it was dull I suppose (I did find out that the earth has more than one moon thanks to 'the book of general ignorance' - its called Cruithne - the second one - the first one is called 'the moon')
17:35
On the upside I missed all the anthems….on the downside I missed the start of the game…you win some...