I think this is the 3rd year in a row that I’ve dragged friends out to swim in the middle of winter. A celebration of the winter solstice. And end to the darkening. The beginnings of the lightening. Optimism. Encouragement. It’d be nice if the weather started to get better immediately, but at least the days are getting longer.
This year’s swim was a day or two late.
Close enough. Right?
![](https://bitterswede.com/wp-content/uploads/K400-EOS5-HC100-015-crop-1024x683.jpg)
There will be some more photos coming, but I’ve not developed the second roll from the beach visit yet.
It was a stunning day. Hardly any wind at all. The sun had enough bite that I could feel it on my skin. The water was crystal clear and cold. The swell was reasonable, but the waves were smooth and gentle. Lots of time between waves. Couldn’t have asked for a better day for it, really.
The cold water is magic. Makes my mind and body zing. Nick Cave explains it better than I ever will.
![Black and white image of two nude men walking on the beach away from the camera towards the ocean.](https://bitterswede.com/wp-content/uploads/K400-EOS5-HC100-011-1024x682.jpg)
Photonerd stuff:
Kentmere 400 at box-speed
EOS 5
EF 70-200 f/2.8L
HC-110 1+31 for about 4.5 minutes