I left a stressful job in 2015 with no plans for the future. I’d worked long hours, often away from home, which left me without regular activities and social life. I’m married, have 3 grown-up sons plus wives/partners, a grandson, step-grandson and an elderly Mum – I’m surrounded by love.  6 years on and there’s plenty of holidays and walking, cycling and exploring new places – and I learnt to swim front-crawl and started outdoor swimming. I also volunteer at an outdoor swimming club – Swimyourswim.  I’m part of a brilliant team & I’ve made loads of friends through the swimming community.   I volunteer on the communications team for an International Christian Children’s Charity too – Life is full again – but fun! I started this blog because I realised that whatever melons life threw at me in the past, retirement gave me the opportunity to put on a metaphorical sports bra and start properly living again (apologies for the mixed metaphor!).  Being 60 wasn’t a scary milestone, but a time to start new adventures. The blog has become musings on outdoor swimming – from the perspective of a social swimmer, someone who’s mental and physical health was saved by embracing an activity that I’d loved as a child – and parked for decades.  I have huge love and respect for the Swimyourswim team, who not only taught me to swim crawl and learn to respect outdoor swimming, but have become my second family. I hope the blog will encourage others to try the water in safety – and then swim with confidence, experiencing the joy and freedom of sliding through fresh cool water to the sounds of birdsong and the promise of cake.