Swimming in the Canal - Interlude from USA

Dear readers,
I'm gonna bring you to a swimming contest taking place in a Canal with Locks: The Sjötorp Canal Swimming Festival (July 27). Well, we are some weeks back in Time. With RennyBA and DianeCA.

From the Locks before the Competition

The Canal Swimming has long traditions and ends up just before the last/first Lock in the Gothen Canal at the shore of lake Vänern (See RennyBA about). This year 280 people did compete. Water temperature, according to the speaker: 24 C (75 F)

The competition has 4 classes or distances. All but the shortest had to pass the Locks. Actually, they only swim into the upper lock and then run down besides the three lower ones before diving/jumping/climbing into the water for the last 200 meters (220 yards) of swimming.

The first group swim a distance of 200 meters (220 yars). There are none winners or loosers in this Group. They all receive a diploma for their efforts.

Just before start. Group 1 - 200 meters ( 220 yards)
Enlarge and you will remark every competitor wears a white swimming cap with an individual number. Why? To be recognized of course. Not only to descide who won, but first of all Security Reasons. Each swimmer had their "lifeguard" following from land to keep an eye to prevent unexpected "disappearences" - something that unfortunally ended with a tragic drowning some years ago. Now Security has Priority one.

Started - at least half of group 1

In the water.
Group 1 consists of grandpa with grand daughter, kids with life jackets, young and old. Mixed with other words. I think it's fascinating that people all ages can compete and win their private victory by completing this run. Hurray. Two young kids followed their Grandpa from land and shouted:
Grandpa - Grandpa - man go on - we are proud of you - repeated the whole distance. They were really engaged.

After the finnish of Group 1, I did walk back to the Locks.

Who but Anna did I meet at the Flea Market? (Diana and Anna went swimming out of Competion - Masters as they are)

Group 2 swim 650 meters (3/8 mile) and pass the Upper Lock, then running down 3 Locks.

Here is the leaders - they have a real competition. This year both number 1 and 2 beat the old record.

Different ways to enter the Canal after running down besides the Locks: (still group 2)


Have a closer look by enlarging, and you understand what I mean - and you also might have a good laugh.
Group 3 swim 1800 meters ( 1 1/10 mile) and Group 4 does 2800 meters (1 3/4 mile).
When they finnished, we had a trout dinner. Guess where?

Here you see the original canal swimmer. LOL.
YOU MUST ENLARGE THIS ONE

More to come...
from Sweden, USA and Norway, so stay tuned

Saturday Night Teaser - Channel Swimming with bikinis, dancing, dinner

Who but Anna and Diane are Dancing?
Friday Afternoon we went to a very special FESTIVAL here in Mariestad. Wordless. OK?

Saturday, we went to the Yearly Goeta Canal Swimming Contest. What a Blast. Here is teaser Photos of what later will appear here at this very Blog. Boats, people and competitors all ages.:


A glimpse of our Saturday Dinner:

It's more to come, when we are back in our Summer Home...
.. so stay tuned;-))

You might find more from these excellent days here: RenneyBA and DianeCA

A Hot Saturday in Oslo - Norway

We have had two weeks now with warm weather here at 60 degrees North - around the Oslofjord.
Air: 30 C plus and Sea: 20-22 C

We could go swimming. Both Anna and Solvi. (Anna in Blue Bikini)


Her I'm propelling in the Big Blue. Ha-ha - still like a kid in the Water.

Then after, preparing a meal at the Summerhouse Platform: (A meal dedicated the Light, Summer and Climate)

Starting with Avocados - with Wolf Fish caviar and Mayonaise in the bottom

Then our main dish. Ready to be served, with olive and grain bread.

But, what are the ingredients?

A cold Salad. Let's go back in time. What's here? Every ingredients but the dressing.

Enlarge to have a clue. OK?

And even before: Crispy lettuce. Hard boiled eggs. Tomatoes. Fresh Garlic.

Some boiled ham (mild) plus boiled potetoes and a Camera and a tiny Chair.

A dressing based on Natural Yughurt and French Dijon Mustard. And some Pine Nuts.


Served----
What could be better during a Warm Summer Evening?

What to drink? Fresh Water or White Wine or the both. We did have both. The White Wine was a crispy Sauvignon Blanc.


A Fantastic evening, sitting on the platform watching over the fjord and all the Boats. It was really crowded out there. But that's another story.

Sunday afternoon it was Sebastian's 7th BD. Like X-Mas for him.
(that's another Story as well)

btw: My regular readers: We are on track to recover from our loss. May be I'll soon visit your wonderful site soon again. Miss you all.