My 2nd year of wild swimming
My first year of wild swimming was so glorious that I wanted to continue my water adventures! It was made difficult by the full swing of the plandemic. Closed borders meant I needed to get creative at very low temperatures at home. But I didn’t mind. I love Romania and I thank her for hosting most of my swims in the 2021/2022 season. ♥
As I deleted by mistake most of my all-time gathered data (which includes pictures and videos) this April, this is what I managed to save from various sources and people.
Peticel, the cat who was like our boy, is featured throughout this piece. He was our ray of light under so many clouds and we loved doing everything together! ♥
Month no. 13 – August 2021
Cap Midia, Romania
The Black Sea was so playful that we thought for a minute that we were swimming in the Atlantic Ocean. This has become my favourite beach in Romania. I love its energy!
My favourite.
Month no. 14 – September 2021
Olt River, Romania
We took Peticel for a walk. Olt River is close to where I grew up (Bod), so it was easy to get there. The water was cold and the currents were strong, but I completed my goal!
Month no. 15 – October 2021
On the way to Iza Andrije Beach, Croatia
The pine tree forest was inviting and that day was a very warm one on the Island of Murter. I had never warmed up to Croatia until the end of 2021 when it hosted us for almost two weeks without those horrific passes. Do you remember the QR codes? Well, we shouldn’t forget what we went through.
Anyway, I was grateful to be there, swim there, and feel free. Freedom really is a state of mind!
Top 5
Month no. 16 – November 2021
Lake Surduc, Romania
After this day (18°C), winter came. We were on our fall/winter trip around southwestern Romania. I had heard so many good things about how clean this lake was that I had to see for myself. I confirm that it is. Locals are friendly. There’s also a great beach! However, I was told that the water is icy even in the height of summer. Needless to say, it was my most difficult swim ever.
Month no. 17 – December 2021
Băile Herculane, Romania
It might surprise you, but Băile Herculane and I never hit it off. Still, I gave ‘La Cădiţe’ [the name of the hot pools] a chance. I loved the company of fellow Romanians, our talks, the cool-off in the greenish Cerna River, and the normality of those moments even though many forces were trying to convince us that fear should rule our lives!
Month no. 18 – January 2022
Hârşova, Romania
We combined meeting up with a friend (we don’t talk anymore at this point) and attending a protest against restrictions (I used to do that, but I realised since that I don’t need a saviour and that I am in charge of my existence) with a visit to Hârşova. They have some hot baths called ‘Puturoasa’ near the town. I was shocked to wake up to snow after a warm day. Still, we went through with the bath (the wind was pretty harsh, too!) and got a prize. We saw pelicans fly by over the Danube, which was extraordinary for the time of year and location! There were many kind people there, sharing our joy!
Top 5
Month no. 19 – February 2022
Hot spring by the Mureş River, Romania
There’s a funny story attached. I found out about this spring from a former colleague of Marcel. We celebrated my Dad’s birthday in the area and took Peticel with us, too. We walked to the spring with Peticel on our second day there, but couldn’t find it. Then, our host in Neagra drove us at night there to show it to us (after the bridge over the Mureş River and the crossroads with Sălard, you can find the spring 1 km to the right). The next day, I left Peticel sleeping in the car and headed there with Marcel and my Dad. Some snowflakes accompanied our swim.
Top 3 (my second favourite)
Month no. 20 – March 2022
Nádika Traditional Bath, Romania
It seems I get lucky in March and find a warm day to swim, with sunshine and inviting scenery. Peticel got scared of the water that day (maybe because it was too cold), but he was thrilled to hike the surrounding hilly terrain of Ghelinţa after.
Top 3 (my third favourite)
Month no. 21 – April 2022
Cap Midia, Romania
I returned to Cap Midia because I missed it very much! Our Easter/spring trip combined Black Sea swimming with Danube Delta kayaking. It was rewarding!
P.S. The water was warmer than the air, especially with the wind that day.
Month no. 22 – May 2022
Băile Herculane, Romania
The order of things made me return here and combine again a dip in the hot springs (this time, those by Hotel Roman) with the coolness of the Cerna River.
Month no. 23 – June 2022
Lake Pădureni-Moacşa, Romania
After March 2021, we returned there because Marcel, Peticel, and I weren’t able to find the Csókás Traditional Bath. It was exhaustingly hot, so, after attending a horse racing event that we didn’t enjoy as expected, this dip before sunset lifted our spirits. Peticel refused to join us; he was too tired.
Month no. 24 – July 2022
The Sea of Marmara, Turkey
Conveniently located outside our hotel, we took advantage of July 1st’s warmth and swam somewhere we never had before, in Gelibolu.
Of course, there were many more swims in these 3 countries – but these were the first of every month! Officially, I had
4 swims
in the sea (2*Black Sea, 1*Adriatic Sea, 1*The Sea of Marmara)
1 swim in a river (Olt)
2 swims in a lake (Surduc, Pădureni-Moacşa)
2 swims in a hot spring combined with river swims (Băile Herculane + Cerna River)
2 swims in hot springs (by the Danube and by the Mureş River)
1 swim in a mineral water spring (Nádika)
If you wonder if I continued, I am now in my 5th Year, waiting anxiously to go for a winter wild swim in my native Romania.
I know I am behind with the posts, but I’ll write them all before starting my 6th Year of wild swimming. I am happy that almost all my recent wild swims have been longer than my usual ones. Note to self: I’ll try to keep swimming only in my swimming suit.
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