The Last Swim
I am always looking for the perfect beach. I love to swim, and whenever I can, I do! Aix is not on the beach, but it is within reach.
Since mid-September, I keep thinking that every time I go will be the last. Well, I have been wrong about that for about one month. I went to the beach last Sunday and put on a pair of jeans and a sweater. At the last minute, I thought to myself, "put a bikini on." I quickly undressed and grabbed that bikini, and out the door,
On this particular Sunday, I decided to head to Carry-Le-Plage. I saw the sign and decided to take a chance. I’d heard about it and wanted to try something new. When I arrived I was very fortunate to find parking right in front of the beach. As luck would have it, three fishermen were clearing out after their mornings catch. I arrived just in time.
I made my way to the beach, cradling my beach bag in one hand and dangling my beach chair in the other. Once I arrived, I saw that many people were swimming and it looked like any other Sunday in the South of France. What luck! I was so glad to be there. I settled my things on the sand and immediately stripped down to my bikini. I covered myself with sunscreen and then just took in the beautiful sights. The sun felt warm; and the sea sounded calm as its small waves lapped up along the shoreline. It was bliss.
Once I was warm enough, I decided to get into the water and have a swim. Enough people were in, so I figured it couldn't be too bad. Well, I dipped my toe in and was startled to feel the icy water. How were they doing it? I went in slowly. Step by cautious step until I was waist-deep. Oooooooo! I wasn't sure that I would make it any further when, at that very moment, a lovely woman swam by. She gave me a big smile and said, "Allez!". She was assuring me that it was okay. I counted silently until 3, took a deep breath and did my breaststroke entrance. Oooooooooo!!!!!i It was cold but Aaahhhh, it felt so good. I moved very quickly for a minute, trying to adapt to the chilly temperature. Before long, I couldn't even feel the cold, and I decided to submerge my head. Blowing out from my nose and mouth with my eyes wide open, I marveled at the clear water and how I could see the bottom in every direction. Once fully immersed, I started to swim back and forth, horizontally along the beach. The water was clear, and the sun felt hot. I was in absolute heaven. I managed to get in the water twice that day. I didn't want to leave.
Alas, that was was the last swim.