Pregnant and missing the water

The situation was desperate, lockdown had closed pools for three months and the baby was a week from dropping. I had to get a swim in before lack of sleep hit... 

Late May 2020. For three months we lived with gripping fear of COVID, dashing to the shops at 7am when I could get in as a 'vulnerable' person thanks to my enormous bump and going to nearby parks. We went on long bike rides through the empty streets of London but I couldn't shake the feeling that I needed to immerse myself in water. 

So at 38 weeks pregnant I made it happen. Following a tip from a friend, we went out to Walton on Thames and found a suitable spot in a park to slip into the river. Wow, how I'd missed it. 

I was joined, first by my daughter and then the other half relented and slithered down the mossy bank to participate. Passersby applauded us. We had a ball. And then a picnic, and then ice cream. What a day!