Author – Writer – Designer
I am very keen to provide a wide range of sizes and colours in my clothes because I love how different we sea sisters are. But as a very small company (ie. it’s just me…) I don’t have the resources to order in large quantities of stock, so I decided pre-order was the way to go. That way I can see what sizes and colours are popular and hopefully along the line, I can eventually be able to have a fully-stocked shop. This isn’t going to happen without a good first run though, so I would like to thank you personally for your support and patience if you have ordered something.
You have come to the right place! The Sisters of the Sea range includes high quality fleece-lined hoodies and cosy sweatshirts that are perfect for snuggling into after getting out of the sea. The lightweight super-stylish duffle bag is ideal for carrying your kit down to the beach, while the range of colours the t-shirts and vests come in should please everybody’s tastes. For something a little different, take a look at the design shop where there is a range of quirky prints, including the colourful mermaid tail and several other sea-inspired pieces, all printed on high-end textured paper. Any swimmer or surfer would be delighted to receive any of these gifts, so thank you on their behalf!
There is something very special about sharing experiences with friends, especially when you are learning or overcoming something together. In the last few years I have learnt to surf, begun swimming further, and started cold-water swimming through the winter. All of these things have introduced me to some amazing women. These women come from all over the world, from different backgrounds and from different professions. I can honestly say I would have given up all of these things without them. Together we are cheerleaders, jesters, teachers, supporters. We listen, we laugh, we are silly and we are serious. Sisters of the Sea commemorates that bond and the clothing should definitely be worn as a badge of honour.
This is a tricky one, but the key is to do it on their terms. Stop trying to push traditional books on them and find other ways. Head to my blog post Sixteen sneaky ways to get the most reluctant reader reading for some inspiration, but above all don’t give up. Reading is so important for children, and for adults. You are doing a great job if you are still trying. Keep at it!
As an ‘Over to You’ book, there are multiple storylines running that interlink with each other. This means there’s a fair bit of planning involved and lots of flow charts. The most difficult part is making sure the end of each chapter and the beginning of the next line up. For example making sure the characters were wearing the same clothes, or were in the same place was sometimes tricky.
Writing a novel is a marathon, and the hardest part is finding the time and inclination to write. Most people need to work another job alongside writing, especially when starting out, so it can be difficult to fit everything in. Some try to stick to a regular time, others aim for a certain word count per day/week. It can be hard to get anything down on paper when you feel the pressure of limited time. Check out my post A New Notebook: Beautiful or Intimidating? for some ideas.
Wild swimming is simply swimming outdoors in lakes, rivers and seas. People have been doing it for centuries, but recently, in particular since lockdown, it has had a huge surge in popularity. As the waters in the UK rarely reach above 15°C, and are usually much lower, ‘cold-water swimmers’ are braving the waters throughout the seasons en-masse. The rise in popularity has made this sport more accessible to all, from those who enjoy brief dips to long-distance swimmers and those who swim ‘ice miles’.
Cold-water immersion has been thought to have health benefits for many years. The Victorians in particular were big fans and even carved their own baths into coastal rocks – many of which you can still swim in. In fact, I had a sublime dip in one in Portreath, which you can read about here. As well as the physical benefits you get from actually swimming (which are increased in cold water because your body has to work harder), cold water is also thought to boost your immune system, improve circulation, reduce depression, stress, and provide a natural high.
One of the best things about swimming outdoors is that it doesn’t require gym membership or expensive equipment. Having said that, there are some things that can make the experience more enjoyable, and some essentials if you plan to swim through winter. Briefly, my top three items would be:
1. Earplugs – especially if you are swimming crawl.
2. Change towel – to preserve dignity and keep the wind out.
3. Hot drink – TOP TIP – wrap your towel in it while you’re in.