Early one morning just as the day was dawning...

Early dawn on the lake

Had a lovely meal with Stu and friends last night.

This morning I got up at 4.15 am to get to Boscombe pier for 5 am for a lift to the New Forest Middle Distance race with Will. I walked along the cliff edge path and it was beautiful, so silent and the stars were really bright. The Needles lighthouse was on and because the sea was a little misty a long ray of light shone over the Solent.

It was quite strange arriving at Ringwood in the dark.

It felt like a secret society meeting or a rave!! Strange mechanical maneuvers in the dark with torch light as people got their bikes off racks and into the transition area. Great atmosphere.

Gradually the sun rose and everyone was down by the lake waiting for the swim. Water was a little chilly on account of those who stuck their toes in to test. As the first swimmers went off they broke the surface of the water (see photo below) and made quite a dramatic pattern in the sea ( oh eck the art student is coming out in me again!!)

The athletes were sorted into time by the colour of their swiming caps and the yellows went of first. 1.9k swim imto a 56 mile bike ride and then a half marathon. I marshalled the Transition 2 section giving out drinks and energy gells and general encouragement. Got quite wet as they threw the water I gave them all over the place, bless em.... Everyone was so friendly . Time and athletes whizzed by. Before I knew it the runners were coming in to finish.

This is the amazing Richard Iles of Beacon Leisure giving the swimmers a briefing about the course.

Will had a very good race coming 7th out of nearly 400. It's a really gruelling but fantastic course, beautiful lake and countryside. The event was very well organised everyone had a good time. Had a lovely time with Wills family half of which were racing too!! And 'Little O' of course who is gorgeous and growing up fast.

Still smiling after swimming , cycling and running