Stormy Snorkelling

After a little time spent looking at a range of weather forecasts, we decided that our best option for dry (or at least sheltered) conditions, would be to drive over the the south western side of the island. It was only a forty five minute drive, but on a very slow road. The winding lanes took us up over various hills, switch backs and remote villages, with the car rarely getting into 4th or 5th gear. It was actually quite a nice, slow speed scenic tour, during which we encountered only two other vehicles. We were aiming for a bay just to the west of the town of Aliveri, called ‘Mouse Beach’ and the road led pretty much into the water!

After the waves and wind at Stomio Beach on the east coast yesterday, our calculations of finding a sheltered bay paid off and we were greeted by a very tranquil scene. The dark skies, although not idea, did give the place quite an enchanting look and atmospheric vibe.

We sat under an in-situ grass umbrella surveying the scene. An elderly lady with a wide brimmed sun hat was calmly swimming along the coast, showing no sign of the fact that the water might be cold. Before we could change our minds, we slipped out of our down jackets and into our swimmers. The water was probably the same temperature as the air, so although it wasn’t ‘warm’ water, it was better than the lakes and rivers of North Wales! I pulled on my mask and committed…

I saw quite a few fish and loads of spiky urchins. The water got deep very quickly, so I was also able to enjoy a long deep dive with my breath held. Once back on the beach, we scrambled to get back into some warm clothes!

To promote a bit of warm blood flow, we left he car by the umbrella and walked off down the coast. Our feet felt numb to begin with, but the movement helped. There is a road that follows the coast all the way around to the town. In places it was only a metre from the waters edge, so I guess the tidal range isn’t quite the 10m that we have back home!

Before heading home, to took a gentle stroll around the harbour at Aliveri, with the ambitious hope of finding a warm looking cafe. There were a few bars open, but not many people about and none of them were quite what we needed. We were content instead to wind our way back into land, via a quick stop at a larger supermarket for some supplies.