Today we've been on a tour of Whitmore Hall. Very interesting. Been in the same family for 35 generations! Recently been on a TV programme Saving Country Houses.
#whitmorehall #whitmorelakes #Staffordshire

Nice to get out ... a visit to the Cake Shack for tea and scones. The lake was still frozen. Driving out there was a pheasant walking up the road who quickly disappeared into the hedge then two peacocks appeared ambling along! #whitmorelakes #nature #peacocks

Whitmore Lakes and Cake Shack this afternoon. A couple of the small ponds are overflowing we've had so much rain this last few weeks. #whitmorelakes

Went to Cake Shack for a drink. It was lovely in the sunshine, maybe even nice enough for a swim. Only saw a couple of swimmers. Apparently you can only swim in the area inside the bouys with it being winter season #whitmorelakes ##cakeshack

We'd gone for 1.00pm swim so we had time for lunch afterwards in the Cake Shack. Very little in the way of wildlife but as we got out the lake the two swans appeared - phew that was close. #CakeShack #whitmorelakes #wildswimming

Swim number 15. It was a bit chilly! We were in two minds as it was 5°C early morning but by lunch it had warmed up to 10°C and the sun was shining. However we did have a few rain showers! My hat, gloves and dry robe all got an outing today. #wildswimming #wildswim #whitmorelakes

Wild swim number 14. Lovely autumnal swim today.
Water is getting cooler at 12.9°C as is the outside temperature at 13°C. Not many swimming today and we virtually had the lake to ourselves. Joined by couple of ducks, two swans and a heron! #wildswimming #wildswim #swimming #whitmorelakes

Wild swim number 12! That's 3 months we've been swimming. It was warmer this week so didn't use my wetsuit. Temperature of water was 15.9 ° C which was ok if you kept swimming! One big lap of the lake and 2 smaller ones. Cup of tea and almond blondie in the Cake Shack #wildswimming #whitmorelakes

Wild swim number 11 and the wetsuit had it's maiden dipping! Temperature of water was 15.4 degrees. 1 big lap round the island and 2 smaller ones as it's still quite shallow on the far side of island. We saw a heron, buzzard and several ducks. Tea and biscuits after. #wildswimming #whitmorelakes

Swallows were flying low over the far side of lake and either feeding or drinking
Tea and cake at the Cake Shack. #wildswimming #whitmorelakes #cakeshack

Wild swim number 7. Lovely afternoon. We did 3 1/2 times round the lake which has to be getting on for 1 mile. We were joined on the lake by a family of ducks, a kingfisher flew over as did a heron and a buzzard. Also saw a kestrel. Tea and cake to finish #wildswim #wildswimming #whitmorelakes

Wild swim number 6 ... and it rained 🌦 but not for long. It was cooler than last few weeks at 17°C. It was fine once you were in. Three laps of the lake done. Several ducks on the lake and a heron flew by.
Cake and cup of tea inside today! #wildswim #whitmorelakes #wildswimming

Swim number 5 ... and we got a silver braid 🤣🤣🤣 Three laps of the lake done!
We rescued several ladybirds and other insects. Joined on the lake by several ducks and a gull!
Our reward was cake and a brew! #wildswimming #swimming #whitmorelakes

Swim number 4 ... not so much wildlife this week ... 8 ducks on the lake, dragonflies, buzzard circling and tiny moorhen chick as we were getting out! Just over 2 1/2 laps of the lake done but it felt more!
Tea and cake afterwards... #wildswimming #wildswim #whitmorelakes