'wild' swims

[kulich]

Heading out tomorrow from Vancouver for Le Puy and the start of our walking, so I hope to meet some of you good souls on route. We finish this time in Cahors via the Cele Valley. Or further as karma diverts.

My bathing suit is in the pack and I had a sudden thought that it might not do to be swimming in rivers and lakes as they crop up ... and I remember being directed in England once to the river where everyone learned to swim as a lad only to discover it was 30 cm deep. We were also discovered by members of the Indian Army while bathing in the Himalaya.

It appears that what we do spontaneously here at home is now called wild swimming; we don't use swimming pools.

Are there good spots for a dip in the wild along the way?

Cheers

Peter

 

[scruffy1]

An excellent idea however mind the warning signs! You are after the Spring thaw so many of the raging creeks and rivers I experienced in the Spring will be as you mentioned at best 30 centimeters. As you cross theEiffel bridge into Monistrol d'Allier peak over the side into the gorge and decide for yourself. Mind the warning signs, many rivers you cross are actually runoff streams from the dams producing electricity, sudden surges in water level can be expected-never actually saw one as it happened but I did see great height differences between evening and morning next to the village. Lakes? Have a box of matches handy to remove leeches, don't yank them off but you should know that they are not uncommon in Vancouver.

 

[Hal]

Oh, great thread! I'd love some recommendations for swimming. Although recommendations for clear streams to cool my feet are equally desirable

Not exactly on the route, and I have no idea if it's a do or a dud, but if you're up for a day trip Lac du Moulinet seems to be about 9km from Prinsuéjols which has a yacht club. Their website indicates that it is swimmable.

http://www.loisirs-gevaudan.com/

 

[kulich]

Have a box of matches handy to remove leeches, don't yank them off but you should know that they are not uncommon in Vancouver.

Now that's good info - not a big leech fan. Salt works too. Don't much like them when they come through the water works either.

Good to know it's possible - and done.

I'm away, away at the break of day.

Peter

 

[Felipe]

The “baignade en eau vive” (swimming in rivers or lakes) is quite popular in France. The president Jacques Chirac is remembered by (amongst other things) his 1977’ s unfulfilled promise (being then mayor of Paris) of making the Seine suitable for swimming. But you have to take notice that France is a country with great wines, very good cheeses, marvelous landscapes...and lot of regulations. Contrary to other countries, where regulations are seen as a limit to freedom, in France they are considered as the fabric of civilized life.
Some rivers and lakes are restricted to swimmers, because of human or industrial pollution, dangerous waters or because they are used for commercial navigation (yes, the famed “peniches”). And, as they say, “la loi c'est la loi”, and fines are usually very steep (although sometimes the “gendarmes” show some leeway). So, I’ d ask the locals, look for signposts (don't do if it says "baignade strictement interdite"!) , or the presence of local swimmers.
Buen camino (and good baignades)!

 

[obinjatoo@yahoo.com]

I've encountered leeches in the lakes in Canada. They were pretty small and came right off. I guess the size of the leech would dictate one's response. I don't think they carry disease at least not in the northern hemisphere that I know of. They are just kind of icky. Otherwise fairly harmless.

 

[jpflavin1]

Heading out tomorrow from Vancouver for Le Puy and the start of our walking, so I hope to meet some of you good souls on route. We finish this time in Cahors via the Cele Valley. Or further as karma diverts.

My bathing suit is in the pack and I had a sudden thought that it might not do to be swimming in rivers and lakes as they crop up ... and I remember being directed in England once to the river where everyone learned to swim as a lad only to discover it was 30 cm deep. We were also discovered by members of the Indian Army while bathing in the Himalaya.

It appears that what we do spontaneously here at home is now called wild swimming; we don't use swimming pools.

Are there good spots for a dip in the wild along the way?

Cheers

Peter

Kulich:

If you are truly looking for a swim Camino, I recommend you head to the Norte. There are many beaches and natural inlets to swim in.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[scruffy1]

Obinjatoo is absolutely correct leeches are easy to remove-providedd you get all of him/her! Should the head break off under your skin you are asking for an infection. Lite the match, pop the bugger in his/her sitting down place and the head comes right out.