#swimming wetsuit womens

[trishackonline]

The Pros and Cons of Different Swimming Wetsuit Materials

Swimming wetsuits are required equipment for open-water swimmers, triathletes, and surfers. They help you swim faster and farther by keeping you warm, reducing drag, and increasing buoyancy. Wetsuits are made from a variety of materials, each with its own set of pros and limitations. In this blog post, we'll go over the benefits and drawbacks of various wetsuit fabrics. 

Neoprene Wetsuits

Neoprene is the most commonly used material for swimming wetsuits. It's a synthetic rubber that's durable, flexible, and insulating. Neoprene wetsuits come in different thicknesses, ranging from 1mm to 7mm. The thicker the wetsuit, the more insulation it provides.

Pros:

Flexibility: Neoprene wetsuits are very flexible, which allows for a full range of motion in the water. You can move your arms and legs freely, which is essential for swimming efficiently.

Insulation: Neoprene wetsuits provide excellent insulation, keeping your body warm in cold water. This is particularly important for open water swimmers who spend extended periods in the water.

Durability: Neoprene wetsuits are very durable and can withstand wear and tear from regular use. They're resistant to punctures and abrasions, ensuring they last for several seasons.

Cons:

Weight: Neoprene wetsuits are relatively heavy, which can make them feel cumbersome and tiring to wear. This can be a disadvantage for swimmers who prefer a lighter and more streamlined feel in the water.

Buoyancy: While neoprene wetsuits provide excellent insulation, they also increase buoyancy. This can make it harder to maintain a horizontal swimming position, especially for swimmers who already have a high body fat percentage.

Limestone Neoprene Wetsuits

Limestone neoprene is a variation of traditional neoprene that's made using calcium carbonate from limestone instead of petroleum. It's a more sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional neoprene.

Pros:

Sustainability: Limestone neoprene is a more sustainable and eco-friendly option than traditional neoprene. It's made using a renewable resource and requires less energy to produce.

Flexibility: Limestone neoprene swimming wetsuits are very flexible and provide a full range of motion in the water. This is essential for efficient swimming.

Durability: Limestone neoprene wetsuits are durable and can withstand wear and tear from regular use.

Cons:

Price: Limestone neoprene wetsuits are more expensive than traditional neoprene wetsuits. This can be a disadvantage for swimmers on a budget.

Insulation: While limestone neoprene wetsuits provide good insulation, they may not be as warm as traditional neoprene wetsuits.

Hydrophobic Wetsuits:

Hydrophobic wetsuits are made from materials that repel water, such as silicone-coated neoprene or polyurethane. These swimming wetsuits are designed to reduce drag and increase speed in the water.

Pros:

Speed: Hydrophobic wetsuits reduce drag, which can increase speed in the water. This is particularly beneficial for competitive swimmers who want to improve their performance.

Lightweight: Hydrophobic wetsuits are typically lighter than traditional neoprene wetsuits, which can provide a more streamlined feel in the water.

Cons:

Cost: Hydrophobic wetsuits are generally more expensive than traditional neoprene wetsuits, which can be a disadvantage for swimmers on a budget.

Flexibility: Hydrophobic wetsuits are typically thicker and stiffer than traditional wetsuits, which can limit flexibility and range of motion.

Usage: Hydrophobic wetsuits are designed specifically for water sports such as surfing, diving, and swimming, so they may not be suitable for other outdoor activities or general use.

In conclusion, choosing the right wetsuit material for swimming depends on various factors such as budget, water temperature, and personal preferences. Ultimately, it's essential to prioritize comfort and safety when selecting a wetsuit material that suits your needs.

Buy the finest materials swimming wetsuit womens from Trishack and go enjoy the tides today!

Original Source: https://bityl.co/Id6W

[deva-arts]

zomg... the girls! Sketched out! And a few characters I never showed designs for! haha! I keep thinking about the beach, so this is their swimwear.

I hope to make a full fledged drawing for all of them soon~ then the guys~~

Some newbies are: Aura (blue!) Katya (Gold!) and more of Verra (Green!) We'll eventually see more about them as I draw more things and doodles.

[athletictaipan]

[skinskisurf]

[austerulous]

2°C but it feels like -1°C and I’m going sea swimming. Wish me luck!

[silkentine]

All I could think while drawing Nami was, “Wouldn’t you like to know, weatherboy?” And, of course, with Robin I was thinking, “save a horse… 🥵”

Design Notes and other opining below the cut:

For Nami, I wanted to go for a mix of cocky Jersey mafia newbie and surfer boy. I like to think that some of the horrendous outfit choices that Sanji makes (especially in the movies) were actually picked out by Nami. She’s the shopper!!! But yeah, the vibrant swim trunks and graphic tees just scream Nami. I also wanted to put him in a wetsuit/rash guard because I think that’s a sexy look so sue me if you hate it. You cannot argue with me that Nami doesn’t wear swimsuits as clothes.

He’s toned but not as muscular as Robin or Luffy (for example) because he isn’t a front-line fighter, I want him to maintain the same kind of role that Nami has in the animanga. He’s the best navigator in the world!! I couldn’t decide if I wanted to change the violent tendencies that Nami has, but ultimately I think he’d still give the more deserving members of the crew a healthy wallop (although I might portray it more cartoonishly). Boy Piece!Nami still grew up under Arlong’s authority so he spent a lot of his childhood walking on eggshells to protect his village and his brother, Nojiko, so I think he never really got to learn “you’re not supposed to hit people just because they frustrate you” lesson. I gave him a shark-tooth necklace because surely Arlong had a few loose teeth to spare once Luffy took her down. Victory spoils LOL

If he can get the girls to stop wrestling and sit down quietly for a while, he likes to host card games (with betting, of course) or watch the clouds while sipping whatever fruity cocktail Sanji whips up. I believe that Canon!Nami is a total lesbian, and I can’t possibly envision a Nami who doesn’t like women so Boy Piece!Nami is bi. I am, of course, a Namivivi truther and Vivi is also a man in this AU. I don’t hate Sanami within this dynamic though… lots to think about.

Okay!!! All-shipper mindset aside, let’s talk Robin. I gave him long hair because 1) it’s hot and 2) I think it makes him look like Dragon. Yeahhh, I subscribe to the Luffy and Robin are half-siblings theory because I think it’s funny and makes some sense. Crocodile is 100% Luffy’s Mom in this AU and I think Robin knows it LOL

For his outfits, I wanted to lean a bit more Indiana Jones where I could; he’s still primarily cowboy inspired though. For the main look, I went with the Skypeia color palette hehe, I think Robin looks good in yellow. I did some flower-petal shaped color blocking on his chaps because I think it’s cute and subtle. I really love that the powers of the Hana-Hana-no-mi are like… unexpected for a “flower flower” fruit and I think Robin would be more aware that juxtaposition as a guy. You might also be wondering about the gloves and I initially just had it for his cowboy look but I decided to put them on all the outfits up until the events of Enies Lobby. Canon!Robin has a really difficult childhood and I think it’s exacerbated by the fact that she’s a girl on her own. If Robin was a boy, he’d probably have an easier time living on his own but would be a lot less emotionally open. All of these elements combine to make him want that physical barrier between his real hands and the world. Once he can trust that the Strawhats will always be there for him, he’s more willing to be more physically open.

I also think it’d be cute if he was much more of a coffee drinker :3c I see Canon!Robin as a connoisseur who likes a well-brewed espresso but Boy Piece!Robin needs a cup of joe (no matter its quality) every chance he can get. So I drew him with his special #1 ARCHAEOLOGIST mug.

It would make me so happy if you left your thoughts in the tags or replies!! Even if you hate everything about them, I just really like engagement hahaha. I’m thinking girl Usopp is next despite the poll results because she’s on my mind rn (don’t hold me to this, LOL I’m fickle). I’m making these for fun so I just wanna make designs in the order that interests me the most. Check out the tag “girl piece” on my blog to see all the genderbends I have so far. And happy pride!!!

[daydream-the-demon]

When I heard your requests were open I knew I able to cook up wholesome fun stuff cause yee anyways !

could you pls draw Nifty from Hazbin Hotel scuba diving underwater and swimming alongside the Bull Shark Pup aka the shark protagonist from the Game Maneater and petting it

Fun fact the Bull Shark Pup is silently helping keeping Nifty safe in the underwater environment cause cute shit ):3 and women are really cool in general including men ! Or whatever sexuality as long it’s not problematic. ❤️‍🩹

Details Nifty be wearing a standard short sleeved wetsuit diving fins

and scuba tank while breathing from the oxygen mouthpiece and oval like diving mask on Nifty’s face since she has one eye and armed with a dive knife for self defence underwater reasons and in case Nifty needs to go bit crazy and kill whatever tries to harm her. 🤿🫧🦈

OMG YES. This was a lot to take in! I never heard of Maneater before. This was quite the request! Fun fact: I never drew Niffty nor a shark before! So I hope this turned out well!

I imagine her going "If anyone touches the Bull Shark Pup, I'll kill everyone in the ocean and then myself."

[trishackonline]

Dive Into Comfort and Style With Women's Swimming Wetsuit

Regarding swimming, comfort and performance are two of the most important factors. Swimming wetsuits for womens have become increasingly popular over the years, and for a good reason. Not only do they provide added warmth and buoyancy, but they also offer a comfortable and flexible fit for a wide range of water activities. This short blog is all about these wetsuits and their importance. 

What is a Swimming Wetsuit?

A swim wetsuit is clothing made from neoprene material designed to keep the body warm while in the water. It helps to insulate the body and create a layer of water between the skin and the wetsuit, which is then heated by the body's temperature. This layer of water helps to keep the body warm, even in cold water.

Why Wear a Swim Wetsuit?

Swimming wetsuits offer several benefits for women looking to engage in water activities. For one, they provide additional buoyancy, which can help swimmers to stay afloat more easily. It can be especially helpful for beginners who may not be as comfortable in the water. Additionally, they can help to increase speed and reduce drag. Hence, making it easier to swim longer distances. 

Aside from performance benefits, wetsuits can also offer added comfort and protection. The neoprene material is soft and flexible, allowing for a full range of motion. It can be especially helpful for women looking to engage in surfing, paddleboarding, or kayaking, where flexibility is key. Wetsuits also protect against the sun, wind, and other elements, helping to keep skin safe and protected.

Choosing the Right Wetsuit for Women

When choosing the right swimming wetsuit womens, there are a few factors to consider. First and foremost is the fit. A wetsuit should fit snugly but not too tight to provide the best insulation and comfort. It's also important to consider the thickness of the wetsuit. Wetsuits are typically available in a range of thicknesses from 2mm to 5mm, with thicker suits providing more warmth and buoyancy.

Other factors to consider are the style of the wetsuit, which can vary from full-length to short-sleeved and short-legged. It's also important to consider additional features, such as zippers, hoods, and pockets, which can add convenience and functionality. Also, you can go with a specific brand for more comfort and good prices. 

Top Brands to Buy Women's Swim Wetsuits in Australia

Funkita is a popular Australian swimwear brand offering various women's swimsuits in various styles and designs. Some popular styles include one-piece swimsuits, bikini sets, tankinis, and swimwear separates. Funkita's swimwear is known for its vibrant prints and colours and its high-quality, chlorine-resistant fabric.

Speedo is a well-known swimwear brand that offers a variety of women's swimsuits designed for competitive swimming as well as recreational swimming. Speedo's women's swimsuits are available in various styles, including one-piece, bikini sets, tankinis, and swimwear separates. Speedo's swimwear is known for its sleek and sporty design and its durable and long-lasting fabric.

Conclusion

Overall, a wetsuit can be an excellent investment for women looking to engage in water activities. Trishack is an online store that offers a wide range of women's swimwear from various brands, including Funkita and Speedo. The website may have a selection of popular swimsuits from these brands, such as Funkita's one-piece swimsuits with colourful prints or Speedo's competition swimsuits with a hydrodynamic design. 

Check out the website now!

Original Source: https://bityl.co/I9A3

[bwoahtastic]

some more brief(ish) thoughts about small fem nico (and the men who adore her) because I am fully obsessed with her:

- nico is a total daddy’s girl, but not in a spoiled brat way. keke loves her so much, she is his tiny little angel baby and he will do anything to make her happy. he was incredibly proud of her when she demanded her independence, because he knew that she was taking her life into her own hands, but that doesn’t stop him from worrying constantly. after all, he knows better than anyone what f1 is like and how tough it can be for women, and doesn’t want nico to struggle.

- nico has tiny little feet that jenson absolutely adores. he has never been into feet before, but whenever nico complains about her feet hurting, whether it’s after a night out or after a race in which the brakes on her car pressed uncomfortably, jenson always ends up giving her a foot massage. he loves how her toenails are always painted in the same minty green/blue as her racing boots and gloves, and how she just melts when he digs his thumb into the arch of her foot. nico loves playing footsie, and when they’re out at dinner, even if it’s a grid dinner with all of the other drivers, nico will slip off her shoes and stroke her feet up jenson’s leg. jenson doesn’t mind when they’re alone, but when everyone else is there he has to work so hard not to show how much it’s affecting him.

- nico has stolen clothing from absolutely everyone that she cares about. she has shirts and racing suits that she stole from her dad when she was younger and would play dress up as a formula one world champion, shirts from lewis when they were holidaying as teenagers and she spent too long in the sun so he gave her his t-shirt to put over her swimsuit and prevent more sunburn (nico said she would give it back but never did), jumpers from mark in her first year when he would throw them at her for shivering so violently in the garage (again she said she would give them back but never did and mark never had the heart to ask for them back, especially as it always annoyed jenson when he saw nico in mark’s clothing), even a spare shirt of toto’s, monogram and all, that nico grabbed from the motorhome after getting oil on her own shirt.

- jenson is her favorite victim, however. he always has warm, soft sweaters and coats that envelope her so perfectly, and jenson even leaves little handwarmers in the pockets for when nico gets cold (sometimes she pouts up at him that they're not warm enough so that jenson will hold her hands in his to warm them up). she loves his ratty old t-shirts, and likes wearing them to sleep, although she always teases him that he’s old because the shirts have band names and logos for things that were popular when nico was still a kid. the sexiest nico has ever felt was whilst wearing one of jenson’s crisp white shirts with absolutely nothing else on. she also steals his fireproofs, and their relationship is almost revealed to everyone when she accidentally puts on his fireproof instead of her own before a race.

- you would think that jenson would never get confused between his clothes and nico’s, because hers are so much smaller and there is genuinely no way for it to fit him, but it has happened. jenson is very into triathlons, and has even got nico into them, so they both have wetsuits for the swim. nico is away or sleeping in when jenson leaves for a charity triathlon, grabbing what he thinks is his wetsuit in the process. it’s only when he gets to the startline and tries to fit into what is barely bigger than a child’s wetsuit that he realises he’s grabbed nico’s instead. the photo that jenson’s trainer takes of him, tripping over after having squeezed one leg into the wetsuit, is his profile picture on nico’s phone for six months afterwards.

- toto absolutely adores nico. the first time he meets her at a dtm party he genuinely thinks she’s someone’s teenage daughter, only to realise that she drives for the team that he wants to buy. he laughs her off when she demands that he let her take her Williams race engineer over to Mercedes, and is both shocked and kind of impressed when she stands by it, saying that she wants her engineer back. he’s so proud of her when she wins Monaco for the first time at his first ever race with mercedes, and so impressed when she drinks more than twice her own weight in champagne as a celebration for it.

- toto is more than a foot taller than nico, and they look hilarious stood next to each other. when she’s excited, nico will literally jump on toto to hug him, and he always catches her, swinging her round. when she’s annoyed, nico hates having to crane her neck to look up at him, and instead goes to get a chair to stand on so she’s at eye level, because if she’s going to have an argument, she’s going to do it looking him in the eye.

PLS SMALL FEM NICO IS A FEISTY LITTLE KITTEN SND I AM IN LOVE WITH HER

Nico SO would be a daddy's girl! A little spoiled but still very independant too cos thats important to her. Keke would adore his sweet daughter (he knows she can be a handful tho) and he is ofc a little hesitant when she demands independence but he understands it too! For sure when she is home she gets fussed over a ton tho lol. He alwsys asks her to text after races to make sure she is okay!

Nico's tiny lil feet would be so cute to jenson (really any part of her is)! Nico always complains her feet hurt and Jenson massages them for her cos they are so pretty and she hums so contentedly. And pls Nico with her pretty mint green painted toes and her habit of playing footsie just to annoy jenson kskeks she is a legend and an icon! Jenson gets a little flustered then which Nico loves!

Sksks Mark calling Nico a little gremlin cos she keeps stealing clothes from everyone! She has sweaters and racesuits from her dad (pls nico being homesick and wearing her dad's racesuit while curled up on the sofa 🥺 and she has tshirts from Lewis thst she kept all those years although she doesn't wear them anymore... She for sure wears Mark's sweaters a lot but jenson's are her favorite! They are all soft and old and just smell like jenson which soothes her🥺 (and nngg her in one of his dress shirts would be so sexy!!) And toto's shirt! He would be so soft seeing her with it on

Sjdjss jenson by accident taking Nico's tiny wetsuits and Nico has a muscle ache from laughing after seeing a picture of Jenson trying to get it on lmaooo!

Toto would be so fond of this stubborn little girl! She is demanding and knows what she wants and needs and doesn't back down for him! Pls her standing on a chair to be at eye level telling him he will ot win just looming over her, she wants a fair fight! Hut he loves her too, that's his girl okay! She will hug him so tight when she is happy and wins and he twirls her around! Also smthn happening and he just holds her, lets her hide away in his chest snd she feels so tiny and frail then, and Toto never wants to see her like that again!

[skinskisurf]

[magicalgirlartist]

[ID: 3 images with 2 full body characters (one higher to the left and facing left, the other lower to the right and facing right) each. The first has 2 young women. The higher one is thin with a short sleeveless blue wetsuit, an orange flower tucked behind one ear, and a translucent blue wrap draped around her waist. She has one hand on her hip and a shy expression. A text box beside her reads "HAHLI, assistant flax maker, never played a sport in her life, friendly, but shy, hates shoes, spends most of her time swimming or doing chores for Amaya." The lower one is chubbier with a bright blue halter top, dark blue crop leggings, and white sandals. She's standing on her tiptoes with her arms stretched behind her and smiling. A text box beside her reads "MACKU, left hand of Turaga Nokama, mega jock, sweet, outgoing, easily distracted, definitely not dating Hewkii." The second has 2 young men. The higher one is somewhat muscular, with dark tank top under red vest, yellow pants with a red waist tie, and red and yellow shoes. He has his hands on his hips and is frowning. A text box beside him reads "JALLER, captain of the guard of Ta-Koro, right hand of Turaga Vakama, chronically incapable of relaxing, only wears sleeveless shirts." The lower one is scrawny, with goggles, red t-shirt, red shirt tied around the waist, bright yellow cargo pants tucked into blue boots, and blue fingerless gloves. He's winking with his tongue out and flashing two peace signs. A text box beside him reads "TAKUA, Chronicler, professional responsibility avoider, "but I stay silly :3", friends with like half the island." The last has 2 young men. The higher one is beefy, with an open light brown robe and no shirt underneath, loose brown pants tied at the waist with an orange sash, and light brown gladiator sandals. He's waving and smiling. A text box beside him reads "HEWKII, celebrity athlete, right hand of Turaga Onewa, just a little too smart to be a True Himbo, definitely not dating Macku." The lower one is skinny, with a light brown tunic over loose black pants, and brown sandals. He has one arm behind his back and the other hand to his chest with a smug expression. A text box beside him reads "HAFU, master carver, left hand of Turaga Onewa, "ANotHEr hAFU ORigiNAL" (plain text: another Hafu original), smug and insufferable, the perfect man." End ID.]

Concepts for the Bionicle Sports Anime/MNOLGII comic!! I think Takua's is my favourite honestly lol. Gonna do the rest of the kohlii teams next and then some uniforms maybe!

Some notes about village fashions under the readmore!

[Commissions open!]

Ga-Koro Fashion: I figure Ga-Koro is warm and humid, but still can get cold at night. Ga-Koronans tend to wear warmer clothes for sleeping, but cooler clothes during the day. They also tend towards clothes that dry quickly, aren't super uncomfortable while wet, and/or can be removed easily before swimming, like Hahli's wetsuit/wrap combo. They also mostly wear sandals since it's not the end of the world if those get wet. Hahli prefers going barefoot since she's constantly in and out of the water gathering materials for Amaya anyway, and she's lost or destroyed so many sandals that way that it's just easier to not wear them at all.

Ta-Koro Fashion: Ta-Koro is fucking hot, but most of the people who live there are used to it. They generally dress in lighter fabrics, with short sleeves and sweatbands being common. The terrain is rocky as well, so shoes with decent soles are a must. As usual, the main outlier here is Takua, who doesn't handle Ta-Koro's heat as well as the others ~for some reason~ but also frequently mixes in clothing types from other villages due to how much he travels.

Po-Koro Fashion: Like Ga-Koro, Po-Koro is hot during the day and cold at night. It's a much drier heat, though, being a desert. Light, loose clothes are practically required, and often several layers of them are worn at night. Pants tend to have elastic, drawstring, or some other form of binding around the legs to help keep sand from getting in there. Sandals are best for Po-Koro as well, unless you're playing kohlii of course!

[holidayvisa]

6 March 2024 - I ate breakfast with Elise and the New Zealand National Spearfishing Team. Everyone was pretty quiet. Several of the divers weren't drinking coffee before the competition because caffeine is not good for freedivers, and I think the lack of coffee was exaggerating everyone's distaste for early mornings. As I was gathering my things and slowly wandering towards the New Zealand women's team's boat, I saw Darren and the New Zealand men's team on a boat on a trailer, being towed behind a tractor. They were already heading towards the beach. Darren gives me a hand signal, as if to say, "come on, Adam, you're getting on this boat." I looked at Elise, because I wasn't sure what the plan was. She said, "oh, I guess you're going on the boys' boat today." I started walking towards the men's team's boat, and when I looked back at Elise, she pumped her arms like she was jogging, as if to say, "run, Adam, run!" So I ran to the boat, still being towed by the tractor down the road towards the beach. I threw my bag of snacks and water and clothes onto the boat, and I jumped onto the back of the moving tractor! The boys got the boat in the water and off the trailer, and I waded out into the cold ocean to climb aboard. I spent the day on the boat with Darren (the men's team's coach) and Lily (the New Zealand teams' pet dog). We drove around and dropped the boys off at different locations so that they could swim around and scout the area. Scouting for spearfishing competitions is just snorkeling around and freediving, looking for weed edges, reef edges, holes, caves, and any other likely spots that fish would be hanging out. The boys swam and dove for hours. Occasionally, Darren would drive over to them, pick them up, drive them somewhere else, and drop them off. Jackson (the #1 spearfisher in all of New Zealand and also Darren's son) foraged some kina (sea urchins) from the ocean floor and brought them over to the boat.

He cracked them open and fed me the salty, raw kina meat from inside! It was TASTY! Jackson asked me what I thought of it, and I told him that I really liked it! He was surprised by that. He said, "most people don't like kina. Most people say it tastes like the ocean." I laughed and said, "It does taste like the ocean!" They told me that during the competition, if they're hungry and they want to eat a snack, they'll forage for some kina, bust it open, and eat some of that.

The boys hopped back onto the boat for lunch, and we all ate some sandwiches. The women's team's boat drove up to us, and we chatted with them for a bit. The girls had all caught HUGE kingfish, so we took some photos of them with their prizes.

After lunch, Darren drove the boat over to this really cool cave. He drove full-speed towards the opening of the cave which looked too small to drive the boat through, and I asked him, "we're not driving through there, are we?" Darren replied, "We sure are. Adam, suck in your gut!" Darren drove through the opening of the cave. It was super pretty!

Ben and Brett jumped out of the boat and dove around the area. I decided to jump in too! I didn't have a wetsuit or anything, but I jumped in in my boardies and swam back out through the mouth of the cave. The water was cold. Darren drove the boat back out of the cave, and I swam back over to the boat. The boys offered me a mask and snorkel, so I jumped back in and snorkeled around for a few minutes. I saw some cool fish while I was snorkeling there - some dark blue fish, some dark gray fish, some striped fish. Then I saw these two fish - big fish - swimming right next to each other. I dove down to check them out, and as I got closer to those two big fish, I realized that they were Ben's fins! We all got back to the boat, and we drove back to Hahei. Brett drove the tractor towing the dive boat back to the Hahei house, and then we drove the tractor back to the beach to pick up the women's team's boat. Brett drove the tractor with the women's team's boat on the trailer back to the Hahei house.

(continued)

[deweydecimalchickens]

I hadn't worn a bikini since I was literally prepubescent. I'd bought one with the intention of wearing it under my clothes for quick & non-flashing changing (and being able to go to the loo without getting completely naked) and then putting a tankini or wetsuit top on over it.

And then on Tuesday evening I was like: "this morning I did a 5K trail run. Then I climbed Cadair Idris. Now I've still got gas in the tank and I'm going for a cold water swim. I am arguably in the best shape of my life. My body has been strong and capable and done everything I've asked all day. The Don't Worry I Still Hate Myself Cover stays in the damn caravan."

I go back and forth on how much skin I feel comfortable showing. My other swimming outfit (I went so often one wouldn't be dry in time) was a tank top and leggings. I'll wear whatever feels comfortable. But some of that discomfort comes from living nearly four decades in a society that tells women they'd better look like supermodels, and it's disingenuous to pretend otherwise.

It's difficult, as a woman, as a plus-sized woman, as a scarred and hairy plus-sized woman, as a scarred and hairy plus-sized woman with a history of disordered eating and pushing forty, to think "actually, I'm not here to look pretty; I'm here to go swimming. And I'm good at it and I love it."

And I know I'm Acceptably Fat and don't get anywhere near the shit bigger people do, but man, these tentacles have hooks all over your brain, for years.

[slowroadtosantiago]

Day 33 - Molinaseca to Cacabelos

It was just under 14 miles today and relatively flat, and we’ve got less than 200kms to go!

After an easy night I woke to the smell of toast. We had ordered breakfast for 7 and when I checked my phone it was 5 past! I gave Jane a shake and we got downstairs pretty pronto. There was just the two of us for breakfast, it looked like most of the others had already disappeared.

We then got ourselves sorted and left our bags for pickup. We didn’t leave until 8 this morning, late for us.

The main part of the day was pavement pounding, into and out of Pontferrada and through villages on the way to where we are now in Cacabelos.

The views to the mountains on the way to Pontferrada were tremendous. We opted for the straightforward route in rather than going the long way through an extra village.

The route takes you past the very early Templar castle in Ponferrada and we stopped for a coffee overlooking the huge walls.

The way out of Ponferrada was quite nice, through a park and past playing fields where kids had their Saturday football matches.

Eventually we got back into a bit of countryside where we were getting small vineyards again and poppies by the side of the path. Yesterday we made friends with Gee Gee and Caroline from Boston and Rhode Island, and we met them again today on the path. Caroline was having trouble with a swollen shin so nurse Jane came to the rescue with freezing gel and a bandage to bind things up.

We passed an old majestic ruined house that Jane reckoned she could do something with…

A couple of villages in and we stopped again. Jane had a coffee and I had a fresh orange juice. The girls in the cafe were really friendly.

Carrying on we veered back to a main road and another more modern scruffy village where we stopped at a chemist for tissues (it’s amazing how many packs we have got through so far). Jane’s been effected by all the pollen too so got some hay fever stuff as well. Anyway, back on the road and this village just seemed to go on and on and on. We were both mightily relieved to get to the end!

We then had another few miles to go and finally ended back in the countryside, and it was lovely countryside with grass fields and more vineyards, before finally arriving in Cacabelos. We were both tired getting here, I think yesterday’s downhill took a bit out of us.

We found our place ok. It’s a hotel/hostel/restaurant. They are very friendly but this is the place I called and tried to book using my rudimentary Spanish a couple of weeks ago. Needless to say I can’t have done very well as they didn’t have our booking! Luckily they did have space, so we’re in a very nice room with two other women in proper beds with sheets and covers, and have towels! Luxury!

They also did a menu del dia so we dumped our stuff and ate. I had been craving a salad as we hadn’t eaten any veg for a couple of days so started with an ensalada mixta, then a main dish and finally this really delicious rich chocolate cheesecake, all washed down with wine.

The place is run by a husband and wife combo and they were hilarious. They were incredibly busy but it was fun watching them shout at each other, handle everyone (arrivals, food, drink), and still keep their sense of humour.

We had a couple of hours chilling and showering then went for a wander. We popped into the church and outside the cafe next door was a traditional Spanish band playing and singing. They just looked like they were doing it for fun.

The village has a large river so we took a gander along it for a bit. On the way back there was a chap stripping out of a wetsuit so he must have been for a swim.

Nothing much was open, so we’ve come back to put our feet up and chill. Tomorrow’s walk should be a bit shorter and should still be flat.