Winter rolled in today at Balmoral. Big clouds building up and water temp 14°c, the lowest so far this year. Dived in at Deadmans for the Fortitude Plate swim and it felt like sticking my face in boiling fat. Then the throbbing head starts. Got used to it pretty quickly and enjoyed the swim. No dolphin today which is an exception. She has swum with us most Thursdays over winter. No Jimbles either so that was good. Because I’m having two Weet-Bix before I swim this winter, I’m not feeling the cold so much. Maybe its psychological. Skin is cracking up like it always does mid-winter. Barry, Adriana and I drove to Milsons Point and parked under Luna Park, my old stamping ground. Left there at 9.40am heading for the harbour foreshore track. We had only reached Kurraba Rd and it stated to bucket down. I mean hammer down. Luckily, I had waterproof coat and trousers so no great problem. Got into our wet weather gear under the awning of a large apartment block garage. Splodged along the foreshore dodging the muddy puddles, talking while the rain tinkled on my straw hat. Cup of tea at Mosman Wharf and the rain stopped shortly after. By Clifton Gardens the sun was out and it started to get steamy. By the time we reached Balmoral I was weary. Practicing stepping up with my bad leg had left it tired. Up the steps then onto Stanton Rd which is one big bitch of an uphill walk. The weight of an 18kg pack, bent me over. Reminded me of mountaineering, it seemed to go on and on forever. Half way up, Adriana told me she pushed the twin girls up this hill in a stroller. I stopped whingeing. Arrived at Barry and Adriana’s house at 2.05pm. A 14.6km walk in 4h 25m. I think I’m ready for the Jatbula Track.

Afterwards Barry drove me back to Milsons Pt and I picked up my car. Drove home sodden and damp for a hot shower. Quite chilled by then. Tore down to Dee Why for a follow-up Doppler scan for my DVT. This is the 3rd scan this year. I’m over this part of it. Radiographer, wouldn’t tell me much other then there are no new clots and the old one hasn’t grown. I don’t think its occluded but she said I had to see the specialist. I think it’s shrunk. That will do for the blood thinners. Pretty tired. I’m not going for a swim in the morning. I’m going to sleep in.