We swam at Erimiti beach at lunch time, changing quickly after eating and hurrying down to the shore, out past the restaurant and the sunbeds on the gravel strip at the base of the cliffs that cradled the cove.

The rocks were sharp underfoot but the water was blue and clear and cool under the hot sun. Boats rocked where they were moored and we swam around them, keeping an eye on the shallow pools at the base of the cliff where the water surged in and out with white flecked energy. The bay was a perfect inlet, a nearly circular curl of azure water rippling and simmering.

We couldn’t stay in long as we had to get back to work, but just to be in the water – such clear, excruciatingly blue water – was enough. Even for just fifteen minutes, it felt like a re-set. A holiday in the middle of the day.

I’m raising money for the Alzheimer’s Society. Please sponsor me at http://www.justgiving.com/swimbonnieswim