A Lockdown abroad.
I flew out to Geneva in late October to see my partner and to start work on a personal project in the foothills of the Alps. However it was announced as I boarded the flight, that a country-wide lockdown was to take effect the day after I arrived. It was half expected, yet meant putting a hold on plans once again. Our time outdoors and distance we could travel was restricted which meant hiking was off the cards until the end of the month. Fortunately we with a within reach of the local river.
Swim
Wild swimming soon became a habit. Riding to the river before sunrise, to slowly lower immerse ourselves and experience the rush, the initial breathlessness and the resulting peacefulness that overwhelms as your focus is narrowed on breathing and staying warm.
No number of layers seemed to stave off the cold upon exit, but cradling hot tea after a few minutes of frantic movement (dance) certainly helped.
I became intrigued by movement during these mornings, beneath the surface, on and above it. Perhaps because it is the opposite of the stillness of mind that occurs when inside. Anyway, something to revisit.
Hike
Starting before sunrise in a frosted valley we climbed through a dense cloud inversion that blanketed the entirety of Lake Leman. We Inadvertently strayed off-path but a pit stop of overnight oats and flasks of tea allowed us to re-calibrate and reach the top in time for sunrise.
Greeting us was expansive views over the alpine peaks in the distance. These images were taken hurriedly during our descent, as the clouds slowly rose, shrouding our path in a cool dense mist that brought on shivers. Rays of light soon became diffused but not before a harmonious moment of shivelight in the mist. Brief, magical and unforgettable.
