Downstream

wife, Rachel, Ben Jaques,
Jane Riddle and Jane Bell.
‘Do you want to swim now or
later?’ asks Iain. ‘Now,’ I
say, because I’m hot and
sticky and desperate to cool
off. They all look well kitted
out, with endurance-style
costumes, hats and goggles,
and I feel a bit underprepared,
especially as I’ve forgotten to
bring a towel. But Iain lends
me one and I get ready in the
club’s wooden hut.