Loosening the legs

I've had a week away from running in preparing for, and then taking, a few days of swimming in the Lake District. With a fair weather forecast, and surprisingly stiff legs I took an indirect loop to Oxstones. I wasn't rushing so took a few pictures along the way.

A wisp of wool was not easy for the camera's autofocus

The Lake District is to my mind more exciting and picturesque than the Peak District but it's good to remember that I can reach the countryside on foot in less than half an hour.

 

Lakes and Tarns

I've just returned from 3 days based in Grasmere for SwimTrek's Lakes and Tarns swim holiday. Across the days I've swum around 4km which is far more than my usual training load, but so far, no harm done.

Grasmere village straddles the River Rothay

The hotel was able to check us in a little early which was convenient although the welcome message was to my mind slightly ambiguous as to how we should prepare. I suspect that I'm a bit pedantic and my questions were seemingly on many participants' minds in the Q&A. Our first swim was a dip in Grasmere from close to the tourist beach. A 150m triangle was laid out for use to circulate around so that we could get a feel for 18°C water and the guides could appraise our swimming abilities informally. The water started clear but became cloudy as we disturbed the sediment.

Day 2 was a walk-swim-walk-swim-walk sequence. I was allocated to a faster swim group than previously which was perhaps a mistake. The whole group would swim from the south of Grasmere, along the River Rothay, into Rydal water and then loop back at various points for the return. The longest route would be 2400m which is a lot for me. Around the time we should turn back I started to feel cold and felt my strength ebbing away. The journey back was slow and done in 100m steps encouraged by one of the local safety guides. I accepted a tow for a 100m or so but determined to complete the swim under my own power. I was distinctly cold when I landed and very glad of a steading hand and a sweet, hot drink. With warm clothes, a walk and lunch I recovered and was happy to do a loop in Grasmere in the afternoon although I was aware of some shoulder soreness. For me it was quite an achievement to manage 3km.

I was vey much looking forwards to the third day where we walked to Easedale Tarn for a brief swim before returning to town for lunch and departure. I've walked and run up to the tarn a few times and been attracted by the clean mountain water but never ventured in.

Thanks to the guide team for this photo in Easedale Tarn

I left the group very much wishing that I was starting the holiday again (after a day's break for a shoulder rest). The other participants were great and helped each other out as needed. The SwimTrek guides (Andy and Orla) and local safety team (Becki and Justin) were absolutely perfect in allowing us to rise to challenges and support where required.

A new (to me) camera

I've used a few cameras on my runs and walks. I started digital photography with a Nikon Coolpix 2500 which was OK for 2002 but in reality generated rather indifferent images. I upgraded to a Lumix LX5 which was a vast improvement apart from not being quite as smooth in a pocket. Its images still look good to me although the rear dial has become faulty which makes it very difficult to alter parameters. I do like to believe that I can make adjustments better than 'iAuto'. With its telescoping lens it isn't especially dust resistant and I've had it cleaned by the Panasonic agent once. As my running became more serious I bought a waterproof Lumix FT25 which I was initially very happy with. Unfortunately the lens is fogged internally making all images misty. I did treat it as if waterproof and I don't believe it really was! I also tried a generic 4k action camera, it was small but the white balance and hence colour was terrible and the buttons almost unusable in the waterproof case. Ultimately its battery swelled which gave me a good excuse to dispose of it into WEEE.

My old iPhone SE that I use for navigation takes pleasant photographs and I use it in a fairly well sealed case so it ticks a few boxes. In use it doesn't feel to be really taking a photograph and the camera unit can't really be controlled.

The LX5 is a great camera but I couldn't bring myself to pay the nearly £200 quoted for a repair. After a lot of YouTube browsing I've bought a lightly used Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II. It is 10 years old so there is a risk that switches are worn but in view of its very low shutter count I hope that is unlikely. This model is nominally weather resistant but perhaps 10 year-old gaskets are perished and the cheaper micro four thirds lenses aren't sealed!

I'm hoping that if I look after it I'll be able to sell it on without much of a financial loss if I don't like it as this model is currently sought after. It is larger than the LX5 in every dimension, especially weight and I haven't found a good way of carrying it yet. All of the switches to appear to work and despite its age it is clearly far more advanced than the LX5, with many, perhaps too many, operations.

There is another problem, that opening the Pandora's box of camera reviews and specifications can lead to GAS.

So far most of my pictures have been in the garden or local woods, trying to understand exposure modes, IBIS and custom set-ups. However, today I did do a real trail run which covered some rights-of-way for my mapping project and took me over the lovely Eyam Moor.

There is something, almost romantic, about derelict buildings and the red hose pipe caught my eye.

My search couldn't find a perfect trail running camera but I'll see how well this one serves me over the coming months. I'll probably keep an eye on other options which include:

• Sony RX100 (no attempt to be weather sealed but pocketable)
• Lumix GM1 (too small to be usable) and its cheaper relatives 
• Fuji X100 (too expensive and unobtainable)
• Insta360 Ace Pro (at heart it's an action camera)
• Lumix LX100 (a new weather sealed version would probably be perfect!)
• IP68 sealed mobile phone (I don't like the style of heavily processed images)