Maree Clark

The sun was shining at Peaceful Bay today. I floated around in the shallows for a while watching a Petrel pluck a sea snail off the rocks, then fly up and drop it from a height to get to the delicious slug inside. After my dip, I wandered around in the tide pools hoping to see an octopus but they're hiding places proved too effective today. The sunshine felt so good on my skin. Bring on Spring!!

Day 28 was a tough one, I'm not going to lie. I was laid out in bed all day recovering from a stomach bug and after reading the rulebook, I was so relieved to discover that I could cold plunge in the shower. It wasn't as easy as I expected it to be. Mentally, I found it really challenging to get in. Usually I'm surrounded by the natural beauty of Peaceful Bay and my mind if often distracted by little wildlife encounters or the magical way the light dances on the sand in the shallows. My bathroom is not the most awe inspiring place but at 6pm I wasn't making the trek to the beach so I jumped in and stayed longer than I planned. Of course it wasn't so bad but I'd take PB anyday!

The sun was shining again today after a miserable, cold & windy few days. I was lucky enough to spot a wobbygong shark in the shallows and I followed it along the shoreline. This really is a magical place to do this. I've been blessed with some beautiful, wild interactions at Peaceful Bay. My favourite place to dip - you might have noticed!I can't believe it's my last week already. I've been on a roller-coaster ride of emotions. I'm feeling proud of myself for pushing through and also, sad that it's coming to an end. Getting into the cold ocean or river everyday seems like such a daunting task until you consider what people have to do to show up for cancer treatment. I'm grateful for the perspective and the privilege to choose to do this in a healthy body. Thanks to everyone who has donated. You've held me accountable and reminded me of my strength when I've needed encouragement and motivation. I'm incredibly grateful for your support ♡

Day 10 and I'm still going strong. Despite a few hiccups I've still managed to dip every day of the challenge so far and I'm proud of myself for getting in and doing it anyway, even when it feels hard. I keep reminding myself of how privileged I am to have the choice of whether to do something that makes me feel temporarily uncomfortable. It's a beautiful lesson in gratitude and I've noticed that I feel more peaceful after each dip. It's becoming something that I look forward to and am even enjoying sometimes.  Also giggling at myself and today's photo for not realising that it's day 10, not day 9 and I'm going to need more hands 😆

Before I left for the beach this morning, the kids were running in and out of the house, collecting tiny little hailstones that were rattling onto the timber deck. The air temperature was in single digits and I was busy searching for my thermal underwear to put on after my dip, whilst simultaneously questioning my choices to commit to cold plunging every day in August when I live on the South Coast of Western Australia and during these brutal winter storm fronts, Antartica doesn't feel like that far away.I arrived at Peaceful Bay and was met by howling winds and a wild Southern Ocean. I really had to convince myself to get in but when I did, the familiar sting of the water on my skin reminded me of why I am doing this....

Day 1 and the sun was shining at Ocean Beach, Denmark. My friend Monique & I went for our first surf in almost a year. We stood on the beach and giggled at a pod of dolphins surfing the same waves we'd just played in. A couple of seals were flopping about in the shallows and one of them hung around, flapping it's flippers & rolling in the shories, delighting & entertaining everyone on the beach. What a magical start to my challenge! The storm is coming, though....