My workout holiday

I went to Greece last week for a swimming holiday with friends, one of whom was celebrating a milestone birthday. It was an interesting trip, as we consisted of parents and over-prescribed women. We all came to swim, eat cake and enjoy the scenery. As one said, I am so loving having people cook for me, and then not having to clear it up, or put on a load of laundry afterwards. We all kind of took it in turns to ensure the taxis were booked, the drinks poured and dinner reservations made. It was a delight to not have to think about breakfast or lunch, or what we were going to do that day. We are already planning the next group escape for when other members have milestone birthdays. (www.swimtrek.com) 

Probably the only real work we did was in the water, but even that was more leisurely than our normal pool, lake and dock swims, and certainly more scenic. Fish, starfish, caves, blue grottos – it was a challenge for me to keep swimming and not gawp at the beauty of the Greek island coastlines all the time.  

While we pushed the Ionian Sea around a lot with our hands and feet, we needed proper nutrition before and after. I travel with people who happily drink chocolate milk after a swim. I think it said it all when the women and men had their protein fix of Greek yogurt and feta cheese (not together) for a morning breakfast. Two swims per day will do that to you. You have to have the backup, or you’re going to have trouble in the water. Dairy provides that.  

So, we ate a lot of cheese and yogurt. And fish. And Haribo sweets, while paddling around. It was a memorable trip.  

• Suzanne Christiansen, editor, Dairy Industries International.
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