One thought from me:

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In 2017 writer and journalist Caroline Clements and her partner photographer Dillon Seitchik-Reardon took a year off to travel around Australia. They spent their time finding and photographing some of the nation's favourite swimming spots.

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Their book that was published the year after their trip, The Places We Swim, is utterly delightful. It's a celebration of the unique beauty of the beaches, bays, lakes and public swimming pools that are dotted all over our country.

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I was lucky enough to stumble across their book this week, in a cafe on the Sunshine Coast, in Queensland. In the hour we sat there to drink our coffee, I poured over it, pencil in hand, taking down as many of their suggestions as I could.
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I realised, as I read it, that for my older kids, who are now eight and ten, swimming is their favourite way to engage with the natural world. And a love of being in the water is something, it's likely, that they will never grow out of. Swimming is nature play for grown ups.
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Swimming provides many health benefits of course, but even so, that's not usually the reason we decide to get wet. Instead, whether we're eight or eighty-eight, we strip off and dive in for the pure joy of doing so.
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A quote from someone else:

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The places we swim remind us of the values to which Australians aspire: egalitarianism and fairness. What form of leisure is more accessible and democratic than dipping into a shared stretch of beach or a suburban pool on a baking summer's day. You don't need money to access the best spots this country has to offer. ​
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- Benjamin Law, from the Introduction to The Places We Swim.

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And a few things I think you will love:

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- I also loved Benjamin Law's article in the Guardian, entilied 'A love letter to Australia's public pools.' For anyone who, like me, hated swimming lessons at school, his essay is permission to fall in love with public pools as an adult.

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- Speaking of Swimming, this book, Hey Water, is a lovely one to get out from your local library and read to your children or your class.

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- As we've travelled up the East Coast, in every location we've been confronted with experiences we could pay for for our children. Theme parks, play centres, obstacle courses, farm visits, water parks and wildlife encounters. Each town's information centre has a wall full of pamphlets about these activities. Yet I'm as convinced as ever that not much can beat a day spent swimming. It's an activity that doesn't cost a cent* and it doesn't cost the earth anything either. Which is why, after I send this email off to you, I'm packing the towels and a picnic in the back pack, ready for an early morning hike to this famous swimming spot tomorrow.
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I'm curious, where do you love to swim?

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I'm grateful you're here,

Hannah Alexander
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* unless you are visiting your local pool, and even then, it's usually less than a few dollars per trip.

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Let's seek a deeper connection and a brighter life.

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Each week, I share A thought from me, a quote from someone else and some things I hope you will love. I'd love to hear back from you, so hit reply with any questions or thoughts. I read every email reply I get, I just can't promise I'll write back every time.

I have three kids aged between 3 and 10, so it's possible I'll be at the beach with them, or if not, probably folding socks. I am, however, so very grateful for the words you do send through and for you being here.

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