Sunrise swim to the Benagil Caves

This morning we got up super early and drove to the Benagil caves. You can only reach the caves by boat and as the sun was rising I decided i would take a body board and swim over 1000 meters around the headland and into the cave with his camera in a dry bag strapped to his back. There was a big swell but the water was warm and the tide was strong and it took 10 minutes to swim out and around the cliff edge. The hardest part was getting into the cave as the swell was trying to suck me back out but after a short fight and lots of paddling I made it and I had the whole cave to myself for photos.
Then it was the fight back against the tide which took another 15 minutes whilst Ellie stood on the beach in the shade freezing.
As soon as I landed Ellie said “ have you got the electronic car key in your pocket?”.
I felt my pocket and said “ yes I have”. And we both thought that we were now stranded at Benagil Beach with a brand new car and a dead key.
Off we strolled back up the hill to the car park while Ellie called me an idiot most of the way and thinking of the excuses we would use to tell Ellies dad when we had to tell him we were stranded but luckily, as we walked to the car it unlocked itself and we got in. Then as I pushed the start button it fired up and we were away. We decided we wouldn’t tell Ellies mum and dad until Christmas when we’re all sitting around the dinner table sharing stories.Read more