The air this morning was cool.  Overnight a hint of autumn had penetrated the atmosphere and revealed itself.  Knowing that we hadn’t the need to undertake any particular duty I pondered the diverting prospect of an improving swim. It was shortly after 7:00 am. From the patio of the room I could see the steam rising from the pool below. The sunrise was just beginning.

With Denis’ assistance I made my way down the precipitous wooden staircase to the pool, cautiously moving step by step while clutching the railings. No one else was there. After retrieving a towel from the poolside bin I wiped the dew from a Muskoka chair, then plopped myself into it and removed my top and deck shoes. At this point Denis abandoned me to attend to business at the front desk. I championed that I could find my way back atop on my own. Then it was into the water – but not without having first removed another deck chair to the edge of the steps into the pool to facilitate my descent. Surprisingly I applied myself vigorously to the exercise – perhaps because it preserved a degree of relief from the sudden bracing plunge. Back and forth I paddled and plied. At times I submerged myself entirely, eyes open underwater, attempting to maintain the submersion (but without success). Again and again I repeated my exploit.

At last I gave up the stoic enthusiasm and, reaching my arms to attach to the chair positioned adjacent the steps, I crawled up the stairs out of the pool into to the fresh morning air. I regained the Muskoka chair where instantly I applied the towel to my wet frame and tousled my hair dry, then careered my top over my head. The welcome heat from the rising sun was palpable.

Staring into the empty pool, the water surface reflected the dark blues and shimmering white of the eastern sunlight slant which had yet fully to invade the glistening dew drops on the glass surround. Almost imperceptibly beyond the pool along the shoreline below the boats bobbed about. Overhead the seagulls shrieked. In the distance the sound of a golf cart.