So, as we drove to Lake Montriond, on the outskirts of Morzine in the French Alps, I had a definite sense of déjà vu when wild swimming was mentioned. But while the rest of my group gathered to put on their wetsuits I strode into the waters of the lake, confident that alpine waters could not be a match for the North Sea. For once my confidence proved guided. And as the others in my group struggled with their excess of latex, I floated carefree.
After my not-so-wild swim, we ventured into the mountains surrounding Morzine to taste one of the region’s many local dishes. Originally we had planned to go foraging with chef Véronique Fillon for our food, but unfortunately, she had sprained her ankle. Instead, we encountered Véronique at her mountain chalet, her leg raised and a table set for us to enjoy péla. This traditional mountain dish is made from potato, onion and reblochon cheese. Served with bread and salad, it was fulsome fare but well deserved after our morning swim. It was about this time, standing 1,490 metres up in the sky and surrounded by the most astonishing countryside, that I remembered to breathe.
There is something quite incredible about the alpine air. Filling your lungs with it has to be one of the most healthy things you can do in life.  And it prepares you for anything in life – well almost anything. A few hours later I found myself suspended upside down from the ceiling as our instructor Sara talked us through aerial yoga. Initially, I found the experience rewarding. The ‘tissue’ in which you wrap yourself acts as a welcoming support to those of us who are not so familiar with yoga. But with time, as some of my companions managed to contort themselves into shapes beyond my comprehension, I realised that having a body with the suppleness of a battered ironing board was something of a disadvantage. That evening, guided by Hervé, we had a picnic surrounded by wild flowers, with sweeping views across the mountainside down to the town of Morzine. As my colleagues camped around the salads, bread, cheese and wine, I dozed off for a few moments in the hammock Hervé had slung between the trees. I’m still not really sure what mindfullness is meant to be, but I think I might have experienced it at that moment.