Lake Baikal is the largest freshwater lake in the world by volume. When you see it for the first time it doesn’t register as a lake, it’s more like the sea. It has a shoreline with sandy beaches and large waves breaking in, you’d never think it was a lake if you didn’t know.

It’s obviously a tourist hotspot, and a great place for the locals too. Just like the seaside back home, people are out in the lake, camping nearby and setting up picnics. We rode down the track along the lake, turning heads everywhere. A lot of people waved but I couldn’t wave back as the track was sandy and bumpy. Two hands required and full concentration.

After a while we found a great spot to setup camp. I slung my hammock and made a cup of tea, by which time I’d warmed up enough to consider going in. Those of you who know me will know I’m not a beach person. I don’t really get it, I don’t like swimming and it’s just not my thing. However, I doubt I’ll be coming back so in I went!

This is a big thing for me. There are parts of my body that haven’t seen the light of day for over 30 years. My knees for example. In the full spirit of of seizing the carp I froze my bits off, and made sure it was captured on film. That’s it for the next 30 years now.

At least I can now say I’ve swam in lake Baikal, which holds 20% of the world’s fresh water (and a little bit of wee 😉