Determined to start the year as we meant to go on, we decided to get up early and explore our new Baltic home. The tram ride to Jelitkowo beach takes 45 minutes from the centre of Gdansk and drops you off right beside the beach. Just like the Loony Dook in Edinburgh, here every new year is rung in by local bathers taking a dip in the frosty Baltic waters.
After an age of warm up exercises, a fellow dressed as Neptune finally ushered the swimmers into the waves. In previous years bathers have had to break the surface ice before getting their toes wet – so this year they got off lightly.
