Sara Barnes has always been an avid outdoors woman. She could be found trail running, road cycling and hiking the fells of the Lake District where she lives until about 6 years ago when she had to have major surgery on both legs at once due to severe osteo-arthritis. It seemed to Sara that her physical life had ended under the surgeon's knife and hammer.

But then Sara realised there was one thing she could do to get back outdoors and into the lakes, tarns and river pools of home: swim, dip, jump and dive whatever the weather, whenever she felt the need to dull the emotional and physical pain caused by the surgery. Gradually, the cold water released her and unlocked a whole new world.

You can follow Sara on Instagram @bumblebarnes for more creative snippets and stories. Sara has also published the nonfiction memoir The Cold Fix. This is her first novel.