Oxfordshire. I have no idea if Tolkien was a swimmer, but there is plenty of evidence to suggest that he liked water. In Lord of the Rings, The Elves have close affinity to water; while Ulmo is the Lord of Water. Ulmo is also the enemy of evil creatures, and therefore water is associated with moral force.  The Shire is a place where hobbits live, hobbits being easy-going, liking a quiet life, but who can also handle a big adventure. Most hobbits can’t swim, and most are afraid of rivers. Not me. The three accounts of swimming in The Shire are extracts from my book ‘Memories like Water – Swimming in 65 places at the age of 65’. Swimming the River Thames from Lechlade to Buscot, swimming in a secluded brook by an old ruin at Minster Lovell, and swimming in the River Thames at Day’s Lock.