4hr open water swim

Today was my first swim in open water over 4hrs. 4hrs 2mins to be exact. It felt a little cold for the first hour but then seemed to improve so by the end i could hardly feel it. Not sure why? Took on hot drinks every hour... on the real thing it will prob be every 3o mins. Frodo went in with me for his first non swimming pool dip of the year (he will be doing the odd hr with me in the channel in a wetsuit). This time he didnt wear a wetsuit so i was looking for any signs of hypothermia which is difficult with Frodo as he talks a lot of rubbish a lot of the time (' i could be a professional golfer - i just think i may not be able to handle the pressure'(handicap c 24!)) BUt after 37 mins he had pins and needles in his feet and was cold so got out to keep warm... but i did appreciate the help as it is always nicer to have someone with you for some of the time. Lovely lovely day, with amazing views of the snowy mountains one side, grassy fields on 2 sides and a rocky mountain on the other - beautiful. Temperature - 18 degrees - so similar to the channel. Went through ups and downs of aching then not, but never really felt tired or too cold which was positive. BUT... there were no waves, it wasnt dark at all, and the fish in there would generally fit in a fishtank :)