Poolside Percy

Brrrrr

Score: ۞۞ ۞ ۞۞ Sunday afternoon swim with my son and his mate. Big diving board broken, freezing cold and dirty changing rooms. This place needs some serious attention. Boys had fun off the springboard. Got told off for having a holding your breath under water contest. FFS. I swam enough lengths to call it a mile. Two quid for a hot chocolate. FFS. Photo is of the outdoor pool nicked from this website

Mond ay night immersion. I find the Willes pool a very secretive place. Firstly, you don't get to see or smell the pool until you have opened and entered through a huge wooden door. This means you never know how busy the place is. Secondly it's unerringly quiet. No sound or laughter or children playing. Odd. Thinks this place takes itself a bit too seriously. Anyway. Menacingly cold Monday night. I opened the aforesaid door to the Aqua City. Five lanes, five swimmers. It took a while to work out which one to join. Decisions, decisions. Never really felt comfortable in any of them this evening. I think I swam in all five lanes in the end. Water nearly took my breath away, well cold. Now what's the point in spending all that money and not heating up the water?

So yet again I didn't make it to the Outdoor Swimming Society's Christmas dip at the Lido. However, I did make it down to The Oasis on a freezing cold Sunday afternoon. I reckon the water wasn't that much warmer here than at the Lido. I take that back. When I arrived there were only two other people in the pool, I'll have the place to myself before too long I thought. No way, place was rammed by the time I'd finished my 58 lengths. Scurried off home via Christmas present shopping at Forbidden Planet. Bought a cool Fantastic Four travel card holder for my boy, not that he's in to super heroes.

On a very wintery Saturday evening I found myself in Regent Street heading towards the ballroom of swimming pools aka Marshall Street Baths. Swam my heart out this evening. Lungfuls of oxygen never tasted so good. Swam every one of those 58 lengths, apart from the last four drifting on my back. Took the tube home to Saturday night TV and tuna salad. The statue of the baby and dolphin sits at the shallow end. Nice touch.

I've gone back to my roots. I'm sticking with the familiar. Prince of Wales has become my pool of choice (although the water could be a bit warmer). Swam a very fast 49 lengths on a very chilly Monday night. Got home before it snowed. New Zoggs. Fantastic Left the old pair in the shower. They don't keep lost property at Kentish Town. Found a pair in the changing room. Made sense to take them home as they'd have only been thrown away. I've run out of photos, I'll see if I can find a few more. Borrowed this great retro shot from Getty Images - I preferred the Grafton Pool with higher ceiling. I can see this blog will become ever duller than than ever...

Sunday night shenanigans. Bashed out a very efficient 64 lengths before braving the Holloway chill. For some reason I always swim well here. Bumped in to Tyrone on the 271 bus on the way home. 85.5

Friday off work. Hooray. What's the first thing you do after you drop your son off to school? Go for a swim. Fairly quiet. Only got my toes touched once. I'm here for a long swim. Not bursts of over excited sets of five. Geddit? OK, I'm spoilt. Can't think of a reason to travel to another pool when this is so close. That and my Vespa is hibernating in the shed. There's only a winter and a spring between here and the Lido season. I grew up about 500 yards away. Did I mention that? Swam a mile and went to see my sister and niece.

Score: ۞۞۞ ۞۞ Fate sent me on a mission to East Chutney. Decided to check out this pool on the way home. Cool. Nice place. Big sign outside says: 'A Wandsworth Council facility'. but don't let that put you off. L-shaped pool with diving boards no-less. Not seen diving boards in yonks. Nice high ceiling and clean changing rooms. Bought the wrong goggles. Bit cloudy. Water was a bit cold. Swim was spoilt by two aqua twats who thought my lane was theirs solely for olympic cardiovascular sprinting sessions. Kept touching me as they powered past me on their way to glory. Bailed out after about 35 lengths after a few cross words. Dined on Marmite Cheese Spread bought from a South African grocers round the corner. Yes, East Chutney is full of South Africans. Not sure on the Marmite. it's a bit on the grey side tastes very processed.

Very efficient 54 lengths before dining on a fish and chip feast.

Monday night mission. Cold outside. If it wasn't for the six million dollar man in the middle lane I'd have had a great swim. Really need a lane to myself. Wonder what it's like to have the whole pool to yourself? I think swimming is solitary activity. Must build myself a pool. The Man from Atlantis swam off somewhere after while. Swam a mile and old man backstroked four more. Still feel like I'm inwading (sic) someone elses territory. Cycled over Highgate West Hill and dined on lentil, celery and carrot soup. Yum. Parp. Great archive photo from getty images (smell the mothballs).

Very efficient 64+2 lengths on a cold Sunday evening. Still can't worl out why some bloke was wearing flippers. Job done

Rubbish swim. If you're gonna let schools take over most of the pool please let me know before I've shelled out my entrance fee and got changed. Experience was also marred by sight of woman doing backstroke with a wee Celedonian Terrier muff. Swam 30 something lengths and bailed out, You win some, you lose some.

Returned late on a Saturday to avoid the crowds and give this place some serious Poolside Perciness. There were only two other people in the pool. Had the middle to myself for a while then managed to get the whole pool for the last 15 minutes before closing time. Swam a load of lengths on my back to take in the fantastic ceiling. This place is a real pleasure to do some serious swimming. Cycled home to dine on Moroccan stew and hummus.

Went for a lunchtime swim. Had one eye on the clock and there were three really annoying swimmers in the fast lane. How do you do it? Bailed out and went back to work after only 30 lengths. Lunchtime swimming is not for me.

Back for more nostalgia swimming. Place is becoming more familiar. Time to forget about the past. Somehow I think the bloodstain from my poor chin will be there forever. Swam 50 lengths including a couple of old man's backstroke. Gave me a chance to look at the amazing roof structure and lighting.

Monday night visit. Willies pool looked amazing lit up. Place didn't look so cold. Pool was pretty quiet. Bashed out 54 lengths.

Took my son and his friend. They enjoyed the waves and diving sticks. Swam a great mile. Really went for it after 30 or so lengths. DW flew past me at length 62. Dirtiest swimming pool I've been to in London.

Returned for a sneaky Thursday afternoon dip. This time managed 54 lengths. Still not sure about the place. Water in the Willies pool is too cold.

Score: ۞۞۞۞۞ Bet it's even better during the day. You better, you better, you bet.

Score: ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ A nostalgic return for my sister and I. I learned to swim here, I went to ducklings and dolphins. Got my bronze, silver and gold. Won every race in the cub's swimming gala. Smashed my poor chin open on the side (the blood stain was there for years). My dad used to swim here. No doubt my grandparents had a dip. My mum used to do the laundry here. I ate my first wagon wheel here. My son had swimming lessons here. We sat in the shallow end together the day after my Dad's funeral. My son swam with Mark Foster at the grand reopening,. So, it was with great excitement that we returned. First impression: Grafton pool looked really small. Willes pool looked amazing. Changing rooms were great and the place didn't stink of piss any more. It was still cold. Twenty five million big ones got spent on this place. It's very shiny, very spacious but has lost a lot of it's charm and elegance. The Grafton pool is too small and closes at 4pm on a Saturday, that...

Very hot Sunday afternoon in October. Swam little, sunbathed loads on the deserted sun terrace. Great archive photo...

Pissy, nasty Friday afternoon. Managed to forget not only my trunks but my goggles as well. Scrounged some trunks from reception and found a pair of Speedos in the changing room. Bashed out 64 lengths. Goggles hurt but kept out the water. Job done.

Score: ۞۞۞۞۞ Heated outdoor pool in central London? Love it. Been here loads and loads. Will return.

Another Tuesday night session with the Barnet Masters. Photo: 1948, London: Nederlands vs Spain at Finchley Lido

Score: ۞ ۞ ۞۞ ۞ (for the pool, the centre gets a lot more) Well, well, well. How the other half swim. A lovely heated outdoor pool on my doorstep on the site of my favourite childhood pool. This place really is quite amazing. Managed to blag myself a swim after a thinly veiled membership interview. Swam 64 lengths but felt compelled to do lap of honour after lap of honour. Swam a mind goggling 100 lengths. Just me and one other swimmer. Pool was a clear and stunning 28 degrees. No lifeguard. Oh the luxury. Felt obliged to swim two lengths of the indoor pool and have a jacuzzi. Was there for over two hours. Absolute luxury. All mine if I had £90 a month to splash out. Off peak luxury is £75. Did I mention that this place is luxury? This place is definitely not for me. Will looks at ways of justifying the membership fees.

Score: ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ Been here lots of times because it stays open really late on a Sunday. Usually quite busy. Bumped in to DH from work which was nice. First 30 or so lengths was hard work but got in to a serious rhythm for the last 34 (makes 64) . as the lanes emptied out. Bussed it home to watch The Blues on MOTD. To all you macho swimmers out there. Why is it that when lanes are really busy you want to start overtaking and getting in the way? Find another pool to swim in, go away. Otherwise be patient.

Another session with the Masters of Barnet. Still not fit enough. Photo: me at Finchley Lido, 1969

Score: ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ Length: 30.5m Recently reopened. Lots of marble. Westminster spent a lot of dosh on this place. Another shabby swim due to more late night/early morning misshapes. Literally had to crawl along this one. Nearly gave up at 30 lengths but a crazy person in my head persuaded me on for the mil e (54 lengths) . Took a while. Really beautiful place. Loved the bronze statue of a baby and two dolphins. Shame about the hangover. Not too busy considering it's in the heart of the West End.

Score: ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞۞ Website: www.courtneys.co.uk/centres/Seymour Cost: £4.55 Greetings. I was in St John's Wood near DW's new school so the watery hand of fate yet again provided me with an opportunity to swim. Proper retro 30m pool. Beautiful building. Glass roof so lots of natural light. Took me a little while to work out how long a mile was in multiples of 30m lengths but settled on 54 (plus two more for my lap of honour). Apparently there is another pool under the floorboards of the main hall. Three lanes, two other swimmers. Had the pool to myself for the last ten lengths. Would definitely swim here again if nearby. Splashpath Great new website for swimmers: www.splashpath.com

Nice play swim with April and DW whilst Nana and Granddad cleaned their chalet.

No Master's tonight but decided to swim anyway. Kept losing count of how many lengths I'd done. Jeanette was there. She gave me a 15 minute tumble turn lesson. Not much improvement. Photo: Finchley Lido 1931

Score: ۞۞۞ ۞۞ website: www.beccleslido.com After getting pasted in Waxham at the weekend, friend drove me to Beccles Lido in the heart of Suffolk. Great litttle outdoor, heated lido on the banks of the river Waveney. I felt reborn and rejuvenated. Seemed like I'd left an old part of me at the bottom of the pool. Would have like to stay longer but Guiness and goujons were calling.

Score: ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞۞ Now here's an odd place. An 18 x 9 metre pool in a purpose built dome. was worried about how long it would take me work out a mile in multiples of 18 metres but was saved the mental arithmetic thanks to a sign on the wall. In case you hadn't worked it out already, that's 88 lengths. Anyhow, it's air raid shelter appearance was saved by it's cleanliness and lovely warm, clean water. The photo is of the entrance, the pool is round the back, I forgot my camera. Managed most of my 88 lengths before the oldies and lane ropes arrived. The fast lane was a bit like heaven on a Sunday. I'm sure it's great for kids during the day and it's their personal oasis, but I can't imagine ever swimming here again. Church Hill Road Barnet EN4 8XE

Score: ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞۞ Old school pool, sauna and boxing venue. Proper East End. Bit tatty, but had bags of charm and diving board. Not sure it was operational tho'. Long pool, about 30 metres and not to busy. Had a quick look at the spa, not my scene really. Apparently there was cafe hidden away somewhere. There was a couple of trophy cabinets full of cups won by the Sharks Swimming Club. Well done. Thank god places like these still exist. Should be a world heritage site. Web: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_Hall

Score: ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞۞ Found myself in Brentwood, Essex on a Saturday afternoon. More to the point I found myself at the Brentwood Centre which has a 25 meter pool. Strange place is Essex. Bloke said nice things about my Vespa Swam every single 64 lengths. High-tailed it back to London on the A12. Avoided the North Circular Road cos it's mental.

Score: ۞۞۞ ۞۞ L oved it here. Swam fifty lengths and thought it would be a shame to get out so swam another 14 to make it a mile. A real oasis. I wish this was my local pool. Could have stayed all day.

Late night business in my head. Managed seven lengths before bailing myself out. Don't really like this place. Full of middle class people. Holds a couple of nice memories tho'.

OK. So I'm a so-called master swimmer now. Couldn't master a tumble turn. Got rumbled. Teacher is great... Photo: me and my Mum at Finchley Lido, 1969

Now then. This is my favourite place to swim but this was a bit odd. Decided to go for the evening session at a very respectable price of two quid. Swan 25 lengths. Could have been 20. Very busy, a few width swimmers crossing lengths and loads of people in wet suits. I think it was the crazy people in wet suits who swam separately from everybody in water temperature of 20 degrees that annoyed me. Hey ho, people are strange.

Score: ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ Distance: 31 miles (scooter) Massive swimming complex and kids playground. Fifty metre heated outdoor pool, had one of the two lanes to myself. Finally got in to a rhythm and tried to remember my new, improved crawl. Kept needing the toilet. Must keep my mouth shut. Bet this place gets rammed on a hot summer's day. Dined on a Higgidy pie and olives from a posh supermarket. New Zoggs are wicked.

On a dreary Saturday afternoon I found me, my hangover and my Vespa parked outside Parliament Hill Lido with my swimming stuff. As I arrived the clouds parted and the sun punched it's way through. Swam 20 lengths and sat at the deep end for an hour in the Saturday sunshine. Took these photos with my new phone of which I'm really rather proud.

Score: ۞۞۞ ۞ ۞ Distance: 51 miles (by scooter) Website: http://www.cambridge.gov.uk... Bloody massive. Goggles leaking, could've optically drowned. Read the Daily Mirror. Roasting hot day in reminiscent Cambridge. Pool surprisingly quiet and cheap. Strange being back in town. I doubt I've been missed. Went to find the Leckhampton pool. Couldn't get in the grounds, left me feeling sad and unwanted. Shouldn't have bothered. Ate nasty food from Co-Op. Enjoyed the ride there and back.

Lovely afternoon at the Lido with April and Martine. Drank Rosé and swam loads to cool off.

Quick visit to the mixed pond with an old friend and a fairly ripe pineapple. Dan Faulks was watching over us. Quick pint in The Stag.

Sunday morning aquatic quest. Gate were locked. Students were asleep, nobody about. What the hell. Over the locked gate I jumped. Alarm was on and very loud. High-tailed it back to Highgate Ponds.

Score: ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ On a warm day this is one of the nicest places to swim in the whole wide, entire world. Nuff said.

Dragged DW over the Men's Pond. Couldn't drag him out. He had to make friends with the most Spanish of gay men. Must have got home well late for tea.

Score: ۞۞۞ ۞ ۞ Wahay. Let's see what the Hillingdon massive get up to on a Saturday afternoon. Very stunning pool with very few people in it. Couldn't be arsed to swim much. Wrong kind of water. Lifeguards closed the pool early. They were giving out free tickets as recompense, didn't bother. Sped home for smoked haddock.