Score: ۞۞۞۞۞
Cost: £3.70 (with leisure card)
Distance: 3.9 miles
Website: www.gll.org/centre/barnet-copthall-leisure-centre.asp
Locker: 300
With the promise of three pools and an approach road called 'Champions Way' my expectations were high. Proper seventies reception and receptionist. Think wooden panelling and mascara.
Big clean changing rooms. Main pool is nice and wide. Few seats around the edge, you could almost hear the screams of galas gone by. Pool was a bit chilly but had a lane all to myself as the place was pretty deserted. Just a few old aged pensioners and a couple of kids with their dad. Fifty lengths. Old geezer kept up with me all the way and he did loads of breaststroke. Hmmm.
Had a bit of a nosy round. Diving pool was shut. Never been one for diving. Don't think I ever dived off the top board at Kentish Town let alone Swiss Cottage. Saw a few old jewish blokes heading off to the training pool which they had to themselves. You see a lot of them over the ponds in the summer. Apparently they can't get undressed in front of women. Good that they get catered for here I guess. Need to work on the figures boys.
Caught a glimpse of the athletics track. Past glories.