Poolside Percy

Score: ۞۞۞ ۞ ۞ Cost: £5.10 Distance: 42 miles (by scooter) Website: http://www.guildfordspectrum.co.uk/content/view/74/98/ Fate decreed that I ended up near this pool on the hottest day of the year so far. This is a top-class 1930's outdoor, heated pool. Guildford you have it lucky. I was surprised that there weren't more people there. But as a friend pointed out, that's probably because they have their own pools. The entrance reminded me of the pool in the film of John Cheever's 'The Swimmer'.

April and Caroline again.

April and Caroline.

Water cold and cloudy. Big butch swimmer overtook me and pushed me out of the way. Big fish, small pond. Fifty lengths. Jeanette wants DW to go up to the next group. Asked about Masters. See you next Tuesday. Still no response from GLL or Barnet Council although I did see some girls in uniforms and clipboards wandering around. Photo: Finchley Lido 1952

Swam in the cold and choppy nastiness which is Dorney Lake, Eton Rowing Club. Swam here with 50 or so other rubber clad silly people as part of the Eton Supersprint Triathlon. Got kicked about and swallowed a load of water after only a few strokes. Horrible. Must do it again. My time Swim: 00:08:13 T1: 00:04:34 Cycle: 00:45:22 T2: 00:04:26 Run: 00:27:00 Total: 1:29:37

Woke up at seven with thoughts of Parliament Hill Lido. Went back to bed and dreamt about it instead. Thankfully it was raining in my dream so I didn't regret not going when I woke up. Usual fifty length swim. Three lanes taken up by the Barnet Masters. Maybe, maybe not. Changing room floor wet and dirty. Still no response from GLL or Barnet Council.

Water temperature plummeted to a rather chilly 12 degrees. Managed 21 lengths. Caroline and Bobby cheered me on for the last one. Nice hot shower afterwards.

Score: ۞۞۞ ۞۞ Cost: Free today Pool length: 60m Website: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk Water temperature: 14 degrees My favourite place to swim in the whole wide world. I've been swimming here since before I couldn't swim. Special day today at the lido, the start of the summer summer swimming season, so free entry and cakes. Met up with Sister Caroline, Hubby Tom and Bobby and my first chance to test out my new Orca wetsuit. Woo. It was a hell of a lot easier getting in to my size zero rubber friend today than in the hot, sweaty shop when I first tried it on. Fits like a duck's glove. It was a bit strange when I first entered the water, I was expecting it to fill up with water immediately but I only felt it on the small of my back. Managed a few lengths. The cold water made my ears hurt even tough I was wearing a swimming hat. Caroline suggested that I do a few lengths without the suit which for some reason I thought was a good idea. Well, I'm still here to tell my tale. The...