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Showing posts from October, 2010

Finchley Leisure Centre

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.

Kentish Town Sports Centre

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.

Dulwich Swimming Pool

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

Prince of Wales (Kentish Town Sports Centre)

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...

Oasis

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

Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre

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.