Poolside Percy

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.