Poolside Percy

22 degrees Swimming in the rain. Swimmers outnumbered by ducks and coots.

Water temperature: 22 degrees I didn't mean to go to The Lido, honest. I was on my way to the ponds when I accidentally swung a right in to Gordon House Road. Last orders. Nice and easy, lemon squeezy.

Lido Water temperature: 20 degrees Despite my late night with J, I'm at the Lido before 8am. Yes, I want a medal. Arranged to meet my middle sis but she's not here yet. Looks like there was party here yesterday, litter, discarded Mint Feasts and fag butts everywhere. Staff busy themselves. There are quite a few people in the water. I've forgotten my goggles, borrow a pair from one of the staff, they're child's goggles, ridiculously small. I swim half a length, luckily my sister turns up with a spare pair, nice. We swim together, I'm struggling a bit, we stop and chat then swim some more before she heads off home. I lounge about on the side staring vacantly at the water, expertly avoiding the tumble-turners. Swim a few more lengths, I end up doing 21, not bloody bad. That's two medals someone owes me. The chattering ladies have returned, shower caps an' all. Normality is resumed. It's a beautiful morning. I award myself another medal f...

What a difference a day makes. Water temperature: 20 degrees Whoa. Where did all those bodies come from? Ram-a-dam-a-ding-dong. Somewhere elegant I suggest. There must be a 1000 people outside on the grass. Someone has erected a couple of Union Jacks in the tree, come on, please. Despite the heaving, oily masses outside, the changing area is half empty. Despite lots of activity on the jetty and the springboard, there are only 30 people in the water. That's a fairly small number considering the amount of people outside, I wonder why more people don't swim, I'm not complaining, I hope they can swim. Water is lovely, feels cooler than yesterday even tho' it's 2 degrees warmer. Swam a couple of laps, lazed around in the sun for 20 minutes chatting to me Mum on the phone. Pints in The Steeles with J afters.

Highgate Men's Pond Rebirth. Water temperature: 17 degrees Maybe best swim of 2012. Will think about it and get back to you soon. Nuff said Fred.

Lido Opening Ceremony What a difference a day makes. Water temperature: 20 flippin' degrees Lots of bodies in the water, laughter in the air, big groups of boys and girls, just how it should be. I spot the odd regular looking bemused. Lane rope is out. The odd whiff of skunk wafts over. Summer literally just fell out of the sky. Stayed for the late shift. Way too many people, why you wearing a wetsuit? The sun drops behind Parliament hill and I cycle home. Home-made dhal gets 9.5 on the dhalometer. My Dad is in the photo somewhere with his Mum. 

Water temperature: sweet sixteen Pre-work swim. The fear is deserting me, the cold will not kill me. Might even jump in next time. Lots of people in, only one wetsuit, summer is slowly making it's way to The Lido. Huffed and puffed to twelve lengths.

Monday early evening number. Despite a change in the weather, the water temperature is still stuck on 14 degrees. Whatever, time for some proper heroics. Set myself a target of 20 lengths, managed 21. Feet were well cold. Lovely, lovely, lovely. Shower is well hot. Even lovelier.

Water temperature: 17 degrees First swim as a European Champion. Well done to my beloved Chelsea. Felt a bit rough round the edges, we had a few to celebrate. Luckily, Lewes has a very fine Lido 10 minutes from my sister's house... Nice sunny walk to the pool. One man in already, water was clean and sparkling, not too cold but still took my breath away. T'other swimmer didn't last long, leaving me to glide languidly up and down the deserted pool. I was joined by three young ladies who screamed in shock/delight as they plunged in to the cold blue water. My wonderful swim was going to come to an end soon as my feet and chest were starting to get cold, there's no point swimming if you're not enjoying it. Left the Lewes locals to it. Joined my family in a cafe for greasiness and lousy coffee. Perfect.

Saturday morning pre Champions League Final swim. A bit overcast but warm enough. Score on the door read 14 degrees. Not many punters in today. I've forgotten my trunks, the girl in the changing room is very helpful. Didn't take me too long to get in the water today, I've been entering via the steps in the shallow end, not very butch I know. I'm sort of getting acclimatised, first length is always icy cold tho'. A few of the lifeguards swam today, they had fun diving of the old diving platform. Can't say I remember ever diving off there. Managed about 8 lengths. Lunch in Belgo for VS's birthday, wardrobes to Lewes. Come on Chelsea.

I'm writing this post on my phone, sitting on the sun terrace outside the cafe at the Lido. Sun is shining. I'm about done shivering after swimming 16 lengths. Bloke reckoned it's 15.7 degrees, he's got a flash watch which he keeps in the water at the deep end. I would have swam more but my feet got really cold. Felt colder, said 14 degrees at the door. Mustn't grumble Mr Bumble. Quite a few kids here today, could bring my son with me soon. Fountain is on, didn't think it was still working. Cafe is open, they're not doing much business. I brought a veggie curry in from home. Bit chilly when the sun goes behind the clouds. Caved in and scoffed some chocolate from the cafe. Flippin' quid for a kitkat. Saw me coming, heard my teeth chattering. I loved my swim today.

Friday afternoon finds me in a meeting on the lovely end of Theobald's Road, not that far from Oasis. Is swimming twice in one day being a little greedy? The temptation is not for resisting, I even paid to get in this time. Shock horror, they're doing up the changing rooms. I find myself in the basement. Once I'd overcome the disorientation I swam 40 lengths, would/could have been more, was a bit macho in the fast lane, especially with flipper, nobody's impressed. Pool was shiny and clean. Nice. Have a good weekend.

Water temperature: 14 degrees Friday morning frolics. I'm now the proud holder of a Lido season ticket. Bit of a rush this morning, I'd just finished my fourth length and it was time to get out again, slipped in a last one cos I'm still cheeky. Said hello to the regulars. Sounds of bagpipes wafting in from the bandstand. All good apart from the puncture on the way to work.

Bank holiday Monday 'swim'. Shouldn't have bothered. 87.5

Cold, cloudy, rain, lovely. Home-from-home. Saturday morning swim, first day of the 'summer season' apparently, no sign as of yet. Not heard a cuckoo either, there again I don't know if I ever have. At the time of writing we've just had the wettest April ever and May isn't looking much better. Cuckoo? Must be mad. Lido is is unsurprisingly deserted apart from the workers who are busy putting out chairs for the book launch of: Taking the Waters: A Swim Around Hampstead Heath later on today. I've ordered a copy, more to follow... Plumped for me figure hugging wetsuit suit today. Did someone say plump? Had to be zipped up the back, very saucy. Blooding freezing, really objected to the first six lengths, I could barely put my face in the water. This isn't really swimming, I'm not that warm either. I persevered to swim 20 lengths and the longest, hottest shower ever. Had to be helped out of my wetsuit, Velcro, what a palaver. Scootered ro...