Poolside Percy

Water temp:  21 degrees Friday after work. Let's start the weekend with a 28 length session at the world's best pool, Parliament Hill Lido. Bit cloudy, but the sun popped out to say hello every now and then.  Handful of swimmers. Bliss. Back in the zone.

Water temp: 20 degrees Arrived at 7.30am, just in time to see the end of the widths only session. Very strange phenomenon Beautiful morning, cloudy, but warm and lovely. I'm in no mood for heroics this morning, even swam a bit of breaststroke and walked half a length. Think I swam about 10 lengths. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

Water temp: 20 degrees Luscious late afternoon 30 lengths at The Lido. Arrived with on a mission with 45 minutes to achieve it. Job done. Lovely.

I 've returned, Lido is still lovely. Not really been anywhere, decorating, building a folly, weather, hayfever, London to Brighton. Water temperature : 18 degrees (19 when I left) Went for the evening session which was pretty chilled for once. Water is cool and clean. Managed 11 lengths, not well enough to do any more. Gorgeous Cool exhibition going on next to the cafe - Swimming through the ages - lots of stuff about Capt. Webb etc. Brief chat with E's  Mum. Went home and started watching series 2 of Game of Thrones. Gonna start book 3 this summer holiday.

Parliament Hill Lido August 1965 Water temperature: 16 degrees Pre-work swim. Not a tawdry, plastic flag in sight. Sixteen degrees? No flapping, the pool was pretty deserted this morning. The man in tweed is back as is one half of the chatty ladies troupe, she found someone to talk to. Jumped in, bloody cold, made hard work of 10 lengths. Sun sort of stayed out. Glad I made the effort. Photo: hungouttodry.co.uk