Poolside Percy

Saturday morning ladies' invitational The boys have been invited to the Ladies' Pond for a spot of swimming and socialising. I arrived early bearing chocolatey orange gifts. The Ladies' Pond is an enchanted, serene oasis. Need I say more. Thank you ladies for your warm welcome and kind hospitality, I had a lovely time. I spent the rest of the day taking photos and cycling to sunny Lewes for my dearest mother's day.

Water temp: 9 degrees Thursday lunchtime run and swim. It's very quiet here today. The diving board has been taken away temporarily for repair. There's a man snoozing on a yoga mat. It's just me, the ducks, a few coots and a swan. Paradise. Ski Jumping on Hampstead Heath

Spring blossom It's another beautiful Saturday morning on Hampstead Heath and I've just smashed my Parkrun personal best. There's almost a crowd of us this morning making our way down the hill towards the Men's Pond. Even the fact that I've forgotten my swimming trunks cannot dampen my spirits. A fellow swimmer remarks, 'I don't know how you do it', as one-by-one we hurl ourselves off the springboard in to the shiny green water. One-by-one we rise to the surface whooping with joy, or is it relief? This cold water really is euphoric stuff you know.  The photographer bloke is back, he takes a group shot of me and my compañeros. I head off on my bike to The Owl Bookshop in Kentish Town to return an unwanted birthday present. This really is the most perfect start to the day. I return home for the ultimate belated birthday present, watching Chelsea put six past Arsenal.

It's another lovely spring day. According to Google spring starts today, I always thought it started tomorrow. Whatever, it's not raining, it's my birthday and I have the day off work. My first port of call is The Lido. All good and wonderful apart from the missing wall which was blown down in the storm. I leave my bike and jacket and head off for a birthday run. I start with a quickish jog up Kite Hill. My belly feels all blown-out and doughy, maybe it was a bit greedy to have that third slice of birthday panettone and Marmite. If you've never tried panettone and Marmite why ever not? Best with butter even though I don't really like butter. Panettone with Marmite Second port of call, The Men's Pond. I receive a big warm birthday welcome from Mr. D the Lifeguard Man. The pond is completely empty apart from a few ducks and a huge cormorant who stares straight at me as I saunter across the springboard. He/she reminds me of Batman. I execute a perfect bir...

Saturday morning post-Parkrun swim with Action Dan and James. I just managed a near personal Parkrun best. I run much better on 5 hours sleep and gallons of Camden Pale Ale sloshing round my head. Landmark swim. I've been in the Men's Pond at least once a month since last March, I swam through the winter, I don't think I've been in an indoor pool since. With drunkenness comes bravery so it's straight off the springboard without a swimming cap. What a hero. Who needs paracetamol when you've got cold water. My sister is in town, so it's off to the Workman's Cafe for breakfast. She's moved to East Sussex. We spent our childhood summers in Finchley or Parliament Hill Lido. We continued to meet at The Lido for early morning middle-aged swims under summer skies. I will miss spotting her Pashley bike sitting proudly outside. I will miss her laughing at my crap dives. She's moved to a town with a lido so it's not all bad.

What a gorgeous day. I've cycled to Hampstead Heath in a tshirt and shorts in March, I must be dreaming. The good weather brings people to the ponds, everybody loves the sunshine. Even the racist and the sexist bigot love the sunshine. I wish they'd crawl back under the rock they've been hiding under all winter. Quick lap of the perimeter rope before cycling back home. Happiness is a cold pond.

Water temp: 8 degrees It's Monday morning folks. It was a great weekend of running, swimming, sunshine and perfecting the art of kedgeree. I've got just about enough time for a quick dip before work. Pond to myself again, I spend ages standing on the end of the springboard, the water looks very green. I dive in and swim about half a lap of the perimeter. This really is an amazing way to start the day. I must stay in longer next time. Afterwards I sit contentedly in the changing rooms, warming myself in the morning sun, listening to the idle Hampstead chatter, I'm too happy to speak. It's warm enough to cycle without gloves. Hopefully spring will hang around 'til summer. 

Great Ideas of March. It's time for another action packed, allegorical edition of The Swimmer. The Peerless Pool Lady MacKatie over at Entirely Surrounded by Water has written up the full plot, synopsis and screenplay. The Pleasure Bath Directed and produced by Turner Moyse: Stillage in the Brockwell Village        

Water temp: 7 degrees Thursday morning pre-work dip. It's a fabulous morning, there are pert buds on my magnolia tree and the odd yellow flower on the forsythia. Crocuses and primroses join the merry throng. I'm really looking forward to this swim and for once I hurry to get changed. I stand with my toes curled round the end of the springboard for a minute or two and take in my surroundings. How lucky am I? I swim for a couple of minutes, it's almost warm enough to do a lap, well almost. A photographer asks if can take a portrait shot of me outside the lifeguard's hut. How could I refuse.

Water temp: 6 degrees Pinch and a punch... After all the excitement and adventure of Tenerife I resume my usual Saturday activities. Another Parkrun out the way.  I head to the ponds with a couple of Parkrunners. My  gloved hands are already numb by the time I get there. Nevertheless I follow suit and dive from the springboard. I've been feeling rubbish all week and the cold water makes me feel alive again. I swim to the perimeter rope and back again. My hands are still tingling hours later, my endorphins are having a house party.