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Highgate Men's Pond

Water temp: 12oC / 54oF

It's early on Tuesday morning. The world looks beautiful, sunny and warm from my bedroom window. My magnolia tree waves at me from the end of the garden. However, I still feel a bit shabby from an outrageously good birthday party at the weekend. There's only one thing that will bring me back to my senses, a swim in the ponds.

As I cycle south I realise that's it's really cold. Too late to turn back.

I lack the courage to dive in, I've forgotten what led me here in the first place. It's warmer in the water than out, it's wonderful, the elixir of life.