Poolside Percy

I'm in there somewhere Photo: Ham & High

Water temp: depends on what you believe in I'm on The Heath. This is good. This is always good. I'm on my way home. This is also good. I'm going to swing by the ponds to check what time the swimming races are held tomorrow. I've never taken part, but that could change this year. I shouldn't really take part, I've not been well, I'm definitely not well enough to swim today, I can't shake this rhatid cold off. Despite the clouds, cold and damp it's a lovely morning on The Heath. There's a poster on the board at the men's pond which has the time of tomorrow's races. Great, that means I don't have to deal with the wit and vagueness of the lifeguards. Hey, the sun is coming out. Water temperature is six degrees, I don't believe in Santa Claus either. The sun has come out. It's a shame that I'm not well enough to go swimming. Obviously I ignore myself and swim anyway, what harm could it possibly do? I swim a bit of fr

Lunchtime dip

Water temp: 7 degrees Wow. What a beautiful morning, what a cold morning. As per, I don't remember making any concious decisions which led me to the men's pond, I just seem to have turned up here with my trunks and swimming hat. My right leg just seems to be lowering itself in to some dark, cold pond water. It's not that cold you know, definitely swimmable. Round the farthest buoy and around the dark side of the jetty we go, I'm not in for more than two or three minutes, I'm sure this could be quite enjoyable once you acclimatise yourself. I stand gasping and glistening in the morning sunshine. First swim of December. I bump in to Paul the dustman doing his rounds with his happy crew on Millfield Lane. I've not seen his smiling face since he got married and moved to Brighton. It's great to see him. He removes his glove and shakes my hand, he's a gentleman is Paul, there's no 'appier bloke. Isn't it good luck to shake hands with a du