Poolside Percy

Parliament Hill Fields Lido Sunday morning, far too early. Despite my gammy leg, I'm doing the Hampstead Heath Pondathon again today. I'm feeling a little bit nervous and a bit intimidated by all the fit young people around me. No, sod it, I'm doing this for me, doing this for fun. Before I know it I'm in the water and 3-2-1 we're off... The Lido is lean and mean and should be the easiest swim, after all I'm playing at home. However, I'm struggling, I feel like chucking in the towel at length two. I'm spurred on by the rousing cheers of the home fans GF and DW. At least I'm not last out of the pool, and by no means least. The run to the Men's Pond is like an Alan Sillitoe novel , long and lonely. I've not been overtaken yet. The Men's Pond greets me like an old friend. I manage to overtake two other swimmers in what seems like a never ending lap, good job I've been doing lots of swimming this week. Me in the Ladies Po...

Score: ۞۞۞ ۞۞ Cost: Free today Pool length: 60m Website: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk Water temperature: 14 degrees My favourite place to swim in the whole wide world. I've been swimming here since before I couldn't swim. Special day today at the lido, the start of the summer summer swimming season, so free entry and cakes. Met up with Sister Caroline, Hubby Tom and Bobby and my first chance to test out my new Orca wetsuit. Woo. It was a hell of a lot easier getting in to my size zero rubber friend today than in the hot, sweaty shop when I first tried it on. Fits like a duck's glove. It was a bit strange when I first entered the water, I was expecting it to fill up with water immediately but I only felt it on the small of my back. Managed a few lengths. The cold water made my ears hurt even tough I was wearing a swimming hat. Caroline suggested that I do a few lengths without the suit which for some reason I thought was a good idea. Well, I'm still here to tell my tale. The...