Poolside Percy

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous day in London. Lots of people sunbathing in the park, the Lido is busy but not as rammed as I thought it might be. New goggles today, I took my old Speedos back to the shop as the tint had worn off, they changed them, no questions asked. The last time I was here it was minus freezing, it must be be nearly 20 degrees today. No heroics today, I've spent much too much time on my bike and in the park keeping fit. I decide the best way forward is with a dive. I'm rubbish at diving, I manage a half decent/half rubbish dive which sends my goggles skewiff. Twenty lengths is more than enough, these are long, long, 50m lengths...  Enjoyed my visit to Hackney today. Cycle to Swiss Cottage to pick up DW, then to Victoria and home to East Finchley. Happy days.

Wednesday night wade. OK, been a bit slack with visits to the pool recently. Missed an opportunity to go to the Oasis pool in Hunstanton (Norfolk), well it was -10 degrees. Fairly busy, it usually is, water is cold, usually is. I ignore my own cold and plough up and down the middle lane. I'm enjoying this. A very big man makes himself enormous by swimming short bursts of butterfly, I seek refuge in the medium lane. I've swam a mile, I really enjoyed it I cycle across The Heath for cheap pints in the Five Smells. Arsenal get stuffed by AC Milan. Photo: www.guerrillaexploring.com

London Fields Lido How cold is it today? The steamy yet chilly hand of fate found me on Holloway Road so it seemed rude not to cycle a little further east and head for London Fields Lido. Went passed the Emirates Stadium just as Arsenal scored which was a bit surreal. I won't go in to my feelings about the gooners. Anyway, got to the pool. Realised I'd left my bike lock at home, however the lovely girl on reception let me park it in the first aid room. Very quick dash from the changing rooms to the pool, entered by the kids/disabled ramp, very gallant. Pretty quiet in the water, not surprising as the air temperature was about fifty degrees below. Overheard two guys discussing not twisting your hips too much to avoid aquadrag (is that a made up word, my spellchecker reckons so, but there again my spellchecker thinks 'spellchecker' is a dodgy word).  Whatever, first length went well, very stiff arms and legs today, managed 32 lengths in the very steamy pool. I...