Poolside Percy

Late, late Tuesday night swim. Arrived after 9pm, luckily the pool, that's the watery bit in the middle, doesn't shut till 10pm.  Fairly empty in the lanes, however, the slower swimmers have spread themselves around so there's no way chance of a lane to thyself. Swam the first length like a p-p-p-penguin, felt gooood. Swam for about 40 minutes then grabbed an emptyish lane and wallowed and glided to a very, very enjoyable 60 lengths. Cycled home past The Lido (peeked through the bars, not long to go) and across Hampstead Heath.

The site before the baths were built, before 1894 Sunday morning/afternoon swim. Beautiful sunny day in north London. This particular Sunday found me recovering from a big red wine, vodka, fish and chips binge.What better way to sort oneself out than imbibing ones bloated and battered self in the cool and invigorating waters of Kentish Town. The midday light streamed through the glass roof and hit the pool at the deep end. Stunning. Didn't even think about swimming in the middle lane, jumped (slid) in to the medium lane, swam a half decent mile. Had a lot of trouble counting lengths today. Today is the anniversary of my Dad's death. He could do a swallow dive. Planted tulips on his grave at St Pancras Cemetery. I'd quite fancied going to Marshall Street today but Prince of Wales is very convenient from my gf's house and it's virtually free with vouchers from The Big Splash - I guess it was probably more appropriate to swim here today as my Dad used t...

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...

Dirty, crowded (London Swim School night, bless 'em). I'm not gonna have anything positive to say, my own fault for going there. First signs of snow on the way home. 64 lengths.

Tuesday night post work swim. I forgot about the recent heroics, I just wanted to get wet and have a swim. Swam 32 can't really be bothered lengths. I find this pool very uninspiring, I can't find any more interesting photos either. I really need to go a little bit further afield and find some new pools to swim in. Cheap/free swims: splashpath.com Photo to be verified by lawyers.

Late Sunday morning swim. Stopped off at the Speedo shop on Neal shop in Covent Garden for a new pair of goggles. Goodbye leaky Zoggs. Beautiful, sunny morning. I love the West End. I live in London, I was born in London, you can bury me in London. I still love the vibe, well the one before all the tourists come out to play. Swimming. Sometimes it all just comes together. Hardly any other bodies in the pool. My new relaxed and lazy, languid style seems to be quite effective. Managed to swim the first 40 lengths in a credible time without the panting, splash and rush. Cruised to 60 lengths. Headed off to Camden Town to watch War Horse with DW/DD and the Jacksons. Photo: Harry Fowler and Joan Collins (I Believe in You)