Poolside Percy

22 degrees Swimming in the rain. Swimmers outnumbered by ducks and coots.

Water temperature: 22 degrees I didn't mean to go to The Lido, honest. I was on my way to the ponds when I accidentally swung a right in to Gordon House Road. Last orders. Nice and easy, lemon squeezy.

Lido Water temperature: 20 degrees Despite my late night with J, I'm at the Lido before 8am. Yes, I want a medal. Arranged to meet my middle sis but she's not here yet. Looks like there was party here yesterday, litter, discarded Mint Feasts and fag butts everywhere. Staff busy themselves. There are quite a few people in the water. I've forgotten my goggles, borrow a pair from one of the staff, they're child's goggles, ridiculously small. I swim half a length, luckily my sister turns up with a spare pair, nice. We swim together, I'm struggling a bit, we stop and chat then swim some more before she heads off home. I lounge about on the side staring vacantly at the water, expertly avoiding the tumble-turners. Swim a few more lengths, I end up doing 21, not bloody bad. That's two medals someone owes me. The chattering ladies have returned, shower caps an' all. Normality is resumed. It's a beautiful morning. I award myself another medal f...

What a difference a day makes. Water temperature: 20 degrees Whoa. Where did all those bodies come from? Ram-a-dam-a-ding-dong. Somewhere elegant I suggest. There must be a 1000 people outside on the grass. Someone has erected a couple of Union Jacks in the tree, come on, please. Despite the heaving, oily masses outside, the changing area is half empty. Despite lots of activity on the jetty and the springboard, there are only 30 people in the water. That's a fairly small number considering the amount of people outside, I wonder why more people don't swim, I'm not complaining, I hope they can swim. Water is lovely, feels cooler than yesterday even tho' it's 2 degrees warmer. Swam a couple of laps, lazed around in the sun for 20 minutes chatting to me Mum on the phone. Pints in The Steeles with J afters.

Highgate Men's Pond Rebirth. Water temperature: 17 degrees Maybe best swim of 2012. Will think about it and get back to you soon. Nuff said Fred.

Lido Opening Ceremony What a difference a day makes. Water temperature: 20 flippin' degrees Lots of bodies in the water, laughter in the air, big groups of boys and girls, just how it should be. I spot the odd regular looking bemused. Lane rope is out. The odd whiff of skunk wafts over. Summer literally just fell out of the sky. Stayed for the late shift. Way too many people, why you wearing a wetsuit? The sun drops behind Parliament hill and I cycle home. Home-made dhal gets 9.5 on the dhalometer. My Dad is in the photo somewhere with his Mum. 

Water temperature: sweet sixteen Pre-work swim. The fear is deserting me, the cold will not kill me. Might even jump in next time. Lots of people in, only one wetsuit, summer is slowly making it's way to The Lido. Huffed and puffed to twelve lengths.