Poolside Percy

Sunday morning swim, well nearly, by the time I got in the pool it was the afternoon, just. Big smile from the lady on reception. Very, very cold in London today. However the water is lovely and the pool is very quiet. I've not been swimming for a while, first time this month, can you blame me. I'm wearing GF's goggles, they're well worn, they get all steamed up, they keep out the water, job done. First half a length and it's like I've never been away, this feels good, divine even, I start to slow down, I'm out of practise. As usual I tell myself I'll only do 40 lengths, 30 even, 60 seems like 160 lengths away, I argue back, I will do 60. At 40 I propose getting out but by the time I've done 50, 60 is within reach, I steam on. Nice hot shower, the changing rooms are so much better. Home to watch Man City push Chelsea easily aside. Big fat roast for family and friends.

Saturday afternoon swim. Lovely day in London, sun is out, the snow and ice has all but melted. Still pretty cold tho', it's a quick dash from the door to the pool. Water is a stingy 26 degrees, so no messing about, jump straight in. It's very, very quiet in the pool, in the speedo lane it's just me and a man with swimming paddles, he's steaming away, he overtakes me a lot, I try to keep out of his way. I feel tired as I ran with Parkrun Percy at Highbury Fields this morning, I feel virtuous, I'm considering doing only 30 lengths today. Paddleman retires leaving just me on my own in lane one, only two other people in the pool. So much space. I finish my obligatory 60 lengths, I feel shattered, a swim too far? Just the seven mile cycle ride back to East Finchley. I've done a Triathlon Sprint today, well more of a Triathlon Meander. There's no fool like a pool fool.

It's cold, it's very cold, that'll be the snow and the winter. There's no point whining over winter, it's Saturday morning. I love Saturdays and this Saturday is no exception. Bus to Oasis cos there's no Northern Line. By the time I get to the poolside it's 12:01, afternoon swim. Hardly anyone in the steaming pool. Now the steam would imply the water's warm, nope, it's well chilly, whatever. Ploughed up and down, up and down, getting faster and stronger each length. I can't really keep up the rhythm, I've been really slack on my poolside duties recently. A thoroughly decent swim is marred slightly by the man in aisle one who insists on doing butterfly. What is it about butterfly? Looks wrong, looks bloody difficult, no impossible. I can't do butterfly, maybe that's what it is. I'm not jealous, it looks silly and annoys people like me, well it slightly annoys me. I love Oasis, especially on a Saturday. Photo: Philip Wolm

Post work swim on a very chilly Tuesday evening. Looks like they've smartened the place up a bit, could be wrong, it still looks pretty shabby, council estate chic, it's Cally Pool, you can't restore this place to it's former 1980s glory, it is what it is, ungentryfiable, unponcey. Pool fairly empty, three massive lanes, well there were till I got in when it soon became four.  Had a slim lane all to myself till I got kicked out in favour a kid's swimming lesson, kid singular, small. Not been swimming much recently, felt a bit sluggish, sort of got there in the end, swam a Caledonian mile. Very enjoyable. I swam here  because you can get a swim for quid using splashpath vouchers, makes sound economic sense. Managed to snap the elastic on my goggles, thank Zogg I had a spare pair. Cycled home in the freezing cold with a freezing wet head cos the hairdryer was broken.

Not been here in ages, really wished I hadn't bothered. A funny thing happened on the way to the Oasis, well I went via Kentish Town and thought what the hell. Hot, busy, cold water. Didn't really get in to my stroke or find the right lane, too busy, too fast, too slow. Hey, whatever, you win some you lose some. Will head for Oasis regardless next time, I really do prefer swimming outdoors, bring on the summer, I'm counting the months. Just read: 'The Crossing: The Extraordinary Story of the First Man to Swim the English Channel', a story of a man with a moustache to match his heroic ambition.

best swims ever - 14 degree mile at The Lido and swim with my sister at The Lido most beautiful spot on earth swim - El Tajo, en el Puente de San Pedro best excuse to be a lady - Hampstead Heath Pondathon best birthday present swim - London Marriott Hotel, County Hall nice to see you open again award - Ironmonger Row Baths best place to cool off on an epic 140 mile scooter ride - Figheldean Mill Pond best late summer sunset swim - Norfolk worst swim and pool - Tottenham Green Leisure Centre

Happy New Year folks. Xmas was great, I'm thinking of renaming myself Poolside Plenty. Quiet new year in Lewes. What better way to start the new year than a dip in the sea at Saltdean? Absolutely gorgeous day on the south coast, thanks to GF for the lift she was looking as stunning as ever. You know when you're in the right place when there's a man standing by the shore dressed as Poseidon, or is it Neptune? One deity is much the same as another to me. Lots of spectators, not many swimmers, it was very cold but stayed in longer than last year, even did a bit of front crawl until my senses got the better of me. Thanks to the organisers for fun, good advice and watchful eyes.