Cold

Batch was down to widths this morning after feeling too cold yesterday. He gave a gasp getting into the water and set off. It was quiet this morning the usual crowd are arriving later with the continued cold weather. Sangeeta was off to work, no time for a sauna today.

As Batch ran off to the sauna I did a couple of lengths. The bitter wind has dropped but the water is still very cold, my fingers felt like they were expanding as they froze. After a quick sauna I did a third length. The water is still under 2ºC I guess.

Membership

I got my new pass - best £115 spent this year no doubt. I'm number 37 this year! up 10 places on last year. Right now I'm not really getting my money's worth, it's still too cold. Two length and two widths today with the water under 2ºC. This time last year water was 6ºC and I was swimming a kilometre!

Thin ice

Ice on the water, only thin ice though. Batch said 'I dare you to swim through it', so I did. I'd checked just how thin it was first, no chance of a cut.

Bright sun and a hard frost. I felt the water was warmer than yesterday but that might just have been the the air wasn't so cold as the sun fell across the water.

It's so much nicer to swim when the light bounces around the water, even if there's still ice. I did two length a sauna and then one more.

Ian starts his new job tomorrow, this was his last week day width.

Frosty

Frosty leaves filled the gutters, puddles had a thin layer of ice and the grass on the common was white. The sun was diffused through a light mist as it crept above the trees.

Two lengths a sauna followed by a third. There were many two length swimmers today but I thought the water was colder than Friday.

By the time I left the sun had spilled across the water, I hope it warm it up a bit.

Friday

Three lengths a sauna and then another length. I thought it was warmer today but there had been a frost on the common and I was told that Sangeeta said there was very thin ice on the pool when she arrived. A good chat with all the usual suspects, I didn't see David but reckon it must be hovering around 3ºC.

Triple dip

The trouble with this time of year is that it's too cold and people aren't in the water for long enough to photograph. Despite much warmer weather the water is still cold, around 2ºC I reckon. I did a two length swim followed by a sauna followed by another length followed by a sauna and a final length tthen a final sauna! Triple dip Thursday.

Montage

I tried making some multi image pictures this morning, click on them to see them bigger.

Weak sunshine and a bitter wind made it very cold. I did a two length swim, had a sauna and then did a third length.

I didn't see the temperature reading but I bet it was under 2ºC.

Two

Quiet again this morning, perhaps I was a little early? I took this panorama from the top corner of the pool.

Two lengths again, not sure I could do more. Giles also swimming two.

Johnathan back stroking down the pool, you can still see a bit of snow on the far side changing cubicles roof.

Slush

The snow was back. Just a dusting on the ground but a gloopy layer of slush in the pool, that water was going to be cold.

In near blizzard conditions I got into the water, sitting in the snow isn't much fun so I had to move quickly. 200 yards later I made my way to the sauna.

 Pip makes a splash. This is how I usually get into the water, I find it easier than gradual immersion.

A tiger in the slush, not sure where he came from, a welcome bit of colour.

Panorama

A beautiful if cold morning, the reaching the water and the promise of spring despite frozen footprints around the pool. Please click to see it bigger.

Thin patches of ice were floating in the still water, keeping to the edge it was possible to do lengths. Just two before I visited the sauna.

Revived I made it a double dip, another length and another ten minutes in the sauna.

David (can you spot him) made the water temperature 1.5ºC but with the sunshine it was glorious.

Bitter

 The wind had dropped but was still very cold this morning. There was a brief shower as Giles got in to swim. I set off after Vince in a bid to catch him up, going on to do four lengths.

 The sun later spilled across the pool, it's at such a low angle the light only just reaches the water.

Elizabeth on length two I think. David took the temperature, 'just under 3ºC' was the verdict.

No sauna

In fact the sauna is still there, it was just off while being cleaned. I rely on it so much, not just for warming up it's also where we find out all the lido gossip.

I felt out of sorts with a disturbed routine, unsure how far to swim? Tricky was finishing his second length when I snapped this and I matched his distance.

Cold but not freezing I showered, dried and dressed. The sun was beginning to break through and I was beginning to warm up before I cycled off to work.

Swimwatch

Camera was set to 40 images with a ten second delay, off I went.

 About 30 seconds later Tricky set off. Click on a pic to see it bigger.

 Coming back again, you can see the rain on the water surface.

 I must be underwater at this point having just turned.

 Tricky on his way back as well.

 A rare sighting of Sue B in the foreground.

 Even rarer David in blue cap.

 Arm raised as I make my way back, water almost 4ºC this morning.

Four laps completed in about 380 seconds. I'm slower when the water is cold.