Again

The daffodils by the winter entrance are now beginning to flower, spring is on the way despite another cold snap forecast. Tweleve lengths again, eight with Richard who hasn't been in for a week.

I wanted to catch Alfonso and Giles swimming together but Giles pulled up short, I like the shot anyway. Giles has the speed but they both swim beautifully.

Another swimmer with excellent technique Jonathan Cowie was smoothly gliding up and down the lido as I left.

More daffodils to round things off.

Twelve

Not so many pictures today, I was too busy swimming.A beautiful start to the day, bright sunlight dancing through the water, the air a little cooler than yesterday but I could feel the strength of the sun.

I wasn't sure how far I would go, could I top yesterdays ten? of course I could! My first full kilometre of the year. David confirmed the temperature as just about 6°C.

The sun had bought lots of swimmers out, I caught this snap of Elizabeth before I left, I don't think she saw me take it.

Perspective

A bit of blue sky between the showers but it was another mild morning. This is Richard the cabbie who seemed to be swimming for quite a while.

Returning the favour, here's Kate who snapped me swimming yesterday. I did ten lengths today and might make it a kilometre before the end of the week if it stays this temperature.

Not everyone spends their time in the water. Nick was trying to get a different perspective on the lido (I think).

Can you see me?

Kate took a few pictures of me swimming this morning, can you see me?

It was a another lovely sunny morning, light filtering through the water. You can see blossom floating on the surface.

An eight length swim felt good, getting back into rhythm. The water was just over 5°C.

I hope I didn't splash Kate with my tumble turn, I didn't actually see her take a single shot until I finished.

Off I go again, I'm the blurry blob behind all those bubbles.

Sunshine

A beautiful morning, I thought I'd missed this shot but actually I quite like it. Looks like high summer!

Stop! I guess Giles' hand position was due to the fact he was about to tumble turn. I love the light in the water.

I think Tricky must have been getting cold by this point hence the finger seperation. I like how he is silhouetted against the water behind, the shadows don't leave the deep water at this time of year.

It looks almost tropical, I did an eight length swim. The air was cooler and it was harder to swim the distance on my own compared with yesterday when I was accompanied by Richard.

And I got my new season pass, this year it's red and I'm number 40. I had a most delicious piece of Kate's Madeira cake before going to work.

Eight

How many icicles in this picture? They performed a synchronised dive into the lido this morning.

Fred was doing widths, I like the way his arm is shrouded in bubbles.

Batch finishing a length. I swam with Richard again, we did eight lengths which felt good. I'm sure the water has warmed up a bit, David made it around 5°C.

It was good to see Alfonso and his wife back in the water. We will have to swim together again soon.

I gave Alfonso a bit of a fright, he didn't see me take the shot until his hand hit the camera.

Nick and Johnathan (The Waldorf and Statler of the lido) were both going to do a width. They give no credit to an eight length swim, they insist the toughest bit is getting in which they can both do, therefore they're the hardest winter swimmers at the lido. I'm not sure I follow their logic.

Abstract

Perhaps I'm getting a bit arty today? Maybe it's the spring like weather? I love this picture of Vince and the hoover.

This is Hilary, no really! I like the match between the bubbles and the clouds.

And here is Giles just about to tumble turn, I had to jump out of the so I didn't get spashed.

Another Vince with a lovely stream of bubbles.

I did a six length swim with Richard, dodging the hoover on the way. We might up it to eight on Thursday if it's warm enough.

Quiet

Here come Pip and Elizabeth, a bit blury but I like the dynamism. Apart from a shiver of Brockwell icicles it was a quiet morning in the water. The boys seemed more content playing handball.

Batch was swimming, it turned out he was the phantom photographer from yesterday. If you look carefully in his right hand he seems to be holding a small twig.

Six lengths felt easier today, is the water warming up?

Questions?

A morning full of questions, who is this swimmer?

Where is everyone? Have they all gone away skiing for half term?

Who left their goggles beside the pool?

Who took this picture of me while I was swimming? I did six chilly lengths today.

A bigger splash

I can't say who pushed Batch into the water but there seems to be someone celebrating as he hurled abuse. I'm sure he deserved it.

Batch, not very happy and a bit wet.

I don't know what the collective noun for icicles is (a dripping?) but we had a fair few visit from Brockwell today. I did a six length swim, it felt cooler than yesterday.

4°C

David thought it might be below 4°C today, it certainly felt pretty nippy although I did do a longer swim, six length and four widths.

The thermometer made it almost exactly 4°C. No wonder my toes took so long to warm up.

I had a good swim with Richard, the hoover was out so dodging the hose became part of the fun. It's easier to swim with someone else and certainly helps in keeping the pace up.

The sauna talk was all about the excess of rain and lack of ice and snow, it looks like it'll be another stormy day today.

Perfect dive

Another perfect dive by Elizabeth. A dark wet and windy morning, not enough light to catch the movement properly. A couple of Brockwell Icicles were making their Tuesday visit.

I did a six length swim then scurried off to the sauna. As we thawed out we disscussed snow and ice and whether we will see any this season.

Pond skater.

Here comes Pip. I was ready for a shot as she reached the shallow end but she pulled up short, then seeing me did a few breaststrokes and I got this image which I rather like. It reminds me of a pond skater!

Kate was on flip flop duty for Elizabeth and I caught the moment as she hit the water for her morning length.

Grey but not windy and the rain held off. I did a six length swim and we talked about why some people will do almost anything to be on TV.