Quick Dip

Leap year

2012-02-29T04:45:00.000-08:00

A lido leap was organised to celebrate the 29th February. When I arrived this morning Nicky asked me if I was taking part. 'I want to swim first' I told her. 'Either you leap or you have to marry me' she replied! luckily I still had time to do both so quickly got in and swam. As usual Vince and Elizabeth were in the water while I did my twelve lengths.

As soon as I fininished swimming it was time to leap. A photographer from South London Press was there to take a picture. It took quite a while for everyone to line up, muttering 'what are we doing?' and 'where do we jump?'. I was getting cold.

The snapper was called Mugnus. I doubt you'd recognise him from this picture. He did a couple of shots of us all jumping in together and then I rushed off to the sauna.

The sauna was packed, even Magnus joined us to take more pictures. Elizabeth and Jonathan decided to leap together to round off the morning.

As it's the end of February it's time for some statistics:
I did 19 seperate swims in February
The water was between 0ºC - 7ºC when I was swimming
I swam 96 lengths and 12 widths.
That is 9996 yards about 5.6miles or 9km

February was cold! 3km in the last three days brings the total to just a shade under that of January although I swam seven more times than last month.

Lucky seven

2012-02-28T05:48:00.000-08:00

I arrived today to find Kate at the lido, she had already been there a half hour chatting and drinking coffee. Stephanie emerged from the sauna with a grin on her face, 'It's 7ºC today!'. Elizabeth arrived as I was changing. Stephanie was about to dive in, she doesn't wait around. Kate and Elizabeth were poised to shoot so I rushed out to get this picture.

Stepahnie also did a second dive for us. For Elizabeth's versions of the same dive go here and for Kate's go here. I then decided to try the water for myself, taking my camera in with me fro the first time this year.

Elizabeth swimming far above me. The water was getting crowded! there must have been five or six of us in at the same time today.

I like this one better. The arm reaching down is reflected above Elizabeth's head. It was a grey morning, mild again with little wind. I stayed in for twelve length which was probably around twenty minutes along with the pictures.

Kate didn't get into the water until I had my sauna and shower. She has a wonderfully relaxed glide. I believe she was going to do twelve lengths aswell which will be nearer to thirty minutes swimming for her.

I managed to get this half and half picture of Kate. A view into the secret underwater world of the lido. Even on a grey morning the relected light bounces around in the water.

February kilometre

2012-02-27T02:56:00.000-08:00

It had been a sunny warm week end, the temperature must have gone up. The lifeguards had posted a temperature of 6ºC on this mild grey Monday morning. Stephanie was all smiles, She had done ten lengths and her reading was 6.8ºC. I have been hoping to do a kilometre in February but wasn't sure if I could manage it.

The lido was unusually quiet. Vince and Elizabeth swam at the same time as me so I didn't get any pictures. I wonder if Elizabeth will post any here? The water really did feel warmer to me, it was great to have a proper swim. Twelve lengths were no problem. It's easy to say 'I could have done more' once you're out but I really think I could have. I didn't want to push too much having only done eight on Friday. The sauna was of course still welcome. David took the temperature when I was changing, 6.5ºC. I'm so glad we're back into distance swimming, let's hope the temperature holds.

Optomistic thermometer

2012-02-24T03:38:00.001-08:00

It was a grey but mild morning, the sun was trying to come through but the cloud was winning. Rumour had it the water was 6ºC, could it be true? Stephanie had taken the temperature with her electronic thermometer, 'you can do eight lengths today' she told me, she already had. I did manage eight, Vince did six. Elizabeth stopped after two lengths to take some pictures in the water which you can see here, then did some widths.

I still count David as the official temperature taker, the string on the thermometer is wrapped around his shoe so he had this distinctive pose while waiting.

Hard to see but not quite 6ºC more like 5.5ºC. I think Steph has an optomistic thermometer, but the temperature is on the way up. In January I managed a kilometre when the water had gone down to 5ºC but somehow I find it more difficult building up distance as the water warms up. Will I manage a kilometre before the end of the month?

Very handy

2012-02-23T05:25:00.000-08:00

Whose hand is this? what happend to the reast of them? A mild morning, mercury going up all the time. Strangely quiet when I arrived but the regulars soon turned up.

It was Elizabeth of course! read about her morning here. Although the water was a bit warmer six length still seemed like enough, it was beautiful with the sun reflecting off the doors into the water.

Margy stuck to widths today, I'm sure she'll be doing lengths again soon.

Chris and Sue race past gloved Sue on their morning widths. Sue said she'd be ready for lengths tomorrow.

Try as I might I couldn't get a face on Chris and Sue in the same shot together. Chris did a couple of length on his own afterwards.

Three blogs

2012-02-22T05:03:00.001-08:00

He's never shy. Egg had the photographers lined up to capture the moment. I somewhat missed but Elizabeth and Carl did a much better job.

The three bloggers all got to swim together this morning. The water felt warmer today. Elizabeth did two lengths, I stopped at six and grabbed this picture of Carl who went on to do a massive twelve lengths.

Ian just did the one length wearing his gloves, he was finishing right behind me so I got this picture of him.

Elizabeth recreated the Egg leap from earlier after her sauna, although I caught her mid air it's a bit blurry. The water turned out to be 4ºC, let's hope it's warmer tomorrow!

Fat Tuesday

2012-02-21T04:09:00.001-08:00

A sunny pancake day, water up to 3ºC and plenty of faces around to make the most of it. Kate and Carl had come for an early morning swim and with Vince also getting in at the same time it was almost crowded. Carl was length ahead of me when I got in. I wished I could have stayed in long enough to catch him up but six lengths was enough for me. Carl did a massive ten and Kate did four lengths and six widths, starting before me and ending sometime after.

The sauna was busy as usual. Fred and Inez were already warming themselves and we were joined by many others. Carl was telling me of the many swim trips he and Kate have planned for the year. Of all the exotic locations Tenby seemed to be the one Kate was most looking forward to. Plenty more inspiring stories to come at musings of an aquatic ape.

I do hope this is the start of spring, it felt good standing in the sunshine, I could really get used to it.

Kevin's wetsuit has a large hole in the knee, you can see the rip from here. Swimming on his own today, not sure where Ian was?

Pip arrived with a pair of scales and told us he was going to lose three stones. At that point he hadn't even weighed himself. He clocked in at 17.5 stones, apparently he used to have a 26" inch waist when he was eighteen!

Ice breaker

2012-02-20T03:37:00.000-08:00

'Ice in pool' was the unexpected greeting at the lido this morning. It had been a cold clear night and the frost was heavy but the water was nudging 4ºC yesterday when I swam. Lack of wind had left the lower half of the pool with a thin layer of singing ice on its surface.

The sun was strong through the trees reflecing off the ice, you had to sheild your eyes. Footprints froze almost instantly to the concrete but standing in the glare it felt quite warm.

I made my way to the deep end, it would have to be widths. The far end of the pool was in shadow but you got a glorious view of the water reflecting off the coloured doors as you swam, I did twelve widths.

Kevin started in the water and Ian did a dive, you wouldn't really believe how cold it is from this sunny picture.

By the time I was leaving the ice was already breaking up, it sounds like crickets singing a thousand ice crytals snapping under the movement of the water.

David took the temperature from his usual spot which happend to be under the ice. 2ºC he made it this morning but I'm sure it'll warm up soon.

Sunny Sunday six

2012-02-19T06:01:00.000-08:00

Are we in Tenerife? Turkey? Trinidad? Nah - Tooting Lido innit! A sunny Sunday about 11am, the lido looked so appealing. First met Doreen putting her trolly into the back of her car. I let her know I received my new pass the other day thanks to Carl. She told me it was the first one she'd mixed up out of ninety, and touch wood the last.

Stephanie arrived at the same time as me, after putting on her swim cap she went to check the temperature of the tropical looking water. Unfortunately it was only 3.8ºC. I told her I'd managed four lengths on Friday so would aim to match it.

Being a quick changer Stephanie was in the water before me so I hopped in to get this picture before setting off. I would have swam with Stephanie but my pace was too high and I didn't want to hang back in the cold water.

Stephanie did four and I did six before we reconvened in the sauna. I was pushing it on the last length and had a little shiver while chatting before getting warm again.Stephanie doesn't hang around and was out of the sauna in a few minutes but decided to luxuriate a bit longer.

Ivan came into the sauna after his two widths and lay down on the top shelf to recover. He was telling me about his new sequined mini top hat! It must look fantastic but not so good for swimming.

Lengths again

2012-02-17T04:56:00.000-08:00

Here comes Elizabeth, reaching across the pool on her after sauna swim. I jumped in the pool earlier and tried to get a picture of her as she, Nick and Johnathan swam a length. She got too far ahead of the boys so I missed my chance and they stopped swimming about 25 yards from the end of the pool.

A great dive this morning, her hands just going into the water, feet could still be pointier though. After missing my first few pictures I was already feeling the chill, I set off on a four length swim. The temperature must be going up, Four was enough but I wasn't as cold as yesterday.

As it's half term Vince has been swimming later, Pip is just arriving, cycling down the side of the pool. It was quite quiet this morning, but a couple of newer regulars, Nadine and Guy helped fill the sauna. Chris did four lengths this morning, he's trying to keep the distance up while Sue is away.

After what seemed like ages sitting on the pool edge Pip set off on his swim. I'm not sure how far he went because it was time for me to go.

Distance

2012-02-16T03:37:00.001-08:00

Not having swum in a week Hilary was doing widths this morning. She was a good distance from the shallow end which shows the size of the pool. 'It makes the pool look massive' I said showing her the image, 'That's because it is' she replied.

My attempt at a side picture wasn't so successful but I liked it anyway. Hilary did four widths as her reintroduction to the water. I didn't see the temperature today but it felt warmer, around 2ºC I believe.

A metallic blue Margy then did her widths, much closer to the edge making it difficult to get her all in the frame. I did a four length swim today, Elizabeth took a picture which I hope you'll find here later.

It wasn't exactly sunny but the mornings are getting a little brighter, the changing room doors beginning to reflect upon the water.

Above and below

2012-02-15T02:55:00.002-08:00

The Stanton cross, a familiar site for the early dippers. Chris walks almost a third of a length arms outstretched before he can swim.

Nick decided to join Chris on his return length, it was colder than he thought so he sprinted. Look carfully and you can see Chris left behind in the bubbles.

A shallow dive and two widths for Ian. He slapped the water when he hit it splashing David who can just be seen nearing the steps.

'Take a picture of me' asked Pip so I obliged. With her gloves on there was no stopping her, I'm not sure if she did six or eight widths.

I followed her taking pictures, trying to get the above and below the water shot. It was difficult to get her in the frame when you can't see.

I like the watery effect, it's almost how it looks when swimming. See how grey the sky is, by the time I waa leaving the sun was coming out.

I didn't wait for the temperature today, I'm sure it's gone up but perhaps not that much. It takes a good few mild days for the water to get warmer, the childrens pool still has ice on it. I'm not sure how that chair got there?

Valentine special

2012-02-14T04:25:00.000-08:00

Much milder air temperature and no ice at all in the pool. Two lengths was todays aim. The contrast between air and water temperature was bigger than ever, the ice melt has kept the water temperature down. Half term week and it was quiet at the lido, Elizabeth swam four widths while I did my lengths.

Vince is never in a rush but with no school today he had a game of handball with Nick before his swim. The water feels thick still.

Eyes shut Vince finishes his second length. Chris did two lengths as well, keeping his distance up while Sue is away.

Ian showed up with a box of chocolates. 'To all the lido gals from Nando xx' read the message. There weren't too many gals around so I helped myself - Happy Valentines Nando!

David confirmed the temperature, still 0ºC despite the thaw. I'm sure it'll start to move up soon though.

A small splash

2012-02-09T04:20:00.000-08:00

The ice has melted from the main pool and the bitter wind had dropped but it was trying to snow and the water is still around 0ºC. Elizabeth took her post sauna dive from the far side of the pool this morning. I was a bit late in catching her, that small splash was her disappearing under the water.

When she reached my side I got this snap before she turned and did another width. That was two before and two after the sauna! I just did the two lengths again today. Hands felt fine for about a length and a half, I thought I might do some widths aswell but then the cold got them and I was ready to get out after length two.

Iceberg alert

2012-02-08T02:52:00.000-08:00

Although the ice sheet has mostly broken up there was were quite a few ice plates floating around in the pool. The lifeguards were doing there best to clear them from the water. A fine snow was falling and the wind bitterly cold, Swimming didn't seem like much fun.

I set off on a two length swim. It was good to be out of that wind but my hands soon swelled up and froze. I stuck to the wall to avoid the ice. I saw Vince getting in just after me, he usually swims close to the wall because he doesn't use goggles. I turned at the deep end expecting to see him behind me but he had gone wide to avoid a clash. Without goggles he had veered out in the icy water. He said he felt the ice brush against him as him swam though.

A good sauna soon warmed me up. Elizabeth then obliged me with a jump back into the water, reaching for the overcast skies.

Snowballs

2012-02-07T04:57:00.000-08:00

Pip can't resist a photo opportunity and was prepared to sit in the snow for me, Elizabeth and Kate to all take pictures for our blogs.

Elizabeth and Kate laugh at the results? See their posts here and here. The period between 8 and 9 will have been well documented this morning!

It was still cold, the water looked oily and thick but most of the ice had melted. I did two lengths again, my fingers didn't freeze quite so much. Vince did two lengths and a width and Tricky did four lengths.

Despite a cold Elizabeth did a dive after her sauna. I like the flip flops at the pool edge as if she sprung out of them into the water. Luckily for Elizabeth I nailed this dive first time.

Not quite so elegant Tricky jumped into the water after his sauna, flinging his towel as he went.

The secret of Kate's swimming prowess? She has three arms! I do like this image a lot.

And the scores on the doors? Difficult to see in this pic but it's just about 0ºC.

Slush puppies

2012-02-06T04:46:00.000-08:00

Saturday's snow still surrounded the pool, and the ice dragged to the deep end was still floating in the water despite the small rise in temperature. A grey morning but the roads were mostly clear now so I risked the cycle back to the lido.

Grabbing the snow shovel Vince cleared just enough ice to allow us to swim lengths. Not having been in since last Thursday I wasn't sure how far I could swim but if Vice was doing two lengths then so would I.

The channel in the ice wasn't large enough for us both to swim at the same time so I took this picture before it was my turn.

The water was cold, about 0.5ºC I'm told. My hands swelled up instantly but my core felt okay. Two lengths was enough with out gloves. I took this image afterwards, you can see the uneven depth of the ice. I imagine it was like swimming though a giant Slush Puppie.

Chilly willy

2012-02-02T05:21:00.000-08:00

Pip sat on the pool edge in wet trunks for about ten minutes telling us how someone in Shackleton's polar expedition had got frost bite of the willy. 'Documented with pictures' he assured us, 'It's alright, he survived.'. Then when David announced it really was only 1ºC in the water so Pip hopped up to have a picture taken with the thermometer.

Icicles hang from the steps and foot prints freeze instantly to the concrete. I manage four lengths but it's really tough. In the sauna birthday boy Batch is berating Tricky. 'You're an idiot to swim four at this tempertaure'. Tricky points out I did the same, 'he's faster than you' batch replies, 'you're slow and an idiot!'. It's the camaraderieI love at SLSC!

The aerator had frozen up, a long icicle hung from the water pipe, strong sunlight made great shaows over the ice.

Elizabeth diving in for a post sauna dip, again I caught her sligtly too soon but she wasn't about to have a second attempt today.

Slightly more successful picture of Ian diving in, by now the sunlight was reflecting of the bottom of the pool like a summers day.

Fire and ice

2012-02-01T03:10:00.000-08:00

The sky looked clear and I could see no frost when I looked out of my window this morning. Had the arctic blast we were promised not arrived yet? Stepping outside I realised it had been delivered in full, an icy breeze had kept the frost away but frozen puddles told another story. Elizabeth was already in the water when I reached the lido and I got this picture of her reaching for the line.

The sun was a ball of fire pushing it's way through the trees giving a warm orange light across the water. Stephanie had taken the water temperature, 3.1ºC. It was a beautiful swim, four lengths was plenty, my hands were going numb although my core still felt warm.

Getting out wasn't so much fun. I heaved myself on the the pool edge my wet hand froze to the ground as I tried to stand up. I rushed to the sauna as quickly as I could make it.

Frozen footprints and icy patches surround the pool. Winter is coming, February has started with a chill and it looks to get colder still.

100 lengths

2012-01-31T04:24:00.000-08:00

No time to hang around. The water was 3.5ºC and the air even cooler. Nick kicked the water for a few seconds befor launching himself in for a quick width.

He was prtty fast this morning I guess he wanted to get out as soon as possible. I managed six lengths again but it was harder again than the day before. My fingers felt like they were ballooning as they froze in the water. Taking the long steps out was nightmare too, a solid icy patch nearly sent me back into the water as I tried to get out. The sauna soon worked it's magic, we talked about cereal variety packs while warming up.

A perfect post sauna dive from Elizabeth. It was second time lucky because on her first attempt I pressed the shutter too soon.

Some January statistics:
I did twelve seperate swims this month.
The water was between 3.5ºC and 6ºC
I swam 100 lengths exactly.
Which is 10000yards, about 5.6miles or 9km.

A much milder January than last year and I swam a lot further with four 12 length swims. It is getting colder as we reach February though.

Nick-a-pic

2012-01-30T06:05:00.000-08:00

I'm not quite in rhythm yet and forgot my camera this morning. I took this picture from Elizabeth's blog where she has lots of other great shots. How she managed to stay in the water to take pictures I do not know. The water is still around 4ºC but the air was much cooler today. I swam six lengths but it was harder than yesterday and my hands were freezing by the time I got out.
It was good to catch up with the morning crowd again although I didn't have time to chat to all. Must remember my camera for tomorrow.

Home sweet home

2012-01-29T04:34:00.000-08:00

I'm back! and it's so good to be home. Elizabeth calls it an unusual love affair and I think she's right. I've been swimming in pools with bridges, islands, palm trees and bars but none of them compare to Tooting, even if the water was a little warmer.

I saw Carl and Kate on my way in. Carl was finding it more difficult than he thought to get back into the water after a twelve day break (see here) . This didn't bode well, a sixteen day absence is difficult in winter. The water was 4ºC but it wasn't frosty and a pale winter sun was trying to push though the clouds.
I told Jonathan I'd just try two, dipping my feet in didn't feel too bad. I took a lung full of air and plunged in. This is the danger point, if the water shocks you it's hard to carry on. The left side of my goggles filled with water but I didn't want to stop and adjust it, I had to keep going. It was actually alright! I had to count my stroke and couldn't relax as much as I wanted but I somehow seemed to manage. Two became four and then six. I feared then I was enjoying it too much so very pink skinned I rushed off to the sauna.

It didn't take long to bounce back in the sauna heat, and was nice not to be rushed and have a good chat with old and new faces alike. Not sure who the wetsuiter was but I liked the way it was laid out on the ground. The forecast is for it to get colder so I feel I made a good start at getting back into the water.

It bites

2012-01-13T03:21:00.000-08:00

Plenty of sun on a cold frosty morning. Notice the wet foot prints reflecting the light?

They froze on the cold ground. I was late and the air was cool so I only did six lengths today before getting out. The water might not have been much colder but my fingers were frozen in the frigid air. In the sauna I found out we've now reached Latvia! by the shorter route at least. I said we wouldn't make it and I was wrong, the generally mild weather has been a big help.

A whoop and a splash, Sue mid air on her apres sauna dip. I never fancy getting back in after the sauna but some people swear by it.

By the time I was leaving the sun was on the water, A lone shark swimming in the top right corner. I love the way the light moves through the water.

Quack Quack

2012-01-12T04:37:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure what Bertie and Gertie will think of this young pretender but Quack Quack (I didn't name him) has become a lido fixture over the past few days. The last mild morning for a while we are told, so I change quickly and get ready to swim.

Hardly a soul to be seen, Vince was already in the water and Elizabeth was just getting in at the same time as me. She wasn't here yesterday and found it a bit cold I think.

She didn't hesitate though, straight in and off! I followed, the water felt the same as yesterday temperature wise which was later confirmed by David, 5.5ºC again. I managed twelve lengths again perhaps for the last time this month. On saturday I'm off for a couple of weeks in Tunisia, I hope to get some good swims in there.

The sloping steps have been mended. When you're freezing after a long swim they are the easiest way to exit the water. Nick is actually getting in in this picture.

Swimming time

2012-01-11T04:06:00.000-08:00

Jane contemplating the water. Reading Carl's post from yesterday here I started to think more about time in the water. Kate did a kilometre in 29 minutes, with an extra minute or so Carl did a mile. I'm doing a kilometre in just under 20 minutes at the moment but I wouldn't want to stay in the water much longer. Jane swims four lengths, it's her first winter season and it also takes her about 20 minutes.

We all swim for different reasons. David is here almost everyday, he has a quick dip followed by a sauna and then takes the water temperature. This morning the sun was breaking through when I reached the lido and the red streaks in the sky were melting away. Nice to swim in the light but it wasn't quite as mild as yesterday. I still managed a kilometre.

Here's Nick, after a long game of handball with Jonathan they both had a short swim. Nick thinks there's something wrong with me swimming so far during the winter.

Jonathan was further out, you can just see him through the leaves. The pool is still quite full of twigs and leaves from the wind last week.

By nine o'clock the sun has broken over the tree line. David is silhouetted against the pool while he takes the temperature, still 5.5ºC. Enjoy it while it lasts, it's forecast to go down by the week-end.

Warm waters

2012-01-10T04:39:00.000-08:00

A rip in the clouds lit up an otherwise dark and cloudy morning. The air was mild and the water didn't feel that bad either, had it warmed up since Sunday? We're getting back to a more regular morning crowd now after the Christmas break. I always dive from seated position into the water, Elizabeth took a picture here.

Peter runs a couple of circuits of the pool before he gets in, I think in a bid to warm up. Then he goes down the steps but still looks reluctant to put his arms in. I wasn't sure how far I'd go but being early I knew I had time for a good swim and sauna, before I knew it I'd done twelve lengths for the second time this month. I then had a good twenty five minute sauna and chat, I wasn't nearly as cold as on Sunday.

While I was changing official temperature taker David was doing his duty. How warm was the water today? He made it 5.5ºC! If I'd known it was that cold I wouldn't have swam so far.

January kilometre

2012-01-08T05:17:00.000-08:00

Here comes Michael, great symmetry in the water. He was doing widths with a friend and I grabbed a couple of pictures. I went for a later Sunday morning swim, the races had finished but a crowd was still gathered checking travel details and getting SLSC hats for the World Cold Water Swimming Championships in Latvia.

The two of them a bit distant but I couldn't make them swim a couple more widths. At 5ºC nobody wants to hang around in the water.

A lifeguard I hadn't seen before was busy clearing the leaves, a never ending task especially with the weather we've been having. I had decided to attempt ten lengths today, I had the time for a more leisurely swim and long sauna so why not. A chap in stripy trunks was about a length ahead of me, I set off and caught him up by about length five. By seven and eight I was feeling cold, I think my body knew this was when I'd normally be getting out. With great effort I turned for nine and ten, my feet beginning to go numb. By the end of length ten I'd caught the stripy trunk man up again, the cold didn't feel too bad so I went on to make it twelve lengths. My first kilometre of the year.

I hot footed it to the sauna, and was shivery for a couple of minutes but not too bad. A few minutes later Mr Stripy came in also having done twelve lengths, he looked very cold. He must have been in the water at least five minutes longer than me. It'll put him in good stead for the endurance race in Latvia which is 450 metres. The sauna was as usual buzzing, not least because of Inez who is ever chatty. Good news being she starts a new job next week so will be morning swimming again, she swam a mile the other day at Hampton pool.

We're just over the thousand mile mark on the way to Latvia, I put my twelve lengths in the book, helped myself to some chocolate left from the racers but decided against an early morning whisky!
Saw Alfonso on my way out, he's back from Mexico and eager to get swimming again. I think it's a bit of a struggle against the cold though, he'd managed two widths the day before but I'm sure we'll soon be racing each other up an down the pool.

Bye bye Barbie

2012-01-06T03:22:00.000-08:00

Christmas is over and the decorations must come down. Sue takes Barbie and Ken off the cubicle doors for another year.

They sat by the pool edge to watch us swim. Say what you like about Ken he's been outdoors in all weathers wearing just a sprig of tinsle for the past few weeks.

It was a cool clear morning with a light frost burning off in the morning sun. Vince was already in the water when I arrived. I managed six lengths today the water was pretty nippy, just under 5ºC accoring to David.

The sloping steps have been taped off for the last couple of days since they developed a rather unsafe wobble. These are the easiest steps for getting in and out of the water, especially when your limbs are frozen. I hope they fix them soon.

Swimming in the rain

2012-01-05T02:58:00.000-08:00

Normally I want to dive right into the water as soon as reach the lido. Today didn't have quite the usual appeal, dark, windy and the rain had hail in it.

Batch hopped out of the pool, 'I'm getting too wet!' he shouted before making his way off to the sauna.

I made my way through the stinging rain and into the safety of the water, perhaps a little up on yesterday almost 6ºC would be my guess. The wind had driven all the leavesinto a thick layer at the deep end.

It made it difficult to breathe, they stuck to my face and goggles. Sue, Chris and Fred were also swimming by this point. The first time I've had company in the water for a while, a benefit of swimming later. I just did six lengths today, I wanted some sauna time.

The sauna soon filled up. Vince and Batch left to be replaced by Sue, Chris, Fred and Claire. Then Nick, Jonathan and David arrived as well. After a jolly chat and a warm through I made my way off to work. The lifeguard was busy trying to sweep up all those leaves.

Orange sky

2012-01-04T05:42:00.000-08:00

Despite the New Year the mornings are still dark, the sun was only just coming over the tree's when I reached the pool. I'd watch the sky turn from red through orange, salmon pink to gold as I cycled from home. No frost but a crisp cold morning all the same.

A new pair of flip flops appeared but I'd remembered mine today and just as well, the ground was much colder. I figured I'd manage the same distance as Tuesday, the water can't be all that different can it? Getting in wasn't too bad, perhaps a little colder but by length five my fingers were numb, should I get out after six? No, I had to match yesterday and eight it was if not as easy. The water was about 5ºC I'm surprised what a difference it made.

Who's that? Just an arm reaching into the frame. You can see all the leaves and debris blown in the water at the moment.

It's Nando, doing his best to hide behind a leaf. He thought the water was cold too. Then I saw Carl arrive, would he match yesterdays mile? found out how he got on here. Time to go to work, and the sun was now shining, the water has a cold glassy sheen.

whose shoes?

2012-01-03T05:30:00.000-08:00

I forgot my flip flops today. Who left a pair of Crocs by the end of the pool? they're far too blue for my feet.

Black flip flops might do the trick but they were too small for me. I change and being bare foot quickly get into the water.

It was a mild and windy morning, but sheltered by the pool. Some people still needed wooly hats for swimming. My first dip of the New Year, cold much better although not completely gone. The water was nearly 6ºC! very good for this time of year. I swam eight lengths, an improvement on last week. Sauna with Elizabeth, Sue and Chris. The King was bruised, he'd been knocked off the stage! Swimming was still quite painfull for him.

Far out in the water Carl swims a mile! An amazing feat for January, Kate swims eight lengths too. Ian arrives and we talk of the opera, he shows me a picture of his daughter on stage. I did see her but there were about 150 people on the stage with her. Vince is dawdling, no work today but I'm getting late and have to go. Pip arrives, will he take up the one mile challenge?

Chesty cough

2011-12-30T05:49:00.000-08:00

No swimming today. Developed a horrible cough yesterday afternoon and it's still with me. Is this from going back into the water after a break or just because of the excesses of Christmas? I doubt I'll get back in again this year so time for some statistics!

In december 2011 the water temperature ranged from 8ºC to 2ºC

I swam a total of 138 lengths and 12 widths

Which is 14196 yards, about 8 miles or 13 Km

I did 17 seperate swims

Longest single swim 18 lengths, shortest 4 lengths

After a mild start and a couple of one mile swims the temperature did drop and on the 19th we had ice on the water for the first time this season. Christmas and partying got in the way of my swimming but not as much as last year. I fear January and February may be colder but I hope to beat last years distances.

Year review 2011:

January 10L 5W

February 106L 4W

March 258L

April 586L

May 706L

June-September 4x600L (a safe guess between the May and October totals)

October 548L

November 446L 2W

December 138L 12W

Total: 5198L 23W

520,559 yards

about 296 miles

which is about 473 Km

With other swimming and a Swimtrek holiday I must have broken both the 300 mile or 500 Km mark this year!

Egg nog

2011-12-29T03:36:00.000-08:00

Grey damp and cooler today, but that didn't stop Egg from enjoying his very brief dip. Saw David who told me the water temperature is 4ºC exactly. The windy weather has blown all the leaves back in the pool and it certainly felt colder than yesterday. I did six lengths but on the fifth I was really glad there was only one more to do.

Taken from the pool side this is Ian getting his training in for Latvia. He usually does a couple of widths without the suit after his sauna. I like the leaf coverage on the surface.

Reaching for the end of the pool. Pictures are coming out a lot better because I'm that much later than on a work day, my camera needs a bit of light.

A game of handball, Vince is covering his face having just served the ball onto the cafe roof. It's alright Jonathan has a spare one and the game continues. Swimming isn't the only sport at the lido.

Back in the water

2011-12-28T03:50:00.000-08:00

And what a beautiful morning to choose, a bit windy but the rain had passed and the sun was out over the pool at just after 9 when I got there. No work today so I wasn't in a rush. Great to see the familiar faces again, Nando just leaving having a chat with Ian. Sue just arriving and setting off on a run.

Here comes Hilary! I wasn't sure how far I'd go, I haven't been in the water since last Thursday. I changed and got quickly into the water, 4ºC it said on the board but this was from Boxing Day and it's been quite mild since then. It wasn't too bad, Ian, Hilary and another wetsuit were in the water. I did six lengths and thought about doing two more but instead I grabbed the camera to get a couple of shots of Hilary finishing her swim.

Lots of leaves but I like them, gives it that real outdoor feeling. Hopped out of the water and went to the sauna to get warm and have a chat. Gus had cooked Christmas dinner for twenty two! and Ian's daughter is in the ROH production of Die Meistersinger which I'm going to on New Years day. I'll look out for her in At three wearing a green smock and a red hat!

The mild weather allowed the well wrapped coffee drinkers to sit outside and chat while they added up the distance to Latvia, we've done over 900 miles so far.

Giles was adding to this distance with a bit of butterfly, he just looks like a splash in this picture but I liked the sun on the water, it looks like a lake.

The hangover

2011-12-20T04:32:00.000-08:00

Not quite as cold, no ice today. A slow cycle to the lido. Elizabeth overtook me on her bike, racing to get back in the water feeling a bit better than yesterday. I was feeling rather tired, only Tuesday and I've already had too many parties. The water is supposed to be up to 3ºC, good to swim lengths again. Four was plenty followed by a sauna.Chatted with Batch, Elizabeth and Vince then off to work, head feeling a little bit better.

Iceberg alert

2011-12-19T07:59:00.000-08:00

A cold but beautiful sunrise as I made my way up to the lido. A heavy frost on the common and ice on the lower third of the pool. The sun looked magnificent coming up through the trees. The water was a chilly 2.5ºC according to the lifeguards.

After a mishap with my signature trunks (They were still damp) I had to wear the b-team today. Widths in the deep end are permitted when there's ice around, so I changed and made my way up the pool just as Carl, Kate arrived. They had cakes with them for afters, an incentive to get in the water.

Feeling rather cold I told the lifeguard 'I don't want to get in', 'neither do I' he replied. So I plunged in and started to swim. Not too bad really, quite different doing widths, lots of tumble turns. Twelve was enough and then I made my was to the steps and out. Ian was waiting for Pip who was going to show up in ten minutes.

Only Batch in the sauna when I went in but in the next ten minutes it filled up with all the other dippers. I was running late as usual so had my shower and left, once again without time for a cake. Ian was still waiting for Pip, perhaps he cycles the same speed that he swims.

Snowmen only

2011-12-18T09:52:00.001-08:00

Someone decided to give this cubicle door a festive make over. The early morning had been sunny and crisp with a hard frost but by the time I swam it had mostly clouded over. The past couple of evening have left the water at just over 3ºC.
The Sunday racers had all left apart from Pip, he told me he'd done four lengths but Carl had done six. Four seemed like the sensible option. I had to delay getting in while Dr Andy made his way down the steps and swam past, I hope I can still swim when I'm his age.
I was puffing slightly as I swam but I felt I had a good rhythm. I find this happens when the water is really cold, breathing in is a gasp so you have to puff the air out. In the end I did six anyway, without having to rush to work I enjoyed a good twenty minute sauna.
I saw Fran again, she told me Alfonso had been on Skype telling her how hot it is on Mexico.

Through wind and rain and snow

2011-12-16T04:44:00.000-08:00

A dark black sky, rain then sleet and snow. It was hard just getting to the lido through the weather. It wasn't icy but the wind was bitter and the idea of getting in the water wasn't very appealing. Why do I do this? I was thinking as I walked down the side of the pool. Vince and Elizabeth were also contemplating the prospect.

I couldn't hang around, the air was colder than the water which was just under 4ºC. Quick change and get in, the water thick, the sleet still falling. Elizabeth took some pictures here, thanks! Six lengths was plenty then into the sauna. Although the water is very cold I'm not in it that lon, perhaps nine minutes. The sauna soon warms you through. It's when the water is at 10ºC and you swim a mile that the cold goes to your core.

Elizabeth swimming a width after her sauna, something I never want to try. The sauna had been busy. Panto King Chris swam for the first time in a while, four lengths which was impressive. The weather hadn't got any better but it was time to go to work.

Far and near

2011-12-15T05:48:00.000-08:00

A late start, recovering from the night before. The sun coming through once again, the light in the morning has been wonderful this week. Stephanie is leaving but Vince, Hilary, Sue and Batch are all about to swim.

Hilary a blur in the distance, beyond the dead leaves and twigs. The water has dropped a bit more, just over 4ºC according to David.

Vince in extreme close up. In fact you can just glimpse Hilary on the left as well. I set my goal of six, not easy, I'm tired. Rush from the pool to the sauna, Elizabeth is in there along with everyone else, She kindly gave me her place on the top shelf to thaw out.
Showered and changed the sun now bright above the trees I saw Nando and Carl arrive before I left.

There and back again

2011-12-14T04:15:00.000-08:00

Overcast, the moon still shining low in the sky as I left home. The wind had dropped and it wasn't frosty. Entering the lido is like sneaking into another world, it was calm, quiet, the light seemed brighter. Michael was just setting off on his swim, he starts at the steps nearest his locker, swims to the deep end, returns to the shallow end then back to the steps.

Breaststroke down the pool, getting a picture is hard when you can't see what you're picturing. Crawl on the way back up, I love the glassy sheen to the water with leaves dotted all over it.

I then got in and did eight, the water was heavy. Ian started at the same time as me in wetsuit and boots. I think the boots slowed him down, I expected him to cruise up to me as a pace setter but I left him behind. He doesn't like to tumble turn in his wetsuit because water goes down the neck.
The sauna subject was your strangest relative, if you don't have one it must be you!

Currant bun

2011-12-13T03:09:00.000-08:00

A stormy dark night, black clouds and rain when I got up. I thought about not swimming this morning. Full wet weather gear on I left the house and the rain stopped, by the time I reached Tooting the clouds had broken and the glow of the sun could be seen.

The water was strangely calm reflecting the trees in the early morning light. Elizabeth and Vince arrived when I did and Kate and Carl were already changing. Expect lots of blogging today from Elizabeth and Carl.

A distant Carl swimming in the leaves. Carl was first in on his way to ten lengths ,we all soon followed. Did the water feel a little warmer than yesterday? After my first two lengths I saw Kate get in, I then swam six more lengths to four of hers. I got out but Kate carried on doing a total of eight as well, but spending much longer in the water than me. We repaired to the sauna to warm up again and gossip.

After sauna and shower I snapped this picture of Ian wetsuited and covering the distance. I changed and chatted with Margy, who'd done her swim but spurns the sauna. Just as I was leaving Carl emerged from his cubicle with a tin of currant buns Kate had made, Elizabeth and I shared one as I rushed off to work. Delicious!

Cold water addiction

2011-12-12T05:28:00.000-08:00

Too cold for pictures, no time to post either. Six lengths under 5ºC then 20 minutes in the sauna. We sat a chatted about how good the water makes you feel despite the cold. If swimming one length were the equivelent harm of smoking a cigarette would you still swim?

Friday rush

2011-12-09T11:40:00.000-08:00

Sunny and cold but no frost. Bought some Christmas cards from Sue with one of Elizabeths winter lido scenes on it. An eight length swim followed by a sauna. Suddenly it's nine o'clock and time to go to work, such a busy day I've had no time to post a message until now.

It's really too cold for sub-aquatic photography now, the sun was bright and the sky was blue but at 5.5ºC that water isn't very warm.

Great eight

2011-12-08T06:04:00.000-08:00

I realised yesterday how good six length was. I felt warm and energetic afterwards, so much better than pushing too much now the water is that much colder. Today would be eight on the eighth, a couple more couldn't do any harm. Not many photo opportunities and at 5.5ºC rather too cold to stop. Eight was excellent, followed by a good sauna. A new person called Peter was in the sauna chatting a lo. When Barbera left the door handle fell off! Vince put it back on and John gave it a builderly thump to keep it in place.

Taken pool side this is another John, a bit of a blur but I like his arm and the line which give it a bit of dynamism.

A double image of Alfonso, he arrived a little later than me so we didn't swim together today. I wonder how many lengths he managed?

And the other way. Pip arrived as I was leaving all set to do ten, I'm sure he could do more if he chatted less.

Six of the best

2011-12-07T04:42:00.000-08:00

Late. Chain came off my bike. Sun a bit higher, not quite so cold the wind picking up a bit. I set my sights on six today, that'll give me sauna time to spare. Wait for a width swimmer to clear my path before I launch myself into the water, is it colder? I don't think so.

Elizabeth and Ian racing toward me, if I'd been a bit earlier you might have seen more of Elizabeth but you only get one chance in the water and I couldn't hang around.

Diving down I take a picture of Sue, her arm a blur as it moves through the water, the wind had blown a lot of leaves into the pool. Turning around I stayed under to catch Ian again.

I like the way the steps reflect upon the surface. I kept to plan and finished the six, it makes such a difference to half the distance. Within about five minutes I was too hot in the sauna and had to move down a level.

As I changed I watch the lifeguards get out a long net, what or who were they hoping to catch? The water was empty as they dragged it the length of the pool removing the majority of the leaves. The wind was still blowing so they might have to do a few more passes, it's hard work being a lifeguard.

Frozen planet

2011-12-06T03:03:00.000-08:00

I was watching the David Attenborough series last night, I didn't expect to wake up to a mini version of it in London. The first heavy frost and another clear skied morning with the sun inching slowly above the trees. The temperature on the board said 6ºC, I thought it must be a mistake, it can't have gone down 1ºC in a day.

The leaves in the gutter were frosted and wet foot prints were turning icy beside the pool. Carl is away but Kate was early visitor again, I saw her taking my picture as I got in and started swimming, perhaps she will post it here later. Of course it was cold but it didn't really feel much different to yesterday, too cold to stop for pictures but I saw Elizabeth doing her thorough documentation of the days activities which I'm sure she will post here. The water felt heavy, the first two are hard, the up to four isn't much fun then I start to get a rhythm, six, eight, ten, my hands are numb but make good paddles. Sue and Ian set off too far in front of me, I can't catch them but try, the black lines come into view, nearly done now, twelve. I touch the end of the pool, the steel rail is freezing, too cold to pull myself onto the side so I take the steps and dash to the sauna.

A good twenty minutes sauna, I found out a lot of people have eaten curry for breakfast (not today though) but only David has had lettuce and jam sandwiches. Kate has baked a cake but I won't have time to try it. Shower, change, David takes the temperature, it really is 6ºC.

Feel the drop

2011-12-05T04:07:00.000-08:00

Clear and cold, it would be sunny but the sun hasn't got above the tree line yet. We are down to 7ºC, this is a new level of cold. I feel alright plunging in, the neoprene cap works it's magic. Fingers soon freeze but it's my armpits that feel really cold, did you ever have frozen armpits?

Michael arrived just before me this morning. He and Vince were in the water when I got in, it was really too cold to stop but I grabbed a couple of pictures while I had the chance.

Vince is a distant blob, I couldn't wait for him to get closer. Sue got in toward the end of my swim and we did a speedy length together, made it twelve lengths in total enough for today. The first ten minutes in the sauna I was still cold, a little bit of a shiver before I felt better again, another ten minutes and I was getting too hot. I doubt I'll do another mile this year.

Accidental mile

2011-12-04T05:41:00.000-08:00

I got to the pool about 11ish, the racing crowd had mostly left. Stephanie was walking around the water trying to warm up, she told me it was 7.5ºC and that the half degree drop was really noticeable. She had done eight length and was taking a break before doing a second eight. I said I planned on twelve but would see once I was in the water.
Perhaps I'd prepared myself for a bigger shock but it didn't seem too bad, twelve came and I knew I could do more so fourteen, sixteen, oh well might as well do eighteen. In no rush I had a good sauna to warm up again, had a really good shiver to begin with even though my limbs were soon hot. We all had a good gossip and I met Alfonso's wife Fran for the first time.

December mile

2011-12-02T01:24:00.000-08:00

I did it! A December mile. Some people had no doubt that I would but it's not been that easy for me. Thanks to Elizabeth who took some pictures of me here. The water was hovering around 8ºC, not too bad but pretty cold for the almost half hour it takes to swim eighteen lengths. It was my personal goal, a target to reach which as much as anything made me keep my distance up through November. December is always a difficult month for swimming, too much distraction, I'm very busy at work and the party season has already started.

I took pictures on the way! I don't know this swimmers name but he waved at me when took to the depths to get this photo, quite a funny shot don't you think?

With the lido crawl hat I at first thought this was Sue but actually it's Claire, swimming beautifully, I love the perpective along the side of the pool.

Later Sue did swim with me for a couple of lengths before joining Ian in the water. Instead of diving down I took this shot standing in the water. Ian is hiding behind a leaf but you can see he has a really good roll to his stroke. I had a good sauna afterwards and was quite late getting to work. I will reduce my distance now but do my best to help with reaching Latvia.
It seems Carl and Pip egged each other on to great distances yesterday, read about it here. Just for the record I'll not be trying to beat them and won't be swimming in the nude either!
I'm posting this on the Friday because I didn't get time at work yesterday. I went to a party last night and forgot to take my swimming things home from work so no swim this morning but don't worry, I'll be back.

November statistics

2011-11-30T03:08:00.000-08:00

The month ends with a beautiful sunny morning but it takes longer and longer before that light hits the water at this time of year. Being clear it was also cold, perhaps not as parky as Monday but certainly down on yesterday. I don't know if it's the water temperature or the fact I set myself a goal of a December mile but I really had to push myself to swim today. Luckily after the first eight length Alfonso joined me in the water, he was only going to do six but stayed in for eight, we had a good pace and it helped the lengths go by. We saw Sue set off with an unwetsuited Ian, he managed two lengths but Sue carried on. She wasn't far ahead of us but going at quite a speed.

I still had a couple more to do to make eighteen. I managed to also get this shot of speedy Sue. The light was now over the pool, the cubicle doors looked amazing reflecting their colours into the water.

See how clear the sky is but the deep end is still in shadow, it takes ages for the sun to get over those trees.

Time for the November statistics:

In November 2011 the water temperature ranged from 13ºC to 7.5ºC

I swam a total of 446 lengths and 2 widths

Which is 44666 yards, about 25 miles or 40 Km

I did 24 seperate swims including the Serps gala

Longest single swim 22 lengths, shortest 2 widths at the gala

Scores on the doors: nine blue, four red, five green and four yellow.

Another mild month but cold enough for the sauna to make a welcome return. I'm glad to still be doing a mile in the water at this time of year and hope to do a December mile tomorrow. This week has already been much cooler and we'll see what December brings.

Tuesday chill

2011-11-29T05:41:00.000-08:00

A warmer night, perhaps the water had gone up fractionally but still around 8ºC. An early swim not many in the water. I knew I could do it today, but it still wasn't easy. Length twelve Iain wetsuited joined me in the water, the race was welcome and helped me pick up the pace to stop my limbs going numb. Four length later Sue joined us, we were still going quite a pace and dropped her on the return leg. I'd done eighteen again - here's hoping the weather holds until Thursday.

Carl was just getting in after I'd had my sauna. I don't think we'll attempt the mile together on Thursday but it did really help to have a pace maker like Iain today. I let Nick know his best chance of beating me this year will be to get in on my final length.

Although I had the camera today there was no stopping while I swam. I was hoping Carl might do a tumble turn but all I got was this blurry image. There are plenty of images of today by Elizabeth here and more musings by Carl here, Tooting must be the most blogged lido in the country!

Cold mile

2011-11-28T05:22:00.000-08:00

A cold night, perhaps a light frost even. No camera so no new pictures. No official temperature but must be 8ºC at the very most, certainly colder than yesterday. I had doubts about how far I could go, hands were really cold from the start but the rest of me didn't feel too bad. It was nice in the water, not quite as many leaves. Nando was swimming but I left him behind, couldn't break my rhythm if I wanted to do the full distance. Twelve, fourteen, sixteen all okay but really pushed for the last two, eighteen lengths in total. I knew had plenty of time for a sauna. I'm hoping the week is mild enough to do a December mile, we'll have to see.

Sunday sun

2011-11-27T06:21:00.000-08:00

Such a sunny Sunday I decided to have a swim. I got up late and saw the dark clouds moving away after overnight rain, it was still rather windy though.

Not a cloud in the sky, just a few pigeons and leaves being blown around. I saw Carl and Nando leaving the car park as I arrived, I had missed most of the Sunday swimmers I knew, Michael was in the water but had left by the time I got in. The temperature was still given as 8.5ºC.

The pool was almost in full sun with a thick layer of leaves on the surface, it was nice to swim through them all. The late season leaves are soft and reflect the light and water beautifully while you swim pulling great handfuls of them down as I made my way through the water.

The wind was whipping the water surface, I love the reflected patterns made. After my usual eighteen lengths I decided to do four more after all I wasn't in any rush to get to work today. I then spent a good 30minutes in the sauna, I had a little shiver to begin with but sat on a low bench and warmed through before leaving.

Go Ape

2011-11-25T05:35:00.000-08:00

Dark clouds were receeding leaving the sky pink striped, I knew it was going to ba a beautiful morning. Friday always seems popular at the Lido and today was no different. Carl was already swimming when I arrived and Kate was still catching up on the gossip before she got in.

I set off at quite a pace, I wanted a bit of sauna time. A good picture of Mr Ape, he has quite a deep leg kick don't you think? I'm sure he'll post his musings later.

The temperature was given as 8.5ºC, with the sun out it felt warmer than yesterday to me. Kate was soon in the water swimming up and down, it was getting quite crowded.

Especially when these three started swimming together. I had to put my skates on to catch up with them.

I stopped at the shallow end to take some pictures, Sue and Iain had split to the right, note the sunlight on the bottom of the pool.

Not far behind Pip was shrouded in a cloud of bubbles. Eighteen lengths was enough, giving me ten minutes in the sauna which was pretty full today.

Swimming burp

2011-11-24T05:09:00.000-08:00

Same time, same place, same swimmers. I know I get a bit repetitive. Perhaps the door colour changes or I see someone new but it isn't always easy to take pictures of people you don't really know. The water is at a temperature where I don't want to hang around too long.

Alfonso joined me after two lengths, but fell back a bit so I had time to snap this picture. It's almost the same picture as I took of him last Thursday! He got out after ten and then Iain joined me for a good race, eighteen in total. Sauna talk moved on to favourite artist, I've always liked The Hunters In The Snow by Bruegel.

A Bear Called Paddington?

2011-11-23T03:14:00.000-08:00

We had been promised sun on the weather forecast but it was misty again. Quite heavy, cold and damp air, the water didn't look too promising when I arrived.

You could barely see to the far end of the pool, we were still allowed to swim lengths though. I was a little later than yesterday and there were a few more people in the pool than usual. The water didn't feel too bad compared with the air temperature.

A little later the sun began to break through the mist, a bit of water on the lens adds to the effect I think. After six lengths swimming I saw Iain set off in his wetsuit anout ten yards before I turned and then five yards closer and Alfonso splashed into the water and raced off. I turned and did my best to catch up. Iain was too far in front but I was soon on pace with Alfonso. Iain rested at the end of his sprint, Alfonso and I went on to do ten lengths together.

Alfonso got out after ten, I think he was late for work. Sue was by now swimming with Iain and I wanted to do two more lengths to make a total of eighteen. I dived to the bottom of the pool when I saw them coming to get this shot.

After they had turned I got this picture of them on their way back and joined them for my final length. Still enough time for a ten minute sauna. Margy was wearing a new metallic blue swimsuit and we were trying to think of our favourite fictional London characters. I always had a soft spot for Paddington Bear although I suppose he was an immigrant from darkest Peru.

A drop in the ocean

2011-11-22T04:13:00.000-08:00

Damp but still mild another early start. Stephanie was just leaving when I arrived and Vince arrived about a minute later. Only one swimmer in the pool (not sure of her name) who got out just as I was getting in. 'There's enough room for two' I told her. Water not yet crystal clear but better than yesterday.

Taken from the depths Vince looks rather small in this shot, he also looks like he has a large white beard. The water was nippy but not too bad, still managed eighteen lengths. Time for a sauna again, a good fifteen minutes to warm back up, lots of chat about channel swimming times. Someone broke the seven hour record this last year but it hasn't been comfirmed yet. Below ten hours is fast and above sixteen you miss the tide and have to stay in for ages, the slowest recorded crossing was an SLSC member who did it in twenty eight hours!

Trying to be artistic I wanted to catch the reflection of the pool in a drop of water from the drawstring of my trunks. Abit more sun would have made a better image no doubt.

Misty monday

2011-11-21T04:49:00.000-08:00

Perhaps not as dramatic as yesterday but the mist was still hanging around this morning. I got to the lido quite early as I was determined to have sauna time today. Perhaps in sympathy the pool water has also gone cloudy, not very good for pictures. Vince was the only other person in the pool when I got in, after he got out I had the whole lido to myself for a few lengths. The water felt heavy and cold almost syrupy, it's strange how it changes with temperature and weather. I felt a satisfying purchase on the water, like shifting large blocks with my arms as I pushed the water out of the way.

Waving through the foggy water it's Sue. I did eighteen lengths and still had time for 15 minutes in the sauna. I was on my own in the sauna to begin with but it soon filled up, always a good place for a chat. Sue had a progress chart for reaching Latvia, as the crow flies it's 1068 miles which is a lot less than the original 1400 mile target. We've done a bout 400 miles so far so we might well make it if the weather holds. Having worn my fleece and coat I was hot by the time I reached work.

Friday on my mind

2011-11-18T02:48:00.000-08:00

The sky is clear before I leave the house, another sunny morning. Cycling south eastish to get to the lido the light is in my eyes most of the way. When I reach the lido though the sun isn't yet above the tree line but it will be soon. The water had dropped again 9ºC today.

Nando and Vince were in the water not long after me. Nando isn't slow but rather than keep swimming he's quite happy to sit in the water between lengths, he had swam seven lengths in about the samw time I did eighteen. There's no way I could just sit in the water for that ammount of time.

Elizabeth was in the water too, I know she's down to four lengths now so I thought I better try and get a picture, here she comes...

Here she is! I really like the reflection in this image and the triple left hand. Again I was too late for a sauna, so just a quick shower and I cycled into work.

Brighter later

2011-11-17T05:54:00.000-08:00

There was that orange glow in the sky this morning that let me know that the sun would break through later. I got to the lido at the same time as Alfonso. He had a bruised knee and hand from crashing his bike on Tuesday, a car had pulled out without looking and he couldn't stop in time.

He was alright to swim though and we set off at a brisk pace, as predicted the sun did come through. I took some pictures and then raced to catch Alfonso up again. Tricky was in the water for a twenty four length swim, we passed him a couple of times perhaps his long shorts are dragging him backwards?

At the shallow end Alfonso just about to turn with Tricky already on a new length, we'll catch him up though! Alfonso got out after twelve, beating me on his last length sprint. I went on to do eighteen. I was too late for a sauna so it was just a quick shower and off to work.

Sauna time

2011-11-16T04:54:00.000-08:00

The sauna was on! Cloudy but not too dull, it didn't look like the sun would come out today and it had been a cold night. Yesterday I'd been fine without a sauna but all I could think of today was getting out of the pool and into the warmth. It's funny how you feel the cold in your mind as much as anything else.

Tricky got in the water about hte same time as me. After a bit Alfonso arrived as well, today he got in the water about twenty yards ahead of me. It was fun chasing after him which took about six lengths. Word of the sauna must have got around, there were many familiar and less familiar faces arriving.

This is a picture of Sue, Chris and Tricky. Yes that really is Chris in the middle amongst all those bubbles. My camera lens has made the line on the bottom of the pool look curved. It would have been churlish not to use the sauna when I got out, it was empty when I went in. A few minutes later and more people came in but by then I had to leave for work, going out into the cold air was a bit of a shock and I didn't really warm up until I started cycling.

Good days sunshine

2011-11-15T04:36:00.000-08:00

Up early, a bright morning. Light cloud was evaporating as I cycled up to the lido, the sun pale yellow behind a veil of cloud as it rose. Johnathan was doing his yoga and I saw Stephanie before she left after another mammouth swim. The sauna was not on despite yesterdays temperature reading but with sun beginning to sparkle on the water that didn't seem to matter, everything's better when the sun shines.

Sue sent me this picture of myself, an instagram she took on her iPod. It has a nice geometry and I like the fact I look like I'm swimming well, one hand really reaching out while the other is way back past my thigh. This is how I feel I always swim but photographic evidence tells me this isn't true.

When the sun shines the reflection on the water of the coloured doors is beautiful. Taken in the pool I seem to have water on the lens, nearly all the leaves are off the trees now.
The water didn't feel too bad and was mostly empty given my early arrival. after 12 lengths Alfonso flung himself into the pool and started racing, I couldn't let him disappear so I immediately gave chase. We raced for six more length before I got out exhausted. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Elizabeth running up and down the side of the lido trying to get some pictures of the action, I wonder if she will post some later on her blog?

After getting out I took this picture across the water into the sun, there were by now quite a few people in the water although they're rather hard to spot. Racing with Alfonso had kept me warm in the water so I didn't miss the still closed sauna at all.

Perfect 10

2011-11-14T03:48:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a lovely sunny autumnal day, I swam at Parliament Hill lido with a couple of friends Gail and Adam that I met on the Swimtrek holiday in Sardinia earlier this year. The water was about 12ºC, as you swam the sunlight bounced off the steel lining of the pool. We stayed in for a half hour no problem, sitting in the sun afterwards to warm up again, it was beautiful.
This morning was a bit of a contrast, dull with drizzle, Tooting lido did not look inviting. The board outside still read 10.5ºC but I could see it hadn't been changed since Friday. I got in to the empty pool alone, it was certainly colder than Parliament Hill, soon after Pip and Vince got in.

Both of them swim without goggles. Vince sticks to the wall but Pip braves the open water. It was too cool to stop for very long. I snapped a couple of shots and got on my way.

Eighteen length were enough. After I'd showered David annouced the emperature for the day, an official 10ºC! I'm not sure if this means we get the sauna tomorrow or not? I'm glad I can still do a mile and not need it but five minutes warmth would be very welcome after swimming.

11/11/11

2011-11-11T03:06:00.000-08:00

Eleventh of the eleventh, 2011. Guess what the water temperature is? Yep, 10.5ºC or 51ºF (verified by David). It's gone down just a little bit, a misty murky morning didn't help, the water looked cold. Turns out it was rather misty under the water too, not sure why it's gone so cloudy?

I set off on my swim just as Stephanie was turning. She's in training for a channel swim next summer and while all around her a dropping their distance she's upping hers. Stephanie did a massive thirty six lengths this morning which is impressive indeed. I managed eighteen, I thought about doing a couple more but decided I'd rather get out, I'm glad I'm still at the mile mark this late in the year.

2012 SLSC Calendar

2011-11-10T03:43:00.000-08:00

I saw the 2012 SLSC calendar this morning, which is now on sale for £8. It's got loads of lido pictures in it taken by Elizabeth, Anthony and Carl among others. Even better it has pictures by me including one of my trunks! you must all buy a copy.

Elizabeth has clearly let the fame go to her head! She was gliding nicely but the delay on my camera in the depths of the pool meant I didn't get the shot until she was breathing.

I don't know this chaps name, he did a lot of running about in the shallow end before swimming a couple of lengths, he's looking directly at me, I wonder what he's thinking? I didn't geta chance to talk to him.

It looks like I took this picture from a step ladder, Margy was turning just as I got out so I took this picture of her pushing off, there must have been a drip on the lens blurring the image. I only swam eighteen this morning.

Still at eleven

2011-11-09T02:49:00.000-08:00

I'm checking the thermometer, is it it a trick? The water refuses to budge hovering around that 11ºC mark. In someways I should be glad, I can still swim twenty two lengths without any discomfort but on a dull wet morning the sauna would be nice too.

The water was quite full today, perhaps we're all trying to get to Latvia? I even had a little collision, my fault. I caught the feet of a woman swimming in front of me, I wasn't looking and although I'd seen her turn I hadn't judged the speed differential very well. Again I had been loking to do eighteen but ended up at twenty two. I spoke to Pip afterwards who had done twenty two yesterday, the difference being with stopping and chatting he'd been in the water about 75 minutes! more than twice as long as me.

Ooops

2011-11-08T08:43:00.000-08:00

I did it again, another twenty two lengths. I didn't feel quite as cold as yesterday but I am going to have to cut down if the weather stays like this. A very murky morning with constant fine drizzle on the cycle up to the lido. I guess it's not as cold as it could be, 11ºC. David told me that the water didn't go down to 10ºC until the 10th November last year so we're not so unusually mild this year.

I wasn't the only one who went 'too far' this morning. Sue ended up doing eighteen lengths including a fast pace one with me. She blamed Chris for taking too long to get into the water. I thought of a cunning way Nick might get the chance to beat me over a length, Sue has better endurence so if he waits until I've raced her for a length and then sets off he could well pip me. I told him this and he said it would be even better if he arranged a twenty two person relay team and he then raced after me on the last length.

Blue Monday

2011-11-07T02:49:00.000-08:00

Green Monday if you're going by doors or grey Monday if you're going by the weather. Blue Monday if we take the temperature into consideration, 11ºC this morning and it felt much colder than last week. The weather hasn't really snapped, I guess it's just been a bit cooler at night and less sunny by day. I arrived about 8am the ligth still gloomy. Kate was eating porridge having already swam. I'd spoken to her yesterday and she had told me that she had to drop Carl at the station at 6.45 and would then go directly to the Lido afterwards.

The water was empty when I got in, the breeze lapping the surface but not too many leaves gathering on the surface. I was soon joined by Elizabeth and Vince. I stopped to take a picture of Vince, perhaps a bit too early not having judged his approching speed that well. It was cold standing in the water and I had to set off again. Later I saw Chris seemingly walk about half a length before he can get his shoulders in the water, Sue set off just as I turned and I had to go full speed to catch her as she caught up with Chris. I had imagined I'd get out at eighteen but when it arrived I thought I should carry on, twenty two in all and quite chilly afterwards, the distance will have to drop his week.

SLSC Vs Serps 2011

2011-11-06T05:26:00.000-08:00

The SLSC website told us that we lost last year in the winter swimming gala against the serpentine. In what was perhaps a technical glitch or maybe a confidence booster It also told us we had already beaten them in 2011. We had a lot to live up to, the Serpentine have a strong team of young swimmers. Alfonso didn't win the butterfly but deserves extra points for style as always.

With the extra confidence of special club trunks (we've really got to get some for the SLSC, I'd buy a pair) the Serps weren't going to give up too easily. Fifteen races with Eggs non-stop innuendo over the pa system, Sid James would have blushed. A carefully fielded team of SLSC swimmers gave us a lot more wins than last year but the competition was close.

I think that's Carl edging a win in the four width relay. I was in two events myself, an under 40's relay and the under 40's freestyle. I didn't win either, I find it difficult to sprint a width. I'm sure I'd have done better over a length or two.

But taking part was great fun. Sue was in the backstroke race, not her favourite stroke. A lot of effort had been made with food and drink to keep all the competitors happy. Chilly and grey with the water a little cooler than Friday the sauna had thankfully been switched on for the day as well.
The final relay was a bit of a disaster for the SLSC, a slow start gave far too much ground to cover and the Serps superior swimmers even lapped us to get double points. In the end though the SLSC website had been correct and we just edged out Serps for a gala win in 2011. Well done to all who took part and helped arrange the event.

Tiny swimmer

2011-11-04T06:14:00.000-07:00

November has been remarkably mild so far, 13ºC was the water temperature this morning which must be some kind of record. I'm enjoying the water a lot right now, I do plan to swim through the winter and when it's like this it seems easy but I know the temperture will plummet, ice and snow adding to the hardship. The weather wasn't much fun today either, grey and wet again.
I arrived rather late and planned on an eighteen length swim. I saw Nick get in the water even though he claims I didn't, I saw him set off at full pelt as well, I tracked him the whole length and yes he is quite fast but at no time was I worried and if he thinks he was only one yard behind me he probably needs his eyes testing too. He made no attempt to race back in the opposite direction.
The rest of the swim was uneventful, I was making good time so did twenty two again anyway.

Margy upped her distance today, playing it safe though she's now on six lengths. I really like this picture (the only one I took today) from the bottom of the pool, the light is good and Margy is looking right down at me.

Here's a close view, really please with this one.

Perfect start to the day

2011-11-03T04:37:00.000-07:00

It's gloomy and grey, raining even as I cycle up to the lido but I feel positive about things this morning. Of course we'll make it to Latvia, and what better way than swimming? Perhaps not everyone shared my enthusiasm because the water's pretty empty, never mind.

Suited Ian is in the water before me and acts as pace setter for my swim. Vince thought I'd been in the water a really long time yesterday (about 35 minutes), he feels the cold much quicker than me, the price you pay for being so skinny. The water has held it's temperature of about 12ºC all week, I'm really getting used to it, refreshing but not too cold yet.

I got this picture of Tom about the same time, the water was filling up a bit as more swimmers arrived.

Alfonso also came for a swim. I really like this picture, left arm stretched right in front and right hand way back to the hip, with hardly a bubble in sight apart from his big square feet. Having reached twenty two again I got out, I think that's plenty for me at this temperature.

After my shower Alfonso had finished his ten length swim but then did a couple of widths of butterfly, he'll get extra points for that on way to Latvia!

Morning sunshine

2011-11-02T04:25:00.000-07:00

A bright sunny morning and still quite mild. Water about 12ºC. Alfonso was getting in the pool as I arrived. I got in the water after he'd done two lengths, avoided a scuttling peter and caught up with him. He's definitely going slower but he swims beautifully smoothly. Not a bubble from his hands.

Ian was wetsuited and in the water a bit later on but was too far ahead to catch today. Next in my sights was Sue and we swam a couple of lengths together before Chris got in. The sunlight in the trees and on the water looked stunning, the wind was picking up a bit blowing the leaves about. The filters weren't on today and all the leaves had gathered at the shallow end which was unusual.

I went on to do another twenty two, but Latvia is still a long way off.

Swimming to Latvia

2011-11-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

The 2012 cold water swimming championships areto be held from January 20-22 in Latvia. The SLSC will of course field a team although I won't be going myself. Latvia is about 1400 miles away, so in the build up to the event we are going to try and swim there. The idea is that we tot up all our lengths and widths in a book kept in the cafe hoping that we make the distance in time. there will be double points for swimming butterfly and on special days like Christmas and New Year. It'll be fun to see how it goes, 1400 miles is quite a long way. 24, 640 lengths or about 305 lengths a day. About eighty people a day swim so if they average four lengths everyday we'll do it but the water will be getting much colder before then.

The good news was that despite the rain and cloud the water was warmer again today, well above 12ºC. Johnathan was swimming when I got in but lack of light made for a bit of a blurry picture. The water was quite full, not sure if people were keen to get to Latvia or just making the most of the water temperature? I had a good swim and soon reached eighteen lengths, at that point Ian set off in his wetsuit. I couldn't resist giving chase but I couldn't catch up with him over a length. On the return leg I tumble turned and raced off but Ian kept pace with me the whole time. I decided to do two more to make it twenty two and dropped the pace a bit for the final lengths, It was fun racing someone so fast.

Nick hasn't been swimming far recently but I got this picture of him following the line across a width, I like the angle of the image even if it's also a bit blurry too.
I've now reached full circle with Quick Dip and can look back at last years archives for comparison. We also had a mild patch at the beginning of November last year with the water about 11ºC, the difference being I only swam twelve lengths! Twenty two in all a personal best for November.

Going up

2011-10-31T03:51:00.000-07:00

In the summer Monday is my favourite for a long swim having had a couple of days rest but in the winter I often find it a bit of a shock to get back into the cold water. This morning was mild and cloudy, so I was quite warm by the time I reached the lido. Elizabeth wanted to take pictures of me getting in from my usual seated dive position, I braced myself for the cold water but there was no need. It's about 12ºC again, certainly gone up since last weeks 10.5ºC or so.

Although it was rather gloomy the difference of the clocks changing was noticable when taking pictures. Still not exactly a fashion shoot but here's Elizabeth in her new suit.

As she passed I turned around and took this shot (and got more light) in which you can see the pattern on the front. Hasn't she got long legs!

This is Sue, Chris is hiding in the background. I went on to do eighteen length and wasn't really at all cold afterwards, hot even by the time I cycled to work.

Time for the October statistics:

In October 2011 the water temperature ranged from 17ºC to 10.5ºC

I swam a total of 548 lengths

Which is 54800 yards, about 31 miles or 50 Km

I did 22 seperate swims

Longest single swim 36 lengths, shortest 18 lengths

Scores on the doors: four blue, five red, six green and seven yellow.

Overall it's been a warm, mild month both in and out of the water. I expect the temperature to fall soon with a lot less distance in November.

Friday feeling

2011-10-28T03:10:00.000-07:00

A mild morning with the sun breaking through overnight clouds. The water was empty when I got in, still getting used to the muffled sounds of my new cap when I swim. I saw more and more people arrive but the water stayed empty while lots of chat was going on by the changing cubicles.

Michael was breaststroking up and down, I love the surface reflections in this shot. It's still a little dark under the water, I hope the clocks changing on Sunday will help with the available light next week.

Gus was swimming before Sue and Chris got in but here they all ended up swimming together. I don't usually see Gus because he swims early but it's half term this week so he has been in the water a bit later.
I went on to do eighteen lengths.
Elizabeth didn't arrive until I had got out so I didn't have the chance to re-shoot her new cossie. Chris having finished his swim took up the challenge, grabbing Elizabeth's camera it was funny to watch him trying to run along in the water to get a shot. I wonder if he got one?

Blurry nice

2011-10-27T05:43:00.000-07:00

A dark cloudy morning I arrived a little later than usual, Elizabeth had just got out of the water and wanted me to take some pictures of her swimming in her new costume. I changed as quick as possible while she waited shivering and took a few shots of her. The looked alright on the camera screen but having seen them on the computer I'm afraid they're all a bit blurry.

Perhaps I went to deep to get the light or maybe I just didn't get the focus in my rush. It's a very nice swimsuit but I'll have to have another go at picturing it.
The water is still only just above 10ºC, I'm sure they're waiting until November at least before the sauna get put on. With my neoprene hat eighteen lengths was no problem.

If you want to get ahead ...

2011-10-26T02:44:00.000-07:00

... get a hat. That's exactly what I did. Tried my new neoprene hat this morning, wore the orange one over the top. My head was much warmer and it made a real difference, no ice cream headache so I could concentrate on the swimming as soon as I got it. It does make my head float a bit more than usual and swimming sounds different because it covers my ears but the benefit in heat retention is worth it.
A wet grey morning but it was clearing up as I reached the pool, being half term there are a few extra swimmers around but it isn't exactly busy. Vince was at the pool with his kids in tow, they weren't going to swim though. The sauna wasn't on and the water temperature is still around 11ºC, I checked with David to make sure they aren't fooling us.

Here's Pip swimming without goggles, I don't know how she finds her way? It's nice having a few more people in the water, spent the first part of my swim chasing Ian in his wetsuit then a couple of lengths catching Sue before Chris joined her. Then after a few photo stops I caught up with a swimmer whose name I don't know, a teacher on half term. Eighteen lengths in total.

A rare sight

2011-10-25T02:45:00.000-07:00

A much milder morning, rain over night but it was beginning to clear up as I reached the pool. A couple of swimmers in the water and Jonathan doing yoga by the waters edge as usual. After yesterday I wasn't sure how far I would swim, I rolled into the water and got going. It's still around 11ºC I think, I didn't check with David though. Jonathan after his yoga got in for a swim, I thought I'd better try and get a picture because he doesn't stay in too long. When I stopped to get the shot being a friendly sort he stopped as well to have a chat! This somewhat ruined the dynamic shot I wanted to get, so I could only capture him as he swam off again.

I went on to do eighteen lengths again and felt absolutly fine today. I made sure my shower was shorter and also had a jumper with me to put on before I cycled to work.
Big excitement surrounding the sauna which was on this morning at about 8.45. When I Margy arrived I told her and she seemed quite cross, it's still too mild for it to be used according to her. If we have any fainters like last year she's worried that DC Leisure will stop us from using it for ever. It took Margy a good ten years battle to be allowed to have the sauna in the first place and she doesn't want us to lose it now. After last years fainters the sauna was switched off until the water temperature reached 8ºC. It's difficult because most of us regulars are aware of how cold it gets and how far we can go but it will only take one person to over do it and we will all suffer if the sauna is closed. Swimming through the winter is more popular than ever and SLSC membership is higher than ever, I'm sure the sauna is a big draw for cold water swimmers.

Too cold

2011-10-24T02:17:00.000-07:00

I saw Michael just getting out of the water as I arrived, Is it warm? I asked and he told me he was feeling the burn having just got out. The board said 11ºC, having not swam since Friday I wasn't sure how far I could go. The pool was empty when I first got in, the water feels like being pinched all over for the first length or so, I got an ice cream headache and the water felt thick and gloopy. The headache passes and the skin numbs a bit and the water didn't seem too bad. Ian who is too skinny has resorted to his wetsuit, he swims much quicker in it and I had a fun length or two catching him up.

Elizabeth, Sue, Vince, David, Margy and some others, the water was filling up. Having done fourteen lengths I decided to carry on to eighteen, I felt okay in the water. As I finished Nick jumped in to the water ready to try and beat me over a length but I was too cold to carry on. A minute later Nick appeared in the showers having only done two widths. After my shower I was feeling quite cold and put on all my clothes, I was feeling a bit shivery I had slightly over done it. A cycle into work soon put me right but I'll be happy when the sauna goes on.

Carl in a twist

2011-10-21T02:32:00.000-07:00

Ever so slightly warmer night, cloudy morning. Saw Giles when I arrived, feeling cold after his swim not having made it in since last week. The board still read 12ºC and without David here who are we to argue? Started off alone in the water again but Vince soon joined me along with Jonathan and Elizabeth.

A deep water shot, slightly blury of Elizabeth. The light plays on the water surface when you're far enough under the water.

Carl arrived and started swimming, I tried to get a shot but he was too fast although I rather like the crop. Mid breath I like the twist from his right arm to his left leg. I swam length seventeen with Sue who was without Chris today. Then with the finishing post in sight I sprinted the last length, eighteen in total.

Catching Alfonso

2011-10-20T02:57:00.000-07:00

The weather has stayed bright sunny and cold. 12ºC on the board but Vince told me the thermometer reads 11ºC, pretty cold I think. No hanging around I got changed and into the water, only Elizabeth was swimming a the time and she then got out so I had the pool to myself for a while. Then I saw Alfonso arrive.

Alfonso didn't wait for me, he just got in and started swimming. I stopped to take a picture as he sped past. I then did my best to catch him up.

Pausing for another picture in deeper water, but this was slowing me down. I gained a little on him each length and after about seven we were neck and neck. On Alfonso's tenth length he sprinted to the end leaving me again, but then he got out. I had done fourteen and wanted to do four more to make it eighteen in total. I had noticed Elizabeth taking pictures around the pool, when I finished my swim she asked 'was that it?' she had wanted to try and catch my tumble turn again. She showed me a funny picture of myself upside down in the water bottom sticking out as I had tried to turn earlier, I expect it'll be on her blog later.

I liked this image, the sun so bright that the doors were reflecting their colours on the white door posts.

Going the distance

2011-10-19T02:51:00.000-07:00

Another bright sunny cold morning, 12ºC was the temperature on the board. At this rate the sauna will be on before you know it. A quiet morning although I was perhaps a little later. Sue had just finished her run and then started her swim with Chris and Jonathan hot on her heels.

After eighteen lengths I got out, quite enough for today. Margy was now swimming and Sue stayed in to catch her up, eventually doing eighteen lengths as well! Spoke to Pip, yesterday I told him I'd done twenty two and he'd gone on to match my distance. The difference being that along with stopping and chatting he'd been in the water for an hour.

Leafy

2011-10-18T02:30:00.000-07:00

Another chilly morning, rain and wind over night had filled the water with leaves again which didn't make it any warmer! The clouds were clearing and the sun was beginning to come through. Not so many swimmers this week and not so long spent in the water. Elizabeth has been taking lots of wonderful pictures for her blog do take a look at them.

Batch swimming through the leaves, his left arm doing it's own thing. He said he's trying to correct it's movement but I caught it going off course here. Swam a great length with Sue before Chris got in, she thanked me for staying with her but I had to speed up to match her pace, if only she could do that for a mile or so. Twenty two chilly lengths again.

The big chill

2011-10-17T02:28:00.000-07:00

Yes, it was a black trunks day. I had left my trusty orange pair at work over the week end. A bright sunny morning after a couple of lovely sunny days but along with all that sun we had clear nights and if my courgette plants were anything to go by a touch of frost in the early hours. 13ºC was the reading on the board when I arrived.

The thermometer in the deep end confirmed this. The deep water stays the warmest though and David freshly back from Croatia took his own reading from the midway point on the pool, a whole degree lower at 12ºC.

I don't know this swimmers name but he's been here most mornings doing many lengths, he must be serious because he keeps a water bottle by the shallow end! Although it was cold I went on to do twenty two lengths. I wonder if the sauna will be on before the 1st of December?

Goggle less

2011-10-14T02:37:00.000-07:00

A bright sunny morning but with it an autumnal nip in the air and a heavy dew on the ground. The board said the water was only 14.5ºC today but Friday was popular as ever with a good crowd swimming up and down. Elizabeth was taking photos in the water as well today, perhaps she'll post some later? She took a shot of me plunging in, I wonder how it came out?
With the water quite full I was swimming between Pip and Vince, neither of them wear goggles. Although they both swim in quite a straight line I had to keep my eyes open to make sure I didn't crash into them.

I like this Vince picture, the arc of bubbles under the water and the the right hand just breaking the surface is good. Althought the water did feel colder today it was nice to stay in because of the sun which was beginning to spill across the pool.

The reflection of the changing cubicles on the water was brilliant, like multi-coloured snakes writhing around. Mixed showers again but that didn't stop Batch stripping off to wash, I haven't seen him move so fast as when Sue called out if it was 'safe' to come in! Tom was looking very cold after his swim, he'd done eighteen lengths in probably around the same time I'd done twenty two. He'd swam with Sue and Chris for a bit but then had to speed up to keep warm, I was telling him how a sprint can make me feel colder afterwards.
Batch had organised a little belated birthday breakfast for Margy who had been ill on the real day but by the time I'd got dressed I had to dash off to work.

Batch on film

2011-10-13T02:14:00.000-07:00

A bit of a murky start, moisture in the air but it wasn't quite raining. Quite early to the lido for a Thursday, saw Elizabeth who was taking pictures for her blog but her battery was running out. The board still says 15.5ºC but I don't think they changed it from yesterday.

John was swimming in his colourful shorts, he seems to be looking directly at me. I try not to distract swimmers but I guess you wonder what's going on when you see someone at the bottom of the pool. After a mile Alfonso turned up so i swam another six lengths with him making it twenty four in total.

I took a short video of Batch, not very well framed. He asked me to have a go to see where he can improve his stroke. We watched it back afterwards, you'll see his left arm seems to go wide making his stroke asymmetric.

Great snakes!

2011-10-12T02:35:00.000-07:00

The monster was out again rolling around the bottom of the pool trailing it's long hose across the water. It's fun to swim over it, if you get the timing right you can just knock it with your hand and swim on, get it wrong and you get all tangled up. The board claimed the water was 15.5ºC. I can't really believe it's gone up since yesterday but it is still mild for time of year. The water was surprisingly full, perhaps they had been inspired by Johnathan who was on Jo Brands program last night? When she came here on March 9th she picked him out as an eccentric and interviewed him.

Tom and Sue swimming through hoops. Spoke to Mandy this morning who also asked if I was willing to swim on November 6th, I hope they don't expect too much from me! Did twenty two lengths in total.

Not winter yet

2011-10-11T02:18:00.000-07:00

I wore winter cycling gear this morning, if anything I was a little too hot by the time I reached the pool. It's not winter yet! Perhaps it was the acclimatisation or maybe the hot cycle ride but the water felt warmer today despite the breeze, the board says 15ºC. The calm of the lido was somewhat broken by a man with a leaf blower, not only was it noisy and ineffective it seemed to blow fumes over the water when I was swimming.

After six lengths I was joined by Alfonso, he went off at a great pace and I had to step up a gear to keep up with him. By length three he'd slowed and I was getting a good lead on him. Did a total of twenty two lengths again and felt I could have done more today. The winter wear was good after the swim and I reached work with toasty hands and feet.

Super glide

2011-10-10T02:31:00.000-07:00

A mild Monday morning, the pool almost empty when I arrived. Then I saw Elizabeth getting in the water. She had asked me on Friday if I caught a picture of her glide as she was breaststroking. I didn't, so I thought today might be the day. Getting in the water felt quite cool, the board said 15ºC but with David on holiday there was no way to check. Elizabeth was swimming freestyle to begin with, her ribs must be a bit better, I think she must have spotted me because on her return she changed to breaststroke, with a beautiful long glide.

I think this captures it quite well, I do love those surface reflections. There's an SLSC Vs Serpentine gala coming up on November 6th, both Pip and Vince asked me if I'd take part I said yes but who knows how cold it'll be by then. Despite my general pace I'm not really a one length racer, I'll do my best though and it's all good fun. I went on to swim twenty two lengths but I think I might be cutting down soon.

Flip flop weather

2011-10-07T05:51:00.000-07:00

It was much cooler today. Yesterday the warm morning had given way to a cold afternoon and evening. I had the heating on this morning for the first time this season. The wind had dropped and the water was just over 15ºC which didn't feel too bad but the ground was cold
The pool had a lot of leaves in it, made it difficult to see at times as they tended to stick to my goggles. The leaves are still quite scratchy, especially when you hit a large pile of them, I like to watch them hanging in the water, yellow and red reflecting the weak sun.
I saw Nick get in the pool but paid no attention, I'd already turned and was continuing at a steady pace. About two thirds of the length later he came rushing by me, I'd spotted him in only just enough time and really had to sprint the last third to finish before him. Nick has a very quick sprint but he did start behind me, he'll have to try something else if he's going to beat me.

Elizabeth shows me her flip flops, I'll have to dig mine out if the weather isn't getting any warmer. Twenty two lengths in all.

Half a pool

2011-10-06T04:32:00.000-07:00

A bright sunny morning, the wind and rain from last night had passed over and it didn't feel as cold as they said it would. The water temperature is about 16ºC now and we were reduced to the winter swimming section of just half the pool and across the shallow end. I like swimming on the trackside and along with all the leaves the water felt quite crowded. Started of pacing myself against a swimmer I didn't know, took me twelve length to pass him. Then swam a few length with Alfonso. Pip and Batch were swimming up and down beside us for a while, I saw Batch wait for our arrival and gave him a little half length race.

Here's Batch in all his rolling glory making his way though the leaves. I think his sroke looks a lot better, he has a good reach and roll but told me he wants to go faster. Next time I'm going to film him to see if there's anything he can improve upon. Twenty two lengths in all.

Polenta cake

2011-10-05T02:34:00.000-07:00

Another grey morning with light drizzle as I made my way up to the lido but it's still warm and the water is hovering about 17ºC which is good. A good turn out with about a dozen in the water when I arrived, I found a spot between Tom and Vince and set off in the leafy water. Sue and Chris started swimming a little bit later and I got this synchronised picture of them, I love the reflection of Sue's pink watch.

As I was getting dried and changed Chris was talking about baking with Wendy and Gail. Their conversation was making me hungry so I told them so. It started because Chris had a hazelnut and grapefruit polenta cake, he gave me a slice which was delicious, I never tasted a cake quite like it, nutty, moist but witha citrus kick at the end. Chris was telling us he's going to be in panto this Christmas - we must all go and see him!

Autumn falls

2011-10-04T02:16:00.000-07:00

A grey morning but still warm. The winter entrance was open today and the lido was surprisingly full, more than a dozen in the water when I arrived. It had been a bit blustery over night and the leaves have begun to fall.

Super quick Nick was pounding up and down the pool, you can see the bubbles left in his wake with each kick. The water was still 17ºC, a large patch of leaves had gathered at the shallow end, it's nice to swim through them and feel them scratch and tickle you as you pass.

Alfonso joined me after eight length and we swam together, when I got a little bit ahead I turned to take this picture, more leaf than Alfonso but I like it. Elizabeth was doing breaststroke still, I'll have to get a picture of her glide. Only twenty two today.

Summer stayed on

2011-10-03T07:27:00.000-07:00

Summer stayed a little later this year, and it's been most welcome. This last week-end was wall to wall sunshine with the air temperature reaching 30ºC. They decided to keep the lido open to the public for an extra two days, probably the busiest week-end of the whole summer. On Sunday I did a twenty two length swim dodging paddlers, plodders, lilos and children. It was fun to have the place so full of life, on recent weeks there's been many the time I was the only person in the water.

The winter season started today, but with more sunshine and the water at 17ºC it was hard to believe it was the 3rd October. I got to the Lido at 8am, despite yesterdays crowds it was just the usual faces swimming. My first sub-aquatic image is of Elizabeth doing breaststroke, not a classic but I like how she's flying through the water. I was hoping to get her with her face underwater as she glided but I missed and then wanted to carry on swimming. Elizabeth cracked a rib a few weeks ago and isn't up to freestyle yet as it's still too painful. She's started running widths across the pool which has started a bit of a new craze but I don't think I'll be joining in. The water is slightly milky, I guess from all the week-ends sun block that has washed into it. I saw David, Jonathan, Vince, Sue, Chris, Pip, Carl and Kate among others. I expect I'll see a lot more of them as the mercury falls. The sauna isn't back on until the water falls below 10ºC or the first of December, whichever comes first. Carl asked about Sardinia and told me he was going to up his distance as the water got colder, I think I'll go the other way. Thirty six lengths was easy without a shiver.

Octopussy

2011-09-24T09:44:00.000-07:00

Just come back from a wonderful week in Sardinia with Swimtrek. Good company, good food and great to have a bit of hot sun and some good long sea swims. The highlight for me was meeting this octopus, apparently they come into shallow water at this time of year to find a mate.

What a beautiful creature, you might notice that it has a leg missing, I wonder how it was lost? It looks amazing when it swims, transforming into a jet propelled streamlined dart, they can move quite quickly if they want to.
The sea temperature was about 23ºC, lovely.
Back up to the lido as soon as possible, it's probably about 16ºC and will take a bit of getting used to.

The bait

2011-08-27T10:47:00.000-07:00

A cool wet week but I swam everyday, twelve kilometres in total (138 lengths). The water temperature is 17ºC and feels just that bit nippy around the toes after a thirty six length swim. The pool itself has been quite empty, a mixture of the rain and people being on holiday. On friday I was swimming along at a gentle pace when I saw Nick, Chris and Vince set off about fifteen yards before I turned. I'm sure Nick had calculated this, he knew I wouldn't be able to resist the bait.
I picked up my pace as I came back down the pool closing in on the small group. By about halfway I was neck and neck with Chris and Vince but Nick was a little way ahead. I had already swam a mile and was tired but put in the effort to catch up with him, He was going very fast and I really had to kick to get close to him. We reached the far end and touched almost simultaneously.
Nick couldn't stop crowing about how he had 'beaten' me. He also claimed that earlier on he had swam a length in the opposite direction to me and finished it before I had completed mine. Nick does have a very fast sprint but I'm happy to race him anytime he likes as long as we start in the same place at the same time, then we'll see who's fastest!

A ray of sunshine

2011-07-22T07:35:00.000-07:00

I am still swimming just not posting. I've done 138 length this week which is pretty good going. Despite all the cloud and rain the water temperature isn't too bad even if it has dipped a bit. This morning saw the first sunny swim in ages but really I don't mind the grey weather keeps the crowds away. I will try and go swimming somewhere more exciting over the summer otherwise roll on autumn and I'll get snapping away again.

Twenty one today!

2011-07-04T02:45:00.000-07:00

Special post for the temperature, 21ºC today (70ºF) a new high for the year. That explains why I had such a wonderful swim this morning, thirty six lengths of bliss. Added to by the fact I didn't make it over on the week-end, too many vegetables to attend to.
In Betty's Newsletter (50p see Tricky) there's a short piece on the June temperature by official 'temperature taker' David. It turns out we had the lowest average June temperature this century at 17.58ºC (63.66ºF). Global warming eh?
I find once the water is over about 16ºC (60ºF) I stop thinking about it too much because I can do a two mile swim without getting cold but 21ºC is nice.

June

2011-06-30T05:33:00.000-07:00

It's all been a bit quiet here. Two wonderful weeks in Greece swimming in the sea and then back to the reality of Tooting Bec lido. June has seen a busy pool, Most mornings I've swum between 22 and 36 length before work. It's hard to remember the cold winter month right now, the water is around 18ºC and I feel as if I could stay in for ever. No real statistics to report, certainly less distance than May. I haven't even kept an eye on the doors this month!

Time for a swim

2011-06-03T02:41:00.000-07:00

As I reached the pool today Alfonso was just getting out of the water, he wanted me to believe he's done forty four lengths. I've not seen him in a while because he had a cold (in May?) and in fact he was just easing himself back into the water with a ten length swim. I set out to do twenty lengths in the little strip of shadow on the track side, clear goggles again much better vision. I used Margy and Tricky as pace setters at first then about length eight I noticed someone waiting for me at the end of the pool. I don't know her name (sorry), Alfonso told her to swim with me and she thought I was a different Alex so it was confusion all round. By about half a length I realised she couldn't keep up with me so I slowed a bit but was still too fast. Alfonso meanwhile was timing us, my two length time averaged 2 minutes 58 seconds making it just over 16 minutes per kilometre or just over 25 minutes per mile which seems about right on a 2km swim.
Saw Carl and Kate as I was getting changed, asked Carl a bit more about Sardinia. The sea was about the same temperature as the lido but Carl is off to Scotland swimming between the western isles next week where it'll be much cooler.
I'm off to Greece on Saturday for a couple of weeks, not just swimming but I'll take some pictures if I get the chance.