Cooler

It's a while since I had an Elizabeth picture, she seems to swim a little later than me at the moment but she hasn't forgotten how to pose for a great shot.

It was a chilly morning, a faint steam was rising off the water. Amazing, given that the water temperature is about 13°C. Who is that with a mask of bubbles?

It's Fred of course! He got in about the same time as me.

Ian joined us in the water a little later, I think he's much quicker than last year.

The water is crystal clear and the lifeguards have done an amazing job at clearing the leaves.

Sue showed me a copy of the SLSC calender, it has some of my pictures in it! Do buy a copy.

That's me!

Warm if grey weather today, I was joined after a few length by Alfonso. Then I noticed The Aquatic Ape also speeding along parallel to us. After a few more lengths Carl dropped out and got out his camera taking some terrific pictures you can see here.
They look quite dynamic as if we have real speed. It shows how smooth Alfonso's stroke is compared to mine, he barely makes a single bubble. My left arm continues to do that thing of it's own in the catch and it's no wonder Alfonso swallows leaves given that he swims with his mouth open.

No Sun

 Not so sunny today, still warmish though. I like this action shot of Pip racing Batch down the pool.

Gus was in the water before I got in and still in it until just after I got out. Making the most of his half term swimming, he did a mile.

Pip seems to be staring at me in this shot, the shallow end was very cloudy today but there was just enough light for deep end pictures.

I swam eighteen lengths, fourteen with Alfonso. We must have been a bit quicker than Gus.

Pip was joined by Batch and then Johnathan. The water is about 13°C.

Swimming with leaves

Another morning of bright clear skies, the falling leaves filling the water. A warm Autumn day is probably my favourite time for a swim.

The water is getting a little fresh, but eighteen lengths were still possible with out too many shivers.

Chris and Sue in sync, the deep end was still in shadow. he water must be below 14°C now.

Alfonso only joined me for my last two lengths, the pool was quite full due to the weather and half term I guess.

This was an attempt to catch Alfonso tumble turning, all looks a bit splashy to me.

Daylight saving

With the clocks going back it seems much lighter than usual when I reach the pool. It helps that it's sunny and really quite warm still as well.

But we're nearly in November, the leaves are gathering and the water is chilly at 14°C. I manage 18 lengths, the last four with Alfonso.

Windy

A week away in Turkey (I'll do a post on that later) and Autumn has really arrived at Tooting. I did swim yesterday but had no time to post pictures. This morning was bright and breezy, clouds scudding across the skies and leaves falling.

It's still quite warm in the water, about 14°C. Katherine makes her way though the leaves blown in overnight.

Although they have a nice colour the leaves are still quite scratchy and get stuck to my goggles. I did an eighteen length swim.

The carpet of leaves on the poolside were being collected up and put into sacks, a never ending job for this time of year.

Sparkling

 

Almost the opposite of yesterday, a cloudy sky slowly gave way to brilliant sunshine sparkling across the water. I did another 18 lengths, my last before I go to Turkey next week.

The leaves are still falling, I like this yellow one camouflaged against the yellow gutter, I just managed to snap it before it was swept away.