Jumping

As I arrived this morning Stephanie was about to do her post sauna dive, I quickly grabbed my camera to get a picture. Pip was already in the water, 'I've beaten you today' she said. I changed quickly and got in.

A little bit colder but the sun was shining so it didn't matter too much, around 6ºC I think. here's Pip completing her swim, I could see her smile at me when saw me underwater. I went on to do twelve lengths, my hands getting really quite cold. Elizabeth had been waiting to get a picture of my tumble turn underwater, unfortunately I stopped. See what she did capture and other imges from this morning here. I rushed off to the sauna.

After the sauna, where amongst other things we were making up lyrics for a Tooting Bec Lido song,  Elizabeth said she was going to leap back in the water. I lay on the ground and got ready, I wanted to capture the hight she jumped. I liked the image but she was more of a silhouette than anticipated.

Elizabeth gamely said she'd leap again so I could take the picture from the other side. Which one do you prefer?

Racing

The wind has changed direction, south westerly I guess it was hard work just cycling to the lido and I was worn out and a little late by the time I arrived. The good thing about being later was I got to swim with different people! Sue was watching me take this picture as she swam by.

A really good reach, Sue's powering along. I then did my best to start catching her up. At the end of length six I saw wetsuited Ian set off about five yards ahead of me, this was a challenge. He's so quick in the suit I couldn't catch him on his first length. By the second we were neck and neck and in pursuit of Sue who was doing her best to stay ahead. Sue dropped back after the length but Ian was tumble turning and racing off again, I finished my twelve length swim trying to keep up with him. My lungs felt like they might burst by the end. Ian said he was glad I got out because he didn't think he could keep that pace up much longer. It's always good to swim with someone who has similar pace.

I didn't have a chance to get an Ian picture but here's his wetsuit hanging up to dry. It was good to have my first race of the year. The water was down to about 6ºC but the extra effort kept me warm and recovery in the suana was quick.

Six down

It was a dull grey morning but at least yesterdays wind had dropped, so had the water temperature. It was about 6.5ºC today, knowing how I over did it yesterday I was planning a shorter swim. Jonathan joined me on the first length and I got the picture of him swimming in the murky water. I went on to do twelve lengths and decided that was enough, six down on my previous swim.

Cubicle six is appropriately blue. Cold but not not as frozen as yesterday I made my way to the sauna. It had been an enjoyable swim despite the cold and recovery was much quicker having done less distance. Jason Flemyng swam today, in the sauna he told us he'd been filming in a new adaptation of Dickens' 'Great Expectations' with David Walliams who's Thames swim is televised on Thursday at 9pm on BBC1.

There was still quite a crowd in the water after my sauna but the cloudy water made it difficult to catch them. That's Pip, Ian and I think Kevin swimming out there somewhere.

Nando was lagging behind them, I like the reflections of the line despite the murky water in this shot. Elizabeth took photos of the morning's action as well, you can see them here. Kate has commented that they flushed out the pump pipes yeaterday, so I guess that's why it's so cloudy.

Too far, too cold

The overnight rain and cloud had been blown away leaving a cold sunny morning with a brisk northery wind. The water was still 7ºC so I thought I'd match yesterdays mile. Vince and Elizabeth joined me in the water. Vince relaxes into his swim, no goggles, eyes closed. Blossom as well as leaves had been blown into the water. Elizabeth had borrowed the pink cap from Margy when she realised she had left one of hers at home. See her post of the day here.

 I carried on swimming after Vince and Elizabeth had finished. The wind was cold on my wet hands and later my head was feeling cold as well. Eighteen was much tougher today depite the water temperature being almost the same. I wasn't that quick at about 30minutes for 1800 yards. I was glad to reach the sauna and spent a good twenty minutes getting warm again. I might have to cut back on the distance tomorrow.

A quick picture of Nadine and Nando swimming together. Lost in Translation moment: Nadine asked Nando, 'Are you going to do an ass bomb?'.

Mad March mile

It didn't look too promising, after a wet cycle to the lido the drizzle gave way to rain and the skies went a darker shade of grey. On the plus side the water was still 7ºC! I got changed ready to brave the empty pool.

The racing crowd had all but left. Margy came to show off her new hat. Someone had made it for her based on the cubicle doors. She wears it well!

South London Press had published our leap from the 29th, Balmy or barmy? was their description of us. Getting in the pool I'll argue for balmy, it felt good to be in the water and out of the rain. I was the only one in the pool for most of my swim, reaching twelve lengths I thought I could do a few more. Fourteen, Sixteen, I might as well go for the mile.

Eighteen lengths, my longest lido swim so far this year. The sauna was welcome but I didn't even have a shiver. I find it easier to go further on Sunday swims when I'm not in a rush. Nando popped his head in the sauna and told me he'd saved a piece of his hazelnut/coconut cake for me. It was delicious, thanks Nando!

Misty March

A misty but mild morning, they say the weather will change for the worse ths weekend, so I was glad to completed my first 5km+ week of swimming. Pip and Jonathan were in the water slightly after me so I got this sanp of their synchronised swim.

I tried a second picture but my flash went off I think, perhaps that's why Pip looks surprised? I continued on my twelve length swim. I could see Elizabeth taking pictures which she will post here later, I hope. The water seemed about the same as yesterday, around 7.5ºC I think. Twelve was enough for me. Ian hopped into the water in his wetsuit on my final length, I think he wanted a race but I had had enough.

A post sauna picture of Hilary swimming far out in the water (she always swims in the middle) with the doors reflected back in at the top. This picture really needs to be bigger so you can see it.

Mild March

A beautiful sunny start to the day, it's so nice to swim through the light infused water. Swirls of light running through the water bouncing colour off the doors creating a mesmerising effect.

I was a little earlier than usual so got to see some different faces in the water. Jonathan, Vince, Hilary, Michael and Sangeeta to name but a few.

I only did twelve lengths stopping a few times for pictures but a March mile must surely be on the cards while this weather holds. There was a fashion shoot going on at the top of the pool, they didn't really have to fake the summer vibe given the light this morning.

7.5ºC really feels so much warmer. I know in reality that's quite cold and I was glad to get into the sauna. Sangeeta doesn't do the sauna, she must be very hardy.