Cake!

It was another dark damp morning, perhaps a little milder than yesterday. Vince in his wetsuit.

A selfie at the deep end! The water is still around 7.5°C and I did twelve lengths.

Vince without his wetsuit. He thought the water was a little warmer today.

Michael did a few lengths but didn't go to the sauna afterwards.

Sue and Chris swim past, it looks as if Sue is giving Chris a clip around the ear.

Just when I thought the morning couldn't get any better I saw Kate and she told me she had baked a cake! A quick slice (perhaps the name for another blog?) of her delicious vanilla and chocolate marble cake and I rushed off to work.

Retrospective

No new pictures this morning because I was mostly on my own in the water. It was cold about 7.5°C I think. I did a twelve length swim and then headed to the sauna. Meanwhile here's what was happening on this day for the past three years:

This was me in 2010, the water was 9°C but I only did six lengths, I'm not sure why? I was trying out some new reflective goggles before I went on a Swimtrek to Egypt. I didn't take to them, they're tinted too dark, I always use clear goggles now.

In 2011 Stephanie was swimming great distances in preparation of her channel attempt which was successful in 2012. The water was a balmy 10.5°C and I swam eighteen lengths.

In 2012 the water was only 7°C and the sauna wasn't on that day! I only did six lengths but Kate baked an amazing looking Savoy Gateau. Unfortunately I had to leave for work before I got a slice.

Goose down

I wasn't their biggest fan but sadly one of our geese has died. The council have been called to take away the remains. They pair for life and Elizabeth assures me the other one was in mourning.

David confirms it was only 8.5°C today. I had a terrific swim with Richard, no time for photos. After twelve lengths we decided on another two, then another two, and so I went on to do eighteen lengths, a November mile. Richard went even further while I scurried off to the sauna.

Vicarious pleasures

I'm aware of criticism that my blog doesn't change that much. I swim at the same time every day in the same pool and I mostly see the same people. I hope you enjoy vicariously swimming with me. Oh look it's Mr Ape (again).

I swam twelve lengths with Richard, he wanted to go a little further so I then took pictures safe in the knowledge of the sauna waiting for me. It was a mild morning and I perhaps could have gone further. Should I go for a November mile?

Just as I was getting out Alfonso launched himself upon the water quickly catching Richard. I believe it's still around 9°C in the pool. It was only about 7°C this time last year and I was swimming twelve lengths then.

I followed them up the lido and caught them both on their way back before a welcome twenty minutes in the sauna.

Wednesday morning

I'm usually a little later on Wednesday and today was no different. I caught Fred up cycling to the lido and then caught him up again in the water. Richard was already swimming when I got in and he did six more lengths with me before hitting the sauna, I went on to do twelve altogether.

Chris complains that I always take pictures from Sues side, I didn't have much choice with him swimming along the wall. He's taken to staring at the 8.45 before he goes to the sauna so I think he's probably well exposed enough for Tooting.

Pip knows how to pose, she's looking right at me. A gloomy morning the water was about 9°C I believe.

I didn't catch Elizabeth on her swim, by the time I got my camera ready she was out. Post sauna she was diving in for a few more widths so I got my chance for a picture.

Sauna

'It's time to welcome back the sauna', could this be true? I wasn't expecting it on this early despite how cold it felt yesterday. Nick and I ran off to the sauna and opened the door to a welcome blast of heat.

Although the pool was quite empty as I swam the lido was getting busier, word must have got around. It was a bit dark and gloomy for pictures but I swam past Vince on his wetsuitless length and managed to catch him reaching the end of the pool.

My second shot was him swimming off again. I did a twelve length swim and then spent ten glorious minutes in the sauna. The water is about 9.5°C.

Calender

The 2014 SLSC calender is now on sale! The perfect Christmas gift? There's lots of pictures of the past years events and a few composite photos that I've taken of the Lido. Buy it now while stocks last!

 

 In celebration I made a new composite this morning. It was bright and cold the low light streaming across the water. I did a twelve length swim.

The light across the water. It's a time of year for more gossip (when isn't) than swimming. When will the sauna be switched on?

The Stanton Cross in brilliant sunlight.

Elizabeth said 'It must be below 10°C', Pip and Nando agreed. I didn't get confirmation from David but I think they're right.