Last of April

A nice Saturday morning swim, at the lido quite early my body clock is all out of sync with these bank holiday weekends. Only a couple of people in the water swimming together quite fast so I waited for them and joined them on the way back, but soon left them behind. Then a chap in a green cap (above) got in who was even faster, one of the first pair who was speedier joined him and they set off, I marked my distance against them and slowly managed to pass them. Then I almost had a bit of a crash, when I had last looked they were a good five metres to my right but now one guy was right in front of me and I had to put out my hand to stop him. I guess neither of us had been looking, but they had drifted to the left as they swam down the pool. Bright and sunny with a cool east wind the water is still 15ºC but felt nicer than yesterday I did twenty two lengths with no sauna afterwards. Elizabeth and Pip were chatting when I got out, Elizabeth said she had been unwell and was wondering if it was the cloudy water that was responsible.

End of the month it's statistics time, not counting the kilometre I did at Brockwell Lido:

In April 2011 the water temperature ranged from 11ºC to 17ºC

I swam a total of 586 lengths

Which is 58600 yards, about 33 miles or 53Km

I did 24 seperate swims

Longest single swim 36 lengths, shortest 22 lengths

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

One less swim than March but almost twice the distance. I think it might be hard to beat this months total when the sauna goes off although twenty two without a sauna is much better than I managed last year.

Royal splash

I went to the pool a little later on this Royal Wedding bank holiday. Alfonso was already swimming with Tom, Margy told me I'd been jilted! I got in the water and took this picture with the intention of joining them, unfortunately their pace was too slow and I didn't want Giles who was speeding along to overtake me. Nick and Johnathan were busy brushing, providing both a human chicane and big clouds in the water so that I had to sight my direction so as not to crash into anyone. Giles left the water before he caught up with me so I didn't have to try and race him. The water was a little cooler again 15ºC, weather overcast with a cool breeze but not as strong as before.  I went on to do twenty two lengths then feeling slightly chilly and with plenty of time to spare I had a twenty minute sauna where I met Kate. It was nearing eleven o'clock when I left the lido and the sun was beginning to come out so I sat on the common and watched the ceremony on my phone before cycling home on the remarkably empty roads.

Cold feet

It looks like the witches parking lot, various brooms and brushes casually left by the water in case you want to scrub. The water was very milky today so I expect a lot of scrubbing has been going on. Cloudy today and cool the wind even colder, I wish I'd worn gloves cycling up to the lido. In contrast the water felt much warmer, I spent six lengths day dreaming up and down the pool when I saw Alfonso. He joined me and we sped up a bit gliding past wetsuiters and head up breast strokers alike. I had quickly done twenty two lengths. No sauna again but I was cold by the time I got to work, especially my hands and feet.

Hose pipe

The hose twisted on the water surface, an obstacle for all swimmers.Weak sunshine this morning and a chilly breeze but not too bad. The difference between air and water wasa little less today, perhaps the pool was cooler but not so much you'd notice.

I swam alone again, funny after last weeks racing with Alfonso but a lot more relaxing.

This chap (Ian?) was racing up and down. Sue, Chris and Nick are in the background.

The sun was lovely on the water reflecting the door, the trees are in full leaf now which makes great backdrop. Twenty two lengths at about 16ºC.

Back to usual

Not sure who the green stripe shorts man is and he's not to easy to identify from this picture either but I had fun swimming against him this morning even though I doubt he realised it. The holidays are over and it was back to usual at the Lido this morning. A grey start to the day with a chilly breeze but the water felt better than ever, it must still be about 17ºC which was probably 5ºC warmer than the air.

The water is much clearer now although there is still some scrubbing to be done. Brian was scrubbing around the mid pool mark so that you suddenly reached a thick fog of debris. I had to be careful not to crash into Nick who was racing up and down with Sue and Chris.

David doing his bit to clean the pool. I swam thirty lengths this morning and skipped the sauna.

Bank Holiday Monday

The second beautiful bank holiday in a row, air not quite as warm as Friday but the water feels wonderful, still at about 17ºC. No shivering and no need for a sauna. Carl and Tricky were just finishing their first swim when I got in, the whole pool was in use today because there were four lifeguards. I swam on the eastern side of the pool for the first time this year, it's usually my favourite in the summer as it tends to be the reserve of speedier swimmers and keeps the shade longest. I did a thirty six length stint and could have done more if I wanted without getting cold. I spotted Carl back in the water for his second swim so I went across and got this picture, not sure who the man in the yellow cap is.

After I had showered and changed Carl Richards had joined them. I got this picture of him pushing off from the deep end. Carl really makes swimming look effortless.

17ºC

After the last couple of hot sunny days it was no surprise to find the water temperature had gone up. 17ºC or 64ºF were posted on the board, despite last nights storm. Swam a quick twenty two, No queueing to get in this morning but quite a few folk around for an Easter swim. Took this picture of Tricky and another swimmer (not sure who it is) who seemed a bit startled to see me. Although the water is much better it's still a bit murky. No need for a sauna, sat in the sun for a few minutes then cycled home.