Rare sightings

The camera was turned on me this morning, Elizabeth tried to catch me as I reached the shallow end.

Gus had time for a dip before joining the teachers march.

The sun came out and I caught this image of Pip which I really like.

I think Nick has given up on actually getting into the water, he swims on dry land now.

I did a twelve length swim, not sure what temperature we are at but it's tinglingly cold.

Guess who?

I did a fourteen length swim with Richard this morning. Wearing my neoprene hat made a big difference, I'm told David made it 10.5°C yesterday. It was clear and bright but the sun hadn't reached the water while I was swimming. I took the pictures below after I got out, hands in the water to grab an image. Who are these three swimmers?

Coming in at an angle who could this be? Click on the image to see it bigger.

Not so clear but the trademark bubbles might give away the identity of swimmer two.

This one is easy to anyone who's looked at my blog more than a few times, I love the reflection.

Sink or swim

It was decidedly chillier this morning, I got a real head freeze on the first length and will be wearing my neoprene hat tomorrow. Not sure what the temperature is but I'd say around 11°C.

The first two pictures are Elizabeth, there weren't that many people in the water today. The rain has stopped but it was overcast and damp.

Sue R came by next. She tried to swim down to say hello but by that point I needed to surface for air.

Elizabeth again, confusingly they both wore pink swim caps this morning.

See what I mean? I've become quite skilled at sinking to the bottom of the pool to take pictures.

Nicky and Sue R asked me how I did it. Breathing out as I dive down I can then lie on the bottom of the pool. They then both tried to have a go.

Try as she might Nicky doesn't get that sinking feeling.

Fourteen lengths was plenty and I was quite chilly when I got out, more warm clothes needed this week.

Scratchy leaves

A blustery night has blown the first fall of leaves into the water. The lifeguards now have the never ending task of keeping the water as clear as possible. I love swimming through the scratchy leaves.

The sun was bright but didn't feel warm, the edge taken off by the cold breeze. It felt better in the water and I swam eighteen lengths with Richard.

Official temperature taker David during his swim, not sure what Nick is doing in the background? The water was down to 12°C today.

Golden days

A Beautiful morning for a swim, perhaps the last warm morning this autumn? Richard was already in the water so I joined him. We powered up and down the very edge of the swimming area, the pool was quite full.

The sun had bought everybody out and really felt quite warm when it was on your back. Swimming on the track side the sunlight was only just reaching the common side by about 8.30. You can see the reflections behind Elizabeth.

The golden light reflected off the lockers onto the water, the leaves on the trees behind beginning to colour. I didn't catch David's official temperature taking but it must be about the 14°C the lifeguards claim it is.

Richard sped off while I took pictures, you can see how powerful his kick is. We had done sixteen lengths together and I did another two while taking photos.

Elizabeth was just reaching the shallow end as I got out and I got this great image by luck more than anything.

Champagne mist

A misty Monday morning. the was quite cool, colder than the water I think. Tricky and Sue R had finished their swim and Kate was off for a run before she got in the water.

An almost empty pool when I got in. The water good and clear, Vince steaming up and down in his wetsuit, I love the angle of his hand entering the water.

A few lengths later and I could tell someone was gaining on me in the water, it was Margy. I had to race back to the shallow end and get my camera to get this shot.

Another of Vince suspended in the water, he finishes his swim with a few non wetsuit lengths, he finds the difference in buoyancy really noticeable.

This seems to have been left behind from Saturday's Macmillan charity swim. Everyone who took part deserves a glass of bubbly. I didn't catch the official temperature this morning but it's at least as warm as Friday I think. I did another eighteen lengths.

Dive in

Have you ever tried a 'selfie' when diving? it isn't easy to catch the right moment. I think this was the best of the half dozen or so shots I took this morning. It was mild, the drizzle had stopped but it was still overcast.

Chris complained that I always take a picture with Sue in front of him so to make up for it I moved to the other side to get this shot, between my continued diving.

A bigger splash! A bit too early this time. The water was 13.5°C and I did eighteen lengths.

Okay then, one more dive.