Thumbs up

The driving rain of the past two days (and nights) has finally stripped the lovely trees leading to the Lido of its leaves...

The weather conditions made cycling quite a struggle this morning ... but there is always an upside to things! firstly I was fairly warm arriving at the pool and secondly although the water temperature has fallen to 7.2 Celsius, being in the water was much more pleasant then being outside!

It was strange to see that the pool was virtually free of leaves (on least on the surface). The wind was so strong that it had blown all the leaves into a corner of the pool!

It's all "cool" for John

The heat is on again

After a morning of "luke warm" sauna which doesn't do much for the body other than keeping it cold :) we got it back in "roasting mood" today! How fab was that!

Nothing better than going back in for a dip (or a 2 widths swim which is what I do) after having been cooked in the sauna :)

Chris is clearly enjoying it!

Even (other) Chris managed to warm up after having swam 10 lengths at 7.7 Celsius

Contrasting styles of tackling the cold water

Malcolm surrounded by leaves

State of emergency declared

Can you imagine planning your entire routine at the Lido around the assurance that you can swim that extra bit longer because you can go and sit in the sauna only to be faced with todays shock announcement : no sauna ?!

well ... that is what happened and with it the state of emergency was officially declared!

However the good news was that the sauna is in good working order it's just that the key was nowhere to be found... ;)

So we had a clear reminder of what it was like before this time last year ... we didn't have the use of the sauna then either ... and we managed .. but hey, amazing what creatures of habit we are!

It also made me think of all the brave early bird swimmers (the 7am lot) who come and do their thing before the sauna is warm enough...

To be fair we miss the sauna so much because it is not only about warming up. The sauna has also taken on a new role. It has also become a wonderful social event. We even take it in turns to think of a topic for the day. Interesting how revealing the conversation can be! It really is a lovely way of getting to know each other better and better.

So today, conversations were held from cubical to cubicle!

Ines and Sue

While Vince couldn't believe not having his meticulously timed recovery and roasting period before heading off to work :)

Rescued

The perfect place for your bike on a day like today!

A day to remember

This time last year a new sport was born and yesterday was its anniversary: The Lido Crawl!

A bunch of us hardened cold water swimmers of the Tooting Bec Lido decided to swim in as many as four open air water holes/pools in London in one morning.

Starting at the Tooting Bec Lido at 7.30 am, and finishing around lunch time in Hampstead.

Some of us were cycling between swims while others drove in convoy.

I was amongst the cycling party... and party it was! After our 2 length of the Tooting Bec Lido (100 yards long) we cycled to the Serpentine Swimming Club to swim there. Next destination, still on our bikes, Parliament Hill Lido in Camden (who gave us a wonderful reception by welcoming us with coffee and cakes) and finally on to the Pond on Hampstead Heath. Not any old pond I have you know: no, the one and only Mens Pond - no women allowed .. well with the exception of us Tooting Bec Belles! And that only once a year when about 20 screeching women (and as many men) who could hardly contain their joy, jumped off the diving board into deliciously refreshing water.

Once the crawl was accomplished, two cyclists pealed off and cycled straight home (in time to watch the rugby on telly!) while the rest of us gathered for lunch at Kenwood House. Fortified we cycled (non stop this time) all the way back to Tooting. Those in cars probably did the same :) and arrived home in a touch fresher and drier than us!

It was such a brilliant day and am already looking forward to mid november 2010!

A long wait at the Serps!

Well worth the wait though

on to Parliament Hill Lido via Regents Canal

Yeahhh we're at Parliament Hill Lido!

Underwater at Parliament Hill

The luxury of a hot shower-who is who?

on to the Mens Pond-ladies first!

Boys will be boys!

Vince the invincible!

Quiz time

Odd things were happening at the Lido today - maybe you can help demystify some of the curious actions...?!

a)Why is Chris running away from Betty?

b)Who has just plunged in to the freezing cold water after having been cooked in the sauna?

c)How on earth has half a pumpkin made its way to the Lido?

d)Whose feet are these? Clue photo follows

e)Putting shoes on or taking them off?

Any ideas? post your replies by using the "leave a comment" button. You may have to become a follower before you can do so - that's easy enough - all you need to do is join google for free. If you already have a google account you can use the same ID and password.

Go on!

Top marks

The word's out : the blogger is on the prowl and today some were out to impress!

First off : Same diver, same photographer (as yesterday) ... but what a difference a day and wearing the "right" swimming trunks - those apparently stay on - make!

Then I saw a pose I'm not as familiar with :) might it be yoga?!

Nick is the performer

Next an unidentifiable swimmer making his way through the leaves!

And finally, best smile of the day belongs to Hilary!

Top marks for all!

Not what you think

Coming to the pool (during summer months) I have often seen two legs sticking out the shallow end and wondered who they might belong to :)

Today, although in the deep end, there they are again ... but all was revealed! The super long legs belong to no other than Egg!

Taking a close look you will agree that the evidence is in the swimming trunks!

Only thing is, today Egg performed a dive and not a hand stand :) and I didn't quite catch him in mid air ..:)

Other than that, business as usual at the Lido! Bettie arrived at her regular time accompanied by husband Bruno!