A First For The Season

Sadly, I couldn't have a swim yesterday as I had to leave @ 7am for a day in Berkshire ...

But I made up for lost grounds today ... not just one swim .. but two ... admittedly with a welcomed sauna interruption! The water felt nippier than it was on tuesday .. rather strange really as the air temperature is still quite mild (for november) - But apparently the water was really cold yesterday too.

Egg striding out ... bottom half already in swimming gear

top half still engrossed in music

Time to check out if the Sauna is really on ...

first signs ... goggles, cap and ear plugs on the decking outside the sauna!

but who does it all belong to? my lens fogged up .... these legs can only belong to Simon of course!

having the sauna on comes with certain duties!

members are invited to clean the sauna every week -

here the rota - put your name down - you can team up if you wish!

instruction on how to do it are displayed outside the sauna-

it's easy to do ... and rewarding!

the view back to the cubicles

the "special forces" are here too

scared ...?!

You don't have to be .. It's Egg performing a great dive

sharing the pool with ...

... Barbara

who has taken to swimming freestyle as well ...

... beautiful and graceful

owner of the "special forces towel" ... performing a "special forces dive"!

Tricky back in action

I love this shot of Tricky - pushing off while looking at me and blowing a trail of bubbles

the sun came out just as I had finished my 4th length - enough - the water had a definite bite to it ... perfect excuse to have my 1st sauna of the season!

and to finish on a high! back in the water for 2 widths (after the sauna) - beautiful!

Chris grabbed my camera ...

Neck To Neck

cycling up to the pool this morning - and seeing the sun under this thin layer of cloud I knew we were in for a treat -

soon after the sun gathered momentum for a dramatic appearance at the pool.

Angus was glowing.. not only because the sun had made it over the tree line and was beaming onto the cubicles ... Angus had just swam 4 lengths in 10 C - Yes, it is 10 C according to David, who would argue with Mr Thermometer himself !?!

Mr. Bubbles was alreday in the pool - oblivious of Alfonso, Alex tumble turned (as usual) while Alfonso jumped in - gaining a head start on Alex ... a fierce race was on the cards!

sill on the same length, Alex is already regaining the upper hand!

end of length one

Alfonso seems to regain a slight advantage thanks to his tumble turn

But Alex doesn't hang around for long .. it's neck to neck again

Alex not realising that Alfonso was in for more (punishment!?!) he stopped while Alfonso was tumble turning!

I didn't follow the two on that length as there was

more fun was to be had - poolside - something must have "cracked up" Chris!

back they are coming ... stroke for stroke

That's better - all together now!

Vince swimming into the sun

Chris getting ready

Erica usually goes for a run before getting in .. not today ... I love the light on the water and the wave Erica seems to create ... the water feels and looks so much heavier when the temperature drops.

my turn to get in and swim 4 glorious lengths - before taking this shot of Fernando

swimming and noticing the reflection of the sun on the water and on the doors, was simply magical!

Fernando setting up camp (under water)

He just doesn't want to (ever) get out of the water!

Oh ... and who on the improvised, unofficial, unintentional (yet serious!) "race"?

Have a guess!

It's For Real

I was a bit later than usual coming to the pool this morning... waves of rumours floated in my direction ... could the water temperature have gone down over night? The air temperature had certainly dropped radically towards the end of yesterday (although yesterday itself was glorious, sunny and warm until about 6pm). Over night and this morning, however, there was a definite nip in the air ... swimmers emerging from the water all thought it had dropped ... suspense ... David lowered the thermometer into the water. And low and behold ... once he took it out (I was right there beside David) there it was : proof, if ever there had to be one:

This time it's for real: I witnessed David take the temperature and here is the official result:

not only 10 C BUT under 10C! Who knows if the sauna will come on tomorrow?! let's see if a promise is a promise?! Not sure how you feel,? but I got so used to not having the sauna on that the thought and prospect of the sauna (finally) coming on has (ever so slightly!) lost it's appeal!

Nurturing a cold Nick had the quickest dip ever this morning - in and out again!

while Fernando dived straight in and stayed in the water for what seemed an eternity ...

Margy at the thought of getting in ... she did get in to do her fair amount of widths walking

Alex still swam 18 lengths this morning

teasing Margy he said: well with the sauna on .... I may have done ...?!?!

while all this banter was going on.... Fernando was still in the pool - he swam a few lengths and was waiting for ....

Ian to come and join him - spot the difference though ...

As I got in Ian suggested Fernando took a photo of me ....

I swam on and Fernando ....

... had a field day with the camera!

.... getting Ian in action ...

and me again ... it was funny seeing Fernando at the bottom to the pool ....

so I ....

... decided to lower myself down ... before swimming on

Sheer Delight And Determination

All I could hear when I arrived at the pool this morning were loud moans and groans coming from the direction of the water! Taking a closer look I spotted a pink cap swimming up towards the deep end ... still muttering .... but now words of excitement, which must have been provoked by the sheer delight of the water (temperature), traveled towards me - Linda!

Linda wasn't swimming alone ...

Amanda swam next to Linda, much keener than Linda

and ready to swim back down towards the shallow end. Both very happy with their decision!

As I walked down towards the shallow end,

Sophie and her gorgeous daughter Norah (love the name!) were on their way out

Norah, playful and very determined to walk.

With her pedigree, Norah will be swimming soon!

As I was about to get in, Batch pushed off on his first length

We swam almost together and after length 2 Batch waited for me

one shot wasn't enough!

we swam another 4 lengths - enough at 51 Fahrenheit - 50.5 C

before getting out I quickly caught Bettie on her 1st length - what an inspiration!

love the arm actions - Fernando's glide and

Richard's shoulder/elbow movement