It has been quite a week this week, what with one thing and another. Firstly, I spent a delicious weekend with Sean where, by some bizzare circumstance we listened to flamenco guitar and beat poets in the heart of St Luke's parish. I know..weird! Anyway, after my Monday night swim I joined a public meeting about Streatham Leisure Centre. In true Paul Vale fashion, it consisted of myself, three officials from the council and somebody I once went on a date with - nuff said. Without wishing to dwell on the subject too much, the pool has closed until further notice and I am now swimming in Clapham.
I was rather perturbed at going to a new pool. I have been swimming in Streatham for about 6 years now and although I am a member Swim London, and therefore can swim in over 40 pools throughout London, I have only really been to Streatham or Oasis. I guess going to Oasis, with all its beautiful men and outrageous bodies, has made it easier for me to go somewhere new; meaning if I can go there, I can go anywhere.
Anyway, Clapham LC Swimming Pool is really good. I leave home about 20 minutes earlier to get there at 7.00am. It's fairly empty till later and contains three equal lanes, including a fast lane. The water never appears to be too warm and after swimming 5 miles in the latter half of the week there, I am feeling a good deal more relaxed - I think it's due to the fact that the lane is wide and we have plenty of room. I have even reached the point where 2 miles in the morning - before going to work, might not be impossible.
It's early days, but it may be that I make a change for good. Sad, but much more practical.
Glad to hear Clapham suits you,Paul.
ReplyDeleteBrixton is crowded,dirty(visibility 5m),too warm,too short(25m),needs frequent changes of pace for overtaking, and head-on collisions with Sunday swimmers are not uncommon (figure of speech:litotes/meiosis).
On my second day back at Brix, a good friend, one of the regular daily swimmers died of a heart attack on his way to the pool, which hasn't lightened the general mood (litotes again).
Natatorially, John Silver
Hello John.
ReplyDeleteOh dear - sounds dreadfull. Is there no way you can get to Clapham in the morning. It's not very busy at all. I met Nick there this morning, which was really funny. I am glad that I am not loosing touch with all the swimmers. God knows what John, Brendon and Frank do of a morning. They need the routine in their lives even more than I do! Well take care. I am sorry to hear about your friend, and it's nice to see that you are still reading the blog.