In early May before the Peterborough Lido opened 'Himself' and I took a holiday in Italy. Unusually for that region (Lake Garda) it was wet and cool. We did manage some sunny warm days, between the rain though. Our hotel had an outdoor pool, I was assured it was still too cold for swimming, 18 degree. too cold, nah, a tad cool maybe. Not daunted, I took the plunge and had a lovely swim in the Italian mountain air.
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| Hotel pool at our hotel in Torbole |
May the 25th eventually arrived. The Opening of our Lido. A ridiculous ceremonial affair with more Council suits than swimmers, all there for the free grub and photo opportunities. No free refreshments from the swimmers though. Nothing new there. Over winter our 75 year old Grade 11 listed pool had major repair work done. Last year water was leaking from the pool at an alarming rate so a fancy new liner had been installed by one of the top Pool Maintenance firm in the country. Looked good. We got in. Mmmm.... not so good. The pool bottom was super slippery. First fault. After about a week we notice some bubbling of the liner. Oh dear. After two week it was worse and the dear little children who braved the cool water had found the faults and as kids do couldn't resist picking at the bubbles.
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| The Lido in it's lovely setting with the Cathedral in the background |
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| Brenda enjoying her first outdoor swim of the season |
One morning a week later I called the new Manager over and asked if the liner was guaranteed. She said yes. Why? so I showed her. That morning several of the maintenince crew turned up with Vivacity Suits all kneeling on the side with their heads inches from the water! The Pool firm was contacted and a few weeks later some remedial work done to get the pool through the season.
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| MY changing cubical for the summer, note the fat swimmy thing! |
It's been a wonderful summer season. The new Management worked hard to make it successful. The newly refurbished cafe worked well. The water temperature has been pleasant through out. There has been the usual few hiccups but mostly we managed to get them sorted. We even managed to get a shower curtain across the second shower. It's only taken about six years of asking. Although it was a door we originally asked for like the first shower. The hot weather did cause the drains to pong slightly but some extra scrubbing by the lifeguards helped sort this problem.
All too some the season came to an end and our End of Lido Annual Picnic came round. 3.30 on the last Sunday its a fixture we don't like missing as some of us only swim outdoors and won't step foot in the indoor pool. We will have a Christmas 'do' to meet up again before next year.
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All of us are regular Lido swimmers, rain or shine, mostly early morning so we get our swim before the kids ( who like to scream 'It's freezing' and their families arrive. The picnic went well after some table shuffling and chair snaffling. We all bring food so their was a goodly selection on the table. As you can see despite our sadness at the end of the season we all enjoyed ourselves and had some good banter.
Ronnie even decided she was going to enjoy the water to the very last, donning her wet costume and going back for a last swim.
My swim this morning in the Indoor Regional Pool. Ugh! Through the doors, the chemical smell hits you. In the changing room, nearly fainted with the heat. In the pool. 31.5 degrees should have bought soap! Not many swimmers at 9am definitely more in the Lido at this time! Swims is exhausting waters too hot. My knee prefers the cooler water that makes it feel more normal. Oh well only another 8 months to a decent swim again. Think positive the exercise keeps me moving.
