 |
| From a poem by Keeley Mills. |
Words from a poem by Keeley Mills applied to the entrance way to our Lido. Lido an Italian word for bathing beach. Which ever way you say it it still means to me a blissful half hour or more immersed in my own private world of thoughts and ideas. The only interruptions are my fellow swimmers with their cheerful ‘morning’ greeting. It’s especially enjoyable this year. State of the art new boilers in the 80 year old boiler house means pleasantly warm waters in the pool.
Sliding into the water at just gone 9am. The Cathedral bell have stopped ringing but the birds chirp away. The gentle hum of the City traffic fades as you dip your head under the blue waters. A golden Walter swings slowly as the breeze hits him on his perch on the top of the clock tower. Not too hot and not too cold but just right for relaxing mindful swimming. even the rain docent faze us.
All through the grey winter mornings we trudge to the indoor pool. The changing rooms are brightly lit with electric lights. But. No windows. No fresh air. Just the stale dank moist air swirled about by the corridor door constantly opening. Through the shower area with it’s slippery shampoo greased floor to the pool. Turning the corner, into the pool area, the stuffy chemically loaded over heated air hit you full in the face. This hall of a room is also lit by a glare of artificial lights. There is some daylight from the domed roof glazing but not enough, and the tree shaded window wall boarders the diving pit ares let’s in some more. But we swim dreaming of the last weekend in May when the Lido opens its metal gates once more.
Last Friday at 11am we plunged into the welcoming open air waters. A pre season swim arranged especially for our newly formed 'Friends of the Lido' group. Some more active members had been helping The lido staff prepare the winter damaged buildings ready for the opening day. I had been busy over winter creating a web page to keep members and non members up to date. Swim over we sat in the sunshine with chips and a bacon butties from the cafe putting the world to rights. To start this season I've invested in a new bright pink swim towel. one that dries you quickly, two new swimsuits, new goggles and a pair of comfortable pool shoes. It promises to be a wonderful season swimming.
