Returning to the Pool: Baby Steps

[commonpeople1]

Baby swim, a photo by Eythor on Flickr.

I went swimming today and it was just as good as last week. 1pm on Sundays are the ideal time: lessons are finished and extra lanes are opened for free swimming; however, most people are either hung over or sleeping in, so the lanes tend to be empty!

I was spoiled when I learned to swim in Brasil. I was taught in an Olympic pool that was pristine and well-tended, with round-the-clock coaches happy to give you exercises and tips. You always had a lane to yourself.

Here in the UK, on the other hand, you have to share lanes usually with about 4 other people (optimistic outlook.) And at least 2 of them are in the wrong lane (should be in a slower one.) Plus, the pools are quite grim (just ask steer about the one we use in Bethnal Green) and the pool staff couldn't care less. I actually think most can't even swim - would hate to put my life in their hands if I suddenly had a cramp and sunk to the bottom...

But whatever... I have this hour on Sundays and I will try to stick to it. Feels good to let my thoughts wander and just go and go and go.

My boyfriend is currently in the kitchen, making cookies. In 11 minutes I'm going to embark on an hour-long writing session.

Comments

[rockingthemike.livejournal.com]

mmmm, cookies... i now have the impulse to do some baking.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Do it! I've just gobbled two down and now I'm finishing off a cup of tea. :-)

[rockingthemike.livejournal.com]

i think i'll make up some peanut butter cookies when i get home from the gym. ;)

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

I always find it incredible that anyone not born in this country would choose to live here.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Like all countries, it's not all bad - in fact, it's much much better here for a gay man than in Brasil! But when I moved here I had no idea how it was going to be. I had my childhood experiences of visiting my dad's family in Birmingham, and popular culture as a general background, but the small details of life I could only apprehend once I started living in London. I was meant to only live here for a year and return to Canada, but 12 years later...

[steer.livejournal.com]

Heh... we do our best to clean the Bethnal green pool.

Pretty sure that UK pools will only allow life saver trained staff to be on shore cover as it's a legal responsibility... (in fact stupidly when we're diving they make us have one of our people on watch two because apparently if there is swimming AND scuba it requires two -- even though it's a pool full of people who are rescue trained).

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I'm sure they are all trained... but I still don't trust them all! York Hall is so sloppy in other areas (like cleanliness for example) that it wouldn't surprise me if their staff were poorly trained for things like that.

[steer.livejournal.com]

Yes... you're right there. They are just a bit dodgy and low rent in other ways but I'd bet they're 100% sure of their lifesaver skills because that's the sort of thing that can get you shut down.

[zenithed.livejournal.com]

Crikey, 60 lengths, good work. I always get bored before that point, but suspect having a clear run and not having to idle behind a queue of slow people would help.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Yup, I had a whole lane to myself! It was great - I just disappeared into the exercise and before I knew it I was done. When I have to share with others, I get frustrated and sometimes leave earlier.