Freezing Frozen Fun

It's been a cold start to December - so cold we've all been muttering about how cold. It also meant the Lido dropped 5 degrees in about 3 hours but the freezing cold swim with the pool to ourselves and the snow (and lifeguard snowman) guiding our way made for a super special swim in the snow.

Getting to the cold Lido was perhaps more an adventure than being in it with the walk from reception to the pool being particularly hazardous. Hasty text messages were sent to say 'Don't slip' and we just about survived but saw a few tumble.

Then it was time to get kitted up and get ready to embrace the water - which at 3.8 degrees was significantly warmer than sitting around waiting for Ruth to get ready.  A bracing slide down the steps was met with complete stillness - no-one else was in the water - this blissful, cold, paradise was mine for a few lengths. The impact of solitude combined with a cold swim can not be overstated - for me it creates a clarity of thought, a sense of ease I find hard to replicate anywhere else. The water was pure blue, with the bright winter sunshine creating ripples and patterns on the pool floor (yes of course I put my head in) and the world melted away (not literally of course as it was -3 degrees). 

It was spectacular - a swim to match all other spectacular swims of 2022. My top list this year (in chronological order) are 1) International Women's Day sunrise swim at Beckenham Place Park, 2) North Sea sunset swim at the Watch House, Blakeney Point and 3) Brockwell Park Lido at 3.8degrees with snow and sun.  What a swimming year it has been - bring it on 2023.