Skip to main content

Splashing About in the so called Summer

One could be forgiven for wondering what month we are in. It is still August (just) but the weather has been decidedly unstable of late, and I have had several unplanned swims (whilst on two wheels) this week.  This afternoon provided some welcome respite, although time spent on the tennis court was by no means guaranteed. Better still, I swam outdoors today - it was somewhat bracing, but terrifically exhilarating. Whilst still in a swimming pool, I believe I can identify what it is that open water swimmers get off on. Swimming anywhere you are able to see the sky is a truly magnificent experience. I haven't swum al fresco for a while, and this afternoon was a wonderful reminder of the many happy hours I have spent in swimming pools on holidays in warmer climes. Indoor pools will always occupy a special place in my heart (provided they be a minimum of 25m) but there is nothing quite like the liberation to be felt whilst recreating in a lido. The weather and temperature may shortly become rather less accommodating, but whilst the sun continues to make even occasional experiences, there is much to be said for keeping it in the day and taking full advantage every bright day as we move towards the close of our so-called 'summer'.

Outdoor / Open Water / Wild Swimming pages

Other guides to UK Outdoor Swimming Pools
http://www.prstubbs.btinternet.co.uk/lidos.htm

The Time Out Guide to Lidos and Outdoor Swimming Pools in London

Holidays I have yet to plan to pools that look worth the journey...

Close enough for a day trip, the Thermae baths have been rejuvenating swimmers for over 2,000 years (Bath)
The magnificent pool at Gellert (Budapest) is one I have already visited and would happily return to

Wellness in the moutains at The Cambrian, Abeldoben (Switzerland)


Ok, so it's not technically a swimming pool but it looks awesome
Blue Lagoon Geothermal Resort at Grindavik (Iceland)
Take a deep breath
Nemo 33 (Belgium) is the world's deepest pool at 33m / 105ft



The sky's the limit
The SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands (Singapore) boasts spectacular views of the skyline 200m above street level

A truly infinite experience at the Hotel Villa Mahal Infinity Pool (Turkey)
 
A beautiful pool I am unlikely to see (let alone swim in) during this life time at Hearst Castle (California, USA)

The pool on the 23rd floor of the Habour Plaza Hotel (Hong Kong)
Another view of the skyline from the Intercontinental (Hong Kong)
The uber-cool Badeschiff or 'Bathing Ship' is an old container that has been converted into an outdoor pool on the River Spree (Berlin)


I think the overhanging pool on the 10th floor of the Joule Hotel which was designed by Adam D. Tihany in 1927 probably wins the prize for my most coveted swimming experience (Dallas, USA)



Bigger really is better at San Alfonso del Mar the world's largest pool (Chile).  It's dimensions are impressive all by themself: 1,013m (3,324ft) long, 19.77 acres of water pumped from the Pacific

 
The 3 tiered pool at the Amankila Resort is set into a cliffside overlooking the Lombok Strait. 
I'd take to this 41m pool like a fish to water (Bali)


 






 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Table. Apple. Penny.

Whilst there were several places I might have been that morning, I wouldn't have been anywhere else.  The practitioner from the Memory Service arrived promptly.  I liked her instantly.    Mum was nervous.  I think I was a little, too.  It's been a difficult year.   "It's Friday, it's the fourteenth of December and I'm at home..."   No problems there.  CAMCOG, or the Cambridge Cognitive Examination is a thorough assessment tool used to assess the extent of extent of dementia, and to assess the level of cognitive impairment.  The standardised  measure assesses orientation, language, memory, praxis, attention, abstract thinking, perception and calculation.    "Table.  Apple.  Penny."   Three everyday items that were introduced at one point, and then referred to again later on.  Again, Mum was able to recall each.      I am reminded that the...
Post a Comment
Read more

Glass half full? Glass half empty? Or perhaps the glass is broken

I am, constitutionally, a glass half empty gal.  I will always first acknowledge what I don't have, what I have lost, and what it is that I am seeking.  I tend to overlook my strengths, concentrating only on those bits of me that are underdeveloped or weak.  I refer to myself as a realist, but in doing so compliment myself and insult those who genuinely are simply realistic.  My modus operandi is to identify what's not working and acknowledge this before seeing more clearly what functions perfectly well.  This has its place: I edit others' written work pretty well.  My fastidious attention to detail serves me, and the author.  Accuracy counts, for me and I have an excellent memory.  I can remember a great many of my sessions with clients verbatim.  Even this asset is something I can, and do, diminish the true value of, by concentrating on 'I should have said...' or 'why didn't....  occur to me during the session?' Earlier this we...
Post a Comment
Read more

Pausing in the sunshine

And so, chemo is over.  My best friend's diary has been chocker...  Line cleans, blood tests, scans and 18 weekly doses of the gruelling treatment itself.  Summer seems at last to have arrived and with it, we hope, some time, peace and space. She is, we acknowledged over a rather yummy luncheon served to us beneath the beautiful canopy of creepers and climbers at Petersham Nurseries, an inspiration. A small group of us gathered to celebrate her forthcoming marriage.  The sun's rays joined the warmth we all have for this very special woman.  Warmth and, in my case at least, pride. It is the greatest privilege to call this woman my best friend.  She continues to epitomise my understanding of grace.  Our bodies are fragile things.  Our minds are frailer still.  In her composure and wisdom, she possesses an outlook I can only aspire to adopt.  From you, dear Charlotte, I learn and I learn and I learn.   The ...
Post a Comment
Read more