The May Swimmer

I'm still a bit behind on writing up recent swim adventures - working through a backblog, you might say. I should take a lesson from Poolside Percy, who documented the May Swimmer thus. The simplicity and elegance are astonishing (I'm not even in it as I was taking the photo).

So, secateurs of succinctity at the ready, I present to you my version of the latest installment of The Swimmer. Massive thank you to Brockwell Icicle Peter for the excellent pics as usual!

Swim #1 - Hampstead Men's Pond

We'll just see about that

Rev. Graham goes ninja

A most wonderful start to the day, water about 15 degrees, soft and silky, under a moody sky bruised with purple-grey clouds (if memory serves).

Then off we trot to...

Swim #2 - Parliament Hill Lido

For more diving spectacles (and floptacles)

Small & Mighty Anna

And look a rare showing of our very own Brockwell Icicle David, opting to cover the 12ish miles of the event on bike rather than running shoe (it's the Brockwell Way):

Icycle

Group shot on Primrose Hill:

Then zoom down to Hyde park for...

Swim #3 - The Serpentine

I've pinched a very cool and atmospheric photo from Anna (thanks Anna!), who as it turns out went to the same secondary school as me: quod suus 'a parum mundi ain't it?

It looks deceptively glam in monochrome - you'd never guess that exiting involves stubbing your toe (EVERY goddamn time) and slithering up a ramp of duck poo would you?

The Interval

CAKE in the Serpentine carpark - and oh my, how Jonathan is spoiling us - not only the fluffiest treacle spice cake ever to emerge from an oven, but also some technically brilliant millionaire's shortbread.

Jackpot

And after a bit of a lie-in, the sun came out to play.

Strong contender for pic of the day:

Three swims and almost 10k into the journey, I'm down to my last cozzie and hastily smoking an energising cigarette before the final furlong to Brockwell.

I fall into step with former school compatriot Anna (who, when I ask if she's training for anything, replies "No not really... oh yes I have signed up for a 60 mile run in July"), Andy (who managed not to fall down this time), and Brockwell Icicle Marc, valiantly battling the Monster of Fatigue who likes to ambush between Battersea and Clapham.

At last we reach our final destination...

Swim #4 - Brockwell Lido

Whereupon Marc and I collapse, spent:

Hitting the deck running

Time to stretch out those hamstrings

Ooooh

Three cheers for Jonathan, back running with us after months of foot injury - hooray!

Then a wonderful soothing swim in my favourite lido in all the world, enjoying a well-earned sit on the shelf in the deep end under a full and benevolent sun.

And finally... to the Lido Cafe for perfectly poached eggs (they never ova do it) and beer.

The April Swimmer

Last Saturday I took part in the May installment of The Swimmer, which reminds me that I haven't written up the April installment - gaah! I can barely remember what happened last week let alone last month, can you? I'm fairly certain some running and some swimming happened, and everyone had a very good time.

Hmm, let's see if the photos can jog my memory... (most are from Peter - thank you Peter! I'm such a crap blogger)

Ah yes! Despite not being able to take part this time, Liz still saw fit to make us a cake and deliver it to me and fellow Icicles Marc and Peter at the gates of Brockwell Park at 6.20am before we departed north.

The ceremonial conferring of the cake

Swimmer Taxi to Hampstead courtesy of organizers Will and Jonathan, and off we hop (about 25 of us), for swim #1 in Hampstead Men's pond.

Where angels fear to tread

Laughing in the face of health & safety, we all lined up along the pontoon and took a leap (as captured by photographer extraordinaire Chris Parsons):

On your marks, get set...

GO!!

 Although apparently Marc didn't get the memo:

High water Marc

Time for a quick change...

No hanging about

...then on to swim #2 at the cool and steely Parliament Hill lido.

Here's me diving with care:

And Simon exiting with camera:

Oh yes! Another highlight last month - two people swimming and running the whole thing in wetsuits! Apparently training for an event that involves running across and swimming between a series of Scandinavian islands (do I sent a Swimmer Swedish in the offing?)

Simon considers the chafing

Me an' my bitches

Off we toddle through Regent's Park, Marylebone, Hyde Park to bring as to swim #3 at the Serpentine, where Jonathan and Marc are quick to laugh in the face of authority:

Meanwhile I unleash my inner tiger:

We also have a rare pic of Peter, looking understandably apprehensive with Marcus in charge of his camera:

BONG!! CAKE O' CLOCK!!

Then the final 10k slog to the Brockwell finish, my legs slightly dying around Battersea... positively creaking by clapham - actually let's not dwell on that.

Glorious sunny swim #4 at my own dear Brockwell lido, featuring an inspired series of underwater pictures by Peter:

And finally... time to refuel at The Lido Cafe: