This week my work took me to London. Unfortunately there would not be time for my normal pre-work swim. My local pool opens at 6am, and I was catching the 05.50something train to the Big Smoke – rather incompatible timings. Instead of making my excuses about not being able to swim, I planned ahead and did my research. I consulted tube maps and bus routes, and armed myself with the necessary knowledge to make a trip to London Fields Lido. It was a beautiful day when I left Oxford, and a sunny day when I arrived in London.

After I’d finished my work for the day, I boarded the bus to the lido, and in the distance, I watched big grey clouds gather. I hoped for a quick shower, ideally while I was still in the confines of a warm bus. The clouds kept gathering. I leapt off the bus, and made my way towards the lido. The sky was now looking rather black. A few spots of rain fell – no biggie. I kept up a good walking pace but then thought to myself “What’s a little bit of rain when swimming? I’m already going to be wet in the pool, so what’s a shower of rain in the overall scheme of things? Nadda.”

Just as I was about to enter London Fields Park, I heard was a loud crack. The heavens opened and rain came pouring down. I sheltered under a bridge, hoping the rain would stop. Except, then there was lightning… and hail. A few more rolls of thunder and I considered my options. I’m no metrologist, but I understand that swimming in open water during thunderstorms is generally frowned upon. I don’t think the health and safety bods are keen on swimmers being electrocuted, and though I’m dedicated to the cause, even I draw the line there.

Along with a few pigeons, I carried on sheltering under the bridge. The rain eased and I made my way back to the station. Alas! My towel was damp from the rain, but not from my swim.