The Monday morning 7am shift at South Lambeth Road - which was a rarity.
For once it was nice not to be awoken by cows, mad birds or even a pair of kittens prodding my chest before 5am.
I was finished by 9am and so cycled off to the lovely lido.
This was a morning where the ride was more enjoyable than the swim.
I was like a kid on Christmas Day morning, rushing down the stairs to be greeted by my Mini Moulton.
Oooohhhhh - she’s a BEAUT.
I need a higher seat pole. The chain needs some LUBE love as well.
Bob - he of Bob’s Bicycles - will see me right.
I felt like Ace Face in Quadrophenia as I pedalled through Brixton en route to Lake Brockwell.
The Moulton is a real head turner. I didn’t ponder on what some of the comments might have been.
It was an overcast morning at the lido. The rest of the Icicles had already buggered off.
The Chancer from last summer was once again holding court. He’s only around for a few weeks, but his presence is heard.
He was barking orders to the lifeguards and generally acting as though he owns the place.
I think The Chancer is a bit bonkers.
The water was warm.
Which is an odd thing to say in a pool that is still hovering around 19 degrees.
There wasn’t much temperature change from 24 hours earlier. An overcast day somehow makes the water seem thicker and a little less harsh on the flesh.
Lido pals: anyone else gets a strange ticking noise underwater today? An electronic watch / counter maybe? Did my nut in #lidolove
— Jason_Cobb (@Jason_Cobb) August 7, 2017
The first five lengths were characterised by a constant underwater ticking sound. It was rhythmic and a little alarming.
I thought that it was my elbow joint for the first few lengths.
I then isolated that it grew louder when a female swimmer past me each time in the adjacent lane.
Ahh - so she was wearing some sort of electronic timing device.
I completed twenty lengths, and then showered under cold water.
Cheers, lovely lido.
I stopped off at the Brixton £ cafe on the journey home. I had a little spare time and fancied a mid-morning coffee.
The ‘pay what you feel is right’ policy is much out of place with the Nu Brixton.
It was most enjoyable.
More work followed in the flat. @RobertElms kept me company.
The Blow Monkeys sounded ACE.
Blow Monkeys. Blimey.
— Jason_Cobb (@Jason_Cobb) August 7, 2017
As was an interview with Norman Jay - someone who is always a delight to listen to.
Yer man Bob and Norman have such a rich history of London clubbing memories to share. The half hour piece starting at 11am is well worth a catch up with.
I ran into a few work tech issues with Safari.
Has there been a major update of late?
It seems so clunky compared to other browsers.
I have to stick with it for a specific work task. But it’s starting to freeze my MacBook Air with an alarming regularity.
A very decent pair of picture framers rocked up shortly after luncheon. They were booked in to clean up the bodge job carried out by the not very handy man a couple of weeks ago.
They did a brilliant job.
The flat is almost complete…
A little more work, and then another free hour.
I cycled over to SE17 on the Moulton to see Bob.
Bob’s yer Uncle, etc.
Chapeau!
A Bandy and Shinty profile piece was a decent read.
"It always comes back to Brian. We make no apologies for it" https://t.co/gqdbgG91T1 Clough Balaclava Militia @drurs2001 #TwoStarsOnTheBadge
— Jason_Cobb (@Jason_Cobb) August 7, 2017
Old Big Head still has the ability to make me laugh and cry when I think back over SO many memories.
And then a final run of work shifts back in the flat, and then, and then…
The bicycle ride over to LS and the train back to *over there.*
Oh dear, oh dear.
I’ll be back in S Ldn before the week is out.