A Monday morning swim in the healing waters of the Serpentine to start the new week. My cycling route from Sunny Stockwell over to Hyde Park is almost as enjoyable as the swim.
I cross at Vauxhall, along with a peloton of other 7am cyclists. A sharp right down Regency Street and the wonderful Regency Cafe. A quick wave to C4 at Horseferry, past the market stalls of Scrutton Ground as they are setting up for the morning.
Then it’s best cycling behaviour along Broadway and Scotland Yard, a cut through at Queen Anne’s Gate. Birdcage Walk takes me to the Palace. A flick of the V’s, and then I climb Constitution Hill.
It’s around here where the cycling masses start to form. It’s also around here where I remember watching the 2007 time trial for Le Grand Depart.
Wellington Arch has cyclists 10, 20 deep at this time of the morning. Somehow we snake through, all finding our own path. I hit Hyde Park, and I’m away.
I shared the park path this morning with a dude riding a gocycle g4, as well as half a dozen horses.
Destination Serpentine was reached. The lake was quiet for a Monday morning. I entered the water as the only swimmer in the lido section. My company for the first ten minutes was the lakeside geese.
The water had a warm current running over my body. It was actually warmer in the water than out. I aimed for four circuits. I played it cautious, and called time after three.
It’s a different swimming experience compared to Lake Brockwell. The Serpentine is more about wellbeing shit, whereas Brockwell for me is for fitness.
I may return back to Brockwell, but only if the sums stack up. I can’t justify the £300+ membership fee right now. The nominal £20 Serpentine membership is a steal.
The above route was ridden back in reverse to get me back in the flat in time for the morning work shifts.
Album of the Day: Sonic Youth - Sister
This kicked the shit out of Monday morning. Who needs traditional song structures, or even melodies? Spiky.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
My new mantra is Always Be Charging. ABC.
MacBooks, iPhone, Apple Watch, Garmin, camera, erm. Dyson. You name it. I’ve got it plugged in.
I’ve also added to this Alway Be Brewing. ABB. I’ve polished off a box cheapo Lidl teabags in no time.
Work tools were downed, and out went the shout of: To The Oval!
It was Day 2 of the ‘rrey at home to the Essex Slappers. It was also School Day in SE11.
Hundreds of primary and secondary kids from across S Ldn had descended on the old ground for a cricketing jolly away from the classroom.
Good on them. Good on Surrey.
I positioned myself towards the front of the Peter May for the morning session. There was a late morning burst of rays in the best sun trap in S Ldn. Make hay, Jase.
Luncheon came. The usual invitation to politely walk around the outfield was put on hold. I wonder why?
This didn’t stop one enthusiastic young school kid from breaking free and making a run for the wicket. I think SEN might have been involved. A supportive teacher stopped her. No harm done.
I moved to the top of the Galadari for the start of the afternoon session and my FAVE seat in the entire ground. But it was bloody windy up there, even wearing a winter body warmer. I retreated to the warmth of the Long Room for half an hour or so.
There is such a sense of history in here. One of The Oval tours rocked up. I learnt a little from listening to the excellent tour guide.
I then had a quick scroll through my Surrey feed and OH BOLLOCKS. The Horrid Hundred was being plugged.
One step up, two steps back, Surrey. Please don’t pollute my feed.
Out in the middle and the game is set up teasingly for a top of the table clash. Surrey have the slight upper hand, but there’s still potentially more twists and jeopardy over the next two days.
I made the strategic decision to leave at tea. I was tired and had some early evening work shifts.
Le Tour and football nonsense were the entertainment for the evening in the flat.
VIVE Le Tour. Always.