Charlton Lido is one of my favourite places. It’s heated so it’s not such a sacrifice in winter and its a big pool – 50m long – so you don’t have to plough up and down as much. One mile here is just over 32 lengths, and the day I went was beautifully sunny. It felt like the summer holidays at a campsite pool in France. This pool is the closest to me and if I could use it to make up more miles toward my hundred it’d be a lot faster.

When you’re swimming outside you really notice the weather and how much it changes. It can be grey and threatening when you start, then halfway through the sun breaks out and the water around you starts shimmering. The sun paints constantly shifting golden rainbow lines on the bottom of the pool and if you look down far enough you can see your own shadow striking through the blue.

The lido is open all year round, although with limited winter opening times, and there are many regulars. It just doesn’t compare to swimming in an indoor pool – its an entirely different experience.

One down, ninety-nine to go…..

You can sponsor me in aid of Alzheimer’s trust at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/swimbonnieswim