22 lengths and only another 95 to go...

...until I've completed my first mile in the pool!
I feel great today. For the first time in two years I went to the swimming pool! Having gulped at the thought of being the same dress size when I reach my 40th birthday next year, I signed up to our local Health Club in celebration of my 39th birthday. I don't think it will be a hardship really, as it is a lovely pool, set in beautiful surroundings.

So last Friday, I embarked on my first visit as a member. I suppose I felt a bit of a fraud really as the only purpose for my visit was to take my friend Norma for a cafe latte in the bar. However, at the same time it could viewed as a familiarisation session, especially for my youngest boy, who kept running up to the window of the swimming pool, distracting the ladies from their aqua-aerobics session.

Today was the official launch of the 21st Century Mummy into the Moreton Hall waters. I kicked myself out of bed at 7.20am, stumbled out of the house to head off to the health club. Being a bit of a prude, there was a huge sense of relief that there was no-one else in changing room. I quickly changed into my brand new swimming costume and ventured forth into the pool, which wasn't too busy at that time of day.

...and it was great!

I managed to reach 22 lengths in no time and would have stayed until I'd reached 30, if it wasn't for having to master the necessary manoeuvres of ducking and diving around the extra people that had arrived for the swimming rush hour. (Hmm, maybe I'll get there a bit earlier tomorrow).

After getting re-clothed, it was refreshing to stop at the bar for a cup of tea and to give myself a pat on the back, before heading back home.

For those who appreciate my personal challenge, take a trip over to the website of the real swim meister, i.e.our local councillor, Hoffy's very successful attempt at swimming the channel to France to raise money for a very worthy cause, our local Hospice. My 22 lengths were literally a drop in the ocean compared to Hoffy's. I think I will spread my challenge out over the 6 weeks of the school holidays, in the comfort of the warm waters of Moreton Hall Health Club before I visit France (by ferry) in August.

(Copyright of photograph belongs to Moreton Hall Health Club)