By the waters of Chester-le-Street

Durham swimming pool is now closed for repairs. I can't complain: or rather, I have complained so much about how long it was taking to start repairing the damage - caused two years ago, allegedly by a diving club dropping an oxygen cylinder - that I can't in all fairness complain now that they are finally getting to work on it. It is scheduled to take five months, the damage being more fundamental than the few cracked tiles we were aware of (this is also the explanation offered for the delay: lawyers were involved).

Meanwhile, our season tickets entitle us to swim at any of County Durham's pools. Yesterday we took the line of least resistance and went to Chester-le-Street, where once long ago we were regular early morning swimmers. The changing rooms have been remodeled since then: unisex changing area, bright lights, large, wet and slippery floor surface between the showers. Once you make it through to the pool, it feels very familiar, and on a wet Wednesday was much quieter than the City pool. I could live without the radio playing constantly, but if I have to, I can live with it.

Set the controls for the heart of the sun

It was 50 years ago today:

Friday May 9, 1969: Bandstand, Parliament Hill Fields, Hampstead Heath, London - Pretty Things, Musica Electronica Viva, Pete Brown and his Battered Ornaments, Jody Grind, Pink Floyd, Roy Harper

Concert review