By the waters of Chester-le-Street

[shewhomust]

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.

Comments

[anef]

Oh noes! I swam a few times there when I was in Durham last year and was looking forward to doing the same in July. Which is a lot less than 5 months away. Grump!

[shewhomust]

I'm afraid so: closure is scheduled from May to October, which the council says is time of fewest admissions. I'm surprised at that, unless you count university swimmers individually, but that's what they say.

But it's good to hear you are returning to Durham - for the classics summer school, I assume? I hope we shall be able to meet up while you are here?

[anef]

Yes, indeed, I have signed up for the summer school, and it would be lovely to meet up again. Michael may also try to come up for a couple of days, and if so it would be nice if you could meet him as well, though the timing may be tricky.

I suppose there may be another pool a bus or train ride away - are there any that you would recommend?

[shewhomust]

It would be lovely to see you both - I hope we can make it work out!

In theory we are exploring the other pools hereabouts, but in practice we havewn't got further than Chester (see above). It's certainly reachable by bus, though you'd have to get the right stop (it's at the far end of the town).