This was one of the lidos in Janet’s book, which was listed as defunct. It was opened in 1935 with the usual classic art deco design of the time. It closed in 2000 and I guess many thought that it would never open again. However, with a great deal of local initiative and 2 million pounds worth of refurbishment, the pool as risen like phoenix from the ashes. It was reopened last year and I gather 23,000 people used it which is most impressive when you consider the summer we had. The pool is magnificent and the detail is amazing. Even the surrounds were made of soft child friendly material. At the shallow end were some water guns that the kids could have water fights with. The plastic pool liner will serve its purpose very well. The whole place looked sparkly and clean. Even on a rather damp afternoon, there were enough people there to make you think that the this had the support of the local community.
We completed our mile (48 lengths) in good time and prepared for the long drive back to Dorset. The pool staff were super, wishing us well for the rest of our challenge. As Dave steered us down the M5, we both reflected on another magical few days when we able to briefly revisit our youth and meet human nature and generosity at its best.

I had managed to speak to my daughter Samantha before our first swim of the day at Market Drayton. She would bring our grandchildren, Danny and Evie over to Highly Pool for a swim and to meet up. I had estimated that it would be around 12 noon when we would arrive and we were only a few minutes late. Again, we were greeted by very friendly staff who warmed to our cause. The pool is attached to a school and beautifully maintained. It was fully tiled and had a grassed area where people could sit and picnic. However, for such a good facility, it didn’t seem very well used. We were in the half term break but there did seem many patrons about. We wondered why? We completed our mile, 64 lengths in our usual time, 25 minutes for Dave and around 28 minutes for me. We then had a lunch in the café with Samantha and the kids. As we were leaving, Evie managed to scatter her dolly babies all over the floor and was insisting that they were all perfectly edible, Well, when you are four, why not not?

After our last lido the previous day we found accommodation at the Stafford Court Hotel for the night. I had rung ahead and Rob had promised us a lane to ourselves at 7.30am. Unfortunately, he had misheard me and thought we wanted to swim in the indoor pool and not the outdoor one attached to the leisure centre. When we arrived at the pool, the lady supervisor was very helpful but could not provide us with the necessary lifeguard at that time. We made a quick revision of our plan deciding to go back to our hotel and eat a hearty breakfast. We were promised that we could swim at 10am instead and she was true to her word providing the lifeguard especially for us. I know I keep saying it but we have met some wonderful people on our travels. The pool was again what you might call freeform so we decided to swim our customary half hour.

We now embarked on a 2 ½ hour journey across the country into Leicestershire and to the pool at Asby-del-la-Zouch. The cark park was full and when we arrived in the reception area, there was a buzz about the place. I explained our mission to the friendly reception lady who quickly called Mandy, the lovely pool supervisor. Yes of course we could use the pool and please help ourselves. When we walked through to the pool area, our hearts sunk alittle as the water was heaving with children and families. It did make me feel a little guilty as I knew we were in for a tough swim weaving our way through the swimmers but also the many floats and lilos. However, it is vital that these pools are well used for their continued existence and it was great seeing so many people having a great time. Considering all the obstructions, we did very well to complete our mile in good time and with only the occasional collision with a local teenager. No harm done as we took great care. It was a lovely pool and clearly well cared for. When we changed, Mandy signed our form and popped a £5 note into our collecting box . Another good day’s swimming was completed but we still had a journey to Market Drayton for an overnight stop ready for our third day on the road.

After a short drive (again aided by the satnav), we arrived at the pool. This lido is set in lovely parkland and next to a caravan and camping park so must be well used, not only by the locals but visitors also. Being a spa town, we didn’t take the waters but I suppose we did in a different sort of way. The friendly lady receptionist called the pool manager and we were quickly welcomed to use the facility. He was a young chap who had previously worked at Skegness. Unfortunately Skegness was not opening until 27th. June so we will need to swim this lido later in the summer. The weather had brightened and we swam our mile in glorious sunshine. The bonus was that we had a lane to swim in only populated by one lady swimmer. We were to meet a a very different challenge later in the day.

I was able to speak to Kath Wood the night before and arranged to meet at the pool at 10.30am. BT had kindly changed the pool’s telephone number but having spoken to Diane from the previous lido, I was able to get Kath’s home number. Again, Kath was kind enough to open the pool early as she normally opened it at 1pm. Half the cover was removed of this beautifully tiled and well maintained pool. Again Dave raced ahead with me playing catchup in a comfortable 22-degree pool temperature. We completed our task and were well looked after by Kath’s young son who made us both a cup of coffee (what a star!). This had been a good start to our second day on the road. Like Metheringham, we had swam in an empty pool, but we could imagine that on a warm summers day, both pools being well used by children and families. These were real community assets and clearly loved and treasured.