I’ve made a start on my Lido/Wild Swimming Project. Leaving home at 5.30am!!!! in order to avoid the diabolical traffic, I drove for 2 hours to visit two pools. The first at Lewes, Pells Pool was 17 degrees – unheated but gorgeous pale green spring-fed silky water. The oldest open air pool in the UK. Built in 1860. Met some lovely people and vowed to return. Sadly shall have to wait till the season restarts in 2018 now. But I may try to visit a couple of all-year pools in London and then of course there’s Australia in December which will be wonderful.
The second at Saltdean was a much swisher affair. The local community have clubbed together to restore the Art Deco splendour. It’s still a work in progress but HEATED bliss. Surrounded by a state of the art glass and stainless steel barrier it’s quite beautiful but somehow lacks the charm of Pells Pool. It does occupy a great site though in a hollow between the white chalk cliffs and the sea and a rather upmarket Deco-Style residential estate. As it was warmer I got a chance to play with the GoPro. I did check first that I was allowed to film. That was one advantage of going at this quiet time of year.
I’m slowly getting more proficient with the GoPro. Plan to make a return visit now I’m beginning to understand what makes the best shots. Not good enough to post the videos yet but here are a few stills which, I hope, give an idea of where I’m going with this.
Think I shall be making slow progress as the art class I’m teaching takes up some time. But I think it’s a line of enquiry that I shall enjoy. Have decided not to go for the Arts Council Grant as I want it to evolve and develop at my own pace without any conditions or restrictions. For instance I did think it would be all about Lidos in the UK but am sure I’ll be chasing other aspects such as Australia and maybe rivers and quarries too. The Fairy Pool on Skye also sounds inviting and mysterious. Who knows where it will lead?
