(Entrance to Hampstead Ladies' Pond)
I had an adventure with a good friend last week. We were like two children in a sweet shop - giddy with excitement at the prospect of our outing. In other people's terms, it was not a daring day trip and they might possibly even rise an eyebrow at how over the top we were but to us, it was the ultimate adventure.
We had planned the day months beforehand and had dreamed about it for years. We like the drama and build up of things, you see. We were going to swim in Hampstead's Ladies' Pond. In our heads, we would be swishing across Hampstead Heath in long, floaty dresses, a picnic hamper held between our hands and the sun shining down on us. Instead, as we strolled across the heath after grabbing a coffee beforehand - as we were early for our slot and late for the free for all swim (more on that later), the heavens opened and we walked back under the cover of our picnic rug and towels. Drenched to the skin, looking like drowned rats, we entered the changing area. I suppose it didn't matter too much as we would be getting wet anyway. Not quite what we had in mind but we were still buzzing with anticipation.
The first part of our adventure began before we met. It was the first time I had driven to London and my heart was beating as fast as if I was about to do a sky dive. It wasn't too scary in the end, as I am lucky enough to drive a reliable car and have satnav but even so, I get in a panic easily, so driving to Hampstead was a feat indeed. My friend was equally ecstatic about our joint accomplishment and we hugged and jumped up and down on the spot when we finally got together - like two normal, over-excitable middle aged women do.
When we reached the check in booth, we found out that at 11.10am, we were too late to enter the pond for the free for all swim that runs 7am-11.30am and so, had to come back at 12pm. Luckily, my friend had had the foresight to pre-book us tickets for the 12pm slot as she knows what we are like with faffing about and the endurance test of driving up to the big smoke. We hot footed it across the beautiful heath filled with it's long grasses and non swimming ponds. Downing cappuccinos and homemade flapjacks, we briskly walked back, keen to avoid being turned away again before our mission was complete.
(Not allowed to swim here on Hampstead Heath)
My friend went first and descended the steps into the freezing, dark water, which took some acclimatising to. Orsa the lifeguard gently talked her through the best method - going down to your waist, taking a few deep breaths, then further down to cover the chest, take more deep breaths, then push away. We nicknamed her Awesome Orsa. Then we were both in and our dreams were realised. It was bliss indeed to plunge into the cold, deep water amongst the ducks balancing on buoys spread about with the goal to swim between them. Before long, our bodies were numb but we felt so alive. Willow trees swayed around us and the ducks eyed our progress as we swam in a natural circle along with all the wonderful and wild women back towards the changing rooms.
Emerging onto the deck, our smiles were wide and we made our way to the showers. Unfortunately, they were the same temperature as the pond. I spied a sink with a plastic bowl inside and tried the tap. It was warm. We filled the bowl and poured it over ourselves over the shower area and it was heavenly. Other women followed our lead and we were laughing hysterically in ecstasy at this simple pleasure. After the palaver of drying off in the communal changing room, trying not to drop our dry clothes in the puddles, we victoriously exited back into daylight.
Now we were ravenous and it was time to devour lunch. Back in our cars, we had to head further into London and find a spot to park down the busy Hampstead High Street. Up and down, back and forth we went until we found somewhere legal to leave our vehicles. We had to park at different ends, so met up at the Karma Bakehouse (Home | Karma Bread), where we ate delicious Shakshuka (my friend) and the Queen's Breakfast (me). I had already had three coffees to get to that stage of the day, so I daren't have any more. We got talking to a personal trainer called Ronnie, who was on the table next to us and we put the world to rights. He thought we were about to climb Everest with our talk of adventure but we corrected him that we had already completed it by swimming in the ladies' pond. We totally loved the deli and recommend it wholeheartedly. The bread was out of this world.
(Pretty rustic bench on way back to my car in Swiss Cottage)
We were still on a high from our antics when we had to say goodbye and hug before returning to our cars and our afternoon plans. My friend was off to visit the Keats museum - which is on my wish list for next time. I was set to drive to Potter's Bar to pick up a pink garden chair I had bought on Ebay. Another adrenalin rush commenced as I don't tend to drive so far, especially two faraway places on the same day. So daring I know. I got home, happy and exhausted after my day's escapades and enjoyed a cup of tea in the garden on my new pink garden chair.
(My pink garden chair in its new home)
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What a great day. You are braver than me!