Sixty!

I must have been mad to venture up to the old school last night, what with the treacherous conditions. Still, I had sent them an email inquiring if the swimming-pool was operating; and they replied in the affirmative.

I motored up the windy drive carefully, parked the car and stepped out in the Brashers into the relative warmth of the sports complex.

I could possibly perform this routine with my eyes closed; I've been doing it for thirty years!

The changing-room was empty. No surprise there. One of the sixth-form attendants was on duty at the pool, so all augured well.

Shock, horror, surprise! The water was quite warm and temperate, so I jumped in, equipped with the trusty goggles and nose-clip; and began the age-old swim of sixty lengths.

I had the 25-metre pool to myself, apart from the headmaster and his young family arriving at about 45 lengths into my swim. Then a nice, hot shower. Done!

Matters Equestrian

Country Life has informed us that the Lady Lloyd-Webber is to succeed HRH The Princess Royal as President of the Pony Club. Madeleine Lloyd-Webber is an accomplished equestrian rider herself.

It is Snowing!

For the benefit of readers and followers outside Northern Ireland, this is the current scene in Belfast.

The Big Freeze continues...

Pool Closed Again

I motored up to the Sports Club this evening, in the expectation that the swimming-pool would, at least, be open.

Yet again, they have let down the loyal membership with a printed notice on the door stating that the pool is closed due to a "broken cover". No notification to members; no indication as to when we can expect the pool to re-open. No adequate communication.

It doesn't really surprise me; though it is still deplorable. Little wonder numbers are dwindling. Those who supervise the pool appear to be indifferent towards the Sports Club. Were a member of staff at a private health club to treat members in such a manner, they'd have been dismissed within a week or two. Not twenty years.

I'll simply continue to exercise at the private health club I belong to, though I'll miss the swimming.

Swimming Again?

The Sports Club re-opens this evening, so I am ever hopeful that the swimming-pool will be warm enough for the customary sixty lengths. It's a fortnight since I last swam. The pool wasn't particularly warm last term; so much so that one lady stopped coming for the remainder of the term. Little wonder that membership figures remain stagnant!

Apart from the exercise, it's also an opportunity for an invigorating shower.

The Miraculous Lozenge?

One article caught my eye in the papers yesterday: the 20 pence a day lozenge that, it has been claimed, is designed to ward off all cold and flu bugs.

Seemingly the lozenge would be taken once a day before breakfast and would cost a mere 20p per day. Scientists hope to have it for sale within two years. It is called Veldona.

Here is the main article.

Restore Harrod's

I do wish that the House of Fraser would buy back Harrod's. They owned the store from 1959 till 1985, when it was bought by the Fayed brothers for £615 million. I care not whether it is taken back in a hostile manner or otherwise, because Fayed would doubtless be resistant to its sale.

Harrod's is a national institution and tourist attraction. The great store proudly used to hold four royal warrants, till about 2002 when Fayed withdrew them himself, thereby pre-empting senior members of the Royal Family.

I insist I am not being xenophobic; I simply disapprove strongly of Fayed's attitude and behaviour towards the Royal Family. I know the man has resented being unsuccessful in his attempt to acquire British Citizenship. That is different matter; one decided upon by the Government.

The House of Fraser was injudicious to sell Harrod's in the first place, to my mind.