After not being able to use the pool for the whole of December (the aquatic side of the centre closed for that month ‘essential repairs and maintenance’ was the reason members were given) I was pleased to see January 2nd arrive
I’d missed my aqua rehab jokingly called ‘the warm water cure’ in our house
So it seemed by the turn up at 8am that morning, did every other regular user in the eastern suburbs
Plus hoards of youngsters – young teenagers
Oh yes, hot day predicted, old enough not to need a minder so they’ve decided to have some (really) early morning fun in the big pool
That was a couple of weeks ago – the youngsters have discovered the little open air pool up the road a bit, and that is the preferred meeting place – much to the relief of many of the older swimmers.
And the water walkers are settling back into their usual routine again.
The two older Asian ladies have returned. Slim and trim with caps on to keep their hair dry. They have a set exercise routine. Walking seamlessly in time with each other, talking the whole time – forwards, backwards, sideways – stopping at each end to do some squats. They arrive together and leave together- still talking.
The Italians have returned – three ladies and one fella. The women walk to and fro very slowly across the therapy pool, watching the man warm up (think Mediterranean men ‘showing off’ beachside) before he begins to swim laps in the big pool. Sometimes they stop in the middle, deep in conversation, ignoring new arrivals who have to try and pass them to find a spot on the side. Sometimes they just ‘hang around the edge’ and talk – loudly. Then when the man returns he gets in the spa and they move over to talk to him – loudly.
There are lots of individuals who recognise each other but get on with their program quietly, maybe nodding, smiling or passing remarks as they pass each other going one way or another across the pool and possibly having a small conversation at the edge then ‘better get on with things – gotta do the work to sort things out – the back/legs/hips aren’t going to cure themselves’
I’m sure these aren’t the only ones who meet regularly- same day same time- they’re just some I’ve noticed and recognise from last year. This year I’ve decided to give the gym a miss and concentrate on the warm water experience which means more than one session a week.
And that means more time to listen in to occasionally overhear snatches of conversation.
Last week’s gem:
…..”I told him if we go to his brother’s on Christmas Day and that woman is there I’m just turning around and leaving. He was quite welcome to stay there and enjoy that piece of trash’s company”…..
(I never ‘heard’ whether they went or not 🙁)
Monday Musings – a time to think and ponder
*******
p.s. What Is not going swimmingly is the ‘blogging world’ or rather relations between blogging platforms. I’m once again having trouble commenting on blogs. . even my own. . .comments coming into Still Waters are going into spam. . blog updates are not arriving in my readers (yes, readers, for various reasons I use more than one) so I’m missing out on new posts from some other blogs. . .in short I’m a bit fed up/cheesed off.
So (as I’ve said previously) If you don’t hear from me it’s not because I’m ignoring you – it’s because of all that!
Still Waters 
You are not alone with the blog problems…..
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It never used to be this difficult did it?
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Sigh on the blog problems. They are prolific here too.
I really, really need to get back to the pool. And I always enjoyed a bit of evesdropping.
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As more people arrive it’s harder to keep your distance. . which means it’s easier to ‘overhear’. Just have to keep a straight face and not let on.
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My sister is in the therapy pool five mornings a week. It’s keeping her upright and quilting, she says.
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I’m thinking three mornings will do the trick. Have to leave room for other pursuits.
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It all sounds like my local pool. We have quite the group now. Probably a dozen that swim together and so many more we know to nod say good morning and some stop by the side of the pool to chat to us. We are in the main pool but quite a few that go into the hot water pool stop to say hello
I can only comment on your blog if I access it from my emails
If I go to the blog from the internet I can only like it.
It’s bizarre. But know that even if I don’t comment. Know I keep reading
Angela
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Weird isn’t it Angela. I tried using my phone to comment- no luck there either. I’m just hoping it settles down sometime soon
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it’s not just the Internet with issues but here in NZ there are lots of TV channels and some that have good movies are not working at all (I’ve no idea, I’ve no TV)
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Now that’s a problem I haven’t heard mentioned here. Will have to ask Mr G about that one
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Crazy blogging times.
I’d like to visit the hot water pool as well, But it is rarely open for the public. Good for you to go there, Training and laughter are bothe good medicine.
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You’re definitely right there Charlotte- keeping mind and body healthy should be number one for all of us.
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Your pool is very cosmopolitan. You get therapy and a bit of social interaction too. It sounds like a good choice.
I suppose it’s more or less what we do at our local beach. Or I do. I swim and get some exercise therapy. The rest stand waist deep for hours and socially engage.
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Sounds like a great place to stay connected to humanity. We have three lanes – slow, medium, fast. All too deep at the deep end for walkers. The slow men all think they are faster than slow women so they migrate into the medium lane, and either doggy paddle or hang about the shallow end like they are leaning on a pub bar. Swimmers (those who crawl) have to use the fast lane where the pace really is fast and folks like me are constantly have to move aside and let the serious thrashers go past. Blogging was never meant to go smoothly – that is all part of having something to complain about!
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Hi Cathy, the timing of ‘essential repairs and maintenance’ isn’t good when it is in the height of Summer. Glad you are back to it as swimming is a great way to stay fit. You have an interesting mix of people who are at the pool at the same time as you. Sorry to hear about the blog problems as they can be frustrating for sure. x
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Water walking is great exercise. I’d say overhearing snatches of conversation is extra entertainment. Keep smiling. And the blog -thing, it sure gets old in a hurry doesn’t it?
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Hi Cathy, water walking – I love it! I do it in my own pool now and then back and forth – quite therapeutic. Repairs and Maintenance during a heatwave seems a bit silly but glad you can get back at it now. Great entertainment too it seems, listening in on some funny conversations. I enjoyed your descriptions of the regulars you recognise and what they do while there. You have my sympathy with the blog problems. I hate tech issues – they do my head in. I wish I had a computer tech guy at hand often!! Thanks so much for linking up with #WWWhimsy and enjoy the rest of your week! xo
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It’s funny hearing those catches of conversation – and hard not to try and join in sometimes….ha! #WWWhimsy
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I’m glad you got back to the pool, Cathy, and catching those bits of interesting conversations. Ugh to technical blogging issues. Good luck getting those resolved. #WWWhimsy
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Good on you getting back to what you and your body enjoy and need in the water.
Love the convos being something to write about too.
As for blogging and glitches that was one of the reasons I found commenting on some people’s blogs a BIG challenge before I moved from my own blog and host to writing on Substack. I think WordPress is tying things up too tightly security wise because it was the plug ins that prevented me from commenting (not here) at all.
Take care,
Denyse
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i know what you mean about commenting. I have to put in all my details just to comment on my own blog!! I’m sure I’m missing out on all sorts of things! Google did something nefarious to change it all on Blogger. Anyway hope you have a good february.
sherry ##WWWhimsy
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Hi Cathy, a lovely description of your regulars at the pool. Our aqua aerobics group is a mix of women of all ages, very occasionally a male will join in and we have a volunteer leader who takes us through the routines over an hour, it’s a lovely way do some gentle exercise and chat quietly with some of the others as we go through our movements. I agree with you it’s very good for us! #wwwhimsy
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