Thanks again to Philip Nice for organising a splendid Winter Walk/Swim on Saturday 30th January. Our intrepid crew set off from Finsbury Park at the designated hour of 10am and were soon following the route of the now disused Great Northern Railway line to Hampstead Village.

Having passed the homes of the rich and famous, such as Boy George and George Michael, we then headed on to Hampstead Heath and our first destination swim of the Ladies and Mens Ponds. Fabulous swim at a refreshing 7·8°C, which is unusually warm for this time of winter.

But no time to hang around, so onwards and upwards to Primrose Hill for a picnic with a glorious view across London. With keen eye sight we were sure we could see the glinting blue waters of Brockwell Lido in the distance.

No time to hang around though as there was more swimming to do, so Philip led us down the hill to continue the route along Regent Canal. After some debate it was decided to walk the tow path rather than swim its rather green murky waters. Having passed through the bustling Camden Lock, and seeing the drained Kentish Town Lock, we ended at Kings Cross for our second swim at the Kings Cross Pond. Temperature 7·1°C, although the sauna was thankfully a little hotter.

Then, with the light fading, we set off for our last swim at the Oasis Covent Garden where we arrived at 5:10pm just in time to get the last 20 minutes of opening time. After the previous two swims it seemed unusual to be in the open air, but heated to a comfortable 27°C. The slippery slide to warm water swimming!

A full ten miles in total and some excellent swimming as well. News of more Swim/Walks coming soon.