End of an Era

I’ve been to the pool most days this week, storing up the memories before the pool closed. I had a magical mid-week swim on Wednesday, having a lane to myself and my thoughts. There was a carnival atmosphere this afternoon, with 40 swimmers (the maximum in the Covid Era) enjoying the final swim session from 4-5pm on the last day of summer 2021.

It was a beautiful Sydney summer afternoon. Warm and sunny, but not that hot mid-summer oven that turns the pool into a warm bath. Most people swam some laps, but as the hour drew to the close there was a carnival atmosphere as most people hung around the shallow end chatting, not wanting to get out. The lifeguard blew the whistle. And blew it again. And then launched himself into the water to great applause. A final lap of backstroke taking in the view and a reluctant exit to the showers.

The Mayor and the Council put on some drinks and cheese platters, and it was really great to chat to the regulars and the lifeguards.

I’ll miss the deep water – 4m deep at the far end, and I’ll miss the salt water which definitely gives you a second or so for free every 100m. But above all I’ll miss the magic. Walking down the cavernous stairs past the honour rolls of world records. Changing in the slightly grungy dressing rooms with their Edwardian era cubicles and 1980’s additions. Lounging about with a book and a coffee on the sun deck on a lazy Sunday morning. Backstroking under the Harbour Bridge. Noticing a new detail of the Art Deco architecture. Nothing matches it.