The swimming pools of London: AKA Bec gets fit

Hey, so here as promised, episode 2 of my obsession with London.

Back in November I joined a gym, I know, I know, how am I always so ahead of the trend! Anyway I joined a gym and they gave me a number of different offers for membership.

'This one', they said 'comes with full-access to the track and field and racquet sports'...*tumble-weed. Please, its November, who wants to be outdoors! I did in fact choose this option because, aside from the appeal of hurdling outdoors at 5 am in minus temperatures this membership also enabled me to use the sauna and steamroom (come on why do we really go to gyms?!) and any of classes, gyms and pools of the branches in the BETTER network.

X-TREME AQUA FIT IN LEYTON

The swimming pool opened about three weeks before I returned and is the oddest shape known to man. 25metres but with a funny bulge at the deep end. Ooer matron. This was the first pool I used and was the location for the SAS style aqua-fit I did back in Autumn. When I got in the pool, and the water was calm, it reached the top of shoulders, when the water was in motion it was sometimes above my head! This was particularly the case whilst doing push-ups on the side of the pool; extend your arms or drown was the order of the day.

the flume pool, where children play.

LAUNDRY AND SPIN CLASS: IRONMONGER ROW

Now technically the closest to this pool I've got is the changing room but its so convenient for work that I regularly use the gym and have tried three classes there; I like the Spin class, v good humoured. Anyway, the building is fascinating. Back in 1929 only 4% of homes in Finsbury had private baths so the Council built a bath-house. The renovators have kept one slipper-bath as an exhibit, it took all my will-power not to jump in! The original building also featured Turkish Baths, because you know, if you're gonna get clean you might as well do it in style! The pools joined the outfit in the 1930's and a laundry in the 1970's. The building is an inspiring place to exercise in; its almost like exercising inside an archaeological site in a very positive sense, and without the dirt.

see look how lovely and light it is!

AN OASIS IN THE CITY: OASIS

I've kept my favourite until last. I have often walked past the grey, concrete exterior of this leisure centre en route to Covent Garden and bustling about the city centre. I had no idea the gems hidden beneath. The changing room has a plasma screen showing the news for a start! And the sauna is not bad. But the real gem is the outdoor, heated, eccentrically distanced (27.5m) pool. Within 5 mins walk of Holborn station you could be swimming outdoors; and looking at the stars if you are doing backstroke after work! I've used the pool several times and I'm always surprised by how much distance I cover - those extra 2.5 metres in each length add up - but also the cool air kept me refreshed and invigorated. Plus you can bring your towel out pool-side. Its worth knowing this as I definitely walked round the centre in my swimming costume alone, fine when you're dry. Less funny when you are leaving wet puddles in your wake!

Oasis: in summer

p.s. Just to be really clear, BETTER have not sponsored this post, as far as I'm aware they don't even know it exists :)

The book that revived my love of London

Hi everyone!

How are you? I am loving getting to know London a little better from the inside. There are 2 reasons for this; one is my multi-branch gym pass (more to follow) and one  is Gillian Tindall's 'The House by the Thames'.

(photo taken by me, 16.01.14)

London - life-long love
My Dad has been taking me to London since I started Primary school. As a teenager I explored London from my cousin's well-placed London flat. And now as a grown-up I love walking across London; past all those places that have seen so many things, St Paul's (as in the photo above), the Bank of England, Trafalgar Square, the Southbank.

'The House by the Thames' 2006
This book is a potted history of one property, number 49 and its place in London as it has grown and changed over the past millennium. The Southbank sees a lot of change; it goes from fields, to industrial wharfs, and back again. It becomes the on-trend place to live, it is the place only the poorest of the poor would live. The landscape and thus number 49 reflect many of the changes that happen across the UK; the temperance movement, the introduction of sewers, the British Empire, electricity. Each of these changes had an impact on number 49; its structure, use and inhabitants - these varied from middle class gents, to crippled sweet makers and even a film star!

One of the things I really enjoyed about the book was the way she explains the frailty of memory and the strengths and weaknesses of different historical sources - it is so accessible. Anchoring the history of the whole area around one house was a really intelligent move; keeping me involved with the area's narrative right to the end! She's not just a historian, she's a confident historian, quite happy to share her methodology with us all, and provide photos and plans. This book was like all the best bits of my Cultural Heritage MA.

Seriously, this book is great; whether you are a novice or an expert give it a read!

Next time: The pools of London; and the adventures therein.

New Year, New Me, well ish, kinda

Hi Everyone,

How are you? How is January going? Set yourself a series of super goals?

I like the idea of goals and the high you get off achieving them so I've set some: I'm off alcohol and coffee for January - I want to know I can do life, even when its tough, dark and cold without these things - turns out it can be tricky but so far so good.

Having said that I read this article on LinkedIn over New Year that said he'd given up Goals because he finds they don't make him happy in the long run. And I kinda understand that - you run at all these targets thinking they'll make you happy because you will have achieved something; but actually it lasts like 5 minutes and then I'm dissatisfied with something.

(image from: ASDA)

In the article he says he has put aside the immediate satisfaction of goals for longer term processes that bring him life. This means, especially where his gym technique is concerned, sometimes he misses out on short-term goals like a run, in favour of long-term health i.e. going home and not spraining a knee to reach the day's goal in favour of still being able to attend the gym tomorrow.

So I'm doing a bit of that as well. Trying to find processes that do me good. I'm trying for at least 3 sessions in the gym, if not 4 per week. I feel like this is semi-sustainable in the long-run; especially since I discovered gym branches near work which opens up the opportunities. But to be honest, exercise before work is still a bit of a stretch.

(image from Happy Place)

The other process, which I'm close to flouting right now is no tech after 10pm, and aiming at an 11pm bedtime. Luckily its just a guide so the occasional late night or tech-heavy evening isn't going to kill me. I got into a routine where bedtimes involved being snuggled up with my laptop - watching endless youtube videos or watching films. Whilst I always nodded off eventually I wondered if the times I was going to sleep (between midnight and 2 am) and all that brain activity before bed was really a good idea. The results of my findings are; I have some more energy in the mornings, I don't jump out of bed with a cry of joy, but some things seem easier, and my concentration is a bit better in the mornings. I think I need to wait a bit longer and see. But this process has been particularly hard to stick to, I love nights out with friends, and tech is a little bit addictive...right, its 10:10, I'm turning this off!

Janvier

As ever I've been up to loads of stuff and not spending very long typing. I did so many things in December that I actually spent a whole week in my pjs not moving just to recover!

Exciting changes include: turning 25 (I went to a salsa bar and drank so many tequilas that my basic step was a sight to behold!), leaving one job (sob!sob!), but starting a new one (hurrah!) and all the wine and books I got for Christmas. I also attended a charming wedding and squeezed in time to visit Germany one last time this year (might tell you about that soon). Yeah I know! I'm obsessed!

(zumba parties, avignon, berlin and my 25th!)

Before moving on to a review of one of the many books I've come into contact with this season I thought I'd just pause and reflect on the last year. By my blog-posts alone I have been incredibly fortunate; look at all those holidays, books and plays. And they are only the experiences that have made the cut. That is to say nothing of the long-weekends, the weddings, the private views and the DMCs enveloped under a blanket of stars! 2013 has been pretty decent, here's to an equally solid 2014!

(Little Face by Sophie Hannah, oh wow!)

Little Face - Sophie Hannah
Little Face was one of the world book night titles of 2013 and was handed to me box-fresh by a friend in October. I have to say I remained unmoved by the cover for quite some time so didn't discover it until a wintery morning under the covers when I devoured the opening 50 pages in one sitting. This book is so gripping I stayed up to finish reading it last night, I admit I paused for Sherlock, but I am human! Its a sensational page-turner about a child abduction. Something terrible in the context of somewhere very luxurious. I liked the way she plays with time, unafraid to jump between weeks as the chapters progress. I was amazed at the way she sort of grabbed me by the jugular and kept me involved, the suspense was incredible. It would make a great two-parter BBC drama. Its a little bit dark and has so many last minute twists but I loved it! Plus she mentioned ASNAC for extra geek points!

Hoping to be back later in the week to talk you through my observations from Aachen but many other things to do first! So we'll see!

Festive Crafting: Reindeer

Hello Everybody!

I hope you are enjoying the festive season. I sure am! I just got back from some German Christmas markets. I have also been indulging in some seasonal crafting - reindeer wall-hangings, they are so easy to make, let me show you!

First find some appropriate card, I found these present boxes in the 99p shop and then took them apart.

Next find a template you like the look of, I got this one off the internet by typing 'reindeer template' into Google. I know you can do that!

Now take your template and draw round it onto your card, making the most of all the space available - remember you can even tessellate the reindeer.

Pick your weapon of choice and cut out your reindeer!

Get some blue-tac. We're gonna put some holes in our reindeer. I'm using cotton threads but you could easily use ribbon. Place the blue-tac on your surface. Place the reindeer over the blu-tac and make your hole(s). I used scissors but you could easily use a craft knife, braddle etc. I found two holes give extra support.

Now thread your reindeer onto your thread. If you are doing the two hole method can I recommend threading such that they cross over behind each reindeer? This stops the reindeer from bulging all out front.

It is time to position your herd, on the fireplace or wherever feels right. At this point I hit a roadblock. Some of my reindeer were flipping upside down and showing their rather unsightly behinds!

 I tried a number of solutions with little success so stretched out to the wise souls of the internet who did not disappoint! As it transpires, that same blu-tac you used earlier weighs the reindeer hooves down just so! Thank you good people of the internet!

And there you have it, a herd of seasonal reindeer; you could adapt this any number of ways. Name your reindeer, draw on each one, change the material (work in glass perhaps?!), move the holes such that the reindeer don't topple over? Either way enjoy!

Hamburg T2D3: Coffee with and without eyes

Hi,

Yes I know I've been keeping you waiting some three weeks to find out what happened on day 3, I've been off having important meals, getting new jobs and exploring new cities if you must know! But sort of vowing to do better in December.

Coffee without eyes: Dialog im Dunkeln

So, when I was at the Toll Museum I saw an advert for this exciting adventure-experience. Dialog im Dunkeln Hamburg is a part of a much larger international outfit (India, China, Argentina all have sites) giving visitors the opportunity to experience a variety of situations blind. In a similar way to Dans le Noir, the tables are turned and the blind guides of this social enterprise become the confident ones, visitors are entirely at the mercy of the guide and their little white stick. My experience lasted 90 mins but it felt like just 5! What an adventure, Jann our guide took us through a variety of simulated experiences based on Hamburg's tourist scene, bridge crossing, boat trips, picking fruit at the market, even crossing the road. The space is entirely devoid of natural light so even with your eyes open you are reliant on your other senses. I was surprised how quickly I adapted to the loss of sight. In the cafe I bought a cup of coffee, I was amazed at how much more important the texture of even the coffee cup became once the visual aspect of coffee had been removed. Bit pricey for a standard adult (20€) but they offer plenty of discounts. And I've never been so grateful for my eyesight.

(so trendy it hurts)

(Amazing Apfelkuchen)

 (Cute advertising...)

Coffee with eyes: Cafe Brooks

From the museum I headed East on the U-bahn out to Hasselbrook station. I was meeting a couchsurfer for coffee at Cafe Brooks. What a great cafe. It definitely fits in with that Shoreditch/ Berlin/ antipodean unique coffee vibe and the Apfelkuchen was nearly as good as May's, and that's saying something! It was great to meet Theres. She even took me to this beautiful, peaceful park (Stadtpark) near her house. I'm getting somewhat into the habit of frequenting peaceful parks before returning home on the plane. Company, the cafe and the park were all A+.

(Stadtpark)

I'm back in Germany next weekend enjoying Aachen's Christmas Market and catching up with friends...

Hamburg T2D2: Boats, Towers and Glühwein

Today has been rather hectic.

After a gentle start, and a latte near the Rathaus I set out in search for Dialogue im Dunkel – an entirely blind experience and adventure. Finding the place took about 3 attempts, each time returning near enough back to where I started. When I eventually found the place they had no availability for today, I booked for Sunday and had to spell my nachnamer, not easy when it begins with ‘W’.

My place booked, I headed for the nearby Maritime Museum. It is a massive building spanning nine floors and covering every detail of maritime history, from Art History to construction, merchant shipping to warfare, models and uniforms. I could write a whole blog post about this museum I spent 2.5 hours there but I could easily have spent much longer, they use ipods for audio-guides, they’re really into multi-media exhibition spaces and even the ‘boring’ cases of objects have been turned into books. The other brilliant thing was the provision of integrated spaces within the museum for education and group tours. The downside to this museum was definitely the price, entry plus audio guide cost 15€; that said if I’d stayed all afternoon, as I easily could have, I’d say that was money well spent.

(sorry it is sideways!)

I’m in Hamburg for a conference held at a church in West Hamburg. Whilst waiting for registration to open I paid a visit to a more historic church. The church of St Michaelis has both a tower and a crypt to visit, the current building was constructed in the 50’s – as you can imagine I greatly relished the opportunity to visit both for just 7€. The tower was, er, tall and offers a lift service for those for whom 10 floors represents too tall a staircase. The view from St Michaelis Tower was impressive and good value for money. The crypt is the final resting place of many Regency  burials – evidence of lavish coffins covered in velvet and gold trim were in evidence when the crypt was excavated. The crypt is also the final resting place of one of the Bachs, I know not which one.

After conference I met some friends for dinner and we went to this nice Syrian joint. The sausages were great and I was so full by the end. From dinner we stumbled across this Nacht der Jugend festival at the Rathaus. All we knew was there was loud music coming from the Rathaus but was an opportunity for us to visit for free! Further investigation uncovered that this was a festival to remember Kristallnacht and encouraged young people to think about politics – one stand even asked ‘is Swing Dancing political?’ Sitting in the main chamber listening to a young man rap at great volumes was a once in a lifetime oddity.

Subsequently we had great fun getting lost in one of the big underground stations in the centre of town but made it to the Winter Dom fireworks just in time. After the firework display we made the most of the little stalls; eating würst, drinking glühwein, climbing aboard tractors! So much fun was had we lost track of time and by the time I returned to my dorm it was 1 am, and unlike last night, there were three sleeping bodies all disturbed by my bedtime routine. Oops.