Guard dogs!
Roxy had a field day ‘seeing them off,’ except that all her noise was ineffective! She stood at the patio door, tail wagging furiously, barking her head off, longing to go out and make their acquaintance. There should not be strangers in her garden, she knew, and yet she would have loved to get to know them. Gilbert’s a very quiet dog and stood behind her, less sure, and learning from her that sometimes it’s good to bark.
The men, of course, took absolutely no notice.
It was all done and dusted in a couple of hours. There followed several hours of refilling, so it was a late night for us as we waited . . . and waited.
It took three years of intermittent thinking and discussing before we decided to go ahead and install an endless pool. The idea was planted because Barry’s knees were in such a parlous state that he was told to stop his life-long cross-country running, and advised to take water-based exercise. That is not an easy thing to do in a public pool, even one attached to a spa. ‘Ladies Who Lunch’ and their ilk object to their watery environment being used by people trying to exercise, or even those attempting to swim.
Construction was commenced in 2009, the same year I started this blog. Anyone interested in the Endless Saga of the Endless Pool should type ‘endless pool’ in the ‘search this blog’ bar.
It has been a delight to see the grandchildren enjoying the pool. Callum, now twenty-seven, often asks if he can use it when he visits.
I am looking forward to getting out there again for some gentle swimming and shall be nagging Barry to get out there and get on with it. He’s easier to live with when he’s well exercised, (like a thoroughbred horse! Maybe not!) and he’s had a year of not doing very much – not his fault, of course.
I need him to keep fit, as I’ve no idea what to do with the pool, other than swim in it. I’m sure there are people I could call on . . .
So, it is enclosed?
ReplyDeleteIt is, indeed, and the room has an air pump so can be heated.
DeleteWow how lovely!
ReplyDeleteWe have our lovely son-in-law to thank for constructing it, though the components were all shipped from the States.
DeleteSwimming is great exercise, especially as we, and our joints, age! I wish we had one of those pools ...
ReplyDeleteSwimming can be as gentle or as strenuous as you like, but it's supportive, so helpful.
DeleteEnjoy the joy of having children and grandchildren
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely seeing them grow up and become adults and even parents.
DeleteI have just looked up endless pools. Sounds marvellous!
ReplyDeleteOurs was shipped from the States, but I think there are other suppliers, now.
DeleteThat's a fantastic pool!
ReplyDeleteThank you. We are pleased with it.
DeleteI wish ours was an endless instead of a real pool. it was nice as long as bob was healthy, now it is an endless mess and is not kept well. he could use the endless one to swim and swim. he is a really good swimmer and goes to the Y but that will end soon.
ReplyDeleteWould it be possible for you to construct a cover over your pool?
DeleteUnlike me, I hope you can remember how to swim. I'll blame my arthritis. I can't swing my arms ahead, and my centre of gravity seems to have changed, not for the better.
ReplyDeleteYou could always rely on swimming aids until you got your confidence and balance back. Noodles are good!
DeleteYou should have a open party, we would all come....
ReplyDeleteOoh, yes, please do!
DeleteHi Janice - sounds fun for one and all ... and that you both get in enabling healing (or easing of said bones!) to move on more quickly - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteIt's surprising how rude people in public pools can be, so, yes, this was a better option for us.
DeleteThis looks like a terrific indoor activity to keep you both going with exercise. Hopefully you're back in these will take it just fine. And Barry's been through so much with his cancer surgery and I'm sure that this would be a great thing to do for the next few months till it warms up outside.
ReplyDeleteIt is good, and we do appreciate it.
DeleteI am insanely jealous that you have your own pool. As the years have passed, I have become less and less inclined to use public swimming pools because, quite incredibly, they allow other people in them!
ReplyDeleteI know. It's shocking and you can't adjust the water temperature, either - the local pool is really cold.
DeleteI have always found the endless pools fascinating. I can't swim but if I did I'm sure I would find these amazing.
ReplyDeleteIt's never too late to learn - and aquacise is good, too.
DeleteHaving a pool seems like quite a luxury in the UK. Practically every other house in Florida, where I'm from, has a pool, but I rarely see them here. (Not that I've been to an overwhelming number of British houses!) Isn't it amazing (and somewhat sobering) to look back on old blog posts and realize how much has changed?
ReplyDeleteOutdoor pools are a bit of a non-starter in UK - the weather is too iffy.
DeleteI agree - old blog posts can create quite a jolt.
An indoor endless pool. Wouldn't that be nice?
ReplyDeleteIt is.
DeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThe kids sure seem to enjoy it. And I've read many times how good exercising in the pool is for folks. Running is hard on the body, walking is better; but doing things in the water protects your joints. I've always wished I was a swimmer, it's such good exercise. But, I don't float. Something with my bones, I'm told.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as if you have negative buoyancy, or I found this: People with a higher proportion of fat are more likely to float, while people with more muscle and bone are more likely to sink.
Deleteyet all those Olympic swimmers are zero fat and all muscle, while my mum was quite plump and sank like a stone.
DeleteWe feel much better when we are in good condition. At 85 , I'm down to walking and even that is iffy. Enjoy your pool.
ReplyDeleteKeeping going is the answer, always, though sometimes it's difficult.
DeleteWhat a nice pool. Have fun with it.
ReplyDeleteWe do!
DeleteWhat a lovely pool - does it require much in the way of regular treatments or other upkeep? I think I could enjoy this; I do like to paddle around, just not in the ocean (too salty & stingy & bitey - crabs, jellyfish, etc.) or in a public pool (too peopley) :)
ReplyDeleteHonestly, Barry does all that. I haven't a clue and if he weren't here, I'd have to 'get someone in' as the saying goes. It is great, though, and the current can be adjusted. It's a water treadmill, really.
DeleteA lovely pool and swimming is great exercise ... enjoy using it.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Swimming is the gentlest exercise, or can be. My children and grandchildren swim hard . . .
DeleteHow lovely that the pool can be enjoyed by all the members of your family.
ReplyDeleteThey do enjoy it.
DeleteYou have a pool and we have 40C heat. If only we lived closer together....
ReplyDeleteIf only, Elsie, if only . . .
DeleteThat pool looks like a wonderful investment and worth all the trouble of draining and servicing.
ReplyDeleteYour dogs are awesome!
We worked out that long-term it would be a saving - but how long is long-term?
DeleteWe've always had dogs - can't imagine life without them.
How lovely to have your own private pool. Well worth the expense if it enjoyed by all members of your family. Hopefully you'll be able to get back to some gentle swimming soon and Barry can be persuaded to start exercising again! xxx
ReplyDeleteThree cheers to that, Ann!
ReplyDeleteHow very delightful for all!
ReplyDeleteIt is, thank you.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! I bet the children do adore it.
ReplyDeleteThey do, and there's almost as much water outside the pool as in it by the time they've finished.
Delete