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       Swimming
       September 7, 2024
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       Written on my laptop, while sitting on
       my couch, glancing from time to time
       at the garden outside the window.
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  I always liked swimming. I did it regularly, for years, in
  a swimming pool when I was a kid, and I swam so much in the
  sea that I am surprised I have not developed gills.
  Wrinkles on my fingers, instead, were almost a daily
  occurrence, so much that one of my most fond memories is
  me coming back from the pool and comparing my fingers with
  my grandad's to see which were more wrinkly.
  
  I am not swimming much anymore during the winter, but during
  summer I always try to find excuses to stay in the water.
  When my kids were younger it was much easier, with the excuse
  that I had to train them... Now they mostly go on their own
  and while I always treasure the moments when they as me to
  swim together, I decided to make a habit to swim more alone,
  wherever I end up, whoever I am with.
  
  This Summer saw me swimming in different places. Algarve in
  June had very cold water, and I could barely swim there as
  my hands (and balls!) started aching very soon. Italy in July
  was much warmer, and swimming there was a relief from the
  scorching hot, but algae rotting due to the temperature were
  not making it pleasant (I was on the northern Adriatic sea,
  in case you wonder). Early August saw me swimming in Dublin,
  in a hotel's pool, not too big but long enough for me to
  swim laps almost every day during my company's work week.
  For me that was a great way to vent off the stress and kinda
  find some grounding in an alien place by bringing some of my
  practices with me. I usually try to do this with bouldering
  -by climbing in gyms wherever I go for work- and find it
  very helpful.

  Close to the end of August I swam in Lake Ledro: it was
  chilly, but pleasantly so, and surrounded by a beautiful
  scenery. The water was crystal clear and it was not too
  crowded, which definitely improved the experience. The kids
  were with me, and with them I also went to two different
  open-air pools: one very relaxing, another quite crowded,
  both small.
  
  Curiously enough, I have not tried many pools in London, let
  alone ponds which I am very curious about (especially the
  fact that they are open in all seasons). I'd be happy to hear
  feedback from people who usually go there and at some point
  I will find the courage to try them :-)
  
  I am a bit sad the season's almost over. We are now back at
  home and I do not know where I will swim next, but I am happy
  and grateful for all the different waters I have seen and
  tried.