At the Pond: Swimming at the Hampstead Ladies' Pond

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I adored this book. I read it in three sittings and that was only because I tried to pace myself. I normally struggle with books that are comprised of short stories or essays. I tend to lose interest or forget it on the nightstand, however, this one was utterly fascinating to me. Officially open to the public in 1925 (though unofficially in use long before that), the Hampstead Ladies' Pond is open year round to swimmers. This book is a collection of essays on the experiences of different ladies who use the pond during the year. This is an excellent question and worth asking! Despite the murky appearance of the ponds, all three ponds are safe to swim in. The water has been tested to ensure its safety. It takes a bit of courage to swim in the Ponds, even in the summer when the water is relatively warm (or at least not freezing). Some people are afraid of the cold water, others of the murky depths. When I first met the challenging of swimming there, I was thrilled; but there is still the sense, touched on in several of the essays, that one needs to be a year-round swimmer to fully experience both the magic and the challenge and the healing nature of the Ponds. Three of the essayists are famous writers (Margaret Drabble, Deborah Moggach and Esther Freud), but only Freud has actually broken the mental/physical barrier of swimming in the winter. Her essay is the first in the book:

Yes, there are cold showers at Highgate Men's Pond and Hampstead Mixed Pond whilst there are hot showers at Kenwood Ladies' Pond and at Parliament Hill Lido.The Mixed Pond is located near East Heath Road on Hampstead Heath. There is parking available at East Heath Car Park if you’re driving. Otherwise, you can get off the Overground Line at Hampstead Heath and walk 7 minutes to the pond. Or, get off at Hampstead on the Northern Line and walk 13 minutes. The ponds on the Heath were created to provide drinking water for the growing villages of Hampstead and Highgate. The mineral-rich water became known for its health-giving qualities in the late-18th century, but before that, they were primarily reservoirs, and are still supposed to be maintained at drinking quality, something that any head-above-the-water swimmer in their murky, weedy green will be surprised to hear. Make sure you have a towel and warm clothing for afterwards. Sip a hot beverage, and warm up with plenty of layers.

Although the contributors vary in age, outlook, nationality and even gender - one of the writers now identifies as trans or non-binary - the same themes tend to come up again and again. The importance of nature, especially in the metropolis of London. The need for courage. The feeling of belonging to a special experience that is both historical and timeless. The feeling of being challenged, soothed but also ‘held’ by the water. The duality of becoming both more and less aware of your body - of its pains, its imperfections, its possibilities.Don’t swim too far initially. Focus on getting in the water and acclimatising your body and breathing first.

Lifeguards are on hand to ensure everything goes smoothly, but try to look after yourself first! Are the Showers Warm? Faye has written a forthcoming political non-fiction book about the systemic transphobia in British society and says, quite sincerely, that the hardest chapter to write has been on feminism (“without wanting to sound too self-pitying, I’ve been targeted very badly in the name of feminism”). Lees hasn’t written for a newspaper for the past two years. She’s semi-retired from journalism and doesn’t consider herself an activist anymore. I ended up unwittingly shouldering the burden of representation,” she says now. “I got burned out, and couldn’t really do it anymore, then you had people like Paris Lees coming through, who was a lot more able to handle the bigger platforms.” The Kenwood Ladies' Pond Association said: "The KLPA was not involved in the recent demonstration at the Ladies' Pond. Without wanting to sound too self-pitying, I’ve been targeted very badly in the name of feminism.”– Shon Faye

Water temperature

At the Pond is a real delight. Almost every one of these essays is overwhelming positive, and each offers recollections of joy and warmth. The authors are united in the sense of community fostered at the Hampstead Ladies' Pond, and in the deep sense of peace and wellbeing which they have found within its waters. kõigist neist lugudest jäi mu jaoks enim kõlama... naise suhe ta enda kehaga läbi elu ja aastate. ja veega. kõik need kirjeldused, mis tunne täpselt on sellesse vette astuda või hüpata, mismoodi tundub esimene ja mismoodi järgmised tõmbed, kuidas kirvendab välja tulles nahk ja kuidas täpselt kleepuvavõitu vesi sellelt maha voolab (see vee kleepumise teema on läbiv! ei ole ta nii kleepuv midagi mu meelest, tavaline järvevesi. aga eks see ongi tavalisest basseiniveest erinev). kuidas talvel tuleb ujumiseks vahel jäässe rada sisse murda ja suvel tuleb peale tohutu talveigatsus. ja peaaegu mitte keegi ei jäta mainimata mõnd kohtumist udusulis pardipoegadega või etteheitva pilguga haigrut, kes sind mingi puunoti pealt jälgib. Highgate Men’s Pond is located near Millfield Lane, on Hampstead Heath, where there is on-street parking. If you’re coming by public transport on the Overground Line, get off at Gospel Oak and walk 17 minutes. Or, on the Northern Line, get off at Kentish Town and walk 26 minutes. Yes, there are 3 designated ponds for swimming in Hampstead Heath which are guarded by lifeguards and have all the facilities for swimming. Are there Showers at Hampstead Ponds?

Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds are an institution in the village of Hampstead and it feels like it’s all about wild outdoor swimming at the moment, so there is no better place to visit for wild swimming in London than the Hampstead ponds! A small but wonderful collection that shares the joy of the Ladies’ Pond … At the Pond is a series of essays about a body of water but these essays are about so much more than that.’ – Outdoor Swimming Society

The Hampstead Heath Swimming Poolis a lot better if you have children and want to take them for a swim outside in Hampstead! kuidas ja miks ja kas üldse kirjeldada eesti keeles raamatut kohast, mida enamus eesti lugejaid ühest küljest pole iialgi kogenud ja teisest küljest, kui kogeksid, kehitaksid ilmselt õlgu, et mis siin erilist? The Kenwood Ladies' Pond was officially opened in 1926 following the popularity of the Mixed and Men's Ponds. There were few trees on the Heath in those days and the ponds were unfenced and so drew crowds of men and children who would come to watch the ladies bathe. By 1929 naked sunbathing on the meadow above the pond was no longer permitted and dogs had to be tied up outside.