'Water Word' [sic] at The Long Beach

Quite possibly the most exciting thing to have happened since we arrived here happened just under two weeks ago.  What, what? I can hear you gasping.  The oh-so-long-anticipated opening of 'Water Word', that's what, people.

Now unless I have already raved about this to you, you may well be envisaging some sort of giant Scrabble game that's played underwater; or perhaps it might conjure up images of some after-dinner entertainment where Colin and I try to outdo each other by thinking up the largest number of words to describe water; finally, some of you might think it's the crazy kind of name they would give to a newspaper over here, given that we're in close proximity to a lot of water.  But, no!  You would not be right in any of these assumptions!

'Water World', as I'm 99.9% sure it should be (you'd have thought they'd have proof read it before getting thousands of flyers printed, could just be the pedant in me - maybe I'm being unduly harsh, English is the second language here after all!), is the latest leisure facility to open within our apartment complex.  That's in addition to the gym, tennis court, basketball court, billiard room, mini-cinema for private use, piano room, music studio and a stack of other things that are predominantly aimed at kids.  These were already open and ready for your delectation.

Now, as I've tried to capture with these photos, we have a huge outdoor (but also heated just in case the sun was a bit cold) swimming pool, complete with water chute, two outdoor jacuzzis (the smaller squares you can see under the gazebo thingummys) and indoors, something called a Furo Pool.  Added to which, inside both sets of changing rooms, there's a further jacuzzi - impressively-sized and with varying-strength jets, no less - a sauna and a steam room.

Man, it truly is the best thing ever.  I'd completely forgotten how much I enjoy swimming!  Apart from the obligatory my-goodness-I've-been-tanning-for-seven-hours-straight-I-think-I'm-melting dip that you have on your summer holiday (which even when you are in 35 degree heat, you put off because you can't be bothered to re-apply the factor 25 you so diligently put on only 15 minutes ago) I've not so much been in a gym that has a pool, much less ventured into a public swimming baths.  To be honest, I don't know hardly any adults that do; swimming's one of those activities that you seem to grow out of (unless you're really good at it, in which case I imagine you'd enter competitions or the Olympics maybe) mainly because of the time it would take and the effort it requires.  Remembering your kit, knowing where the nearest pool is, having wet hair on the journey home when it's minus two outside - who can be bothered?

Me!  The beauty of having 'Water Word' on site is that the hassle element goes away - I can have a shower afterwards in my own bathroom (I'm making you virescent with envy at the sheer luxury, I can tell). I have been going every day for the last week and a half (Pies accompanies me as and when work permits) increasing the number of lengths every time.  Hmmm...wonder if the application form for London 2012 is available to download online..?

The only problem I've encountered thus far, is that bikinis, great invention that they were for lying there looking sun-kissed, do not enjoy being employed for coverage for more than about a length and a half (specifically the bottom part of the bikini).  And considering, as is the way with every establishment here: they employ too many staff, the superfluous number of male lifeguards (not attractive at all ladies, I assure you, don't book a flight out here just to check them out), most of them have nothing to do but idly watch you try and swim while adjusting your briefs at the same time.  I shall be remedying the situation shortly with the purchase of a swimming costume, you'll be mightily glad to hear.

Right, as the hour approaches 4pm and the pool will shortly be open for it's afternoon session, I'd best go and find that damned impractical two-piece!