Hoddesdon is just west of Harlow, about an hour south of home (just west of Cambridge). The swimming club prides itself on being as integrated as possible and that gave me the opportunity to do two swims and make sure that the following day would hold the last swim.

The enthusiastic and charismatic leader, Janet Warrington, greeted me warmly but nervously as we both didn’t know if what we had planned would work! First I was to swim with the disabled members of the club at 4:00 pm and then at 5:00 pm talk to the whole club as the elite swimmers would have arrived. And then I was to swim again at 6:00 pm alongside the aforementioned elite members.

Carl Cooper, the ASA’s Eastern Region Disability Talent Officer, to give him his full title also came along and kindly helped with my trunks! He also did the timing and tried to urge me on to a faster time!

We had some unexpected twists to overcome: first there was a scuba diving club in half the pool, then there was one disabled member who needed to swim against the wall, which changed Janet’s plans of me swimming close to the spectators. But we happily settled into a central lane and the divers maintained a studied indifference!

I was very aware that I was going to be swimming in less than two hours, so I didn’t push it too hard on my first swim. Therefore 35:42 was pleasing. I recall thinking that the design of the roof – a wave coming down from a rock cliff – was quite attractive. They also have a “community pool” which is shallower and warmer, so all in all a really great community facility.

I was able to take a breather and eat a banana before “singing for my supper” or in reality shouting my talk. The acoustics were difficult, the seating shallow and wide, but everyone seemed to be able to hear and showed real interest.

Some of the mums and helpers were very complimentary, not least about my drawings. Anna seemed particularly friendly and Helena was obviously a stalwart, looking after membership.

The second swim was tough but I still managed 36:05, which gave me great pleasure. One of the signs of greater fitness is recovery time and I have noticed that though I have become slower towards the end of the swims – fatigue kicking in – I have recovered more quickly.

The young elite swimmers were very enthusiastic, cheering me from the side over the first couple of lengths, swimming 10 lots of 100m and then getting out to line the side of the pool – I was now able to take the lane nearest the spectators – for the final lengths. They made a significant noise which truly spurred me on!

Janet was so keen on the whole exercise we are getting together in the next few days to plan what Power2Inspire can do in developing integrated sport. She is a champion of the Special Olympics, for that is integrated in a number of sports. Carl was equally enthusiastic and encouraging, suggesting I could take up competitive swimming, that I’m not too old, for a record was recently set by a 57 year old!

Thank you Hoddesdon for an excellent afternoon. These were the 48th and 49th swims in the 42nd pool. One last one left to do!