Haven Point Swimming Pool

After a frustrating lunchtime swim in Jesmond, I head twenty minutes out of Newcastle city centre to South Shields, where Tyneside meets the North Sea, to finish up the quota for the day.

But first, a quick stop on the seafront. It's wet, windy and wild, and the waves crashing over the harbour wall look about 10m high. Then I head round to the tiny pool car park, which is full - consider heading back to the seafront and making a dash back to the pool, but it's raining buckets, so decide to sit and wait for a few minutes.

Haven Point sits right on the South Shields seafront and sounds like somewhere you'd find in New England, on the US east coast! The facility is quite impressive, both the building from the outside and the interior design, changing area and pool deck. I don't get to see the aqua park, but the photos of the water slides look impressive. It's been open just over twelve years, and I know it has recently reopened after repairs to a damaged roof.

Pay the quite reasonable £7.05 entry fee, quick change, figure out the lockers, then head out to the pool hall. The pool is busy, very busy. I suspect it's school half term in the North East, and half the pool is roped off for 'mess about' play - why you'd be in here any not the aqua park next door I do no know! The timetable advertises a lane swim session, but the reality is two double width lanes that seem to be a bit of a free for all. Jump in the 'fast lane' and make a start. It's frustrating going. I'm still reeling from the Jesmond lunchtime swim, and this may be worse. At this point I should just go to the pub instead!

To be fair, if I come to an early morning lane swim session, I bet this goes high on the favourite pools list. The place has a proper modern short course competition pool, and they've cut no corners. The water is perfect and everything is super clean. Get on with it and end up with a 2km total swim distance.

Swim done, it's time to head back to Newcastle. I have a few hours of work to catch up on in the brilliant Hilton Newcastle Executive Lounge, complete with complimentary Peroni!