Robinson Pools & Fitness

In Biddenham for the weekend, so I scouted out a nearby pool to tick off another one for the list. Bedford is only five minutes down the road, and of the two pools there, one happens to be 33.3 metres — not something you see much these days. Seeing as I'd already swum in a 33.3m earlier this week, and my Garmin is taunting me with an untidy weekly total of 16,733m (thanks to running out of time and getting kicked out mid-session in Street on Tuesday), this seemed like the perfect opportunity to round things off. It'll be my sixth swim in seven days, and yes, the shoulders are absolutely feeling it — but the plan is to get in 3,200m, plus a bonus 66m purely to fix that annoying total.

It's 6:30 on a Sunday morning and it's already shaping up to be a cracking sunny day. Quick hop in the car and five minutes later I'm pulling into the car park behind Robinson Pool in North Bedford. The building is very much showing its age — classic tired 70s leisure centre vibes — but on the plus side, the parking is free for up to five hours on Sundays, so no grumbles there.

Walked round the front to reception, paid up, and headed into the changing village, which looks like it's had a fairly recent refurb. It's all clean, functional, and slightly better than expected. Out onto poolside and first impressions: big space. The pool hall feels massive. It actually reminds me a lot of Wyndley back home in Sutton Coldfield — same kind of red brick, same overall layout. There's a 33.3m pool with six lanes, although oddly set up with just three double-width lanes. There's also a diving pit built into the side, halfway down the near edge.

Standing at the water's edge, it feels like it's going to be a warm one. Jumped in and was relieved to find the temperature just about spot on. The place is nearly empty — fewer than ten people in the pool, and over the next 50 minutes, that barely changes. It's quiet, calm, and the wide lanes feel totally unnecessary.

The pool itself isn't in great shape. The tiles are heavily discoloured — particularly at the far end — and some are stained a pretty grim shade of yellow-brown. It's not a good look. I doubt it's something they've just neglected to clean, more likely it's just years of wear they can't do much about. At either end of the pool there are large circular plastic lights embedded in the walls, which I somehow end up aiming for every time I turn.

The swim itself is a bit of a slog. I seem to be getting hit with tree pollen again — hay fever in full effect — and every breath feels heavier than it should. Just not one of those smooth days in the water.

Finished up, grabbed a quick shower and change, and then gave in to the call of a sausage and egg McMuffin with a cappuccino. Opened up Garmin Connect to admire the freshly rounded week total... 19,999 metres.