Takapuna Pool

It's been a proper grey, wet and miserable day, but who cares — I'm in Auckland!

I went to my first school assembly in 15 years this morning at my little nephew's primary school. They put on a welcoming ceremony in traditional Maori for new starters and parents (and an uncle who tagged along with his brother who's just joined the school board). Really enjoyed the experience, even the bit where I had to take my shoes off outside and walk into the hall through a corridor of primary school kids wondering who these weird looking people were.

After an easy day of emails and reading, I was ready for an evening swim. I had a pool planned, but when I jumped in the car and plugged it into Apple Maps it was nearly two hours away, not 15 minutes as I originally thought. No problem — Auckland has lots of pools within easy reach. I decided to plump for the 33.3 m pool about 20 minutes down the main road, just this side of the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Arrived and parked right out front (I now understand what the P120 signs mean — you can park for two hours), then headed inside to reception. I could see the pool through the sliding doors. It looked busy with only three public swim lanes open, but the two guys in the fast lane were moving at a decent pace. Paid my bargain NZD$8.50 entrance fee, declined the $2 spa upgrade, and headed off to the changing rooms. Realised I'd forgotten my padlock again (must stick it in the bag tonight), so I left my clothes poolside. Seems lots of people do.

Jumped in the fast lane. Not going to push it — I've got three weeks of travelling ahead and plenty of chances to add new pools, so I definitely don't want to risk injury! I set a 2 km limit and make a start. Worked through 1 km straight, then 10 x 100s.

Swim done, time to eat. Met my brother for dinner and suggested my new favourite beachside brewery, Browns Bay Brewing Company, for a burger and a pint of their moreish Bronzie pale ale.