Hello from London and South Devon, UK

[wetman1961]

I've been lurking for a few weeks, so it's about time I said Hello.

I'm a 57-year-old bear living in London, and also spending about one week in four in Torquay, Devon, where we have a couple of holiday lets. The plan is to retire there in the next year or so.

I have recently taken up swimming regularly again to improve my health and well-being (it's working!). I have just joined a local pool and during the Summer I also swim at Highgate Men's Pond, and in the sea in Devon. And I always wear briefs, mostly Speedos although I have a pair of black Adidas three-stripes that I like - too bad they don't do the red ones any more as that is my favourite colour!

I have been very pleased to see the increasing numbers of Speedo/briefs wearers in London lately, both, at the pool and pond. Sadly I tend to be very much in a minority in Devon (usually, of one). But that's not going to stop me.

[portseason]

Welcome mate! You go show the people of Devon what correct pool etiquette should be - speedos only!!

[DaveSpeedoEvans]

Welcome WetMan, great to have you here!!!

I'm in London and having a blast, little cloudy today but the weather has been gorgeous.

Just yesterday a member emailed me telling me about the Highgate Men's Pond. I was going to go to the cricket on Friday but it is 100 quid (I don't like cricket that much - that is AUD$180) so I think I might go out to that place , particularly if the weather comes sunny again.

I will keep you posted.

Dave

[SEASPEEDO]

Welcome WetMan!

[wetman1961]

Thank you all for the welcome messages!

[Norfcountryboy]

Hi mate, welcome to the group. It sounds like you've got a good set up planned. I've traveled all over Europe but Devon is my first love, I don't care if a summer break involves the Monaco Grand Prix followed by cocktails on Taylor Swifts yacht; if the journey there didn't involve the train going along the sea wall at Dawlish then it's not a holiday!

[wetman1961]

Thank you for the welcome Norfcountryboy. I agree, that journey between Exeter and Newton Abbot along the Sea Wall is one of the best train journeys in Britain. Come down again soon!

[wetman1961]

Summer Season is ending at Highgate Men's Pond - the water temperature is down to 16C (which I still find quite pleasant), and closing time changes to 4.30pm from this Monday (24th September) with a further reduction in hours in mid-October.

Yesterday was probably my last swim of the season, and this week I achieved my aim of swimming five circuits of the Pond continuously. Considering that when restarted regular swimming earlier this year it was a struggle to do one, I'm pretty pleased to have managed that. Also I am lighter and fitter, having lost 12 kilos over the past eighteen months, and I have rediscovered my ability to dive. So all in all it has been a really good Season for me.

I'm back in Devon first weekend in October, so I might manage a last sea swim. Only saying might.

So it's London Fields Lido for me from now. Four times a week, with a twenty-five minute walk each way. should help with the fitness and weight loss over the Winter period. Look out for me; I'll be the bear wearing the Speedos!

[SEASPEEDO]

Congrats on your success! Keep up the good work!

[wetman1961]

Thank you for the encouragement Seaspeedo - much appreciated!

[Speedoaddict]

I've been lurking for a few weeks, so it's about time I said Hello.

I'm a 57-year-old bear living in London, and also spending about one week in four in Torquay, Devon, where we have a couple of holiday lets. The plan is to retire there in the next year or so.

I have recently taken up swimming regularly again to improve my health and well-being (it's working!). I have just joined a local pool and during the Summer I also swim at Highgate Men's Pond, and in the sea in Devon. And I always wear briefs, mostly Speedos although I have a pair of black Adidas three-stripes that I like - too bad they don't do the red ones any more as that is my favourite colour!

I have been very pleased to see the increasing numbers of Speedo/briefs wearers in London lately, both, at the pool and pond. Sadly I tend to be very much in a minority in Devon (usually, of one). But that's not going to stop me.

Welcome to the forum. Nice to hear from someone in the UK.
Never been to Devon but I do love Newquay Cornwall.

[wetman1961]

Thank you Speedoaddict - yes, it's good to hear from a fellow Brit! You should definitely come to Devon sometime, there are some lovely swimming and sunbathing spots on the South Devon coast.

[Speedoaddict]

Thank you Speedoaddict - yes, it's good to hear from a fellow Brit! You should definitely come to Devon sometime, there are some lovely swimming and sunbathing spots on the South Devon coast.

Hi Wetman1961, I will keep that in mind for next year.

[wetman1961]

I managed to get a last sea swim in Torquay on Friday, the water was surprisingly pleasant after the initial shock (I just dived straight in off a jetty). In Speedos of course - my red Speedo Endurance for those who like to know these things.

I was hoping to have my very last sea swim of the season today (Sunday) as I am headed back to London tomorrow, but the sea conditions were too rough for swimming safely. So plenty of trips to the pool for me next week.

[wetman1961]

An update to this, I finally made the move to Torquay in October, and I'm loving it. I'm not sea swimming this winter but I might try to keep it going next year.

In the meantime I am discovering the pools both locally and further afield (so far I have swum in Exeter and Plymouth - looking forward to Tinside Lido when it reopens!). Although the Speedo quotient isn't particularly high down here, it's nice to see the odd fellow briefs-wearer!

Happy to hear from anyone in the South West.