Thank you for your support across 2011. 

Warmest wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a very happy new year.

Simon Hare, Jen Kelly, Lyn York, 

conveners FoBP&MP.

handy new wallet card

look out for handy new FoBP&MP wallet card around town 

- includes web addresses, opening hours, Pool phone number etc

North Bondi children's pool

from NSW ocean baths' Flickr photostream

Note the particularly beautiful mural - hand-made ceramic tiles & recycled china, glass etc

ask for a Day Pass

Blue Mountains Have Your Say > Street Tree Planting

Blue Mountains Have Your Say > Street Tree Planting

I'm swimming in the rain

I'm swimming in the rain

Just swimming in the rain

What a glorious feelin'

I'm happy again

I'm laughing at clouds

So dark up above

The sun's in my heart...

The Pool opens 9:30 this morning regardless of the rain :) 

80th birthday

The official opening of Blackheath Pool took place – eighty years ago - during the 1931 Christmas holidays.  Over ensuing years many, many thousands of happy swimmers have enjoyed this special place. In 1935 The Katoomba Daily declared it “...the finest park and swimming pool on the mountains” [quoted p.155 Blackheath Today from Yesterday (2005)]. Detailed historical information is available at http://ow.ly/7dvms. 

Today Blackheath Pool is one of the most beautifully situated public swimming baths in Australia – set amongst sweeping lawns and the now mature rhododendrons, at over 1000 metres above sea level – providing swimming with altitude.

after the windstorm - insurance concerns? consider this...

a legal information session on MANAGING INSURANCE FOR 

WIND, STORM AND FIRE DAMAGE.

Xmas pressie idea...

[achievement #2] 300% patronage increase

In February 2011 patronage vastly increased over the previous year.

The previous season there were 706 individual February visits, whereas in 2010-11 season there were 3,099 individual February visits!

That’s a 300%-plus increase; or an average of one hundred people through the gate every day! And most were middle-of-the-day visits. Sadly this success was overlooked in BMCC reports.

photo: 5PM Tuesday 1 February 2011 lap pool water 29.5C (air 31.5C) 

This 300% increase was despite the strongest La Nina ever recorded, and a total of sixteen rain days in February 2011; and some continue to insist no-one uses The Pool - how absurd ;)

Home of summer swimming since 1931 - 80 years young.

The Official opening took place – eighty years ago - during the 1931 Christmas holidays.  Over ensuing years many thousands of happy swimmers enjoy this special place. 

In 1935 The Katoomba Daily declared it “...the finest park and swimming pool on the mountains...” *

From the late 1870s a dam fed by natural creeks and hanging swamps was established. This was the water reservoir for steam engines reaching the highest point of the western railway crossing the Blue Mountains. After WW1 locals began showing interest in the area surrounding the dam for recreational purposes. In January 1919 the area was set aside as a reserve for recreation. In December of the same year the Blackheath Municipal Council was formed – a not unconnected event!


Two years later James Dawes, superintendent of Sydney's Centennial Park came to Blackheath to advise on the potential of the land to become a unique park. The citizens of Blackheath raised 1,000 pounds to finance development as a park. The Memorial Park was established by the community to commemorate those who lost their lives in WW1, each rhododendron planted in memory of one of the 77 Blackheath casualties. The Park it is an enduring symbol of peace, and The Pool of the healing value of water. 

Although swimming in the dam was officially prohibited, locals larrikins couldn't resist its lure hot summer days.  Gradually the former dam was recognised as having potential as a swimming pool. In 1929 Blackheath Alderman Peter Sutton called a public meeting which formed a Citizens' Committee to organise voluntary labour and raise funds. During community working bees on Wednesday afternoons and weekends the dams were cleaned out, graded to the necessary depths and the bottoms gravelled. Old railway sleepers were painted white and placed to define the embankments.

Detailed historical information is available at http://ow.ly/7dvms . 

Today Blackheath Pool is one of the most beautifully situated public swimming baths in Australia – set amongst sweeping lawns and the now mature rhododendrons, at over 1000 metres above sea level – providing swimming with altitude.


**quoted p.155 Blackheath Today from Yesterday (2005)

Aquarobics?

register your interest with FoBP&MP member 

Jane Chalker jc@exemail.com.au or 0409 364 640

just two weeks to go

[achievement #1] pleasant swimming water

The lap pool averages 23C throughout the season.

It is the only unheated outdoor pool in the mountains; it’s also in the coolest climate zone, yet the lap pool peaked at 29C on 1 February 2011!  

The Pool *costs nothing* to heat, it is heated entirely by the sun.  

In our new carbon-priced world could we ask for better efficiency?  

This was achieved despite a very cool, wet summer.  

As stated on ABC Radio in January 2011 

“...this is the strongest La Nina ever recorded”*.  

In the upper mountains December 2010 was the wettest in 15 years, 

and the trend continued across the season:

19 rain days in January, 

16 rain days in February, 

22 rain days in March.

* Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe of Griffith University 

speaking on ABC Radio National’s Late Night Live 24-Jan-2011 

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/latenightlive/stories/2011/3119905.htm

Aquarobics anyone?

register your interest with FoBP&MP member 

Jane Chalker jc@exemail.com.au or 0409 364 640

Have a great Rhododendron Parade


Blackheath Memorial Park (& Pool) sildeshow http://ow.ly/7jDRM   

Blackheath Pool: eighty years an enduring symbol of Peace

Blackheath Pool and Memorial Park is in many senses the heart of the Blackheath community and a 'fragile oasis' at the top of the mountains. In the latest in a long tradition of Blackheath community activity surrounding The Pool, a three year concerted community campaign snatched Blackheath Pool from the brink of demolition. The fully renovated Pool reopened in 2006.

From the late 1870s a dam fed by natural creeks and hanging swamps was established. This was the water reservoir for steam engines reaching the highest point of the western railway crossing the Blue Mountains. After WW1 locals began showing interest in the area surrounding the dam for recreational purposes. In January 1919 the area was set aside as a reserve for recreation. In December of the same year the Blackheath Municipal Council was formed – a not unconnected event!

Two years later James Dawes, superintendent of Sydney's Centennial Park came to Blackheath to advise on the potential of the land to become a unique park. The citizens of Blackheath raised 1,000 pounds to finance development as a park. The Memorial Park was established by the community to commemorate those who lost their lives in WW1, each rhododendron planted in memory of one of the 77 Blackheath casualties. The Park it is an enduring symbol of peace, and The Pool of the healing value of water.

Although swimming was officially prohibited, locals larrikins couldn't resist the lure of the dam on hot summer days.  Gradually the former dam was recognised as having potential as a swimming pool. In 1929 Blackheath Alderman Peter Sutton called a public meeting which formed a Citizens' Committee to organise voluntary labour and raise funds. During community working bees on Wednesday afternoons and weekends the dams were cleaned out, graded to the necessary depths and the bottoms gravelled. Old railway sleepers were painted white and placed to define the embankments.

The Official opening took place - eighty years ago - during the 1931 Christmas holidays, and over ensuing years many thousands of happy swimmers enjoyed this special place.
In 1935 The Katoomba Daily declared it “...the finest park and swimming pool on the mountains” [quoted p.155 Blackheath Today from Yesterday (2005)].

Detailed historical information is available at http://ow.ly/7dvms.

Today Blackheath Pool is one of the most beautifully situated public swimming baths in Australia – set amongst sweeping lawns and the now mature rhododendrons, at over 1000 metres above sea level – providing swimming with altitude.

Blackheath Pool Opening Day Saturday 26 November 2011. Open every day of season 9:30AM to 6:30PM. Water averages a warm 23°C across the season. Request a DAY PASS which allows you to come and go as often as you like on any one day – swim early, picnic beneath the trees, swim again later.

Friends of Blackheath Pool and Memorial Park continues the community tradition – watching over this gem of the Mountains.

Have a great 
Rhododendron Festival!
Blackheath Memorial Park (& Pool) sildeshow http://ow.ly/7jDRM

Swimming program helps dementia patients reignite memories - UQ News Online - The University of Queensland

"A University of Queensland project team has created a specialised swim club to help people living with dementia rekindle the positive memories of swimming. 

According to project leader of Watermemories Swim Club, Associate Professor Christine Neville from the UQ School of Nursing and Midwifery, the sensation of swimming will assist people diagnosed with dementia to access memories. “It is primarily a pleasure-based experience,” Associate Professor Neville said. "

Swimming program helps dementia patients reignite memories - UQ News Online - The University of Queensland

Teddy Bears Picnic - Saturday 22 October

FoBP&MP collaborated with Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre & others on a Teddy Bears Picnic to celebrate Childrens Week 2011.
Was a big success on  beautiful Blackheath Day 150+ kids, parents, friends & their Teddies attended

Took place Saturday 22^nd October from 11AM to 1PM in Blackheath Memorial Park beneath the shading oaks near the Duck Pond & resplendent in new Spring growth.

Pool to open 9:30AM to 6:30PM every day!

We're very pleased to announce that Council voted this evening for Blackheath Pool to be open for a block of nine hours each & every day of the 2011-12 season.  Hours will be 9:30AM to 6:30PM every day.  


FoBP&MP campaigned across the off-season to achieve this outcome.  We thank Mayor Daniel Myles for bringing the matter to tonight's meeting as a matter of urgency, and Cr Terri Hamilton for her support.  BM Leisure Centres management & staff will now be able to proceed with planning the upcoming season, which commences on Saturday 26 November. 

"New season will have something missing"...at Lithgow Pool

http://www.lithgowmercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/new-season-will-have-something-missing/2286875.aspx

[Letter to Editor] Re: ‘Glenbrook in the swim’ (24 August 2011)

Dear Sir,

It’s great to see Councillors working together to secure the future of Glenbrook Pool.  This will benefit the whole Mountains swimming community.  While revitalisation work is in progress we invite Glenbrook swimmers to join us at beautiful Blackheath Pool.  Hop on the train for a leisurely stress-free ride up the hill, then a short stroll from the station.  Average water temperature 23°C throughout the season.  Opens 26 November with free fun day.

http://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/news/local/news/general/major-upgrade-for-glenbrook-pool/2268556.aspx

[Letter to Editor] Blackheath Pool - The Facts, BM Gazette 24-Aug-11

Dear Sir,

·        Blackheath Pool water temperatures last season averaged 23 degrees, peaking at 29 degrees. However, Blackheath Pool is heated purely by the sun. There is no cost to heat The Pool.

·        Patronage in February 2011 increased by over 300% to 3099 visits, up from 706 visits the previous year, despite sixteen rain days in the wettest La Nina ever recorded.

·        Overall cost increase last season, with the introduction of full time opening hours, averaged less than $5 per entry. Unfortunately opening hours are being reduced again this season.

Blackheath Pool is fully refurbished with added shade umbrellas.  It is set in the Blackheath Memorial Park, with play equipment and picnic/barbeque facilities, and just 10 minutes walk from the station. The Pool is for the use of all mountains residents and visitors.  Day passes are available so that you can spend the whole day there.

Join us and enjoy your rare and beautiful pool this summer.

Simon Hare,
for Friends of Blackheath Pool & Memorial Park

http://friendsofblackheathpool.blogspot.com

POOL HOURS - next season

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK:
Council has decided to reduce Blackheath Pool’s hours for the 2011/12 season, and to return to a split-shift approach to opening hours outside school holidays i.e. 7-10AM & 3-7PM weekdays.

The Friends of Blackheath Pool & Memorial Park committee is considering recommending an alternative approach - to allocate hours in a single block across ALL days of the season.

We’ve come up with three options, and would like to know your opinions on:
1. 9AM to 6PM every day
2. 10AM to 7PM every day
3. 9AM to 6PM in school terms & 10AM to 7PM during school holidays

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Leave your thoughts here, or email friendsofblackheathpool@gmail.com
Thank you.

Blackheath Choir Festival 26 - 28 August

2011 will see a record 31 choirs perform individual sets in six concerts over the course of the weekend. Each concert features 5 choirs singing their choice of music. Pop, opera, folk from many cultures, classical, comedy, gospel, political, ancient and modern - some a'cappella and some accompanied on a beautiful Steinway grand piano. More info at http://blackheathchoirfestival.weebly.com/ 

Look for The Pool brochure at The Festival!

Council decision on The Pool 28-Jun-11

"Blackheath pool's opening hours will be cut back next season despite a boost in numbers during extended opening times last summer."  BM Gazette 29-Jun-11

FoBP&MP comments on this BMCC decision below (see Business Paper Item 9 28 June 2011). 


As Emeritus Prof. Ian Lowe* stated last January on Late Night Live “...this is the strongest La Nina ever recorded”.  Wet weather necessarily pushes down patronage at any outdoor facility. But this is not taken into account assessing Blackheath Pool patronage in BMCC's Report.  It would be interesting indeed to compare patronage stats at other outdoor BM pools!

Sure enough, in the upper mountains, December 2010 was the wettest in 15 years, and the trend continued across the season with 19 rain days in January, 16 rain days in February, and 22 rain days in March. 

Sad summer weather aside, February patronage vastly INCREASED over the previous year.  The bulk of that was middle-of-the-day visits. These are BMCC's own statistics: in 2010 there were 706 individual February visits, in 2011 there were 3099!  That’s a more-than-300% increase.  And this was once summer school holidays has finished.  You couldn’t ask for better!  But this too is missing from the report.  Overall there’s a small increase in income despite appalling weather.

It may have been wet, but it was also warm. For the record – this unheated, outdoor The Pool was warm & pleasant – lap pool peaking at 29 degrees on February 1st.  It can’t be emphasised too often that Blackheath Pool is WARM all summer long!

For Council to seek to cut-back community facilities in an area of socio-economic disadvantage seems anathema – we fail to see how this is “Looking after people”!!

All in all, we note a remarkably successful season given weather & congratulate BM Leisure Centres Staff & Management success.

* Professor Lowe ids President Australian Conservation Foundation; emeritus professor of science, technology and society at Griffith University on ABC RN’s Late Night Live 24-Jan-2011

***Please consider leaving your comments online on the BM Gazette article "Extended pool hours rejected" 29 Jun, 2011 11:14 AM BY KRYSTYNA POLLARD
(previous article is "Extra Blackheath pool visits cost council" 23 Jun, 2011 12:12 PM )

The Pool in space!!!

We've listed FoBP&MP as a project on NASA’s Fragile Oasis site :
"It is very difficult to look at our beautiful Earth from space without being moved in some way. 
One of the main goals of Fragile Oasis is to share this orbital perspective and inspire people to go out and make a difference; to go out and somehow make life better for those with whom they share this fragile oasis. 
The Fragile Oasis community was established to unite in the common goal of sharing our humanity and improving our world. 
Let us inspire, recognize, and help each other in our collective quest to make life better on our planet. Connecting Space & Earth. Learn, Act, Make a Difference"

Men Who Swim

[historical] The Sydney Morning Herald, 21-Dec-1936

 BLUE MOUNTAINS.

 "Playground of Australia.”

ATTRACTING TOURISTS

"The Government aims at making the Blue Mountains the playground of Australia," said the Minister for Local Government (Mr. Spooner) at a civic reception at Blackheath on Saturday. 

Mr. Spooner visited Blackheath with a four-fold object - officially to open the children's playground, in Jubilee Park, to turn the first sod of the Blackheath sewerage scheme, to switch on the electric lighting of the Memorial Park, and to inaugurate the flood-lighting of the swimming pool. 

To encourage tourists to Blue Mountains resorts, said Mr. Spooner, the Government had subsidised the Blackheath Council to the extent of £10,000 to enable works costing £20,000, comprising tar paving, road construction, park improvements, stormwater drainage construction, and provision of pleasure grounds. 

The Minister said the Government was country-minded and developmental in outlook. It was helping to develop inland towns on a subsidised basis. The health of the residents and the visitors to a district was of paramount importance. The public was entitled to protection against unhealthy or insanitary conditions, and it was a fair thing for the taxpayer generally to pay some proportion of the cost. 

The Blue Mountains, he said, were being popularised by the provision of better roads, faster train services, and the cheapening of hotel and other accommodation. 

The Mayor of Blackheath (Alderman W. Cripps), speaking at the sewerage inauguration ceremony, said the cost of the sewerage scheme was estimated at £67,000, of which the Government would contribute £25,867. A loan to cover the council liability of £41,133 was being raised. Repayment of the loan would be over a period of 45 years, in equated half-yearly instalments of principal and interest at 3J per cent, amounting to £911. The town of Blackheath had a population of 2554, and it was anticipated that, with a modern sewerage system, material progress would be shown in the future. The work would absorb 30 men immediately, and 200 in a few weeks' time. 

Among the large attendance were the former Minister for Works and Health (Mr. Weaver), the Mayor of Katoomba (Alderman W. Soper), the President of the Blue Mountains Shire (Councillor W. P. Mathews), the Deputy Mayor of Blackheath (Alderman H. P. Collier), the town clerk of Blackheath (Mr. F. C. Taylor), and the Town Clerk of Blue Mountains Shire (Mr. Pedder Scrivener). 

At a civic dinner, Councillor Mathews advocated the formation of a County Council for the Blue Mountains. 

During his visit to Blackheath Mr. Spooner, who was accompanied by Mrs. Spooner, motored to the various resorts, including Govett's Leap, the road to which: has been tar-paved. He watched the diving and swimming competitions in the flood-lit swimming pool. 

Sydney Morning Herald, Monday 21 December 1936

Retrieved 24-May-2011 from http://trove.nla.gov.au 

TEDxSydney@BANC 28 May 8AM-6PM

This event is FREE.

If you’d like to attend you may REGISTER at www.tedxsydney.com/site/satelliteEvent.cfm
or Facebook users may register on BANC’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=207601315936872.

Or just show up on the day.  And come to as many or as few sessions as you wish. 

BM Gazette "Blackheath Pool plans scuttled by council"

Blackheath Memorial Park is a most beautiful public park - sweeping lawns & mature rhododendrons surround three kids play areas, a duck pond & free BBQ facility.  But without adequate PUBLIC TOILETS it's underused by families & does not fulfill Council's stated aims for Child Friendly City either.

This is why FoBP&MP suggested Council look at ways to better utilise existing facilities within The Pool Pavilion.  Currently these are closed to the public for eight months & open only during the four-month swimming seeason December to March each year.

BM Gazette article "Blackheath Pool plans scuttled by council" 18-May-11**
**NB the original BMCC Capital Works budget for the stand-alone toilets (which remains extant as result of this last Council meeting decision) is *$400K* - not $300K - as stated in this Gazette article!!
Even more reason to open access to Pavilion toilets.

Park TOILETS issue at Council 10-May-11

BACKGROUND
Two years ago, Council’s own proposal to spend $400,000 on brand new toilets at Blackheath Memorial Park prompted FoBP&MP to suggest sharing the existing TOILETS at Blackheath Pool, consequently SAVING Council perhaps $300,000.  So, in March last year, Council requested a Report to look into this matter.   FoBP&MP found the resulting report inadequate.  So we suggested a deferral of any decisions, ahead of a more considered report, with a more creative solution.

AT COUNCIL 10-May-11
The Memorial Park / Blackheath Pool fence line & year-round access to toilets matter came back to Council last Tuesday.  Sadly it didn’t go as we hoped.

FoBP&MP felt the report in the Business Paper & Option B (the recommendation) lost the central notion of our suggestion – to share the Pavilion toilets with Park users.

So we spoke against the recommendation, & Cr Gibbs raised a deferral motion on our behalf – requesting a more in depth report.  Cr Mays seconded this deferral motion.

Ward 4 Crs Greenhill & Creed spoke strongly against our deferral motion.
They persisted in seeing our position as a proposal to SPEND MORE on Blackheath Pool, & seemed unable to conceive that we were bringing a matter to Council that would SAVE money.
Four Councillors were absent – Crs Hamilton, McLaren, Luchetti & Clark - however the debate lasted a good half hour!!
Their position won.
No deferral, and report recommendations rejected.

This means the $400K allocation remains in Capital Works forward estimates for 2012-13 for a new separate toilet block.
And this proposed new toilet block remains in the Park Plan of Management.
So we don’t feel this is a huge loss.

We are forging links with those involved in the Child Friendly City proposals (adequate toilets being critical to kid-friendly parks) AND hope to revisit this matter, possibly in tandem with a ‘centenary of WW1’ rejuvenation of the Memorial Park.

Closed for the winter

Yesterday Blackheath Pool closed for another off-season, along with other Blue Mountains outdoor pools. Friends of Blackheath Pool & Memorial Park will be reviewing both successes & shortcoming of last season.  We'll be meeting with BM Leisure Centres management in coming weeks.  Your feedback is welcome.

BLUE MOUNTAINS COMMUNITY BOOK DRIVE

Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre: BLUE MOUNTAINS COMMUNITY BOOK DRIVE - Brassall State School in Queensland was devastated by the floods • 65,000 books from the School libra..."

water stays WARM

It's important to note that despite the last two nights' air temps dropping below 10.0C The Pool water has maintained its temperatures above 20.0C.

This morning at 8AM the Lap Pool was a pleasant 22.9C.

The Pool remains open until the end of March for your swimming pleasure :)  To quote our previuos Mayor "use it or lose it" !!!

Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre: SENIORS WEEK 2011 - Friday 18th March 2011 Event:...

Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre: SENIORS WEEK 2011 - Friday 18th March 2011

Event:...: "SENIORS WEEK 2011 - Friday 18th March 2011 Event: Guided Tour of Blackheath Memorial Park Venue: Entrance to Blackheath Memorial Park, Cor..."

doggie-friendly bubbler recently installed

New bubbler near duck pond
NOTE tap & dog-height bowl at back ;)

Thank you BMCC for agreeing to FoBP&MP suggestion.

BARGAIN 2-month see-out-the-season passes

With just over two months of the Blackheath Pool season to go SEE-OUT-THE-SEASON passes are available again.

• adult $70 (saving $52 on full price)
• concession $40 (saving $33 on full price)
• family $145 (saving $125 on full price)

On sale Monday 7 Febraury 2011 at Blackheath Pool (4787 8018)

more vandalism...

Sadly, vandals damaged two white shade umbrellas at Pool last night. This is second break-in this season.  One umbrella is damaged beyond repair & BMCC will replace.  The other is being repaired.  It's very dispiriting.

crowds flock to Pool for OzDay

The Pool was a popular spot yesterday.  Mid afternoon air temps topped 33C.  Patronage averaged 150 at any one time across the whole day.  What a successful Australia Day!  Former generations of proud Blackheathen Australians - who built The Pool - will be smiling on us ;)

7th anniversary 'Pool Party Without A Pool'

Seven years ago the Blackheath Community gathered to protest temporary closure of Blackheath Pool, and to urge Council to reconsider a permanent closure...

...the following day a unanimous decision by Council at it’s 27 January meeting secured the future of Blackheath Pool. So that today we continue to enjoy our beautiful swimming basin set in sweeping lawns & surrounded by mature rhododendrons & native bushland at a unique 1,065 metres above sea level. 

For more see FIVE YEARS AGO

don't forget your PASS-OUT!

On any one day, once you've paid entry to Blackheath Pool, you may come and go as often as you please, using a Blackheath Pool Pass-Out.

** This is a facility available ONLY at Blackheath Pool **

Allows you to swim, have a picnic lunch & swim again later etc. A great idea for Australia Day!

And don't forget pop-up shade & sunscreen is free too!

Happy Australia Day from FoBP&MP.

Poolside e-news No.3

Welcome to a Poolside e-news focussed on attendance.

• as you’d know we suddenly have a flush of summer – water temperatures over recent days have hovered close to 25C;
• both memberships & casual visits are up over previous years;
• season-wide patronage has been better than expected considering variable weather;
• an indication of high patronage is the kiosk completely running out of stock last weekend!!
• yesterday 150-odd thru gate;
• perhaps BMCC/FoBP&MP hard work on promoting The Pool is paying off at last?
• we hope tomorrow - Australia Day - will see patronage close to records set on New Year’s Day ;)
• Pool Supervisor Jake Burton will provide detailed patronage statistics to FoBP&MP meeting on 10 February;
• part of the lawn is well enough to open this afternoon, and with luck all will open tomorrow;
• as an bonus the magnolia tree is in full bloom wafting heavy perfume on the breezes;
• Come on down The Pool & enjoy

• 
  

turtle rescue

One recent morning lifeguard Rebecca noticed non-human objects swimming in the lap pool, but realsing they weren't ducks she went to investigate.  On discovering two native turtles on a hunting & gathering mission,   she fished them out & returned them to the duck pond.
Reportedly the turtles were NOT impressed - their long uphill walk coming to nought.

gorgeous down The Pool 8:30AM

Busy with lap swimmers - out of frame below - rapidly filling with swimmers by 9:30 when I left... 

map & directions on foursquare

"Blackheath Pool is one of the most beautifully situated public swimming pools in Australia, set amongst sweeping lawns & mature rhododendrons, at 1065 metres above sea level in the Blue Mountains of NSW. Lap pool, leisure pool & shaded toddlers pool."

Map & directions: http://foursquare.com/venue/13264453

Advice from Australian Red Cross

A useful resource for family & friends caught in the disaster zone. Please pass on.

A recommended range of  practical ‘how to’ FLOOD CLEAN-UP fact sheets developed by the Australian Red Cross – they advise “It is important to start clearing out and drying your home as soon as the rain has stopped and the water receded”.

Go here http://www.redcross.org.au/ourservices_acrossaustralia_disasteremergencyservices_recover_after-floods.htm

Pool is holding its warmth

Good morning Simon

Good news, despite the poor weather the 25m pool is holding at 22.7degrees not to bad at all. I swam some laps yesterday and it was perfect.

The leisure pool is at 22.6degrees

And the tots is at 21.6 Degrees

Have a good day

Reece Boothroyd (Aquatic Supervisor Blackheath)

SeaTeePee

A good look for next summer?

http://www.beachshelter.com.au/about.shtml

Seven Seas

For the purists, here's the original clip: http://youtu.be/iuE3uc2cBCk

Once upon a time...

Thanks to Philip Hay for this contribution.

Does anyone know the date?

New Years Day attendance topped 600...

...as the air temperature topped 32C.

Today's a little cooler ;)
At 11:30AM the lap pool was a very pleasant 22.8C, while the air was 14.8C

Happy New Year 2011 everyone.