The Swimming Pool

Today was the hottest day of the weeks so far, 29C. After yesterday's escapade we all told Gavin we were not going cycling today! The boys went to the pool and we joined them for a while, but it was too hot so after trying (unsuccessfully) to read my book in the shade we came back to the apartment which was cooler.

This swimming pool puts most lidos to shame - it has a huge circular main pool, with a smaller 'whirlpool' within that, a large lap pool, a deep diving pool with two diving boards and a climbing wall over the pool, two small children's pools with a tarpaulin cover for shade, large grassy area to relax in, a beach volleyball area, table tennis tables...plus a café.

The first year we ever came here was in 2005, and this new swimming pool complex had just opened in July that year, after much anticipation from everyone. Two days after we left the whole valley was devastated by the most destructive floods, and this new, expensive pool complex was practically destroyed. It had to be rebuilt and only re-opened the following summer. Now, eight years later they are still repairing the damage further up the valley and have spent millions widening the river, raising the bridges and generally putting flood defensive systems in so that this tragedy does not happen again.

So while we are sitting in the heat in Switzerland Luke is on safari in South Africa seeing lions! They have played two matches so far, and they won convincingly... 70-15 and then 50-7...despite the boys all finding the altitude a little difficult to adjust to. They have now gone to Kruger National Park for two days to see some game, and go back to Johannesburg tomorrow where they have two more matches this week before moving on to Cape Town. Lucky boys!!