In March 2020, everyone’s life took a bit of a tailspin. People started to find coping mechanisms for their new way of daily life. Luckily for me, I was in full-time employment from home with the fortunate ability to close the door on the workroom at the end of the day. Other coping strategies came in the form of daily workouts and good mood booster fix from Mr Joe Wicks, and reading.
I read so much over the Covid years. More than I had ever done and it has continued passed the pandemic. One of the earlier recommendations that my friend Kim gave me was The Lido by Libby Page. Even early on, I was missing my weekly plunge into Salford Quays with the help of Uswim, and this book gave me a way to tap into that.
Book Summary
The Lido is a story of how swimming has that brilliant ability to bring people from different backgrounds together and from that connection become better versions of themselves.
We get to meet Kate, a local journalist in London who is feeling a bit lost and unsure of herself. Tasked with writing a story about the closure of Brockwell Lido, she goes to meet the regular users. Enter Rosemary. Rosemary is an elderly lady that has swam in the lido, pretty much every day since it was built. We are taken through key moments of her life with her childhood sweetheart. Through lovely storytelling, Libby Page tells the story of these two women and how their friendship blossoms and as a result their community benefits.
I wouldn’t like to give too much away, but I thoroughly enjoyed this tale. I could feel the apprehension of Kate when she tried swimming outdoors for the first time, with seasoned swimmer, Rosemary. I wished to hug Rosemary during her hardships. I whooped for joy at their victories. And I also shed some sad and happy tears along the way.
It is a story that I could quite easily see being made into a film, and I’m astonished that someone hasn’t done so already.
Looking forward to my next trip to London where Brockwell Lido will certainly be on my lido list, and thank you Libby Page for transporting me on a happy journey back to the poolside during Covid.
10/10
