[Pedro the Fisherman]

Sometimes it feels like I'm writing this just for my own amusement, it is really quite enjoyable to go over these events in my mind, some I'd forgotten about and writing this post has brought them back. I promise we will get to HAI eventually!

Back to the late night pool session.

J****e keeps on holding my hand underwater for what seems like minutes and we end up bobbing in the pool, almost as one. The artist then takes charge "right, as we were just saying, who's up for a synchronised swim team for the final night performance?" The 'final night performance' is CR tradition where guests put on an improvised show for tutors and guests. It's never meant to anything other than a laugh and the artist thought for a finale, we could put on a pool spectacular as the show takes place just off the pool area in the large hall.

J puts up her hand, still holding mine..."that's two to start" announced the artist. After a minute, we end up with six volunteers, five women and me. "Can men do synchronised swimming" I asked. " we'll find out" said P**, " I don't think it will matter, let's see shall we?".

Well, let me tell you, it's bloody difficult! Trying to float and move around the pool in formation with 5 other people. More than once I swallowed a lot of water, on the positive side, more than once I had some rather intimate contact with body parts of my companions. After 30 minutes of giggles we were ejected by the warden for making too much noise, too late.

"Same time tomorrow and we need more swimmers, bring a friend tomorrow or it will not work" ordered the artist. J and I got out and dried off together, drying each others back, something we'd not done before. I walked her to the accommodation and said " I have a room to myself now". J smiled and said "not tonight, let's talk tomorrow".

I walked back to my empty room, wondering what tomorrow would bring, it was the penultimate day of the vacation and time was running out.