Today, most likely the hottest day we’ve had this summer with a humidex of 40 Celsius, we were in no mood to stay inside the apartment and cook. We could have gone to the Toronto Islands and gotten some rays on the beach, but we opted to use the City outdoor pools I heard so much about during the strike.
The closest one to us is the one at Riverdale Park. I called to find out their operating hours and if there was an entrance fee as we didn’t want to carry wallets unnecessarily, just the money needed for the pool. Riverdale Park pool is open from noon until 7pm for everyone, and then from 7pm to 8pm for adults only. The only cost is a quarter per lockers.
We left around 12:30 and walked the 20 minutes trek. We came in from the back and the pool didn’t look busy at all. Bonus. We then made our way to the front and BAZZING!!! There was a line-up of approximately 100 people. A quick investigation told us that the pool was at capacity at the moment due to the lack of lifeguards present. Apparently enough lifeguards left their jobs with the City during the strike and didn’t feel like coming back for the few weeks remaining. Upon hearing the news a few people left but we decided to stick it out a bit longer.
45 minutes in the sun with an annoying crowd of people who don’t know line-up protocols is enough to get you to drink. Luckily there were some funnier people like the “very” important Riverdale Queen who marched all the way to the front of the line and yelled that she wanted to see the manager immediately. The girl at the door let her in, only to see her come out and join her group again behind us mere seconds later. As DR and I were next in line to finally get in, Riverdale Queen came back again and sternly said to the girl at the door: “Where’s the manager, he said we’d have to wait 30 minutes only and then we’d get in. It’s been 30 minutes. We’re not waiting any longer”.
Although I was really curious to find out what she had up her sleeve to force her way inside before everyone else that had been waiting in the heat, we were lucky enough to be let in.
Undress, undress, undress.
Locker, locker, locker.
Shower, shower, shower.
Dive, dive, dive.
Swim, swim, swim.
Sunbathe, sunbathe, sunbathe.
Just like that, 2 hours passed.
Refreshing.
We came home and while DR was preparing some delicious Peaches and Cream corn on the cob, I made a little dessert I like to call Sweet Strawberry Cream. Because it’s made with strawberries… and sugar… and cream…
Some delicious fresh strawberries, sugar, cream and a food deconstructor.
Remove leafy part
Wash
Mush them nice and good
Add the cream and sugar (to taste, half a cup or so), and mush them some more.
Chill and serve
Aaaahhh, Summer.
Would you mind terribly if I lived my summer vicariously through you. The whole winter thing in Melbourne is starting to wear thin!
Come visit… and then next Winter, when it’s your Summer, we’ll come your way.
Bah Mutant, I know Melbourne Winters. 4 seasons in one day! And SB, that’s not sugar that’s sugar substitute!
How was D9?
Oh good lord William, if I used real sugar my Wii Fit would probably slap me.
pssst…go during adult swim time. no lineups, and less annoying kids!
daryl: yeah, we discovered those adult hours while waiting in line to get in, we might have to go one of these hot evening if they persist.