Hampstead Bathing Ponds

The first hot day in months - we went up to Hampstead Heath and wandered around the park looking for the bathing ponds. It's a lovely park to find a shady spot of grass and sunbake for the afternoon, preferably with food and water balloons. So many people were out enjoying the sunshine (proof that most of London is unemployed right now).
The ponds themselves are gorgeous pools surrounded by trees and misty light, reminiscent of an American coming of age movie, complete with boardwalk. Not so romantic for Australians used to salt water keeping them afloat - we had sore arms from pawing at the water within minutes.






I'm disappointed that we have found this haven with only 3 months left to enjoy it. I would gladly live in London again if I could live and work in Hampstead, and spend every morning and dusk visiting the ponds, feeding the ducks and finding hidden spots for romps in the long grass.