Swimming in the Serpentine

I went into London for the women's 10km open water swim in the Serpentine at Hyde Park. I walked from Paddington and began to soak up the atmosphere as the sun was shining, people were smiling, and union floags were everwhere in evidence. It was busy but energizing.

As I arrived at Hyde Park I saw the swim was in progress and there were people lining the barriers and listening to the commentary on the loud speakers (which, incidentally, cut out for the final, dramatic sprint after almost two hours).

I joined them among the flags and banners - rubbing shoulders; taking photos; and chatting to folk between laps. The old gent beside me was offering children a look through his binoculars (not a euphemism). He was also keen on bird-watching and was enjoying the herons, ducks and great-crested grebes keeping company with the swimmers.

'Our girl' (Keri-Anne Payne) came fourth, Eva Risztov (Hungary) won, Hayley Anderson (USA) was second, and Martina Grimaldi (Italy) came third. There were four seconds separating the four of them. It was all wonderfully exciting.

The Canada Geese are going the wrong way!