We've just returned from a holiday in France which was a genuine rest. It seems as shame to get back to work, but my inbox is full and my to-do list seems to expand on a continuous basis...
France was fun and I will need to share some experiences - but I'll feed them to you slowly over the next few days...
Today's comment is about swimming pools... French camp-site swimming pools seem to be fairly lawless environments. There are huge signs in various languages that say "No Diving!" but this doesn't stop hoards of teenagers leaping in and out of the water. At one point two huge teenagers jumped into the deep-end where Izzy was swimming and left her shouting for help. The lifeguard was feet away, but only laughed - I had to hook her out myself!
On the other hand, there is one rule that is strictly enforced - the speedo rule. Apparently it's perfectly fine for people to run, jump, dive and trample small children underfoot - as long as they don't wear shorts. I'm still not sure whether this is a fashion statement or a health risk. People go swimming in the UK wearing shorts all the time - and it's very rarely fatal - as far as I know - but this seems to be different in France...
I feel the need to gripe about this because I have just spent two weeks wearing extremely skimpy and unflattering speedos - much to the amusement of my two daughters!
There are no pictures - thank the Lord!
6 comments:
The reason that shorts are not allowed is originally to stop people wearing their street clothes in the pool. I believe it started with people showing up at the pool wearing ordinary (street) shorts and using the pool to do some level of laundry - not sure they actually brought their soap with them.
Also Speedos help make sure that men stay fit...
And of course it is SpeEdos, two Es, because they are used for races (speed)!
Welcome back
Missed your blog
Alton Towers bans men in Speedos
Isla found this article by Maev Kennedy Tuesday August 11 2009 on guardian.co.uk
See - http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/aug/10/alton-towers-speedo-ban
"...it seems that sanity, self-preservation, good taste, and even the memory of Rod Stewart's terrifying leopardskin Speedos have not proved sufficient deterrent: Alton Towers today announced a ban on tiny trunks at its aquatic park, on pain of compulsory bikini waxing... It insists the trunks-only rule is an "extreme measure ? to prevent embarrassment among fellow members of the public and to maintain the family-friendly atmosphere at the resort"... Morwenna Angove, sales and marketing director for Alton Towers, said: "We feel this small brief style is not appropriate for a family venue so we are advising male bathers to wear more protective swimwear such as shorts."..."
You have my complete sympathy. I suppose I haev to now recognise that it's not just women who suffer from this French obsession with near-nakedness. :-)
I have Speedo Swim shorts... guess that means I can't swim anywhere...
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