I'm doing a sponsored swim between Kingston and Hampton Court Bridges for CLIC Sargent, the charity for anyone affected by cancer in children and young people with cancer.
Going in to the changing rooms for this morning's training swim in the Serpentine I spotted an elderly, military-type person in an Afghan hat known as a pakol. "Nice hat," I said. A glare came back. "A pakol," I said, persevering, stressing the first syllable.
"Pakol," he said, stressing the second syllable and ending the conversation.
I was halfway through my first length when I narrowly avoided being divebombed by two frightened geese which had been 'put up' by the military man's dog. They had been squawking inoffensively yet were sent packing. I knew just how they felt.
