We (DH, I and 3yr old DC) went to our local outdoor swimming pool today, and understandably in the heat and school holidays it was packed - we expected that. We queued for about half an hour to get in, again we expected that, maybe even longer. Once in we get given coloured bands, yet again to be expected and reasonable that there would be hour sessions or such to enable everyone to have a go. So off we go to get changed etc, so far so good.
THEN we find out that, actually the bands are not for a full session, but only entitle us to enter the pool for 15 minutes, then we have to get out and wait 45 minutes in the hot sun, with very little shade available and with nothing else to do and no room for DC to play or anything until we can get back in for another 15 minutes then repeat.
That's bonkers isn't it? Well I thought so! Obviously a system needs to be in place for busy times to stop people hogging the pool, but this really isn't it.
So as not to drip feed, I do have a disability that means by the time I had got to the pool, in the pool, played with the toddler then back out of the damn pool, I was in agony. Let alone sit on the hard floor for 45 minutes to do it all again. So this might be clouding my judgement somewhat.