My work schedule has changed, and I’ve decided to get back into fitness. There’s a pool near me in London that is part of a big group of gyms and pools. My membership means I can use any of them.

As these are often council run, they are generally old Victorian / Edwardian buildings with lovely 25yard (pre decimal!) pools to match. Single sex changing. And decent open showers… until today’s find.

These showers are absolutely the worst of all worlds. Literally plywood cubicles, as I got changed and walked out to the pool, I seriously thought I had got into the ladies by mistake because there were no urinals visible. I had to double check the signage to make sure I was in the men’s room.

As for showering afterwards, it was ridiculous to squeeze into such a small space. And then as I looked around, I thought how difficult it must be to keep these cubicles clean. They had obviously been added in to separate the space and make it more private. But what a waste of effort.

If I were the manager, I would hire a skip, and send two people in with screwdrivers to dismantle the whole lot. It will take an afternoon. I should think that the cost could be recovered in less than two weeks by not having the cleaners go over each individual cubicle.

This kind of thing really annoys me. Swimming is a sport which is is done as close to naked as you can get. Why the need for coyness between leaving the pool and putting your clothes back on is totally beyond me. And as the rest of the changing room is an open space, sectioning off the shower room achieves nothing.

The convenience of the location means I might go back, but it will be my second or third choice.

Rant over!