Tuesday, April 7, 2009

The Ocean Baths


As you can imagine, with the long, hot summers we experience on the East coast of Australia, these municipal swimming-baths are a boon and very popular. It takes us about ten minutes to walk to them from our house.
They were built, interestingly enough, by the unemployed, at the time of the Great Depression. In the photo you can also see our city's pride and shame; the tankers carrying coal, out on the horizon. Newcastle is the largest exporter of coal in the world; we rely on it for income so much that the Greens aren't having much success banning it. So we're an example of the world's dilemma.


THE OCEAN BATHS

I've seen lots of photographs 
Of the filthy rich submerging
In swimming-pools set in the sea,
And glamorously emerging!
Here's our answer to that glitz!
I'm afraid we have to share.
But when it's on your doorstep
You simply just don't care!


17 comments:

Margaret Gosden said...

As I recall, this is so reminiscent of the bathing pool at Margate's sea front, in Kent, UK. I don't know if it is still there. It was often too chilly for comfort. I took a life-saving course there. You certainly seem to have transplanted ideally, with the exception that you miss the autumn!
Note:
Rinkly and I spent many summers in Margate, home of our grandparents. A seaside resort, it has been in the doldrums for years, and the last I heard the Tate Britain is hoping to build a Museum for Britain's famous painter, J.M.W. Turner, who lived there in the mid 1800s.

Winifred said...

Are they coal tankers you can see on the skyline?

Our Newcastle used to be a big exporter of coal too until Margaret Thatcher axed the coal industry! She wasn't being green though, just thoroughly nasty and uncaring.

Love the poem Brenda.

Unknown said...

It's so true: who needs glitz when you get the same thing without the pretension! The effect is the same (I think) ...

Marites said...

we are having hot days too and the beach is always a good sanctuary for those kinds of days. Looks like the place on the pic is quite a popular one.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Rinkly: Thanks for sharing your baths and your poem, very nice.

I grew up in New Castle in PA,USA.

Clara said...

I like your poetry. And that pool looks very inviting. I like the idea of the pool there in the sea.

Kat said...

heh heh....

when we emerge glamorously,
No one cares..!!!

Raymonde said...

Morning, really like the poem.
In Plymouth (Devon), where my daughter is at the moment, there is one of the those built in the sea. It is a beautiful one, but somehow it has become expensive again to swim in them.
I like seeing your picture today. Thanks.

Sonya said...

Oh wow those pools are just wonderful! your poems are the best. I love coming here each week and reading them:)

Unknown said...

Are they like our swimming pools? Is there chlorine in them? Kaishon and I live at the pool in the summer. Wonderfully informative post...as always : )

Formerly known as Frau said...

Really interesting! Have a wonderful Sunday!

Kara @ His, Hers and Ours said...

I've never heard of such a thing, and I think it is so neat!! I am learning so much from SIMC, that I'm sad I hadn't started before today!!

Love your poem, too!

Sugar Bear said...

I simply love this.
I'm so glad I stopped by.

Killara girl said...

i love the pool by the sea...i always remember bugging my Mum & Dad to take me every week when we were at the beach.

Lee Ann said...

Oh to have the weather for outdoor swimming, looks beautiful. Thanks for sharing x

Joanna Jenkins said...

Very interesting. I've never heard of this before. Thanks for sharing.

Have a great week.
jj

Claudya Martinez said...

I always love the background that you give and your ability with words is always a gift.