pool and Spa Jan/feb 07

The pool now has the winter cover insitu, the steps have been taken out and the filters drained, cleaned and put to dry. This is only needed due to the type of pool we have - we are seriously thinking of changing it to a rectangular pool. The Spa is wonderful. The first time in was a bit odd - it was strange to be pummelled by the hot water and felt a bit uncomfortable after some time. Not one to give up, the next session was much better, and by the third we were all loving it.

Now it is a daily enjoyable family routine to have a Spa session. The jets stop after 15 minutes so it is easy to time the sessions to 30-45 minutes. The Spa is great in the cold weather, we have the temp set at 39. We are looking forward to trying it in the warmer weather when the temperature will be turned down.

Our Spa

At long last - the Spa is here. We had to borrow the local farmer to get it into place as the delivery lorry just dropped it off at the gate. We obviously need to invest in a Spa cart for future clients. When in place, the wiring up was undertaken straight into the cellar. And in went the water. Tap water from a hose. It took a few hours to fill and then the start up tests were undertaken. Once all OK, the Spa was put into heat up mode. It automatically goes to 35 degrees centigrade but can be adjusted either way. The heat up had a bit of a drain on the electricity supply, but once at temperature is no longer a problem. We were trying out the Auafinesse chemicals - they were easy to use, no unpleasant odour and environmentally friendly.
Just two 150 ml cups into the centre of the Spa with the jets on for 2 minutes, a small slow release chlorine tablet on top of the filter and that is it. This has to be done once a week and the filter taken out and hosed clean - nothing else. So in we got, making sure our bathers had been rinsed in water so there were no soap deposits to froth up the Spa water.

Spa base

In preparation for the portable Spa a sound level base had to be laid. I wanted the Spa to be as close to the house as possible as we intend to use it throughout the year, unlike the pool which is so weather dependant. As our house is on a slope the base was to be 4 inches at the lower end then levelling off the area. It took a while to get the measurements, but once the shuttering boards were in place, gravel was thrown in and metal re in forcing on top. The whole area was then covered with concrete and polished. It took 2-3 days to be completely cured. And finally we were ready for the Spa.

September/October

The weather was good at the start of the month and fairly warm thoroughout,but now October has started we have a storm comming through. It may have been warm the last few days, but the pool will not be used again this season. Currently we still have the summer cover on and the water treatment has to continue. It is far too early to even contemplate over wintering the pool as the ambient temperature needs to drop considerably. Maintaining pH to ensure the chlorine is effective and adding chlorine, sadly, must continue untill such time as the ambient temperature drops. It will be a while before we see the pool open as above again!

Roll on November when our Spa arrives!

Hot and cold

July was a beautiful month all the way through, we were in the pool most of the time. The pool water remained good with minimal care and the solar has been a wonderful bonus.

Sadly, August was not nice, consequently there has been little to write - I have maintained the pool water ph and Chlorine, but the cover has remained in situ. From August the Ist, there was that horrid 'back to school' autumnal 'nip' in the air. The solar came on now and again but the weather was not nice enough to swim. - making me more appreciative we chose solar with no ongoing running costs. We really do not want to swim if it is cold weather, no matter what temp the pool is at. The pool is too far from the house to brave going our in the cold!

The start of September has been better, but it is dismal and rainy just now. We even had a small earth quake on Friday! Thankfully we are getting a Spa in November - which will be close to the house and we can enjoy it all year round ,with far less work than the pool! See our new Spa site on Spas France

I am still glad we have the pool, but must admit the Spa sounds really appealing!

Still hot

Weather has been great, mid 40's. The pool is wonderfull, I really cannot believe the difference, we swim all through the day and late into the evening. We were certainly not in the pool like this last year. The solar heating has really increased our pool usage - and it has no ongoing cost. I continue to clean and hand dose the pool after water testing - no problems apart from a few frogs who have committed suicide. Even little Meelou likes to come in, we try not to let her in the water as she doesn't take the same hygiene routines that we do! So she gladly steps into her little 'boat' so that she is still close to us. She's only allowed in for a short time, but seems to enjoy it.

Cloudy

Weather warm but not much sun, we have been getting some heavy rain over night for the past few days. I have kept the bubble cover on the pool except for sunny days when we want to swim, then I take it off in the morning and put it back on at the end of the day. One thing I have noticed is that it is far easier to move the summer cover on and off with two folk! We have a double bubble shape pool, and although it looks nice, the cover frequently jams up on the roller due to the shape. This means, if rolling the cover off by myself, I have to keep going from end to end to get the creases out as the sides catch. Just a minor irritation, but I really think I would have preferred a rectangular pool as there is no way this problem would occur with a rectangular pool.

Heat

The hot weather continues, we are in a particularly sunny and sheltered area, although we do get some gentle breeze as we are on a slight hill at one side. The pool has reached 32.5 degrees centigrade so far(I have turned the switch up to 35 max.) It is almost too warm, but not quite! The outside temperature is 45 and over.
It's great to get in and not get that awful cold rush when one first swims. And in the evenings is is wonderfull. I really do not think I would want any other type of heating. I do not want to swim when it is cold outside. At the moment, once we get in we do not want to get out. Water remains clear with regular tests and addition of chlorine and ph plus as required. Also the daily cleaning which I am tending to do in the evening last thing.