With all the jumping and shouting

With all the promotion currently underway for the 2012 London Olympics it of course leads to reflection of the broad jump and the world record for the shortest jump ever made. I am sure the attempt by us to jump from the steps into the pool water and instead coming down hard on the side of the pool (minor injuries occurring only) and causing a flattening of the upright metal wall, must fall into challenging that record. If we had been able to leap immediately to our feet or, had the metal been firmly balanced, it may have sprung back instantly. This may have caused us to be catapulted away across the grass with landing zone undetermined, but it would have saved our lawn and our father’s vegetable garden from the flash flooding wave of water that gushed out of the pool, frantically escaping the abuse by the rowdy children. The powerful wave of the rapidly breaching water sweeping us away from the edge and flooding the grass, garden and garage entrance.

If I recall, the pool held about three thousand litres of water and it was not a quick fill situation. I think we had the hose in and filling the pool overnight and into the following afternoon. Creating the excited anticipation for us all, looking forward to the first pool swim of the summer. It was also not supposed to be a quick empty situation and such an incident occurring, in about eight seconds after the failed landing/collision, meant that the pool would not be refilled for a week at least (if it was early in the Summer), and not again at all (if it was late in the Summer). Of course, regardless, those responsible, following a certain (undisclosed) punishment, would also be banned from entering the pool, as well as earning the ongoing angry disappointment of our fellow brothers and sisters.

Strangely, we didn’t accidentally collapse the pool only once. I believe we did it at least once a year. Accidentally. We were aiming for achievement. For success by leaping confidently from the steps, clearing the top edge of the pool surround and successfully landing with a splash into the water, triumphant. It may not have been our fault that this would result in either a partial or total collapse of the poolside. It may have been simply that in setting up the pool each year, the position of the pool was not constant, but, our enthusiasm to try always was, regardless of the consequences (nee:punishment). 

This of course brings me back to what started this thread of thought (24/4/2012), awaiting the meeting with my father after the incident with my brother. 

(continued tomorrow)