Under the Dome. Germany April 22

So here we are again, the sun is out the air is clear, is is time to go for a swim. Welcome to Bad Schmiedeberger SchwimmOase, or "Basso" for short.

Rocking up in flip flops and budgie smugglers for a nice swim or what?

Looks like I have the place to myself....

....I got the distinct impression that the place was closed and I would not be swimming to day, bugger. back to Lidl, a great place for cheap food and also a great place to park the car when on covert operations.

I made the first bit up, I wasn't really wearing budgie smugglers nor flip flops. But Lidl really is a great place for quality food at very reasonable prices.

At the time of construction in 1993, Basso, the first so called adventure pool of its kind in the new Germany, was the place to be, it's said that visitors flocked here from N,S,E and West to marvel at the concept and use the facilities.

Just seven years later, due to more modern leisure complexes springing up across the state and country Basso started leaking more money than the outdoor pool and in January 2001 the local council closed the venture and put it up for sale.

A man, Hans-Jürgen Reinhardt, either one of great vision or one with more money than sense bought the property. His intention to revive the fun pool to its former glory. Alas his dreams came to nothing, debt grew over the years until in the end the energy company cut off the power to the pool due to high debts and unpaid bills.

They say a fool and his money are soon parted, Herr Reinhardt, in 2011, dared to try again, by now well into his 80's, why not spend it on wine women and song ffs?

Yup it didn't last, seven months later with debts of over 6million euros. The park was finally closed.

Even a massage parlour promising a true paradise evening failed to bring in the money.

By the end of 2011 the new declared owner was a man of mystery, Reiner Auerbach, who has allowed the centre to decay and decline, no one knows who he is or where he can be found, the local council are pissed off to say the least, they want something done with the building.

And now with more water in the changing rooms than the pool, it has become an artists playground.

ps. pix of me in budgie smugglers on request.😎