01/01/2017 – Ferox et decorus consilium

Since the end of sub-17 days, it was easy to sense 2017 sneaking up on us, just around the corner as we powered through Cabbage Tree Bay,

 

 

Even if some of our salmon did try to swim against the grain, and hold on to what had gone by,

 

It was no use! All of us were 7 hours into 2017 and whatever way we swam, knew that we could only look forward!

 

So on such a grey day, many shared with me a warm reflection on 2016 – the great, the regrettable and the habits that one hopes are forgettable and the new traits that they wish to be ‘gettable.

I asked 35 at Shelley who was happy with the new year and got an overwhelming response!

 

With 1 out of 35 raising their hands, I could only believe that we were all looking forward to a year of positive change!

So what does a B&B member want to change about 2016? I had to find out by pestering some of our family to share those less personal resolutions with their B&B peers.

Not surprisingly, many were not backward in coming forward – but perhaps decorum will be a 2018 resolution for some of us! Lets hope not!

 

Most memorable was this amazing bunch that plan on swimming together more as a family

 

 

Status: en route to success!

 

Next Lainey’s gang resolved to get in the blog at least once a week

 

Status: achieved for the past 5 years

 

Next was Sterlo who was determined to quash the rumours that he has titanium legs

 

Status: achieved with growing colours

 

Matt, Pippa, Garam and Jen were determined to find Joe in the new year

 

 

Status: failed

 

Post script: Joe was in bed with manflu until 9:30a.m.

 

These former gothic Robert Smith enthusiasts were set on wearing all the colors of the rainbow

Status: Succeeded

 

Sober remnants of the ‘A-Team’ wanted to be known as the ‘Abbs Team’.

 

Status: failed (disqualified due to one member sucking in stomach)

 

Drinksy’s Express team desired to swim with no one following them

Status: Success guaranteed if participate in this year’s Solstice Swim

 

Power Living teacher training cadet hopes to get the full pigeon going within the next 3 months

 

Status: unknown but seems unlikely as this is what full pigeon looks like

 

but good luck anyway!

 

All of these guys and girls looked forward to being ‘faster, stronger and more powerful in 2017!… and to swim a lot more as well’

 

 

These four vowed to always smile, especially in the morning!

Status: 75% success

 

They swore they would express themselves more individually this year

 

Status: Work in Progress

 

He assured me that he was going to get a car with air conditioning – so he did not have to drive with both arms and legs out the window

 

Or at least start using suncream

Status: To be determined

 

While bolting out of the water, these cool cats promised to never gather no moss!

 

Status: succeeded almost immediately

 

 

Resolution was clearly to survive a hungover swim for these two!

 

Status: Flying colours

 

Millie planned to be in the Olympics by her 10^th birthday

 

Status: Well on her way

 

These three wanted to get in the water before 9:00a.m. each day

 

Status: success – were in the water by 8:58!

 

Fellow blogger Big Mike wanted to get one flattering photo for the year

Status: failed

 

Such a body like his should show more skin – not less!

 

This family wanted to continue winning the ‘Father of the Year award’

Status: looking good except for a bit of competition from this guy..

 

 

Inga wanted to develop a drier personality

Status: Work in progress – starting with her new chamois

 

This ornithologist hoped to attract more friends with bright colours

 

Status: Success – possibly too well?

 

 

I have 3 resolutions – not start the swim from half way, get dressed properly, get the blog out before midnight (on the day I do it preferably!)

 

Status: 33% success, sorry about the others.

 

On a serious note, if anyone is a bit sad about the departure of 2016, just remember, 2017 is already powering ahead, which means the beautiful Autumn and Winter swimming will be back in no time and this is what we will all have to look forward to!

And lastly, forgive me if my Latin is not perfect – the guy at the bus stop swore the above made sense but I would be super grateful if someone could please put a translation in the comment section!

All the best for a great 2017,

Gino