109 brave and happy swimmers turned up today on the 1st August for another swim in paradise…Toni J insisted on this title for today’s blog. We are talking about a big fiddler ray, eagle ray, wobbegong, ย port jackson and porcupine fish!

Another sensational Thursday sunrise. Happy August everyone!

A few waves to wake up the early lappers. Off goes The Drinks Express!

Some funny expressions from Jill, Toni, Renae and Ros as the ‘thrill’ of that chilly water hits!

Attracta, Sue, Jenny and Izzy are ready to take it on!

And our brave 7 year old Laura, never complains about the cold water.

Here is the generous Johnny Shaffers who kindly hosted Jules’s Farewell party…

You gotta love the early morning glows and reflections as we enter the water.

And the ball of light illuminating our arm strokes…

Fiona had told us about a giant eagle ray hanging off The Point, so we were on the look out for marine creatures today! We weren’t disappointed. A few of us spotted these amazing creatures…




I didn’t see the huge wobbegong Attracta and friends saw just out from Shelly but they did! It’s great to have visibility and our fishy friends back, although it’s harder to dive down and take photos with a wettie on. ย Renae and I get left behind.ย


Here are the happy pair…

And this is how they look with their clothes on!ย

The second part of this blog is going to be a bit of a tribute to a lady who puts in a great deal of effort and energy in to keeping this amazing group going…Our very own Lesbutt, Leswee, Lesbubbles…She has many nicknames. It is her birthday on Saturday and I want you all to know! Here she is ‘scrubbed up’ on Saturday night!

ย Lesley Coulter is one of our most passionate B&Bers. Since she started swimming with the B&B she has rarely missed a day. She has overcome her fears and given up flippers, wetsuit and taken on waves! She inspires us to challenge ourselves too!

With her right hand man, lovely Ian…

And getting in to the spirit for a Christmas B&B swim!

She helped out Jules Isbill in writing the blog when Julie went on holidays, and now Jules is in WA, Lesley is always the most reliable back-up-blogger if anyone can’t blog, as well as keeping us amused with her Wednesday blog. ย She also fills in recording attendance if Ian or John are away. She liases with Jules and really helps with so much behind the scenes. As a birthday tribute I am dedicating the second part of the blog to Lesley! THANK YOU for all you do dearest Les-butt/bubbles/wee!!!
Here she is blowing bubbles.ย

And faking a rescue…

Collecting rubbish (or left-behind undies) from our ocean…Next one down was pretending to be Lucy!


Jumping with Rainer.

Caring for our 4 legged friends…

Showing off that famous butt.

Showing her passion for swimming on the darkest of mornings…

We really appreciate all you do!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Saturday Lesley! Saturday night drinks at The Steyne for Lesbutt’s birthday from 6.30pm!
And back by popular demand for today anyway… are the cartoon gossiping sea creatures!

The next B&B monthly dinner
The B&B fun just keeps on rolling with the monthly dinner on 6 August.ย Come along for this fun event which is such excellent value.ย Atย $20 for two courses, with $5 drinks, $5 desserts and no corkage for BYO wine you wonโt regret making the effort. Bluewater also offers aย $25 special mealย in addition to our standard $20 deal. Bookings are essential soย Click hereย to book earlyย and avoid disappointment.ย Donโt forget, theย next batch of 500 km badges will also be presented on the night.
Staying safe
Remember that there are no badges for scaring yourself silly!ย While it is great to extend your boundaries, it is important to know your limits.ย Do read these excellent tips on staying safe in the surf.ย To read, or even download,ย click here.
The Stats
101 Swimmers inc ย on the Drinks Express
Air Temp 12 degrees Water Temp 17.1
Sunrise 6.46am ย Sunset 5.15pm
Have a fantastic day!

Lainey Loo
Photos from the Book and the Ball
www.gilesparkphotography.com.au
To view and buy prints from The Bold & Beautiful book, please go the Gilesโs website and enter the password โ bbbook (all lower case and all in one word).
To view and buy prints from The Bold & Beautiful Ball, enter the password โ bbball (all lower case and all in one word).
10% of all print sales will be donated to the Bold & Beautiful.ย So buy up folks.ย The proceeds will help keep the administrative bits of the squad covered.



35 comments
Lesbubbles
01/08/2013 at 10:37 am
L.L!!!!!!! I had trouble containing my laughing at work!!
That was so funny! I am glad you have lots of silly photos of me Elaine! ๐
And I am only helping keep BnB afloat under duress!! ๐
Nick D
01/08/2013 at 10:47 am
Lesley! leave that poor dog alone!!
heheh now we’re even….
DWSS
01/08/2013 at 11:07 am
Great blog LL. it was so good that you have shown appreciation to one of the kind hearted volunteers who keep the place ticking over. You also left off your list, Lesbubs has also joined the ranks of the integrity police as per yesterday’s blog. Lesbubs is so effective that Lips and Triad Queen have left the country!!
Thank you for all your efforts Lesbubs and sorry I was late for your monthly payment,
it will not happen again!
How good was the swim today!
Renae Fowler
01/08/2013 at 11:14 am
Great Blog Elaine. So many great shots and yes many funny ones of Lesley. They must have been hard to find. he he he…. What a lovely tribute to her.
Lesbubbles
01/08/2013 at 11:21 am
I think No 1 prize goes to me for “she will do anything for the camera”
Love the cartoons are back ELaine!!! I didn’t realise how much I missed them! They are funny!! (ps. I have some good ‘overheard’ sayings from the ball – I was sober after all and heard and saw everything!! hahahaha)
Michael [EX CI]
01/08/2013 at 11:30 am
Elaine what a lovely blog and a lovely and richly deserved tribute to Lesley!!
Happy birthday for Saturday Lesley.
Elaine de Jager
01/08/2013 at 1:03 pm
Glad you like my little tribute Lesbubbles and yes you must give me some goss from the Ball!
John S
01/08/2013 at 1:19 pm
Yes bubbles, under duress!
Wonderful blog, cartoons and tribute Elaine. Thank you.
And Lesley thank you so very much for your time and effort with the B&B you’re such a cute Hello Kitty Princess! xx
the real DWSS
01/08/2013 at 1:21 pm
Would the real DWSS please stand up!
Slow Ian
01/08/2013 at 1:21 pm
That’s a very nice duress you had on the other night!
Snorkles
01/08/2013 at 1:22 pm
Happy Birthday for Sat Lesbutt! Will have a drink or plenty for you in sunny Melbounre (but wont be swimming – bit cold down there!)
Slim Dusky
01/08/2013 at 1:56 pm
Lovely blog EEEEEElaine!
Sparkles
01/08/2013 at 2:07 pm
Great blog as always elaine and fantastic tribute to lovely lesbubbles … will definitely toast you on saturday leslie …!
Lesbubbles
01/08/2013 at 2:18 pm
ACTUALLY my birthday is tomorrow ๐ BUT I am QUITE happy to miss out on the song at shelly as it’s too bleedin cold to wait for me to get there and then sing! ๐
Ps. I should add I haven’t missed a day in 2.5 years because I have nowhere else to be! ;-p
DWSS
01/08/2013 at 3:41 pm
Grrrr Damn you imposter.!!!! ๐
Lesbubbles
01/08/2013 at 3:50 pm
hehe
Lesbubbles
01/08/2013 at 3:50 pm
????
Lesbubbles
01/08/2013 at 3:50 pm
I cannot be Bribed DWSS!!
Rusty
01/08/2013 at 3:51 pm
Wonderful blog. Great photos. And great homage to Lesbutt.
The great unsung.
Until now….
Little Sarah aka LSA aka HK Triad Queen
01/08/2013 at 4:00 pm
Love the blog, love the tribute…..Happy Birthday Lesbubbles!
Yeh, no 1 prize “she will do anything for the camera”, knowing she has the ultimate power to remove, edit, fotoshop any pic as she pleases:-)
Keep up the duress – seems to do the trick!
the Real DWSS
01/08/2013 at 4:12 pm
Lesbubbles
Don’t be fooled by the imposter DWSS, calling himself DWSS.
I’m the Real DWSS!
I would never request a bribe.
๐
the Real DWSS
01/08/2013 at 4:13 pm
Who is this Little Sarah aka LSA aka HK Triad Queen?
ros-e
01/08/2013 at 4:21 pm
Luuuuverly blog Eeeeelaine! So good to see the return of the fish-talk, and a fitting tribute to Lesbubbles. What a fab morning in the water! Well captured in those sunny photos.
ros-e
01/08/2013 at 4:22 pm
So confusing Shauny – how will I know who to pay tomorrow?
leisabarry@hotmail.com
01/08/2013 at 5:20 pm
Lainey Loo U are fantastic as are all the other wonderful bloggers!
I read you regularly but rarely comment ,I am sure, this is the same for most B&Bers so please keep up the excellent commentary we enjoy every day.
Leslie, we ALL appreciate the wonderful job the committee do , thank
you thank you, thank you- wishing you the HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS on Saturday, sadly , I can’t be with you but I will be thinking of you
Leisa barry xxxx
Little Sarah aka LSA aka HK Triad Queen
01/08/2013 at 5:21 pm
Move aside imposter! Everyone knows the real DWSS would bribe and cheat his way through anything:-)
DWSS
01/08/2013 at 5:42 pm
You can pay me Ros. Ill take the money, exposรฉ you on the blog (therefore keeping my integrity and integrity police ranking), take a cut, pay off JK, Lesbut and stats man Ian to turn a blind eye then give the remainder to HKTQ so she can gain access to the stats and modify the Km’s for you.
You know, it’s the usual way things work around here.
DWSS
01/08/2013 at 5:45 pm
Another Imposter!!! ๐
DWSS
01/08/2013 at 5:48 pm
OI
Elaine de Jager
01/08/2013 at 6:21 pm
It’s really lovely when ‘new’ people comment Leisa. Thank you. It’s Lesbutt’s birthday tomorrow, Friday! I got it wrong!
Elaine de Jager
01/08/2013 at 6:22 pm
Nice of you to comment Slim!
Elaine de Jager
01/08/2013 at 6:23 pm
It’s a bit quiet on the Blog Tarting front without you and Rainer LSA ;-( Miss you…
Lips
01/08/2013 at 8:13 pm
Great blog Lainey! Love the long overdue tribute to Lesbubbles. Feeling a bout of homesickness coming on!
I found a 5m pool in my dad’s garden so doing 20 laps every morning to keep fit.
Ian, any chance we can add this to my PC stats? I’m swimming strictly without wetsuit by the way..
ros-e
01/08/2013 at 8:37 pm
Right! I’m loading up the wheelbarrow with cash right now …
Mark
02/08/2013 at 8:22 am
Happy birthday Lesley
Laura jazz mark maby not mum though