Hanging
outside a bakery after the swim, one of the regulars made the observation that
while every day the sun comes up, how beautiful have the sunrises been of late! The bloggers have all captured the same subject – sun coming up – but each
different in colour intensity, clouds, etc, surely you get the picture.
Well, dear
swimmers and readers, today was no different.
Sun came up and it was glorious.
The 117 who swam today were not disappointed.
There is
something about the morning ritual of flinging oneself into the cool ocean that
generates an inner beauty. Simply look
around next time you swim at the warmth and affection on display as well as the
array of the handsome of men and women!
The temptation
to chatter in the warming sun was almost too distracting. But the time keeper called 7 o’clock, so just
like every day, we dutifully turned to the ocean.
So it really
is a good idea to not look at the temperature on the check in sheet. At 16.7 degrees it was bracing!! Easing into the surf there were many good
natured comments on which bits had gone numb!
The few
rolling waves gave us the chance to flex muscles to make sure they were still
in working order. And doesn’t Lesley stand out!!
I do have to
report that there was a divide in the squad today. Waiting at the point – as per the general
arrangement – it was apparent that the point of the point has been missed! As John Kelly will tell you, “If you can’t
see the club house then you have gone too far.”
Apart from that, poor John has to shout a lot harder if you are already
half way to Shelly.
Not
surprisingly the turnaround was pretty quick today. A brief celebration of Ian Paul making his
500km swim and, I think, Arabella achieving her 20 without wetsuit, and then it
was off so fast you could be forgiven for thinking people were desperate to get
moving again.
On the
marine critter hunt, Nick still amazes with his photographic skills. He found the squid swimming in formation again this morning.
There didn’t
seem to be many fish about, but I do love this little guy who ‘suns’ himself on
the rock.
A groper
being a bit territorial
A ray
chilled out
Overall it
was just another day of way too beautiful conditions for a swim.
So, now I
will wish you adieu, as I will be away for the next 10 weeks. Have fun!
Mary
The
next B&B monthly dinner
Tonight the
B&B fun just keeps on rolling with the monthly dinner. Come along for this fun event which is such excellent value. At $20 for two courses, with $5 drinks, $5 desserts and no corkage
for BYO wine you won’t regret making the effort. Bluewater also offers a $25 special meal in addition to our standard $20 deal. Bookings
are essential so Click here to book
early and avoid disappointment. Don’t forget, the next batch of 500 km badges
will also be presented on the night.
Manly
Relay For Life 2013!
A festival-style atmosphere with
live music, food and fun activities for all the family, Manly Relay For Life is
a major community fundraising event organised on behalf of Cancer Council NSW
by local volunteers.
An
18hr event for all ages, people take turns in walking or running around a local
oval to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer. Participants
can choose to challenge themselves and aim to walk the 18hrs, rotate walkers or
come for only part of the event and enjoy the atmosphere, it’s up to them! Come
down for 1 hour or the whole 18 hours, either way just come join in the fun.
The event
promotes the community to fight back against the disease whilst celebrating
those who have survived and honouring those who we have lost. It is also an
opportunity to educate the community about ways to reduce their risk of
developing cancer and adopting a healthy lifestyle.
For more
information please click on the link below and sign up a team to be a part of
this amazing event. http://relay.cancercouncil.com.au/2013/manly_2013/
Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th September, 2013
Keirle Park, 277 Pittwater Road, Manly
2pm- 8.30am
Staying
safe
Remember that there are no badges for scaring yourself silly! While it is great to extend your boundaries,
it is important to know your limits. Do
read these excellent tips on staying safe in the surf. To read, or even download, click here.
Photos
from the Book and the Ball
www.gilesparkphotography.com.au
To view and buy prints from The Bold &
Beautiful book, please go the Giles’s website and enter the password – bbbook
(all lower case and all in one word).
To view and buy prints from The Bold &
Beautiful Ball, enter the password – bbball (all lower case and all in one
word).
10% of all print sales will be donated to
the Bold & Beautiful. So buy up
folks. The proceeds will help cover the
administrative bits of the squad covered.
The Stats
Regulars: 116
Newbie: 3
Temp: 16.7 degrees
Sunrise: 6.44am
Sunset: 5.19pm
13 comments
John.S
06/08/2013 at 12:51 pm
Mary
I didn’t get a bye-bye hug. Hope you and Eric are off somewhere warm and fun.
Great blog thanks and for your time and effort.
Nick love the squid, they remind me of someone?
DWSS
06/08/2013 at 1:26 pm
Great Bog Mary, thank you for your time and skill in compiling such a great blog.
I personally am thankful that the water is getting colder.
I was beginning to think I may not be able to accept the WWW as it was just not right swimming in such warm water and receiving such a prestigious badge.
The colder water is required to keep the integrity of the award. (personal view only)
Please email your complaint to tobelookedatintheyear3013@bandb.com.au
alternatively, I will post JKs personal mobile number as soon as he tells me what it is.
Congratulations Ian on the 500K and Peta on the WWW.
Ian, I organized a swimmers guard of honour for your exit at Manly but you were to quick to get out of the water.
Mary Stollery
06/08/2013 at 1:28 pm
Dont worry there is time for cuddles! I dont leave until Monday – so a few swims to go 🙂
Robert Grozier
06/08/2013 at 2:09 pm
Hi folks. Just reporting in that a couple of days ago proudly wore the pink cap and B&B budgies for the 25th annual Pipeline to Waimea Bay race. 550 competitors with one start swimming a distance of 2.3 miles. The North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii is a very spectacular place to swim and this was the last race in a series of 4 held over about 6 weeks North Shore Swim Series. To swim into Waimea Bay over the reef that creates 30 ft monster waves, dead flat today, past the iconic church on the point was pretty special. The water was crystal clear with turtles and did I mention it was about 25C. The morning was finished off with a spectacular rainbow and a performance of Spinner dolphins in the bay during the presentation ceremony. Highly recommend it to everyone. Thank you Julie and thank you Michael. PS And Karen loves it because you get to stay in some really nice places… See you soon Robert G
Secret Squirrel
06/08/2013 at 2:42 pm
DWSS
I notice JK ticked this morning. I saw him at Shelley but not at Manly. Did you notice if he snuck out at halfway again???
It’s a bit sad when you gotta check up on someone of that high office…….
John. S
06/08/2013 at 2:42 pm
Ahhhhh…… good I was getting quite anxious!
Again thanks for your efforts!
Alyson
06/08/2013 at 4:48 pm
Fabulous blog Mary, makes me sad that I missed the sunrise. Well truth be told I didn’t miss the sun rise I just saw it from my window…
DWSS
06/08/2013 at 4:49 pm
Hi SS
Thanks for keeping an eye on things Secret Squirrel, I can confirm he did exit at Manly.
I was however interested in the tick next to JK on the sheet on Sunday where he was not in attendance, great to see Stats man Ian jump on it and it did not make it to the PC.
Good work by all.
It is so good that members are on the ball and no shenanigans happen here, no rules are broken with our group of friends swimming in our unorganized group with no rules at their own risk. 🙂
I thought I better put a smiley face just in case someone might think we are serious. please also refer to our complaints department above.
Alyson
06/08/2013 at 5:01 pm
25C… Sounds lovely! Well done on your swim!
ros
06/08/2013 at 7:38 pm
Cold water? I didn’t notice: the water was clear, the sun was shining. Gorgeous! Thanks Mary for capturing the joy of the morning. We will certainly miss your wonderful words.
Little Sarah aka LSA aka HK Triad Queen
06/08/2013 at 9:15 pm
Yes, thank for all your lovely blogs, Mary! Have a great trip to France and your Tuesday spot will be waiting for you on return:) Thank you also for your kind wishes (and pics!) when we left.
I think we can trump Hawaii’s 25c. Went for a swim in an outdoor 50m pool yesterday and they had sprinklers on full blast to dry and lower the temp. Must say I don’t mind the break from putting on my wet-suit each morning. Miss the sunrises, but a lovely sunset over Victoria Harbour as I write.
Little Sarah aka LSA aka HK Triad Queen
06/08/2013 at 9:16 pm
Great report, Robert. Thanks for sharing it!
Lindsay
06/08/2013 at 9:42 pm
Great blog and gorgeous photos!
Looking forward to joining you all tomorrow – to wetsuit or not to wetsuit, that is the question….?