Happy group photo at Shelly with birthday boy Ian in the middle! 150 swimmers, 2 newbies and 17.9 water temp today!
It’s our wonderful Ian’s birthday today. Apparently he didn’t want a fuss but how can we not take this opportunity to make a fuss of him! He does so much to make this happy, friendly, inclusive group what it is. He arrives early with all the ‘gear’, gets out the table and board and welcomes old and new swimmers with such warmth. When everyone is chatting away after the swim he is getting handed lost property, packing away and later on in the day he is organising events, responding to emails and doing all sorts to make the Bold and Beautiful Swim group run smoothly. Thank you so much Ian and a very Happy Birthday!! You are looking so much younger than your 66 years, be proud!
As I’m working today I’ve got a lot of the blog ready before. Below are a few photos I’ve taken of Ian over the last 4 years (not the first!)
Here is our Ian in younger days with Pauline. He actually hasn’t changed that much! He still has a full head of hair and (according to Lesley) hasn’t got any grey hairs!
Love this photo of Ian checking up on everyone as we head off from Shelly…
Behind every great man is an amazing lady… and here she is HRH Pauline!
Always a great sport. Here he is dressed up for Australia Day.
An oldie but a goodie, with Renae and Arabella.
and another Bella.
John Kelly and Ian make a great team ensuring everything runs smoothly and now Shaun is part of “management’!
With Lesbubbles and Ted. I’ve totally forgotten what the one finger was for!
BAck to today’s swim!
Pauline arrives with chocolates, balloons and a birthday banner for Ian!
The Drinks Express head out under a misty sky…
Very hard to get a photo of Ian where he wasn’t splashed to death!
Below some of the marine life I’ve encountered since my last blog!
Love, love, love the Diamondfish over the white rocks
PJ near Bower surf break.
Porcupinefish
Groper feasting on sea urchins.
Old Wives
PJs with a Cuttlefish in top right hand corner.
A school of cute, tiny Toadfish just neat the point.
The Yellow Googly Eyed Leatherjacket we often see just past the point.
And below fun photos from the weekend.
Sue, Kerry, Lindsay, Gemma and Fiona on Sunday
It was John Dennet’s birthday on Monday but he had man flu so didn’t swim. Here he is with Shelley and wife Robyn!
Our Environmental Warriors…Pete, Derek and Ted pick up rubbish on Sunday. Remember Take 3 for the sea.
B&B monthly dinner: Tuesday 13th September
6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant
Guest speaker is Jude Furniss (Founder of Bommie Australia and President of Surfrider Foundation Manly)
Jude will present the film “My Saltwater Sanctuary” including footage from Cabbage Tree Bay, which was declared an Aquatic Reserve in 2002. We all witness daily the stunning success story of how protection over the last ten years has replenished the marine populations here.
NSW currently only has 7 % of its coastline protected in twenty marine sanctuaries, so Surfrider Foundation has joined the Nature Conservation Council in the charge to lobby government to restore the ten sanctuary zones still unprotected, and increase the percentage of marine park areas in NSW by establishing a Sydney Marine Park.
Made by producers Bluebottle Films, it’s a beautiful film about locals living alongside marine reserves … and the difference every one of us can make in the protection of them.
https://bluebottlefilms.com/portfolio/my-saltwater-sanctuary/
Cost of dinner: $25 a head
Includes shared entrees, a selection of mains to choose (incl a vegetarian option), corkage (for byo wine only) and a little thank you for the staff.
Glasses of beer or wine and desserts are also available at the special price of only $5 each.
Numbers are limited, so bookings are essential:
———–
2016 Winter Badge Ceremony
You’ve done the hard yards and got your Winter Badge (or even harder yards for a WWW), now come and collect your badges with all the pomp and ceremony the B&B can muster. Bring along $10 for each badge you have earned (correct money appreciated). The venue is the Royal Far West Children’s Home (opposite the beach) on Sunday 11th September, straight after the regular swim!
A $5 donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, and …. RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (sausage sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food. Book here for Badge Breakfast
All 2016 winter badge qualifiers will be presented with their well earned badge(s), so whether you are getting one personally or you want to enjoy the celebrations of your fellow swimmers, a great morning is guaranteed so come along, soak up the atmosphere and get inspired for your upcoming summer badge challenges…
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Signing off
Lainey
22 comments
Mary
07/09/2016 at 9:53 am
Happy Birthday Ian!!
Lisa
07/09/2016 at 10:15 am
Wonderful blog Lainey! Out in record time too! I love all the photos especially Ian and Pauline as “youngsters!” Love the hair. Brilliant underwater photography- just stunning!
Emma
07/09/2016 at 10:19 am
Happy birthday dear Ian! You and the lovely Pauline haven’t changed at all! Great fish pix too Lainey!
Shelly
07/09/2016 at 10:26 am
Lovely Blog Lainey !
Have a great day Ian.
Love you all
Shelly
xoxoxo
Sheena
07/09/2016 at 10:31 am
Happy Birthday Ian!!!
Edwina
07/09/2016 at 10:51 am
Wonderful blog lainey 🍾👍
Shelley K
07/09/2016 at 11:01 am
Brilliant blog Lainey and OMG so much hotness in one fearless leader! We are so blessed. Thanks for all the work and all the hugs Ian.
Shelley K
07/09/2016 at 11:03 am
I see now that grey flannel slacks and a nice wool turtleneck are never wrong together
Rusty
07/09/2016 at 11:07 am
Love the blog Elaine – and great pictures. Happy birthday Ian!
john storch
07/09/2016 at 12:21 pm
g8 blog Elaine.
Happy Birthday Ian.F xx
Jenny ((:
07/09/2016 at 12:59 pm
Great blog Lainey, happy birthday Ian. Thank you for all that you do for our group. 🏊🎂🏊
Simon
07/09/2016 at 1:21 pm
Nice one again Lainey.
Love the young Ian and all those different fish over the magical Pink rocks!
roger
07/09/2016 at 1:49 pm
Wow – what a fabulous ‘early days’ photo … good on you both, Mr and Mrs Forster 🙂
Unreal!
Empress_Yoy
07/09/2016 at 2:59 pm
Almost makes me want to come for a swim!
Happy Birthday Ian <3
Lips
07/09/2016 at 3:12 pm
Thanks Lainey. Great photos!
Happy Birthday Ian! I’m lobbying for a plaque to be installed in your honour. Outside BnB head office.
Ian
07/09/2016 at 3:55 pm
I may hold you to that!! Thank you everyone for the kind wishes. I love you guys.
HRH (aka Pauline)
07/09/2016 at 4:05 pm
A big thanks to Lainey for her marvellous blog and for taking the photos today, capturing the day and the sense of fun that we enjoy every day X. Love seeing the fish, singing the happy birthday and the birthday splashes. What a great B&B community we belong to.! 😎🎧💃🏻🎉🍾
cath schmelzer
07/09/2016 at 5:43 pm
hope you had a great day Ian unable to swim today as catching a bub myself it was a boy should of told them to call it ian !!!
Suzie P
07/09/2016 at 6:24 pm
Amazing fish photos again Lainey. Hope you had a great birthday Ian, looks like it starting out great!! xx
Upper Middle Management looking through glass ceiling.
07/09/2016 at 7:10 pm
Great Blog Lainey!! Well done.
Looking good Ian!
kerry
07/09/2016 at 8:50 pm
What a lovely morning – captured fabulously on camera and in the blog by Lainey – Happy birthday Ian and thanks for all the delicious cakes and loving touches Pauline – you two make a great team! x
Michele Franks
07/09/2016 at 9:51 pm
Great blog Lainey !