10/05/2017 – We love swimming in an Aquarium!

I asked psychologist Annie at brekkie today if she’d heard of the new ‘happy pill’ that had been developed recently. It promotes happiness, a sense of awe,  wellbeing and fitness, allows friendships and bonds to develop and has amazing health benefits. The only known side effects are a nose that can dribble salt water all day, occasional itchy bits and a propensity to bore people who haven’t taken the ‘happy pill’ talking about it all day! Of course she answered, ‘a B&B swim!’ Around 250 of us enjoyed our vitamin sea, Dr Salt, happy pill today! 

A gorgeous morning with 19.5 water temp, calm water and lots of fish sightings!

It was Emma’s birthday today so she features in 2 of the 3 photos I have of today’s swim. I’m afraid I have a busy work day today so can only manage a short report on today’s swim but I did preload a bit yesterday. Read on for a bit about the great talk by James P at the B&B dinner last night and photos of the amazing creatures we have seen the last 2 weeks with the clear conditions and prolific sea life!

Giant Cuttlefish have been seen by many swimmers. They are so captivating and so alien-like it’s incredible!

This one really wasn’t fazed by me getting up close. He hung around us for ages and in the end I had to swim away as my feet were about to drop off from the cold water!

Rosemarie with ‘Cuttie’.

Wonderful to see so many Dusky Whalers around!

Ted with a Dusky

Sunday before last, there were loads of Wobbegongs over the rocks by halfway. More moments of awe…

Crimson Banded Wrasse

This is what photos look like when I forget to put underwater setting on! But proof that Fireman Derek, (off home today to Uk) swam with the Cuttlefish! Have a good trip back Derek and come back next year!

Amazing talk last night at Bluewater by James Partington and cardiologist Dr Geoff. James spoke honestly and candidly about the huge heart op he had 5 years ago at the age of only 37 to replace his aortic valve. He said how much being a part of our swim group had helped him in his recovery. It’s great to have him  swimming with us. We all love his baked goodies too now he’s got his part time bakery business going. 

Below is the link to a beautifully written article that Julia Baird wrote for The New York Times. It really captures the essence of what our swim is about, so much more than an early morning work out. Click on it and enjoy the read…

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/06/opinion/julia-baird-australia-sea-swimming.html?mc=adglobal&mcid=facebook&subid1=au&subid=pay&mccr=aboutLAL&ad-keywo&_r=0

‘Paying it Forward’. We are so lucky here in Oz let’s help those in dire need of our help…

First of all ‘Start Your Heart Saturday’ Swim with all Your Heart
Remember this Saturday 13th, wear something red and bring a donation for the Heart Foundation!

Most of you will know Roz Beaver and I are trying to raise funds for Dr Ray Hodgson’s women and children’s hospital in the most disadvantaged part of Nepal. We really appreciate the buying, donating and baking that many of you have done for our cake stalls. All of you that have attended one of Ray’s presentations will know that many communities in remote Nepal are torn apart when mothers suffer prolapse and can’t work, walk or look after their families. They often become incontinent and are left in isolation to die. Just a simple operation can give them their dignity and life back… Dr Ray performs life saving ops but a hospital is desperately needed. To learn more about this charity click here http://www.a4wh.org/

We are having another cake stall this Saturday so any baked items are so welcome and please bring coins for a snack after your swim.

We are also having a Trivia Night on 18th July and we NEED your help. Anything that can be used in a raffle (chocolates, bottles,unwanted Xmas presents) or silent auction, especially vouchers of any kind would be most appreciated. Please  think about anything you could donate and write the date in your diary. It will be a great night! In true B&B style we will make it a touch of fancy dress. The theme will be “Naughty-cal’ (nautical) so think Pirates, Sailors, wenches from the gallows, mermaids and mermen etc!!! 

lotsaluv

Lainey