11/03/2015 – Simply Perfect…

What an absolutely stunning swim it was this morning! The water was warm and calm and like a lake out in Cabbage Tree Bay. The sun rose above Shelly Beach as we swam and reflected beautifully upon the ocean… and fish were everywhere! How incredibly lucky are we?!

It was also Sandie’s birthday. Here she is with Jalna, Attracta, Vicky and Jenny. These lovely ladies have been swimming with the B&B for years!

 Here we have Shaun and Rainer. Shaun on the left is also known as DWSS (Dolphin Whisperer slowest Shaun) but has recently been called by a new nickname, ‘The Sneaky Dugong’… Rainer is now called Slow lips. They have been having races from Shelly Beach back to the Surf Club and surprisingly Sneaky Dugong has been winning. Poor Lips has been having swimming lessons with every swim instructress in Manly and been studying youtube clips but still can’t beat SD. He is at the end of his tether as this photo clearly shows. Look at that forced smile, the clenched teeth…

Henrietta, Inge and Jenny (a bit blurry but they said that’s the way they like it 😉

Isn’t it just a magical way to start the day?

 

 

 

 

 

Waiting at The Point with 130 swimmers as the sun rises over our favourite corner of the world…

 

Emily and Dave don’t get to swim together often.

 

Hope you can spot yourself somewhere in this blog. I like to try and include everyone!

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Barb!

How lovely is this? Alex aka The Pirate Prendergast with his daughter Molly. I caught them excitedly swimming after Duskies together on the way to Shelly!

Loads of schools of Mados, Pomfrets, Yellowtail, Luderick and Mullet today!

Then I came across Fiona with her son in the middle of CTB. They were diving down to look at 2 Moorish Idol fish deep below.

A Duskie sped past…

Fiona and her son had also been lucky enough to see the Giant Cuttlefish I had seen yesterday. Here are my photos of him. They are just amazing to see! This one hangs around the sticky out rock about 150 metres from Shelly.

 

I’ll try and load my video of him later. So check the blog later in the day!

Then it’s over to the white rocks to look for Wobbegongs, Old Wives and Diamond fish

And around The Point I get a good shot of a Groper who seems about to change sex as he is in between green and blue!

 Love to see Rays swimming!

Back at The Benches we have a visit from Lucy with baby Millie. Nicolee has made her a special cushion!

 

Thank you to Bluewater Cafe for a fantastic Dinner and Wine Tasting last night. It was great! A few photos above.

We all know how amazingly lucky we are to partake in this free, friendly and incredible activity. Spare a thought for those that can’t…

I’m pushing myself way out of my comfort zone in April to run my first Marathon. My friend Ruth isn’t so lucky as all of us… We all have things going on in our life. I know many of you have struggles of your own…Ruth is bravely trying to overcome extreme challenges.

She was a fit, young Mum of 3 doing a Can Too Half Marathon Program when I met her 3 years ago. Now a rare and severe spine and disc degenerative disease has taken over and Doctors and Surgeons have said they can do nothing and she will be a quadriplegic in 5-8 years. Revolutionary, extreme treatment from the US is giving her hope for a better future but she needs a special electric wheelchair. As if her struggles aren’t enough her husband has MS but the family are incredibly strong, positive and brave. Their funds are depleted after adapting their house and car to have some semblance of family life.

If you could possibly help by donating something however small or think maybe someone you know could, please forward this on and click on this link https://www.mycause.com.au/page/85203/runningforruth

The small effort of many of us could make such a difference in the lives of this deserving family. Thank you so very much to the many of you that have donated xx

 

Bloggers Needed!

Like to try your hand at amateur journalism ?  Please join the blogging team as we have vacancies on every other Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.  Help keep the B&B journal alive by helping periodically.  All training will be provided and it doesn’t have to take up much time.  We will even lend you an underwater camera to get those fantastic shots.  Come and join and help us.  Please contact JK direct or on 0419 277 417 or at jmk@balancemanagement.net.au

 

Help Support Shelly the Turtle

A Baking Day will be held on Saturday 14th March to raise funds for Shelly the Turtle’s tracking tag so we can watch where she goes once released, and contribute to research into Green Turtle migration. Any extra funds will go towards turtle rehabilitation programs at SEA LIFE Sanctuary.  Please contribute if you can. Sharnie will be hanging out by the benches on the day please bring baked goods there. Any non-bakers can contribute as consumers on the day!

 

LOST A WATCH? If you want to claim an underwater watch found on 1 March, please email pennyfarrant@bigpond.com with details of watch (make and colour) and where you lost it.

 

The Next B&B Swim School

 It’s that time again! Join Pacific Jules coaches Warren and Sarah Anne for an hour in the ocean and learn  to swim with less fight and more flow! This one hour session in the water will help you understand the way your body relates to the water, how to slice through with minimal effort and  naturally build up speed and endurance.

When : Saturday 14 March 9:45-10:45am

Cost : $25

Location : Shelly Beach

Open to everyone and all abilities welcome. What to bring: swim suit, cap, goggles, wetsuit compulsory, water and money for a hot cuppa afterwards! Please email info@pacificjules.com.au for more information or to reserve  your place.

2014 Summer Badge Ceremony – Sunday 22nd March

You’ve done the hard yards and got your Summer Badge(s), 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 22nd March, straight after the regular swim! Everyone is welcome, family, friends and swimmers alike.

A $5 donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, Plus RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (bacon and egg sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food.  Book here for Badge Breakfast

All 2014 summer 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 the upcoming winter badges.

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.  Also, if you have a bit more experience, keep an eye out for new swimmers who might need company. Do read these excellent tips on staying safe in the surf. To read, or even download, click here.

STATS

Swimmers 130

Newbies 3

Water Temp 22.6 degrees

Signing off

Lainey Loo (marathon training and RunningforRuth)