11/05/2016 – 11 outta 10!!!

 It was one of those amazing mornings this morning, a bloggers dream… The sort of day when swimmers faces were beaming brightly post-swim and the superlatives were flowing. ‘It’s gorgeous out there…’ ‘Simply perfect’… ‘SO beautiful, so clear…’

I’m always listening out for a blog title, then I overheard Bev say, ’10 out of 10, no…11 out of 10!’ That clinched it!

It was a thumbs up from James the Baker’s friend too! The water was the clearest it has been for a while. Clear, sparkling and teeming with fish!

There’s Annie Yay with her arms wide open as she heads in at 6.30am and Rusty doing his signature stretch.

The Drinkless Express waded in just before a glorious sunrise at 6.37am…

If I can concede that something was slightly less than perfect today, there was a 12 degree chill in the air. However, if you’d warmed up with Booty Camp from 6-6.55am you wouldn’t have felt it!

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The water was calmer than it has been too, just the odd wave to splash us awake!

Cathie and Annie cross over with us as they come in from their early swim. Their smiles say it all. The B&B swim, the best ‘happy pill’ money can’t buy!

 

Great to see Suzie and Kerry, but better news to hear that Justus, their father and father-in-law is home from hospital. We had a whip round for some flowers last night. Hope he liked them.

With this beautiful water clarity had to take a couple of underwater shots at The Point. Vicky and Rosie look cute in matching cossies.

I headed over to my favourite spot and was pleased to see there were loads of Diamondfish around.

Mados and Pomfred

The stunning flash of a Blue Groper!

I got so distracted by the marine life I had to run around from halfway and missed most of you for Shelly shots. Luckily these blog tarts were still around!

Kerry joined me for a snorkel tour on the way back but it was quick. The water temp has dropped to 19.4

Millions of tiny, sparkly fish as we headed around The Point. Can one of our Marine Biologists identify please? Are they ‘Hardy Heads’?

Shelly and Sparkles 

Lots more happy swimmers

Jenny and her gorgeous poodles, Molly and Milly!

Ed, Kerry and Marco got their 500 km badges at the Bluewater dinner last night. We had a lovely night and Fiona’s talk on divorce was interesting and entertaining. Thanks Fiona
  

 

B&B on Tour. (Only at The Basin) We found an octopus in a bottle!

 

An inspirational tale from Greg and Sue Marinan

Dear Boldies,

In 5 weeks or so Sue and Greg Marinan are to be wandering around East and South Western Africa for just on two months. Nothing unique or even out of the ordinary about that I hear you mutter.

Quite correct!

Just prior to our travels however we will spend a week or so at an orphanage about an hour out of Nairobi. We, as teachers, just may be able to lend a helping hand in that area or even help out with the day to day chores that come with sustaining 30 orphans in a third world environment. If we can be do assistance , terrific. Hopefully we will not be in the way.

Just why are we so keen to pay a visit to this particular orphanage?

This is where the inspirational part comes in.

About 9 years ago a somewhat familiar, handsome young man came to the school I was working at and addressed the students about an orphanage he and his school mate were trying desperately to sustain. They were after any assistance they could garner to keep 15 Nairobi orphans from sleeping on the streets. He told the students that he and his mate were on their way to Europe as a post under graduate celebration. On the way however they would offer their services to less fortunate folk for a few weeks.

They contacted an orphanage in Kenya and were accepted.

Upon arrival they could see not all was as it should be…3 to a bed, one meal a day, living in squalid conditions, poor, if any child protection and a genuine lack of love.

The orphans played on the filthy sewer laden streets of the Nairobi slums, seemingly unsupervised. Even for two unworldly volunteers this seemed inappropriate, even unconscionable.

Sadly one afternoon, post lunch, one child was missing. The lack of pro activity and concern was breathtaking!

The boys (James and James) went to the various authorities and exposed such a fuss that the owner of the orphanage simply kicked them all out onto the street , locked the gates and walked off!

The boys , using  their own funds and some assistance from 2 loving families, managed to keep the kids together , in safety.

Their European dream was in tatters.

It was around this time, James’ (both ex pupils as it elapsed) sought assistance from anywhere and everywhere. Their old school was one port of call.

For the next 7 years the college held a fund raiser and managed to raise enough funds to help the struggling orphanage (now known as ‘Familiar Mojo’) move from the streets of central Nairobi to a rural setting. This new orphanage has it very own water (incredibly important ), spotlessly clean amenities block, self sustainable solar and wind energy, various crops and animals, a caring staff of house mums, farm workers, cooks and ancillary and 30 (plus) proud and incredibly academically focussed orphans.

Needless to say, in a third world country, education is the key to everything.

Kenya does not provide public education past elementary level. To have further education one must pass an extremely rigorous series of state run exams. Very few , let alone orphans, manage to succeed.

The ‘Familiar Mojo’ alumni presently has 3, state funded, university students (a mind boggling achievement) and an extremely high percentage of its orphans at high school.

Success breeds success.

Remarkably, the James’ did manage to complete their own post graduate studies. One is in a managerial position for KPMG in their East African office (Nairobi) the other, now married, mid way through studying medicine whilst practicing at Westmead Children’s Hospital.

Naturally Sue and I are in awe of these 2 extraordinary young men, have been for years and very much look forward to experiencing just what it is they have created.

If there is any one  who wishes to donate to this amazing venture I can assure you that every last cent will go directly to where it is needed…no middle man!

For further information the web site is ‘Kickstart Kids International’

Alternatively email:  <mailto:james.harrison@kickstartkidsinternational.com> james.harrison@kickstartkidsinternational.com or …

<mailto:James.woodward@kickstartkidsinternational.com> James.woodward@kickstartkidsinternational.com

Best wishes

Greg and Sue Marinan

Budgy Smuggler http://budgysmuggler.com.au is currently updating the
look of our B&B swimwear. They have some great new designs, but would also
like input from B&B swimmers. So we have introduced a DESIGN COMPETITION
to allow our swimmers to submit their own designs to feature on the new
Budgy Smuggler swimwear.

All designs will be considered and the best design (if there is one) will be used on the swimwear.

Designs should be funky/fun with a B&B theme, and preferably with a wider appeal outside the B&B community.

Designs will be judged by the Budgy Smuggler design team (and
selected B&B management). Designs should be submitted to ugoboyo@gmail.com
by Saturday 4th June, so let’s get the creative juices flowing. Budgy
Smuggler also encourage feedback on all aspects of the swimwear, including
shape, style, fabric etc

150 swimmers swam today and 2 Newbies.

 

Have a simply magical day folks!

love Lainey