We see some amazing things swimming in Cabbage Tree Bay… Port Jackson sharks mating, cuttlefish camouflaging, Germans taking selfies underwater… but the flying frog I’m afraid, was just Eric (Mary’s other half), as he swam across the bay. Our favourite Frenchman celebrated his birthday today. Happy Birthday Eric!
It was a little dull, cloudy and chilly early morning at Manly but so many people were out and about as usual… running, dogwalking, Booty Camping. Manly is still the place to be!
Here are the Drinks Expressers at Shelly Beach 6.42am
Where was Storchy today? Xavier filled in for Booty Camp. and Anna A took the group through cool down stretches. Remember all welcome, Mon, Weds, Fris 6am.
As 7am approaches and we head for the ocean the clouds go all pink and fluffy and the sun tries to come out. Beautiful!
There are even a few waves to wake us up a bit.
I get left behind taking photos again. When I look up there is an amazing light show in the sky…when I look down I see a flash of blue groper and have to chase it! Life is good 🙂
So it’s a scramble over the rocks and run around to Shelly to catch you all serenading the Frenchman. Mary says that when they went ski-ing he was known as ‘The Flying Frog’. He flew in his wettie today!
Gorgeous skies swimming back…
Sand whiting and waves as we get in to shore.
And the lovely Jane…
Wobbegong and Sergeant Baker from Monday’s swim when it was a bit clearer.
And the German underwater selfie taker (with reindeer antler)
Warming up with coffee at The Benches apres-swim. Anna McBold said we all looked like we were ‘Fresh from the Slopes’!
The Bluewater dinner last night was great fun with delicious food and company. Thank you so much Chris Miller for presenting to us last night about your work as a TV Cameraman with a passion for the underwater world and Great White Sharks! He was really interesting and reminded us how abundant the marine life at Cabbage Tree Bay is now compared to 20 years ago and how lucky we are.
We even had an auction of framed photographs in aid of Dr John and Andrew Maher’s Bear Cottage Swim. Here’s the link to sponsor them http://swim.gofundraise.com.au/page/BearCottageBigSwim click here
Eric’s birthday cake!
John Kelly was an amazing auctioneer and Ian a fantastic MC. Sacha and the staff at Bluewater put on a great meal at a very reasonable cost. Thank you!
Breaking News!
Just had a look on Facebook and Miles who is swimming the English Channel in a few weeks really did swim with a flying frog this morning!
As you know from Simon’s blog on Monday he is swimming and raising money for Autism. Please check out his blog and consider sponsoring him and his team. click here
Bottom of Blog
Lunch with greats of Rugby Union and League
On Friday 13, June, the Royal Far West together with Hotel Steyne Manly is holding a lunch from 12.30pm until 2pm to Celebrate Country Rugby in NSW. Special guests include Glenn Stewart, Scott Gourle and Ron Pilon.
Ian is putting together a table for the B&B so please let him know if you are interested in attending by sending him an email to ugoboyo@gmail.com, or see him at the swim ‘cause he is there most mornings. As the B&B is a special friend of the RFW we are being offered a discount off the advertised price.
Winter Badge season kicked off 1 June.
We are now into week 3 of the Winter Badge season. There are 14 weeks in the winter season. To qualify for the prized Cold & Bold Badge you simply need to swim 20 times within the season ensuring you have swum in a minimum of 7 different weeks. So, attempting to do it all in the first few weeks does not count!!
B&B i-Log
Really if you haven’t been using the B&B i-Log then you must be new!! Almost 75% of swimmers are now using the B&B i-Log. Log your swim ANYTIME of day using this really efficient and easy way to ensure your swim is recorded in the daily attendance and on the Pacific Challenge. To get started, send an email to Ian Forster ugoboyo@gmail.com (This is not a link so please copy and paste into your email). He will check that your email address is activated on the attendance register then send you info on how to get started.
Staying safe
We have had seen the return of some serious waves and rips this past week! Were you prepared? 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.
The Stats
Regulars: 95 Newbie 1
Temp: 19.0 degrees
Sunrise: 6.56 am
Sunset: 4.52 pm
Signing off
Lainey aka Elaine
22 comments
Lesbubbles
11/06/2014 at 11:54 am
Love the Sarg baker photos LL, really clear and detailed!!
Flying frog .. Tres mignon!
The Far North
11/06/2014 at 11:58 am
Nice one today Elaine – that sign off pic is definitely my favourite pic of you and Ted!
Simon
11/06/2014 at 12:06 pm
“Like++”
Nice blog Elaine
I really enjoy your underwater shots
Alyson
11/06/2014 at 12:18 pm
Great blog! Can’t believe the water temp is still so good!
Mariah
11/06/2014 at 12:41 pm
It felt a lot colder than 19C to me!
Tayls
11/06/2014 at 1:09 pm
Superb blog Lainey Loo. Note I’m commenting….after being reminded by you that I don’t comment !! Well…loved your shots particularly the german’s one antler…must have grown it overnight… amazing people. Well done
Lips
11/06/2014 at 1:18 pm
Underwater selfie. Nailed it.
Thanks Elaine. 🙂
ros
11/06/2014 at 1:31 pm
Not only antlers on the head, Lips, but also ‘about to get kicked in the head by random foot’. How was that?
ros
11/06/2014 at 1:31 pm
Lainey: fab photo of the wobbie, look at those markings!
Elizabeth
11/06/2014 at 1:55 pm
I love the sky and water shots. Magnificent. Seeing the blog is a vital part if my day- I can get through to afternoon now. Thanks!
Jane
11/06/2014 at 2:35 pm
Beaut fish pics Lainey-Loo. You just keep getting better!
The Wobbe is stunning. Some discussion at the OzMus about its species – it’s not our usual Spotty Wobby (Orolectus maculatus), but either the Banded Wobbe, O. ornatus, or the Banded Carpet Shark, O.halei.
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Banded-Wobbegong-Orectolobus-ornatus-De-Vis-1883
Margot
11/06/2014 at 5:25 pm
Nice blog today, just like every day. It’s good to keep in touch with you lot through your blogism. Hope you all had fun at the dinner. Love from Blue Mtns.
Elaine de Jager
11/06/2014 at 5:57 pm
Bahahaha!
Elaine de Jager
11/06/2014 at 5:58 pm
you usually swim with Lips and Helen. They are notorious underwater wee-ers, you must have been on your own 😉
Elaine de Jager
11/06/2014 at 5:59 pm
Thanks Tayls! It’s actually Lucy’s hand!
Lainey aka E-laine
11/06/2014 at 6:03 pm
Lovely to hear Elizabeth and thank you for all your support with the Bear Cottage Swim group.
Lainey aka E-laine
11/06/2014 at 6:04 pm
Thanks Jane. We must be careful about getting too close to wobbes too as they have been known to bite divers getting too close.
Lainey aka E-laine
11/06/2014 at 6:06 pm
Nice to hear from you Margot our swimmer from the Blue Mountains. Hope you managed a few swims over the long weekend.
Lainey aka E-laine
11/06/2014 at 6:11 pm
Lesbubbs, I added to the blog later. How weird…Miles really did have a frog swimming with him this morning!
Lainey aka E-laine
11/06/2014 at 6:12 pm
Thanks Simon. My above water shots were a bit blurry today. (I think it was the overheated camera down my cleavage ;-))
Lainey aka E-laine
11/06/2014 at 6:13 pm
That means you can swim with me this weekend, yipee!
Anna McBold
11/06/2014 at 6:53 pm
Love your responses to your responses Elaine 🙂