Good morning everyone!
As the newest blogger I thought I’d better say a quick hello so that you know who I am (and can donate witty thoughts, photos and general inspiration to my weekly Tuesday blog!)
I’m still not really sure how I came to be sitting here at my computer, nervously trying to compose a blog that reaches the high standards set by Jules and the rest of the newly appointed bloggers.
The last thing I remember as a non blogger is swimming really close to a beautiful numbfish with Jules and then somehow by the time I made it back to the beach, I was an official blogger!
However it happened, I feel privileged to officially be part of the soon to be record breaking B&B family.
A few people said to me to keep it simple so keep your expectations low and you shouldn’t be too disappointed!
Anyway, enough of my rambling, you came here to either see what you missed this morning (and are keeping your fingers crossed it wasn’t a whale!) OR to see if you made it to the blog so that you can show off about the amazingly beautiful place you get to swim everyday to people back home (or is that just me?!)
There was some early morning man love which goes to show that bromance isn’t dead!
Despite the lovely southerly that was keeping us cool and the slight drop in water temperature that made our entrance into the water more vocal than usual (mentioning no names in particular), everyone was raring to go!
Stacey “the jimble magnet” took one for the team and did an early lap to check for jimbles, luckily the coast was clear so in we went!
Ian and Annie managed to stop discussing the finer points of jimbles to pose for a quick piccie!
Despite having my MASSIVE blogging shoes on, I didn’t manage to get any decent photos along the way but I have been reliably informed that I swam over a couple of duskies! The water was pretty flat and calm and generally lovely!
There was a warm welcome for everyone at Shelly!
Before we knew it, we were off again!
Big smiles (and a couple of little shivers) as we made it safely back to dry land feeling very happy after another beautiful B&B swim!
Special thanks going out to John Forster aka ‘The Boss’ for letting me put the finishing touches to the blog at work!
Pippa x
Facts and figures:
12 Bolderdashians
12 early lappers
Over 90 Bold & Beautiful swimmers
4 swimmers continued on for a double
B&B CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES:
- Christmas Party – Wed, 12th Dec from 6.30pm in the downstairs section of The Steyne Hotel (as you enter from the Rope & Anchor). Please RSVP here now !! It’s Retro theme so dress up and come and boogie the night away. It will be a great night. DJ and nibbles are provided, drinks can be purchased from behind the bar throughout the night. Don’t miss it !
- Adventure Swim – Night swim with glow sticks, torches, changed back to 8pm so that we set off as the sun sets and finish at last light 🙂 Thursday 20th December. Regular B&B swim, Manly to Shelly and back!
- Gold coin donation BBQ Breakfast at Royal Far West on Sat 22nd Dec, to kick off our exciting new partnership with them. Everyone is welcome, so please come along and get to know more about the wonderful work they do there on Sat 22nd Dec straight after the swim.
- Christmas DAY !!! 7am Swim to Manly return as usual followed by BBQ Breakfast, byo and share at Shelly Beach as soon as you wish after the swim.
- B&B’s 4th Birthday Party Swim, Thursday 27th December we might be celebrating 4000 swimmers and a world record too… we currently have a submission in with the Guinness World Records for the worlds largest daily open water swimming group !!
Water Temperature 19.3
Air Temperature forecast to be 23
Sunrise 5.37am
Sunset 7.59pm
Low Tide: 1.31am
High Tide: 7.26pm
To read Michael’s tips on how to stay safe in the surf please click here
34 comments
'The Lips' formerly known as Rainer
11/12/2012 at 11:57 am
Great blog! Well done Pippa!!
Especially after some of the lower quality ones we’ve seen recently. Great example of how to write an entertaining blog without falling back on fart jokes or nudity.. just kidding. We love Mondays Rob!! 🙂
'The Lips' formerly known as Rainer
11/12/2012 at 12:04 pm
This is Lips reporting for this morning’s Bolderdashians:
Conditions looked pleasant when we set off around 5:40. Strong Southerly made for a swift swim up to Queensie. Bikini-clad Alyson and flipper-less Laney-Loo leading the pack. Little Sarah and me close behind, wrapped up in our winter wetsuits. Rendezvous with Anne, Bob, Jon, and Inez under the heart. With a struggling DWSS joining us about 20 minutes later. (there were a few more men in speedos, but too fast for me to recognize their faces)
Conditions were rather rough at Queensie end, and that’s not just the trash talk between LSA and DWSS. The Southerly meant that it took us ages to swim back. Missing the 7am simmers and (more importantly) blog cameras at the point and shelly!! (nice blog tarting Ian / Annie!)
This morning’s key development: The woman known for quotes like “It is great to swim with a group that is so non-competitive” has bolderdashed her way back into column 1!!
Congrats LSA!! And what a good sport you are, generously clapping for DWSS at Queensie this morning.. 🙂
Rob Byrne
11/12/2012 at 12:15 pm
Cracking blog Pippa and welcome to the blogster group!
Rainer, that’s two strikes buddy….. 😉
annie "Yay"
11/12/2012 at 12:26 pm
Awesome blog Pippa! I’m back tarting it up again…yay! My anti jimble attire was not doing its job with the zip undoing every few metres and the rashie flapping behind me for most of the swim… I think I just need to bite the bullet and toughen up!!
DWSS
11/12/2012 at 12:35 pm
PIPPA, GREAT BLOG!!!
Obviously, very observant throughout the swim.
So, I now know besides Having a friendly composure, charm and looks, you are also observant with a touch of witty humour.
I’m now looking forward to Tuesdays more than ever.
Lovely couple John and Ian. There you go Lips, Ian is giving you a lesson in groping there. Haha
DWSS
11/12/2012 at 12:51 pm
Firstly, I would like to congratulate Non competitive LSA for scheming, bribing, feeding, corner cutting, chatting and not to mentions swimming her way to L1.
I must admit, I am disappointed in myself for only coming up with 1/2 the underhanded schemes LSA and her trusty sidekick Lips did to achieve such a great result.
Well done and congratulations my scheming nemesis.
I also admit that yet again, I was outplayed today.
Lips, yes, if you leave 30minutes before me, you will be there 20minutes prior to my arrival. Hahaha
After yesterday’s blog gauntlet was thrown down, I set a blistering pace back to the club all ready to applaud LSA on the ramp of shame when looking way way out to sea, LSA and sidekick Lips were again, cutting the corner on there way to Shelly. Trumped again.
Michael [EX CI]
11/12/2012 at 1:13 pm
Well done Pippa!! Great blog.
Lesley
11/12/2012 at 1:18 pm
Well done Pippa! Love the photos…you captured everyone well! Especially ian liddel and his OTHER partner Annie… What happened to Brian!! Hahahaha
Alyson
11/12/2012 at 1:23 pm
I must say DWSS, LSA and Annie still had quite a morning chat under the heart at queensie, as indicated by you on yesterday’s blog, but it appears there is just no stopping LSA!
Alyson
11/12/2012 at 1:27 pm
Am loving all the new blogs, great efforts by all involved! (not to say yours were not as enjoyable Jules, as we all know who started this little morning dip, but just want to encourage all of those trying to fill in your big shoes) 🙂 title today could easily have read TRIPLE B rather than B & B as we have beautiful conditions for a beautiful swim with a bunch of beautiful people! Great swim and recount of events Rainer!
Snorkles
11/12/2012 at 1:44 pm
Low blow Lips …..did you notice how I hid away from all photo taking today so that you can beat me in the blog spreddy?
Snorkles
11/12/2012 at 1:49 pm
I think I need to get in on this Bolderdash stuff —– but I am slowert than slow – any dolphins out there?
Snorkles
11/12/2012 at 1:51 pm
Well done on the blog Pippa – I need to be properly introduced so that I can maintain my photo status.
You may have seen me on TV ? Sunrise?
Snorkles
11/12/2012 at 1:58 pm
Especially for The Lips – the scores this week are:
Corinne 18 ..out of action,last seen at brekkie chatting …
Jules 24 ..an early morning catch lately
Nige 25 …working hard,a rare sighting these days (can I have my fins back pls?)
Shaz 87 …nuff said – will be hard pushed to maintain title to EOY
Iain 56….sneaky shots and lots of cuddles maintains this guy’s position
Rob 40 …respectable, unlike his blogging 🙂
Emer 12 …wooden spoon time
Rainer 67 ….Lesley’s rashie has made this guy a strong favourite
Rob Byrne
11/12/2012 at 2:29 pm
whats with all the low blows from my fellow blog tarts? Jealousy that I have surpassed being a mere tart is coming through loud and clear!
I reckon Annie is looking good for a spot on the 2013 spreddy, she already learning the art of “subtle tarting” with the master himself Iain “Wheres Wally” Liddle. Stick with him Annie and you will be in with a shout for the title next year for sure!
"Snorkles"
11/12/2012 at 2:30 pm
It was just a great opportunity to jab you in the ribs Cuteness !!! 🙂
Michelle
11/12/2012 at 2:32 pm
blog comments are becoming (almost) as entertaining as blog….great daily dose of all things b&b. well done pippa…
Little Sarah Abbott
11/12/2012 at 3:01 pm
Many thx to you, Lips, and all those who generously helped me regain that coveted spot in L1 (formerly known as column one in the PC), like DWSS, Rough Diamond and Drinky Boy:-) Don’t fret, I’ll be away for a long January and your chance will come!!
Seriously, I worked for it this morning and so did all those who had to help me back from Queensie, crawling along in slow motion. At one point I went on strike and put my arm in the air until dear Alison came back to swim alongside me.
What a contrast – beautiful easy swimming to Queensie, tough going on the way back (waves, wind, you name it) and then calm and perfect swimming into Shelly.
That’s the ocean – look out for other swimmers in or out of the water in difficulty. I heard of three tragic tales at breakfast….lots of angst behind all the lovely smiles. We’re so fortunate to have such a supportive group.
Little Sarah Abbott
11/12/2012 at 3:04 pm
And a great blog, Pippa! Thx so much for helping us all in this way.
If you call that simple……!!! Looking f/w to having b’fast with you one day soon…
Lesley
11/12/2012 at 3:16 pm
Message for snorkels. I got it…it’s a big black one :-D. Will bring tomorrow…to swim and to party…
Little Sarah Abbott
11/12/2012 at 3:16 pm
I think that was Anne E. Annie, in spite of having said yesterday she’d be joining, was obviously having too much fun blog-tarting with Iain (see pic):-) Next time, Annie…
Thx again for swimming backwards, Alyson xxxx
Emer Byrne
11/12/2012 at 3:17 pm
Great blog Pippa! I agree Michelle, I love that we are all so nice to each other when we catch up at 6.45am-ish. Then later in the day when reality sets in and we should be working away we all start slagging each other off. It’s entertaining though! I love you all 🙂
Milo
11/12/2012 at 4:24 pm
So there you have it Pippa, your role as blogger-in-residence is to give the Usual Suspects a platform to boast about their collection of pervy blog-photos, their experience working with dolphins, how good they look in a wet T-shirt, how they change colour on contact with jellyfish, and frankly how plain bonkers they are. See you next Tuesday for more of the same inane hilarity 😉
Pacific Jules
11/12/2012 at 4:26 pm
Great blog Pippa, you’re definitely a keeper.
So that’s it, all spots filled now apart from Sundays…
Anna has locked in Fridays, starting next week and Nick Dawkins is taking Saturdays. What a team !! Thanks bloggers xx
Pacific Jules
11/12/2012 at 4:29 pm
Love all the daily comments too !! Keeps the blog alive all day, and night when our international friends contribute too 🙂 keep ’em flowing
Laney-Loo formerly known as E-lane
11/12/2012 at 5:19 pm
Well done Pippa. It’s quite stressful trying to get good photos, match them with text, be witty, interesting and entertaining and then all the downloading and photo fixing that needs to be doing in 3 short hours. You did a great job!
Thank you LSA, Rainer and Alyson for encouraging me to do the Bolderdash without flippers! It definitely was The Boldercrawl though!
See you all tomorrow night for the party!
"Snorkles"
11/12/2012 at 5:23 pm
Ooooo – I’m loving it already – I will be there in the morning …..thanks White Rashie (F)
Alyson
11/12/2012 at 5:35 pm
Wouldn’t have left you behind Sarah! We set out as a group, and I intended on coming back as one 🙂 Elaine has rescued me from monstrous waves in the past, it’s always nice to have a swim buddy 🙂 see you all on the weekend!
Alyson
11/12/2012 at 5:36 pm
Sunrise snorkels?? That little program? 😉
Anna Alvsdotter
11/12/2012 at 6:22 pm
PIPPA you rock! What a fabulous first blog, well done! Lookin forward to more of this.
Jules, if ok with you, my Fridays will start on the 21 of Dec (so not next Friday).
Mr Byrnes where were you this morning? Busy, busy, I hope. You know what I’m referring to 🙂
Rob Byrne
11/12/2012 at 6:41 pm
Indeed I was! See you in the morning for our secret Swedish-Irish business. Dont tell ANYONE our secret though… 😉
Pacific Jules
11/12/2012 at 6:54 pm
Sure Anna, thats what I meant next Friday as opposed to this Friday 🙂
john S
11/12/2012 at 7:12 pm
Ms Pippa
Lovely, proficient blog.
You’re intelligent and witty as well as cut and ladylike!
What a rare and refreshing combination.
Little Sarah Abbott
11/12/2012 at 7:13 pm
…and Jules, if Tim remains an “almost regular blogger”, I think I know who we may have to bully into taking charge of the Sunday mystery bloggers:-) Hint: Head-to-head with Nick Dawkins, I see…. I could be the Little Assistant, feeding in mystery victims, er bloggers, at Sunday breakfasts….
Thx again Nick for so graciously accepting Saturdays:-))))) Looking f/w to it.