This blogger has been sidelined from the water for the next 5 weeks.
Today I can only sit, watch and ponder at what it is that draws us back to these almost pristine oceans from where all life began.
Today I will endeavour to delve into the evolution of Homo Erectus
to Homo BoldusBeautifulus
Our species evolved into land dwelling, warm blooded mammals.
Protection from the elements became an absolute necessity.
Complex social structures developed.
Some developed wonderfully coloured plumage and adornments to stand out from the crowd.
In 1859 Charles Darwin wrote “On the Origin of the Species”. This is considered to be the foundation of evolutionary biology and the process of natural selection. In it he explained how different groups formed and diverged.
Here we have a breakaway group, a sub-species, these days known as “Ted’s Triangle”.
Some never really made it very far from the treetops.
3 million years of evolution and the only change – a loss of hair.
Others, the sick and diseased had to be cut from the pack for the welfare of the whole group.
While other divergent groups managed to rejoin this evolutionary pathway at halfway.
Darwin’s proposal for the mechanism of evolutionary change was natural selection, now known as “ survival of the fittest”
A shining example of which was Annie’s 1000k milestone this morning.
Starting the morning at 997k, the 1000k was tantalisingly close.
Here after her 6:30 swim, now at 998.5k and ready to hit the water again.
After some last minute consultation with Sophie
She ditched the wetsuit, checked the lipstick and was ready to go.
Meanwhile at Shelly, the crowd was cheering and clamouring to be part of this epic event.
Now having completed 999.25k, she was ready for her triumphant return to Manly.
Crowds lined the shore and walkways, the atmosphere was electric.
As she emerged from the water, Lainey, the “Keeper of the Sash” was first to greet her.
Then the festivities began.
A time to celebrate.
A shrine was constructed in the hope that at some time in the distant future, this may give archaeologists an insight into this most important period of history.
One thing will always remain constant –
The lure of that ancestral ocean draws us back to an almost spiritual immersion, time and time again.
Stats:
Swimmers: 350
Newbies: 8
Temperature: 22.9
Thunderbird
Monthly Dinner – Chat Night!
The next B&B monthly dinner will be on Tuesday 14th March at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. Come along and have a chat with your swimming buddies, or meet new ones. This is always a fun night, so don’t miss out. The cost of the dinner is only $25 a head and includes shared entrees, a selection of mains to choose (incl a vegetarian option) and corkage (for byo wine only). Glasses of beer or wine and desserts are also available at the special price of only $5 each. Numbers are limited, so bookings are essential. To avoid disappointment and secure your spot please BOOK HERE NOW,
2017 Summer Badge Ceremony – Sunday 2nd April
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 2nd April, 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, and …. RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (sausage sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food. Book here for Badge Breakfast
All 2017 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…
26 comments
Veena
12/03/2017 at 2:08 pm
Great blog Michael -love all the pics…and the Darwinian summary was pretty accurate! Here’s hoping the diseased ones can rejoin the group by next weekend!😅
Annie YAY
12/03/2017 at 2:10 pm
Thank you Michael for being so enthusiastic and giving me so much attention on this 1000K monumental occasion! I loved the theme of your blog and am thrilled with the images you captured. Swimming with Bolds has changed my life, in so many ways. The community and friends I have there are my everything. My Sydney family. And for that I am eternally grateful. YAY!!
Michele Franks
12/03/2017 at 2:27 pm
Excellent Blog Michael loved the theme 🏊
Paul
12/03/2017 at 2:44 pm
Another call for those interested in a pre-dinner swim on Tuesday.
I’ll be arriving at Manly straight from work for a pre-dinner swim.
It would fun to have some company for all or part of it.
The plan is start at 4:30pm and swim 3 laps to Shelly, returning to the beach at Manly at 5 and 5:30pm if anyone is interested in joining me then. Finish at 6pm for shower before dinner at 6:30.
Any takers?
Michael S
12/03/2017 at 2:45 pm
Thanks Veena. Hope you and the old bloke are soon feeling much better.
Michael S
12/03/2017 at 2:48 pm
Thanks Michelle.
Michael S
12/03/2017 at 2:49 pm
A pleasure Annie. I am grateful for the extra content about your 1000k that I could include today.
Shelley K
12/03/2017 at 3:04 pm
But Paul, what about our hair?
Shelley K
12/03/2017 at 3:08 pm
Love it Michael. Wish I’d been there for all the colour and pageantry…and that Batgirl cozzie is the best
Edwina
12/03/2017 at 3:15 pm
Those strawberries were divine annie thanks for sharing your joy! Great pics Michael, all from land too 👍😜
Lips
12/03/2017 at 3:55 pm
Heresy! Every child knows Homo Boldus Beautifulus was created by Julie and Michael!
Management
12/03/2017 at 3:56 pm
If you want to relive the moment with Annie, come along to the dinner on Tuesday night and see her accept her 1000 km badge. BOOK on the Website NOW to avoid disappointment.
ian the slowest
12/03/2017 at 4:17 pm
Annie,
what a terrific achievement. Your 1,000 km has been hovering in the wings for most of this week.
For those at the peak of the evolutionary heap, 1,000 km is only a step on the way to even greater things.
We can all try chasing John Bond but it is likely that most of us pink-headed evolutionaries cannot muster that amount of evolution,
best wishes and see you at 2,000 km,
Snorkles
12/03/2017 at 5:34 pm
Great blog coverage Michael and well done Annie!!
Michael S
12/03/2017 at 5:56 pm
Of course. How remiss of me. Now it all makes sense. You were their mutant love child that gave rise to that sub species Tartus Blogica.
Belinda
12/03/2017 at 7:09 pm
Lost property: Yesterday (Saturday) I accidently took home someone else’s cap and black speedo googles that would have been hanging over the rail near the shower in front of the clubhouse. Hopefully someone has mine (googles blue / clear). I am not back until Saturday :(. I will hand in to Ian at the newbies table and likewise if you have mine. Sooo sorry.
Suzie P
12/03/2017 at 7:42 pm
You rock TB!! Awesome blog and pics… Why side-lined?!
Congrats Annie xx
Michael S
12/03/2017 at 9:23 pm
Thank you so much Suzie. Surgery on my left leg 10 days ago. The right one gets done on St. Patrick’s Day. Bad,bad timing.
elizabeth
13/03/2017 at 7:49 am
Such an excellent blog and so informative. I love it. Congratulations to Annie on 1000km and making the pink sash look classy
It is true that thunderbirds are go
Rusty
13/03/2017 at 8:33 am
Fabulous blog mate. So much fun to read!
Michael S
13/03/2017 at 10:24 am
Thanks Rusty. It was great to share Annie’s excitement of her 1000.
Michael S
13/03/2017 at 10:24 am
Thanks Elizabeth.
Gino
13/03/2017 at 10:36 am
Awesome blog big man!
Well done Annie!
Lisa B
13/03/2017 at 10:53 am
Thunderbird you have created a masterpiece with this blog. I’m just sorry I missed all the celebrations. Well done Annie!!
Michael S
13/03/2017 at 10:58 am
Thanks fellow blogger.
Michael S
13/03/2017 at 11:00 am
Thanks Lisa. Those post op boring days gave me enough time think about a theme.