Over 50 Bold and Beautiful Swimmers.
17 – 10km adventure swimmers.
1 – 6km adventure swimmer.
5 – caterers.
1 – paddler and a dog 🙂
A totally fantastic morning was had by all, the regular Bold & Beautiful swimmers swam to the point and back, a great ~2km swim, then 18 people set off for the remainder of the 10km harbour adventure accompanied by Tim and Iggy as chief paddler.
We hugged the shore line around to Little Manly, then continued on past the fisherman
off the gas works who kindly reeled in their lines allowing us clear access through to Collins Flat where we were joined by a baby Fiddler Ray :-). We then continued along the stunning foreshore to Store Beach where we stumbled across some ladies who had paddled across for a peaceful yoga session in the pouring rain… !? After Tony sang out a tuneful “hmmmmmmm” to them we set off for Quarantine Beach where we were superbly greeted by Kelly’s parents; Anne and Tony who put on a gourmet range of goodies for us, some of which was supplied by the swimmers and some of which they scooted home to raid
their kitchen for: Tim Tams, Lollies, Bananas, Gatorade, Mineral Water – you name it we had it 🙂
Jenny Menzies opted out at this point, catching a lift back with Tony and Anne, having now suitably qualified for this years 6km summer badge – well done Jenny 🙂
The remaining 17 of us, along with paddler and dog were now all beautifully set for our return stretch. But…. not quite satisfied Brendan wanted to swim to Flagstaff point, just ‘cos we could before we set back along the same merry track, so of course that’s what we did !
Then came our second surprise; a welcome committee waiting for us at Little Manly: a flask of beautiful hot coffee, with milk and honey no less dutifully supplied by Anna Alvsdotter, her son Tomas and their friend from Sweden, chief photographer for this morning’s blog, Anna Holm. You will notice Anna A sporting her already acquired badges (notice not a 10km one !!!) in one of the photos, thinking that this kind gesture is
somehow a suitable excuse for not qualifying for her 10km badge this morning…. !! Uhmm – I don’t think so !! 🙂
Tony decided to compete with Nick’s previous encounters with one of the boats – nice work Tony, happy to let you have that ‘badge’ all to yourself.
We all returned safely, with beaming faces and huge achievements under our belts. Sandy said that’s the biggest achievement she has ever accomplished. I think that goes for most of us.
Some of us finally gathered at Manly Lodge for a very well earned hearty breakfast.
Great morning, fantastic effort by everyone, well done. You guys rock !
Today’s 10 km swimmers: Mark Allan, Nicholas Dowson, Richard Murray (all the way from Maroubra), Brendan Maher, Collie Kinsela, Kelly Johnson, Nariko Goto, Nanette Crawford, Michael Crawford, John Bond, Tony Box, Richard Lees, Sandy McIndoe, Iain McGregor, Gaetan Guilhon, Michael Christie and Julie Isbill for the last 8kms (paddled the first 2kms), then of course trusty Tim and Iggy as chief paddlers 🙂
Water Temperature 21.3’C
Sunrise: 5:59am
Sunset: 9:09pm
High Tide: 5:42am
Low Tide: 12:10pm
5 comments
John
January 15, 2011 at 4:20 pm
Thank you fellow B&B swimmers for the 10km challenge – it was a good alternative course with smooth conditions and a variety of scenery and beach stops – the water was warmer on the return to Collins Flat. Also thanks to Anne,Tony and swimmers for the food supplies at Quarantine Beach and Anna for the coffee at Little Manly – much appreciated. Will sleep well tonight – hope to swim as usual tomorrow.
Gaétan
January 15, 2011 at 7:15 pm
this blog is quiet today… what’s going on here!? Everyone is probably at home in the sofa recovering from the 10km 🙂
First of all, as you mentioned Julie, thanks to Anna, Tony, Anna, Tim and Iggy for looking after us today. It was so convivial, we all loved it. I think for the next 10km, we should finish with a BBQ at the beach!
Anna, I will volunteer for the coffee next time so that you do not miss the last 10km, you just cannot not do it! 🙂
Last but not least, I’d like to thank Julie for permitting all of us to have so much fun and transcend our limitations! THANK YOU JULIE!
Got some news from Claire and Michel, they have safely arrived in Dubbo and Claire is loving it already :-)))
See you all at 7 tomorrow, hopefully on Shelly side this time, it looked quite good and safe this afternoon there.
Richard
January 15, 2011 at 7:52 pm
Hi Thanks B&B for a lovely swim today.
I arrived at Manly this morning expecting to slog it out for a few hours in the surf.
Instead I was treated to an Odyssey of harbour beaches, led by a man and his dog.
After 2 hours of swimming, I was running low on energy, and actually quite hungry.
So imagine my surprise when we arrived at the Quarantine Station, to find a swimmers picnic of fruit, drinks and lollies prepared by B&B supporters.
Feeling re-energised after the treats, I didn’t even object to Brendan’s irrational suggestion to keep swimming a few hundred extra metres south to Flagstaff, instead of heading home the way we had come.
The sweet coffee surprise at Little Manly also hit the spot.
Michael [TLC]
January 15, 2011 at 8:37 pm
Hi everyone. I would just like to add my voice to the chorus of thanks to all those people who took the time out to support the 10km swim. Tim and Iggy in the kayak, Anne and Tony with a most unexpected feast at quarantine. Anna and Thomas with an even more unexpected coffee and honey at little Manly. You probably have no idea how nice it was.
Anna Alvsdotter
January 16, 2011 at 10:10 pm
Oh bum. Are you seriously saying that the coffee on a cardboard box isn’t qualifying as a replacement for the 10km badge!!!!??
Gaetan, I will take you up on your offer to supply me with sustenance if I go crazy and attempt to do next 10km swim, but please also make sure the weather is fantastic in every way, thanks.