There is nothing as uplifting and mood enhancing in my opinion, than starting off your day with a B&B swim! People are always commenting how friendly and positive everyone is…Yesterday it was uplifting in more ways than one as I arrived for my Bolderdash swim without my undies and bra and had to rush off for work straight afterwards. Lucky for me, a generous B&Ber came to the rescue and lent me her undergarments!Btw I’m sorry I was away last Thursday and you got rain and dreary weather 😉 This morning it started off like this in our favourite corner….
And this…
Nine newbies today including Al, Murray and Hugh.
Miguel Maestre, the celebrity chef on ‘The Living Room’ wanted to join us, but his wife Sacha swam with us whilst he babysat. I tried to get him to leave his daughter with Sarah but he wasn’t sure 😉
The title of my blog today was nearly ‘Who needs Jack Johnson when you’ve got John Jackson?’ Jack Johnson has got an ear infection so can’t swim with us while he’s here on tour and staying at Manly, but Dr John (The Dredger) was back! (And he was a right Blog Tart today!)
The other ‘Star of the Blog’ today was our very own Jules of course! Here she is with Cathy.
Getting a bit irate here as she screams,’THIS IS THE POINT!’ (Nobody listened as they chattered together 100 metres closer to Shelly!)
Attracta stopped me to show me the Old Wives near the tall palm tree. As they were hanging around over the rocks I got some good shots of them for once.
There were lots of large salpy thingies in the water today but Jane later said they are actually a type of harmless jelly fish. Peta wanted to take a photo of me diving with the old wives (as I am one myself). You can see the jellyfish clearly in these photos. The second photo shows me desperately trying to keep my legs closed after being caught in too many ‘up the clacker’ shots!
Left way behind by now, climbing out at the hut a huge blue groper swam under me!
Spot yourself at Shelly Beach!
Paige is doing the 10km swim on Saturday with LSA, Shady Shaun, Tedley, myself and a few others. Please join us!
Jules can whistle like nobody else!
These swimmers are definitely uplifted, happy and glad to be alive!
Back at Manly Wine, Krystina and Stephen look content to be back in Manly after their fantastic trip to The States, (and so are their dogs!)
Another person happy to be in Manly is our Jules of course. Here she is sharing the love with not one B&B gorg guy but 3! (Wonder what Michael is doing??)
I’d just like to show a few photos of the wonderful Bolderdash swim I did yesterday with the ‘Slow but Steadies’ inc Little Sarah, Rainer, Ted, Helen and Elizabeth. We started out at 5.45am under a gorgeous light as the sun squeezed out through clouds…
And our very own favourite German ‘Lips’ pulling another of his crazy faces!
If us Slowies can do the Bolderdash 3 km swim, anyone can, and it really is a fantastic experience, takes you further forward on The Pacific Challenge and is great training for the 6 and 10km swims!
Every day brings something new and exciting with this daily drama, whether it’s an amazing organic, ocean swim, a chance to catch up with a friend, the sighting of a beautiful marine creature, fulfilment of conquering the waves or even a meeting with a celebrity outside Manly Wine! Here are a few of us with Jack Johnson on Tuesday (And Miguel Maestre on Thursday!)
Just thought I’d include a bit of the marine life Ted and I saw last week in Amed, East Bali…It really is a bit of a secret and the snorkelling is fantastic just off the beach.
To finish off today’s blog then…
The workout, the ocean, the cold water, the amazing people…it all really helps to make us feel good whatever is going on with our lives. To outsiders we all look like a happy, lucky bunch of people but we all know everyone is going through some hardship in their lives. This group has helped my hubby Ted, more than words can say as he has had a cancer diagnosis and treatment in the last few months. We know that if we start the day off with a swim and the friendliness and positivity reaching out from you guys we are going to feel uplifted for the rest of the day. So thank you so much for your support and to Jules and those of you that keep the group going. It is enriching so many lives!
HOUSEKEEPING
B&B Attendance Login App
Don’t be caught out – go with the App! Being an eco friendly mob, we are aiming to reduce our paper consumption by switching to the B&B Login App. The App also has the benefit of providing you with a history of your swims. Log your swim between 5am and 9am for the easy way to ensure your swim is recorded in the daily attendance and on the Pacific Challenge.
To get started, please send an email to Ian Forster (ugoboyo@gmail.com). He will check that your email address is activated on the attendance register then send you info on how to get started.
Summer (badge) swims are go!!
Summer Badge season is in go mode!! Every Saturday during summer there will be a 6km swim – usual route is to Freshwater and back, then once a month there is a 10km swim. Route depends on conditions that day so it is a good idea to arrive a little early to have a briefing from Squadron Leader John ‘007’ Bond. The first 10km swim to be held on 14 December depending on conditions.
2014 B&B Calendar ON SALE NOW!!
Get one for yourself or pin it up at work. Give one to friends or send them overseas to the family back home. An ideal stocking filler for only $15 ! BUY YOURS HERE NOW
Staying safe
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.
Stats Today
Swimmers 153 Newbies 9
Sunrise 5.37am Sunset 7.59pm
Air Temp 20 degrees Water Temp 21.2
Signing off Lainey loo aka Elaine (with my new mate Jack Johnson!)
19 comments
Simon
12/12/2013 at 12:29 pm
Ripper of a blog Lainey. I can confirm that Jack really is your new mate as I saw him seek you out at Manly Wine two days in a row.
Ted has endeared himself to all of us B&Bers and is indeed very fortunate to have you as his greatest fan.
Elaine de Jager
12/12/2013 at 12:41 pm
Thank you Simon, that’s lovely to say and yes it was amazing when Jack actually tapped me on the shoulder to talk more rather than avoid a loony fan! Thx again for covering for me last week. Don’t think I could produce such a great rainy day blog!
Anne E
12/12/2013 at 12:59 pm
Thanks for yesterday’s info, Leslie. It filled in some blanks about what happened after I went into post-paper-tick-data-entry-induced temporary psychosis. Just quietly… Did I take Elaine’s undergarments with me?
A big thanks to all members of ‘The Management’. A one-day glimpse of the work behind the scenes makes me really appreciate their collective effort and the great foundation that Julie and Michael laid for our happy and occasionally unintentionally nude swimming group!
Vanessa Maund
12/12/2013 at 1:02 pm
I always look forward to Thursdays and your such positive blogs, thanks Lainey!
ros
12/12/2013 at 1:19 pm
Bra-and-nickers stories, old wives, poodles, celebrity chefs, rock stars … what more could anyone want from a blog!!
LSA aka HKTQ
12/12/2013 at 1:31 pm
Lainey, our very own Wonder Woman! Who else in 24 hrs can swim a bolder-shelly, have brekkie sort of with Jack Johnson, teach all day, watch a ‘free’ (cough, cough) concert with the star himself,party at the Boatshed, swim again and then produce such a star blog, smiling all the way!!!
Lovely “finish off” too….
Oh and look how happy Ros is to see two of her favourite B & Bs back from their holiday….the poodles of course:-)
John.S
12/12/2013 at 1:37 pm
Elaine
Great blog as always.
Love the shot of Lips at Queenscliff as shot through someones mouth.
Bubbles and others, congratulations on swimming and finishing the 6km last weekend, a champion effort.
Lips
12/12/2013 at 2:44 pm
Love your work Elaine!
Agree with Ros and LSA, fantastic blog and amazing what you manage to get up to in just 48 hours!
Great shot of the Old Wives at Shelly. And well done on keeping your legs closed for once!
5th photo down – why is Dr. John wearing Lesley’s leggings?
Welcome back Krystina and Stephen!
Lips
12/12/2013 at 2:44 pm
Scientists believe that this is precisely the shot most people have flashing before their eyes just before they die.. (me, waving at Queensie, seen through someone’s mouth)
Fact.
Dont mention the Bolderdash...
12/12/2013 at 2:45 pm
Is Lips hailing a submarine commander?
Lips
12/12/2013 at 2:46 pm
Hear Hear!
Thanks for helping out Anne! Agree, most swimmers have no idea how much work goes into newbie registrations and attendance record keeping. Ian and his team of oompa loompas deserve a special badge!
LSA aka HKTQ
12/12/2013 at 3:07 pm
Shame you’ll be in Kiama this weekend when we go for our 10K, Storchy:-) You’ll really be Down Under in the P.C.
Always Late Fifi
12/12/2013 at 3:25 pm
Hi All,
I was wondering if anyone was interested in an early start version of the 10km on Saturday? I am eager to do it but have things on mid morning. Does anyone else fancy an early one with me? 6.30? 6am?
LSA aka HKTQ
12/12/2013 at 3:44 pm
…And the large red towel in the “Sharing the Love” pic was left behind at Manly Wine.
If it’s yours, suggest you call/visit Manly Wine asap!
lesbubbles
12/12/2013 at 4:44 pm
I love that first pic Elaine! WOW do we really live here!!!??
2 stars in a week! I wonder who it will be next??
please please Bradley Cooper… Bradley Cooper!
lesbubbles
12/12/2013 at 4:45 pm
….as they are slipping through on their way to Hell more like!
Jane
12/12/2013 at 6:04 pm
Fabulous blog Lainey-Loo. Your fish pics are just getting better and better.
The clouds of jellies are probably the Eastern Comb Jelly (Bolinopsis sp.). They don’t sting but can catch small fish with their sticky tentacles and drag them inside to digest them.
Pacific Jules
12/12/2013 at 6:24 pm
I agree, absolute ripper blog !!
Blow the fish photos Jane, I reckon the people photos were exceptional today 😉 🙂
Alyson
12/12/2013 at 7:52 pm
Great photos! Pleased you remembered your undies today! I just bought a calendar online, who do I grab it off? I will be around on the weekend…