14/05/2014 – Wonderful Wednesday (with a wobbie!)

This was what we swam across this morning… Our pool/aquarium/playground…Cabbage Tree Bay, the best place to be early morning. Today was glorious with calm, clear, warm waters, sealife but no stingers, a smattering of sunshine and the best company in the world!

Storchy’s Booty Campers can be seen being put through their paces in the middle of the beach. (All welcome Mon,Wed and Fri 6am)

 The Drinks Expressers head out at 6.30am.

There’s a beautiful sunrise this morning as we wait for the 7am call (But no John Kelly today so no actual call!)

Wednesday Budgie Parade with a couple of female photobombers.

 Nathan brings his 4 kids for a swim before they get off to school at Frenchs Forest Primary!

And Midge grabs Chris on her way in from an early lap!

 Storchy is more than happy when I suggest he gets in for a photo with ‘Konesy’ sporting her new bright pink and slightly see through bikini!

Ian, Wendy, Alex and Bella are some of the mermaids today… (I did have a clacker shot of Bella but thought I’d better keep the blog clean 😉

(Now I’m back to writing about the photo below, sorry for the confusion.) I think that is Frazer back swimming/snorkelling with his Mum Sarah, in silhouette against that gorgeous sky!

We ALL love to see ourselves on the blog! Hopefully I got most people today. Happy folk at Shelly! (Alice on the left is exceedingly generous and can be relied upon to loan out spare undies if you’ve forgotten yours!)

  

Most of this lot are going on to do a ‘Double’ making their early morning swim 3.2 kms!

 Liz in foreground is also generous. She has found a support boat for Dr John and co’s Big Swim from Manly to Bondi on 20th June.

 Some of our slower swimmers 😉 😉 (Remember everyone is welcome at the B&B, slow, fast, fins, wetties, old, young, we love you all!)

The Bold and Beautiful’s best legs tries to stamp on fish!

 We don’t even mind if swimmers feel like whipping off their budgies and swimming naked 😉

Oops sorry Simon, you did have them on after all!

 

Whilst Simon and I were looking at the yellowtail, luderick and blackfish that are there every day, this little lot below found a beautiful, huge wobbegong perched on a rock. (Photos to follow courtesy of SC)

 

 

 

Love how you can be swimming along and there are fish on all levels. The mullet really close to the surface, garfish below and mados and silver sweep below.

So many Garfish at the moment!

 

 Also love the Diamond Fish that congregate over the pale, big boulders half way near the hut… They look like the most beautiful art work as they hang together in formation illuminated against the paleness of the rocks, Slithers of sunlight filter through to make the sight even more magic!

They make me think about all the characters that make up our wonderful group… (Also diamonds) It takes a certain kind of person to enjoy this early morning drama. Usually a bit gutsy, a bit bold, unique, colourful with a certain sparkle…

..Some are rough around the edges but with a hearty laugh, generosity, warmth and friendliness that extends to all…

 

 Aurelie, (the gorgeous one in the middle) needs to find work on a farm for 3 months as conditions for her 2nd visa. Does anyone know of anything? Please comment on bottom of blog.

 

I’m putting together a map showing where the different types of sea life hangs around in CTB. There’s a very rough version below but I’ll try and get a better one done. Lots of people wonder about the names of fish so a lot are mentioned there.

 

 The Goatfish I spotted changing colour in seonds on Monday.

 

 I’d better sign off and get to work. Thanks everybody. See you Friday!

Lainey Loo aka Elaine

 

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:  110
Newbie:  0
Temp:   21.5 degrees

Sunrise: 6.39 am

Sunset: 5.03 pm