Driving down Sydney Road this morning, the invigorating smell of salt air permeated the car. I breathed in deeply, wondering whether there was a special smell in the air that signals blue bottles in water, similar to smells of different fruit in wine! I sniffed extra hard, and after detecting a slight hint of licorice, I found my answer. ‘Yes, that must be it! There are definitely blue bottles in water today!
Walking along the shore I couldn’t see many B&B swimmers coming in or out. Yes, I told myself. I have a ‘nose that knows’. There are lots of blueys, just like yesterday.
I stumbled across ‘men in the know’ – Don, Bill and Bob (it wasn’t much of a stumble – they were quite easy to spot). They said they hadn’t swum yet. Not surprised, I thought! That hint of licorice is a give away.
Bob and his mate ‘the legend’ laughed at the thought of being able to sniff out blueys. They said there are no blueys today – just rough surf and big rip so swim from Shelly! JK followed up shortly after with the same announcement about the rough surf! Hmmm. No blueys? Surely not. You can smell them!
Greg, Tony and Robert also confirmed there were no blueys. They’d heard of one person being bitten on the hand but not by a bluey. They said it was most likely a sea-snake or Tyrannosaurus Rex. (Thanks fellas!)
Team Harbourside decided to venture harbourside regardless, after seeing Lainey’s excellent photos of fan-bellied leather jackets, huge octopus and puffer fish from the harbour pool yesterday.
Anne said yes, due to rough surf we all have to do long walk to Shelly today. Before ducking off with team harbourside!
Ronald and Cath were psyching themselves up to the do ‘the walk’!
While Henrietta was busy registering newbies.
Team Harbourside about to launch into fish (& bird) spotting action. Here is the evidence of their success. Photo credits to Lainey and Anne H! Beautiful!
Lovely photos Lainey and Anne!
Ben and Jade were super keen to get in the water. So I thought I’d hold them up for a few more minutes taking a blog photo!
Richard bought his twin brother, Nathan, down for a swim this morning.
Someone trying to get in from the pool. I think he ended up walking to Shelly.
Nice touch – whoever was responsible!
Gaby looking very happy and refreshed despite navigating a choppy swim.
Rosemary was swimming with her husband and has always wanted to swim with B&B but not confident of making the distance. Dorset loaned her a cap so she could feel part of the team for a few minutes!! We’ll get her swimming soon enough!
Shelly shots (not jelly shots):
Mitch, Steve, Lisa, Cath
Greg, James and Danielle
John and Jeremy.
Henrietta and Jo
Cath again (BTing – Blog Tarting!!)
Ian’s Benji
On the way back to Manly, Danny and Marco were spotted having a very leisurely shower indeed and weren’t contending with the hordes. Danny said that when you swim 6000 kms you get your own shower!!! 😂 😂 😂
At the end of the swim Anne, Lainey, and the Sues (Sooze & Sue) were having a very important discussion about dogs and dads!
And yet another Sue – Suzy! Missing you already Suzy and hope the water in Merimbula is not too cold!
Stats:
Water Temp: 22.6
Swimmers: Lots – split between ocean & harbour again!
Newbies: 18
Have a great week!
Lucy
PS Note to all. A hint of liquorice doesn’t indicate blue bottles in water. It’s more a sign of a mouldy old piece of liquorice under your car seat.
SUMMER SWIMS
10km swim [Date TBC]. 7am. Bring own food/water.
As the Summer long distance swimming season approaches, it seems appropriate to explain what it takes to earn a Summer badge. Three long distance swims are on offer:
- The 6 km swims are held every summer Saturday morning at 7am until Feb.
- There is a 10 km swim once a month over summer. Next one inFeb.
- If these swims are too long for you, you can try a Triple Manly to Shelly swim any day during Summer (distance 3.5 km) from 6.30or 7 am.
‘Try a Triple’. Do the Manly to Shelly return swim 3 times non-stop and earn a triple badge.
Please note, Badges will be awarded to swimmers completing any and/or all of the 3 swims at the times and dates stated above and throughout the Summer months.
You will earn a badge if you complete these swims and log them in iLog. The system will only record authorised 6K or 10K swims that are logged on the appropriate days. Badges will be presented at the Summer Badge Ceremony in March. If you are unsure of the routes and protocols for these swims, please ask at the desk before you swim. When swimming these longer distances, we request that, for safety reasons, you stay with the group. We also request that you do not swim in dangerous conditions. The quest for a little cloth badge is not worth putting your life at risk. Enjoy your swimming.
Operation Crayweed Grass planting in Cabbage Tree Bay
If you are interested in supporting/assisting this initiative by way of signing up to be a CV (Citizen Volunteer) please read on.
The SIMS (Sydney Institute of Marine Science) Project Team expect to start the preparation work in late January and in February.
Assistance could take the form of on-land prepping as well as snorkeling assistance helping the netting get secured etc. SIMS/U.NSW do however have strict compliance paperwork to be prepared/signed off on before commencing such assistance.
If you are interested in becoming a CV to help the marine regeneration initiative could you please send your full name, mobile number and email to Dorset Sutton (Project Sponsor) at suttondorset@gmail.com.
Dorset will forward you by email the paperwork required to be completed. At this stage actual prep/dive dates are not know, but we are interested in seeing how many potential CV’s we’ll have.
Forms will also be available at B&B Board each morning at our swim. See Dorset at the swim.
11 comments
Thunderbird
16/01/2019 at 1:33 pm
Well done Lucy. Very impressed with you being able to remember all those names. A really valiant effort after not being able to use the blog camera.
Anne
16/01/2019 at 1:39 pm
Great blog as usual
Lucy C
16/01/2019 at 2:24 pm
Thanks Michael! I’d like to be able to take credit for remembering everone’s names but I have to admit I wrote most of them down!
Lucy C
16/01/2019 at 2:24 pm
Thanks Anne!!
Sue Marinan
16/01/2019 at 3:01 pm
Well Done Luce!! A great job written. Well, it is your expertise. Love the photos also. I love the touch of mouldy liquorice. Xx
Lucy C
16/01/2019 at 5:24 pm
Thanks Sue! 🙂 Was thinking I might save the mouldy licquorice for ron!
Mary
16/01/2019 at 6:08 pm
Lovely blog Lucy. Hopefully tomorrow will bring calmer surf and no nasty stinging blueys
Gemma
16/01/2019 at 9:21 pm
Awesome blog, Lucy! I know how to get rid of the bluey smell. Exterminate. Them. All.
Lucy C
16/01/2019 at 10:19 pm
Thanks Mary & yes fingers crossed re tomorrow’s swim!!
Lucy C
16/01/2019 at 10:22 pm
Excellent idea Gemma!
New. Years. Resolution. 2019! Exterminate. All. Blueys!
Lainey
17/01/2019 at 11:40 am
Another really interesting, entertaining blog Lucy with a twist at the end!