Oh darling.
Words are not enough. But these photos speak a thousand, as does the fact that 340 Bold & Beautiful swimmers came to farewell Julie and Michael and to wish Julie a happy birthday too. 13 people did the early Boulderdash to Queenscliff, and we had 28 (!) first time swimmers.
Today’s blog is an unapologetic gushing of emotions. Gotta love the first three pics – Nick Dawkins, you’ve captured the tone of the morning very well.
Here are a few more from Nick.
Julie and Michael, look what you’ve created. It’s been said before, but I’ll say it again; this is a one off, world unique, inclusive people’s movement that has generated so much happiness, wellbeing, friendship, fitness, oh and publicity.
How gorgeous and appropriate to see Michael and Julie walk through the Pink Cozzie Guard of Honour to start off this morning’s swim, captured by a plethora of assorted photographers and paparazzi, including one of the best from Manly Daily, Simon Cocksedge.
You can just about hear the cheers and claps in the photos below by Ray Oliver.
The Farewell walk to the Final Swim (for now) captured here by Stephen Coulter.
It’s finally been proven today – there’s enough room for us all off the point. Here’s a pic from Ann Cameron if you find it hard to believe.
Two more picture perfect postcards from Ann. “Wish you were here”. (Oh sorry Julie, didn’t mean to make you cry again! Hmm. I’m sure WA is super fun too. No, really.)
And the cry-fest continued at Shelly Beach, as captured by Ray. Everyone in tears except Eeelaine, Chris C-D and Michael Appelby.
Others were so happy to see the back of Julie and Michael, they just couldn’t contain themselves.
The blogtarts also showed their true colours today. Cry me a river. Yeah right!
Alright, time to go already. Will the excessive splashing be enough of a hint?
Some fab footage from today’s swim by Stephen Coulter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGnerRYk6pk&feature=youtu.be
At Bluewater Cafe, the staff earned their Special Gold Star Badges for Patience in the Face of Madness, with special commendation for not losing their sense of humour despite the hilarious B&B obstacle course of bags, wet towels, birthday cakes and crying swimmers.
The sale of B&B calendars generated plenty of funds for the Royal Far West; $1280 to be precise, but there are still calendars available and it’s only January. Here’s Julie handing over the cheque to Penelope Sinton from RFW.
“THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED THIS !! A fantastic result being
donated to RFW in such a short time. Still some left at RFW if anyone wants one… xxx
Lots of our swimmers have already signed up to volunteer there too which is fabulous”, says Julie.
Thank YOU, Julie, from the bottom of 4000+ hearts. So long,
and thank you for all the fish.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
(oh sorry the keyboard got jammed. Something to do with salty droplets.)
Safe travels, happy studies and see you both here again SOON. Lots of love from Girl Friday blogger Anna and all the Bold & Beautiful swimmers. Come back soon.
34 comments
Snorkles reviewing from across the other side of the world
18/01/2013 at 1:18 pm
Such a beautiful blog today Anna ….you captured the morning so well…….
Very gutted I’m not there to say farewell in person, but we know that Jules and Michael will be back and so it’s a bye for now, but not for too long.
Have a great day everyone x
Joan Isbill
18/01/2013 at 2:01 pm
Great blog Anna and thank you to all for the lovely photos which I shall treasure. What a wonderful send off I am crying just looking at the photos. x
lesley
18/01/2013 at 2:12 pm
Anna you were definitely best person for todays blog! noone does gushing of sentimental emotion better than you. Thank you… and you brought tears to my eyes too xxx.
Bye Jules and Michael xxxx no 2 people rock pink better than you two!
Excellent blog Anna!!!
lesley
18/01/2013 at 2:14 pm
Omg 340 people!!!!
John
18/01/2013 at 2:40 pm
What a party it was too at the beach and at the Bluewater afterwards with such a tremedous turnout.
Farewell Julie and Michael for now and safe travels on the journey across to WA
Best Wishes.
lena
18/01/2013 at 2:44 pm
This is truly amazing stuff ,dreaming of joining you one day /Lena
Anna Alvsdotter
18/01/2013 at 2:51 pm
Oh!!! But can you believe, I forgot to mention Terry’s birthday in the blog…!
Terry, you lovely man, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you. Bad luck sharing a birthday with Julie Isbill, and especially on her send-off day. On the upside there was plenty of cake and singing, smiles and tears for free. Who needs a rent-a-crowd when you have the B&B, eh? Have a lovely day, Terry. xxxx
Alyson
18/01/2013 at 2:54 pm
Oh gosh, I am tearing up again as I read today’s blog and relive the emotion felt by everyone at the walk of honor today! Jules and Michael, it is a privilege to know you oth and to be invited into such an inclusive group as the B&B! Happy Birthday Jules, I know you will achieve all that you set out to! It’s not good bye, but See Ya Later!! Xxx
Andy 'Magic Hands' Maher.
18/01/2013 at 2:56 pm
Such an amazing morning, grateful to be part of it.
Thanks for everything Julie and Michael, have a safe trip.
Love to both of you.
[Quick note to all: I’m currently looking for a place to rent in Manly. Either:
– Single bedroom with lock-up garage ro,
– FLAT MATE to share a 2 bedroom / 2 bathroom apartment.
Email me on: andrew@ontracklife.com.au Thanks]
lesley
18/01/2013 at 2:57 pm
did anyone see Michael cry???? 😀
lesley
18/01/2013 at 2:58 pm
OMG even the tractor said goodbye!!
http://pacificjules.typepad.com/.a/6a0133ed6f68df970b017c35efe54e970b-popup
'The Lips' formerly known as Rainer
18/01/2013 at 2:59 pm
What an amazing morning. What a turnout. Still got goose bumps..
Anna – fabulous blog. However, for the record, us blog tarts are just as devastated by Julie’s and Michael’s departure as the rest of you. We just channel it differently. If you look closely you can see tiny tears running down our smiling faces. Tears of a clown if you like..
Anna Alvsdotter
18/01/2013 at 3:01 pm
😀
But of course!
'The Lips' formerly known as Rainer
18/01/2013 at 3:02 pm
So did Attracta!
Jalna
18/01/2013 at 3:18 pm
Beautiful blog and photos Anna and everyone, nice to have been able to share it from work.
Not sure I read it right,but, you made Lesley cry!?!
Just heard the Bureau of Meteorology is looking into an unexplained coastal phenomenon that caused a dramatic rise in the ocean salinity early this morning….we know why, pink phenomenon.
Safe travels Julie and Michael, enjoy your road trip. X
Little Tiger
18/01/2013 at 3:43 pm
Happy Birthday Jules. Big hugs & kisses.
Fantastic blog, wonderful photos, well done Anna.
Safe journey Jules & Michael, will miss you guys.
Michelle
18/01/2013 at 4:06 pm
Fabulous and so appropriate …..lovely lovely photos and words that so capture the mix of emotions…such a special morning to salute and honour such a special couple …it’s not good bye…just see ya later …and we will. xoxox
Deb
18/01/2013 at 4:27 pm
Fantastic ! What fantastic photos captured the moment beautifully! A great send off for two great people we will miss them! Happy birthday Jules !
Penelope Sinton
18/01/2013 at 4:28 pm
A fantastic swim this morning, thank you B & B. We are so sad to see Jules go as she has bought so much to the RFW. We also wanted to say a big thank you to everyone at B & B who bought a calendar and supported RFW. We have some amazing children who will have received medical treatment thanks to you all. A wonderful achievement 🙂
Gaetan
18/01/2013 at 5:13 pm
it’s in the news now 🙂
http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/news/story/julie-dips-out-of-squad-to-follow-bold-dream/
Good luck Julie & Michael, enjoy your time in Perth and thanks for EVERYTHING! We’ll miss you!
mauricio
18/01/2013 at 5:35 pm
Jules,Michael
Good luck in the west, all the best and hope to swim with you again soon.
Today’s video is about you of course:
http://youtu.be/zs82aQ6VJik
Thanks
Regards
Mauricio
Tedley
18/01/2013 at 5:56 pm
Great blog Anna.
Jules and Micheal, Good luck in Perth . Hope to see you soon. You guys are AWESOME!!!
annette
18/01/2013 at 6:02 pm
Good Luck in WA Jules & Michael, enjoy the west. We’ll miss both of you!!
Great photos & video
Happy Birthday Jules!!
Laney-Loo formerly known as E-lane
18/01/2013 at 6:10 pm
What an amazing tribute to Jules and Michael! Such a moving and beautiful blog Anna! Manly really put on a morning for a special swim for our leaders farewell. Good luck guys and thank you again xx
Anna Alvsdotter
18/01/2013 at 6:47 pm
Mauricio, WOW!
Watching your beautiful tribute brought more tears to my eyes. Very moving.
Lindsay & Richard
18/01/2013 at 6:48 pm
Good luck Julie and Michael! All the best for your time in WA.
I was gutted that I missed the farewell but thanks for the great blog and photos!
Lindsay x.
Hong Kong Triad Queen aka Heffner Bunny Girl aka Little Sarah
18/01/2013 at 9:45 pm
Thanks Anna and everyone for sharing such a special occasion.
Jules & Michael – look forward to seeing you back soon. Jules, confident you’ll continue to pull the strings as we all do our very best to assist our wonderful B&B community in our own little ways, whether by swimming outrageous kms, rescuing damsels in distress, playing with spreadsheets or collecting Shaun’s debts:-)
xxxxxxxxxxx
mauricio
18/01/2013 at 9:54 pm
Today’s video has been uploaded again,
please use the link as follows instead:
http://youtu.be/6CIeWWiVCMw
Cheers
Pacific Jules
18/01/2013 at 10:35 pm
What a truly AMAZING morning !! WOW, WOW AND WOW.
Thank you for such a beautiful blog Anna, outstanding photos Anna, Ann, Nick, Stephen and Ray and a marvelous and heart wrenching movie Mauricio – gosh I feel so damn privelged – THANK YOU ALL !!! xxx
Thank you Michael, Rob and Deb for the most beautiful and scrumptious birthday cakes. Hope you had a great birthday too Terry 🙂
Gonna miss you guys SOOOOO much, I’ll be back as soon as I can and in the meantime I’ll be there in spirit every stroke of the way watching you continue to share the joy and grow day by day.
B&B is the most wonderful, caring, nurturing and adventurous bunch of people in the world and no matter how big we’ve become we haven’t lost our touch. Love you all. Keep swimming and stay happy and pink xxx
Michael [EX CI]
18/01/2013 at 10:54 pm
Mauricio that video was superb as was your commentary! Have you ever thoiught of putting it into some sort of competition as I am sure you would win?
It was so moving it [almost] made me quite emotional. But it certainly made me proud of Julie and her achievements.
Thank you to everybody today. I mean EVERYBODY! The blog was lovely, the comments have been lovely and the send off swim was AMAZING. I felt like Philip following Lizzie down the ramp, waving to her subjects!!!
It was a very emotional morning, but it seemed to me that there was an enormous flood and outpoouring of thanks and appreciation for Julie and all she has done for everyone. I think that there is noone who deserves it more. I know how much work Julie has done over the years and how much she has cared for people,with little thought of reward.
Welll done Julie! Your a star and you totally deserved the enormous event of this morning! I don’t believe anyone else could have done what you have done.
Malcolm (aka Richard Branson!)
19/01/2013 at 1:50 am
I was encouraged to swim with B&B on my latest visit to Oz by Pippa Kippen. It has been great swimming with you all. My flight back to the UK left a week too early as it happens. I would love to have been there to join in with Julie and Michael’s farewell swim and the Guard of Honour. Good luck to you all.
Julie Taylor Mills
19/01/2013 at 2:00 am
Wow…..Manly’s loss is West Australia’s gain. The photos and blog are fantastic. Michael adn Julie – you created something fantastic and showed that good prevails….and prospers. THis is something I like to hold onto from the whole growth of the Bold and Beautiful movement. My very best wishes from cold and snowy London today. Wish I had been there to farewell the pair who encouraged and helped me through the Surf Life Saver certification process and then inspired me to get over my fear of swimming beyond the breakers. Along the way, the Bold and Beauti
ful made me feel a real part of Manly…. Julie T M xxxxx
Neil Richardson
19/01/2013 at 5:02 am
I can only add my best wishes to Julie and Michael, with thanks that I have been privileged to meet you both in November last -hopefully not for the last time – and be just a little part of what you have started, for a little while.
Anna’s blog brings home to me just how significant an occasion this is for a group of 4,000 people – a group that spans the world after just 4 years and is certainly inspiring others to follow its lead.
May B&B will go on from strength to strength – I’m sure it will!
mauricio
19/01/2013 at 9:38 am
Michael
Thank you for your words, It was a pleasure and a priviledge swimming with you.
Wish you all the best and hope to see you back soon.
Enjoy the Indian Ocean and it’s amazing sunsets!
Regards
Mauricio