20/11/2016 So much more than just swimming.

Having just returned from over 3 months of travelling, it was wonderful to be greeted by the smiles and hugs of all my B&B buddies.

Then to hit the pristine waters of CTB, no homecoming could have been sweeter.

Meanwhile as another day dawned, swimmers were making their way down for a dose of happiness.

 

 

Here are Rachel and Linda checking out a little real estate 100 metres from the beach.

A special request from Rachel to her mother back in Canada, this would make a fine little Xmas present for your far away daughter.

Meanwhile, the rest of us just got to chat and hang out before hitting the water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7AM, only enough time to kiss the kid goodbye and hit the water.


Then the usual frivolity and shenanigans at Shelly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some just can’t break that old Sunday morning laze around habit.

 

Back to South Steyne for a bit more chat and compare jimble strikes

 

There is always someone trying to make a new fashion statement

 

Jess and Joe getting a few baby bump photos. Congratulations from all of us at B&B.

 

While I was away it was great to keep track of the daily swims via the B&B blog. The photos each day really made me homesick, especially when comparing my swims to the daily CTB crossing.

The Med, crystal clear waters but pretty well zero marine life.

 

Nusa Lembongen, amazing marine life, tonnes of rubbish in the water.

 

Cabbage Tree Bay, I know where I would rather be.

 

Yesterday, for those of you who were not there, was the Ed Selby memorial swim.

 

There were a few salty tears streaming down people’s faces as Lainey read out the poem she had written.

It was a beautiful tribute to a wonderful person. Quite a few people requested a copy, so here it is.

Ode to Ed

We miss you Ed, down at Cabbage Tree Bay

We’d hoped you’d swim with us…another day

You made us laugh with your corny jokes

You fitted right in with us swimmer folks

Remembering how you came with a heavy heart

Before long you became a great ‘Blog tart’;-)

Friendly to everyone, open and honest too

You let us in on…what you’d been through…

Oh you made us laugh, but more recently cry

We are so lucky to have met you Ed, such a great guy

Generous, kind, ready to give everything a go

You swam and socialised, no longer feeling so low…

You joined in everything with your big, sloppy grin

But how we hated watching you get thin

Your life was brightening up when the cancer hit

We saw you fight it, with strength, positivity and grit

Larger than life we’ve been blessed to know you Ed

Your sons live on in you and in your worthy shoes tread

And as we swim across our beloved Cabbage Tree Bay

You stay in our hearts, each and every single day

 

Summer Swims 6k and 10k. The 6k swims run on any Saturday during summer from December to February. There is only one 10k swim in each of the months of December, February and March (not in January). The proposed date for the first 10k swim is Saturday 10th December 2016.

B&B Christmas Party – don’t miss out – BOOK EARLY. The B & B Christmas Party this year will be held on Tuesday 13^th December at 6.30 pm in the Moonshine Bar (2^nd Floor) at the Steyne Hotel. All swimmers and partners/friends are welcome (no under 18s unfortunately). The theme again this year is simply “Christmas”. So come dressed in your finest Christmas paraphernalia. Lots of fun and dancing are guaranteed, with music by a fantastic rock band “Gluteus Maximus”. The cost is $10 per head, with all proceeds going to the running costs of the B&B. Book HERE now! Don’t miss out on this fun event, numbers are limited.

Today’s Stats

Swimmers – hundreds

Newbies – lucky

Also a suggestion for New Years Eve. The Manly 16′ Skiff Club (the B&B second home) has a fantastic New Years Eve party. Last year there were at least 40 B&Bers there. The night was an absolute hoot. Tickets available from the club. Get in fast as tickets always sell out.