506 ticked Bold and Beautiful swimmers experienced a beautiful Anzac Day service this morning down on the beach in our favourite corner of the world, before a simply glorious swim…
A magnificent sunrise to greet us this morning. A few of us attended the service put on by the Surf Club at 6am and saw the Anzac wreath laying Ceremony captured below.
There was a respectful atmosphere around Manly on this day of rememberance. Even the ocean was calm and peaceful. The 6.30am early lappers all waited respectfully for each other at The Point before they headed to Shelly. (With a little wave for me balancing on the rocks!)
Toni’s father served in Korea and she proudly wears his medals…
It was a day when whole families came out. Here are the Chapman family (including Aunty Sarah and Uncle Shane!)
A morning of comradeship…This lovely little trio set off at 6.55am every morning so as not to keep swimmers waiting at Shelly.
We show patriotism and Sarah is proud to wear her Aussie bikini! Those of us who were born in other countries felt incredibly proud to be a part of this special event.
The crowds assemble on the beach…
Bruce Baird begins the service and 500 swimmers reverently listen and reflect…
Eloquent Izzy and Pauline read us poems. There are a few glistening eyes…
As is our custom, the gorgeous Greg Mc Donaugh plays The Last Post on his trumpet. He was worried about the quality of his instrument yesterday, (no pun intended), but it sounded absolutely magnificent Greg.
Then suddenly, as a surprise to most of us, we heard the beautiful tones of Opera Singer Arabella as she led us in a beach rendition of ‘Advance Australia fair.’ At this point there were even one or two ‘Ironmen’ with a tear in their eye…
Thank you so much to Bruce, Greg, Izzy, Pauline and Bella. You made our service incredibly moving and special. And then it’s in to that calm, peaceful ocean we plunge!
The sky puts on a special display for us today. The sun squeezes through beautiful cloud formations, adding to the majestic grandeur of the morning…
Seb Therry,(author and motivational speaker), who is inspiring people all over the world to push themselves out of their comfort zone and do what they have always wanted to do, urges Trina to swim her first B&B swim. (Which she does, well done Trina!)
And off to Shelly we go. All 500 of us!
Shelly is bathed in Autumnal sunshine and everyone is smiling!
We have as many spectator as swimmers! Come on what is stopping you? Be a part of this wonderful, all inclusive, welcoming daily drama!
We were even blessed to have great visibility underwater today and if you swim close to the rocks you would have seen beautiful blue and green gropers, leatherjackets, wrasse and morwong!
What a morning it was…71 new people swam with us today. We hope you will remember this swim for the rest of your lives and do it again soon!
Last of all, a blog would not be complete without our infamous blog tarts!!!
My camera lens started to fog up now but I hope I managed to capture this simply stunning and special Anzac Day swim!
I’m sure most of us did reflect on the bravery, comradeship, tenacity, strength and mateship shared by those who have fought for their country, as they swam today. We can’t begin to imagine the hardships they must have endured but we thank them and revere them today.
For the diary . . .
SAVE the date for the next B&B Dinner on May 7 at Bluewater. Great value meal of $20 and all the fun you can have out of the water. . . within reason that is. Meal kicks off at 6.30pm.
With the autumnal chill picking up, make a B&B Hoodie part of your wardrobe. Check out the merchandise on the website.
Also, $10 gets you a Bold&Beautiful discount card ….discounts range from $2 coffees from Bluewater to discounts on a present from Pearls De Tahiti. Just show your B&B discount card! (you can get these cards from ..Lesley any morning down at the swim)
Staying safe
NEW water safety tips courtesy of champion Ironman Craig ‘Riddo’ Riddington. It’s a great read and can help keep you safe in the surf. To read and even download click here.
The Stats
Regulars: 500 + (I’m guessing 568)
Newbies: 71
Doubles: 24
Air Temp: 17
Water Temp 20.2
Sunrise: 6.25am
Sunset: 5.20pm
High Tide: 7.32am
Low Tide: 1.33pm
Signing off…Elaine aka Lainey Loo
26 comments
LSA aka HK Triad Queen
25/04/2013 at 1:02 pm
Congratulations Bruce, Greg, Izzy, Pauline & Bella on a wonderful service and congratulations everyone on an amazing swim, helped by perfect conditions! Great turnout!
Lainey, love the blog!
"Snorkles"
25/04/2013 at 1:12 pm
Well done on a great swim today and a great blog Elaine captrunig ti all. I am so glad you also captured my phto bombing (check out the Brucy and Jane photo I’m stretching my neck very tall so I can be in it!!)
A comfortable extra one point on the blog spreddy for me!
Enjoy whatever you are doing today..and your sore head tomorrow !!
Jane
25/04/2013 at 1:17 pm
Wonderful blog Lainey-Loo, it really captured the spirit of the morning and of the very special swim. AND you even got some great fish pics – the first lot are Blacksaddle Goatfish (used to be called Black Spot), so you saw even more than you admitted to!
John S
25/04/2013 at 1:22 pm
Greg, Bruce, Izzy, Pauline & Bella thank you for leading a wonderful morning. Bella, amazingly beautiful voice, you have a real gift.
Thanks also to everyone working hard in the background, today and everyday, 007, Ian, Lesley and John K.
And E-Laine, a really respectful considered blog.
Rob
25/04/2013 at 2:02 pm
thanks to all who played a part in today’s ceremony. I guess most of us already realize how lucky we are to swim in this beautiful corner of the world, but on a day of remembrance like today it really does make one feel thankful and blessed.
Little Tiger
25/04/2013 at 2:08 pm
A truly wonderful morning on Manly Beach.
Thanks Greg, Bruce, Izzy, Pauline, Bella and all others involved.
Michael [EX CI]
25/04/2013 at 2:12 pm
What a wonderful spectacle! What a lovely respectful blog Elaine, that captured the mood and reverence of the day wonderfully. I really wish I could have been there.
What a great group you all are.
Lesbutt
25/04/2013 at 2:29 pm
Good one Snorks!
Leswee
25/04/2013 at 2:32 pm
Yes well done Elaine! She was still blogging at Bluewater at 12.15…with seconds left on her battery…wanting to get it just right and she did! Lovely words, lovely photos!
My favourite is Sarah in Aussie flag bikini!
Lips
25/04/2013 at 2:51 pm
Moving ceremony. Fantastic turnout. Grateful I could be part of it.
Mariah
25/04/2013 at 3:56 pm
Such a great start to the day! Today I felt more Australian than Dutch.
Pacific Jules
25/04/2013 at 4:09 pm
What a lovely blog Elaine. It looks to have captured the mood perfectly. So much so I feel like I was there, apart from the fact that I clearly wasn’t as I feel extra homesick and miss you all terribly today.
Thank you so much to Bruce, Greg, Izzy, Pauline & Bella for putting on such a beautiful and respectful ceremony for everyone and thanks to everyone for turning up and being a part of this amazingly special group.
Lots of love and miss you all xx
Alyson
25/04/2013 at 4:59 pm
What an absolutely fabulous blog Elaine! I agree with Jules that you captured every element perfectly. What an amazing group, and an amazing atheling to remember our service men and women!
Alyson
25/04/2013 at 5:00 pm
*gathering
Mary
25/04/2013 at 5:04 pm
Elaine congrats on such a fab blog. It looked like it was going to be a challenging task to capture the essence of today’s gathering, but you nailed it.
To the amazing people who today selflessly gave their time to organise the ceremony, welcome new swimmers and manage the administration (can you imagine collating all those ticks today…)to put together such a moving and uplifting event – thank you. Your efforts are truly appreciated.
Slow Ian
25/04/2013 at 5:15 pm
Thanks Mary, I have a warm fuzzy feeling in my stomach… and I am definitely NOT pregnant.
LSA aka HK Triad Queen
25/04/2013 at 5:36 pm
Yes, well said by Mary – really phenomenal job, Ian. 71 newbies with all those details on top of the large gathering would have meant a full day’s work for you, I’m sure. Indeed, greatly appreciated by us all.
…and Pauline, I think I won the bet yesterday when I guessed 500+
David Brocherie
25/04/2013 at 5:47 pm
It looks like you have had a great day, and l miss being part of you all, but having a great time in Israel, and will do my own Anzac Day when l visit Gallipoli in a weeks time,damn, cannot find my pink cap!
Jane
25/04/2013 at 6:40 pm
Ros(amunda) – thankyou for solving the poem question for me on yesterday’s blog. I had never heard of the poet – you and Mary opened up a new world for me.
Slow Ian
25/04/2013 at 7:19 pm
We couldn’t have done it without all of the newbie wranglers who helped out with caps, etc. Great team effort.
Alyson
25/04/2013 at 7:36 pm
I hear there is something in the water Ian, so be careful 😉 fabulous job though!
LSA aka HK Triad Queen
25/04/2013 at 8:11 pm
Nothing happening? Maybe tomorrow on Jon’s birthday!!!
xx
Arabella Aka Bella
26/04/2013 at 11:16 am
What a lovely blog Elaine! I was honored to sing – well done also to Bruce, Greg, Izzy and Pauline and the whole B&B crew. Kept me cossie on too, which is always a plus. Look forward to the winter waters alongside you all!
Elaine de Jager
26/04/2013 at 12:11 pm
Thank you everyone for the lovely comments. I did feel privileged to have the opportunity to capture such a special morning on the blog and hope I delivered and encouraged our newbies to come back.I feel very lucky to have discovered this fantastic experience and group!
Lovely to hear from you Jules and Michael xx
Finn O
26/04/2013 at 8:12 pm
I was a Newbie 10 year old kid with the board. I had lot’s of fun and am swimming it this Sunday with my Dad again. See you there.
Lainey Loo aka E-laine
26/04/2013 at 8:26 pm
Well done Finn. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!