I went swimming this morning with 100 random people who decided to join me!
There were lots of Beautiful people and a couple of bold ones too (You know who you are).
So. When Julie asked me to do the blog, she gave me 3 rules. I think one of them was something about ensuring plenty of photos of me were included and also to offend as many people as possible. I kind of zoned out after that and missed the third rule. 😉
So as you can imagine I was pretty excited about today. So much so I got ready extra early!
After waking up with a spring in my step, excited about the morning swim I jumped in to the B&B-Mobile (Kind of like the Batmobile, but with more pink) and set off for Manly from Five Dock.
While it’s a bit of a pain travelling 45 mins across town to Manly each morning, its all worth it when you catch your first glimpse of the ocean and of course those happy, welcoming faces at the surf club! Or maybe just another escapee from the lunatic asylum.
If you are a newcomer, don’t be afraid if you come across these two chaps. Just think of them as the Bold & Beautiful’s answer to Statler & Waldorf from the Muppet Show, although maybe a little bit friendlier. They have, on occasion been known to stop wayward swimmers ending up in NZ!
On a serious note, John Kelly (L) is doing Movember this month and you can donate to this great cause by sponsoring him HERE. He is far too polite to ask, but I am completely shameless and it really does makes a difference.
At B&B, we often get to see some famous people wandering around Manly just before we jump in for our swim. Today, Channel 10 were shooting for “Manly’s Next Top Model”.
We also were lucky enough to spot some of the boys from the pop group One Direction, sneaking in an early swim!
Even Winston came in for a doggie paddle!
And its only taken one day and already they are signing a petition to remove me from my Blogging duties
One for the ladies….if you need his number just let me know.
And Im ready for my blogging duties….thanks Simon!
At 7am sharp we all made our way into the water and headed for the mystical part of the ocean that is called “The Point”. Unlike the Bermuda triangle, this place really does exist! “The Lips” found it!
This place does send you a little crazy though
From there it’s a lovely swim over to Shelly where the Blog Tarts begin their vein attempts to appear in the world famous Bold & Beautiful Manly, award winning, daily blog. As if! I have no idea who these people are:
There were several sightings of lovely, friendly, healthy happy duskies this morning…although these were later denied by The Dolphin whisperer Slow Shaun who confirmed these were in fact large mullet on steroids. Shaun is pictured below with an Ironman……please let myself or Shaun know if you want to hear Dolphin or Ironman stories.
Smiles and hugs in the foreground, shark discussions in the background
By the time I got back from the swim, I still hadnt figured out the zoom on Julie’s camera though *cough*
No, wait…got it! Sporting the new look “by Lesley”
So, thats it for my first Monday blog. I thought I would ease you all in gently and get worse as I go along….and trust me it will get worse.
There were 10 crazy bolderdashers, 14 early lappers and 12 lunatic doublers continuing on after the regular swim.
‘Official’ Long distance Summer Badge swims start next Saturday, 1st December ! To kick it off you can join in a 6km or a 10km swim, both starting at 7am with the regular 7am swim. We’d love two volunteers, one to ‘lead’ each swim PLEASE, as Michael and I will be down in Canberra for the Lake Burley Griffin Swim.
Upcoming B&B social functions:
- B&B CHRISTMAS PARTY, put it in your diary now, Wed, 12th Dec from 6.30pm upstairs at The Steyne Hotel ! Please RSVP here now too. It’s Retro theme so dress up and come and boogie the night away. It will be a great night, party food will be provided and drinks can be purchased from behind the bar throughout the night. Don’t miss it !
- November’s B&B special monthly Bluewater Dinner is on THIS WEDNESDAY, 28th Nov. If you’d like to come but haven’t booked in please do so now, here thank you.
Water Temperature 20.4
Air Temperature 19.0
Sunrise 5.37am
Sunset 7.46pm
High Tide: 7.31am
Low Tide: 1.01pm
To read Michael’s tips on how to stay safe in the surf please click here
35 comments
Stephen Coulter
26/11/2012 at 10:37 am
Interesting the blog tarts have progressed to veins in an attempt to get coverage – not many veins to be seen if they’re wearing wetsuits when its over 20C!
'The Lips' formerly known as Rainer
26/11/2012 at 11:16 am
Excellent blog! Exhilarating! What a debut!
Okay, my expectations were low to start with, but Rob managed to tick all the important boxes: bums, boobs, middle aged men in speedos. The cornerstones of good journalism.
Robbie, good luck to you and Michael at the Lake Burley Griffin Swim in Canberra this Saturday. You’re such a cute couple!
Miles
26/11/2012 at 11:16 am
Tuesday 27 November 2012:
Number of Bold & Beautiful swimmers: Zero
Number of complaints to Jules and/or Manly Police: Plenty
E-lane
26/11/2012 at 11:20 am
Love the blog Mr Ironman,(hang on wasn’t it only a Half??)Love your new look too Jules. (Lesley is a Stylist you know, well one of her many talents!)
Where were all you Blog Tarts at the weekend anyway?Your social life shouldn’t get in the way of your swims.A bit lacking in commitment I’d say!
100 swimmers on a Monday, amazing, see you all tomorrow!
'The Lips' formerly known as Rainer
26/11/2012 at 11:21 am
Stephen, just for the record, Snorkles has a doctors note which prevents her from swimming without wetsuit (she can elaborate) and I am still traumatized from last weeks jimble attack, which is the only reason I delayed getting out of my Orca suit this week..
Reminds me, did I tell you about the jimble attack?
Lesley
26/11/2012 at 11:33 am
hahahha thanks Robbie! so funny! I had to muffle my laugh at work the whole way through!!! Esp the bit about Ian and John being like Statler and Waldorf (was hard to keep that laugh suppressed!)
Ahem, cough – Jules is that a new bra you are wearing?!?!?!?
Stephen Coulter
26/11/2012 at 11:51 am
What veins is Robbie referring to – do the wetsuits make them stand out?
Dolphin Whisperer formally known as Slowest Shaun
26/11/2012 at 12:28 pm
Where do I sign?? Who has the petition now?
Dolphin Whisperer formally known as Slowest Shaun
26/11/2012 at 12:29 pm
Actually, well done Robby. Great virgin blog. Did you say you did an ironman?
Dolphin Whisperer formally known as Slowest Shaun
26/11/2012 at 12:36 pm
Robby, Can you tell us why you were excited again?
and what it had to do with wearing rubber to bed?
Rob Byrne
26/11/2012 at 12:45 pm
My work is done here…
Alice
26/11/2012 at 1:01 pm
You have set a new standard in blogging…but I did notice no identity on the blog- is that because of what Miles said?
Tuesday 27 November 2012:
Number of Bold & Beautiful swimmers: Zero
Number of complaints to Jules and/or Manly Police: Plenty…..
Miles, I tend to agree with you-the numbers tomorrow will tell all…..
Where are we taking votes for Manlys next top Model ?
Emer Byrne
26/11/2012 at 1:09 pm
Shaun, i think that was Jules’ third rule – definitely not one to elaborate on in the blog, but I’m sure Rob can share some good stories with you.
Rob – nice debut. I like your subtle approach with only one pic of me! And such a beautiful one too 🙂 I guess you are going to build it up so that i feature in every photo by Christmas! Ah, that’s lovely.
Little Tiger
26/11/2012 at 1:13 pm
Impressive blog Rob, especially love the bedroom shot.
Hey Jules, is the 10km swim going to Sth Curly? I’m happy to meet swimmers @ the halfway point for water, sunscreen etc.
Pacific Jules
26/11/2012 at 1:22 pm
Hey Little Tiger you must be telepathic… we were only discussing the route of the 10km this morning at brekkie and funny but your name did come up 😉 🙂
Do you think South Curly would work with the 3 points challenge on ?? SS as a local to that event seemed to think it might be OK.
Alternative route suggested by Michael was to accompany the 6kers, then jump out at Manly for the Teddy Bears picnic, then head back up to Freshie and back. This is always a good option if conditions are anything less than totally ideal anyway.
What do the participators think ??
We need to find a ‘leader’ too… Francois ?? You up to ‘leading’ your first 10km swim ? Gaetan are you around and willing ??
'The Lips' formerly known as Rainer
26/11/2012 at 1:31 pm
Is there a hi-res version of today’s blog? I can barely make out my lip on the picture taken at the point..
Rob Byrne
26/11/2012 at 3:32 pm
Thanks all for the comments….its not easy being this hilarious.
Thanks for the spell check Stephen C, I will have to be more careful in future as I didnt realise the English language police were out!! 😉
Get ready for next week..N@ked Monday.
Little Sarah Abbott
26/11/2012 at 3:50 pm
I’m having trouble, like ‘TheLips’, with the lack of high-res and enlarging of the pics. Is that you having a cuddle in the first pic, Emer, with all the rubber”?
And since when did “He’s so vain….” Robbie, the Iron Man, wear giant flippers for his swims? Does he think that when we have our next race that I won’t notice?
Great job:-))
Rob Byrne
26/11/2012 at 3:58 pm
A new standard eh Alice? Thanks, but I think Im third in line behind Jules and Lesley.
I am taking massive credit for the big Monday morning numbers today though…the word must have got out!
Pacific Jules
26/11/2012 at 4:04 pm
Theyre his blogging shoes 🙂
Cut hey ! A shave and new shoes for the occasion !
Anna Alvsdotter
26/11/2012 at 4:06 pm
Can’t wait for next Monday’s blog post, or should that be The Mad Ramblings of a Mental Narcissist?
Go Robbie, it’s clear you fit right in with this group 😀
E-lane
26/11/2012 at 5:03 pm
Robbie you promised you wouldn’t set the blogging standard too high and you’ve just gone and done just that. Jules and Lesley asked me to blog on Thursdays but I’m having second thoughts now. I won’t be able to sleep for worrying about boring people to death after such a comment provoking and amusing blog. Can you do Thursdays too? If not I’m begging Fiona to get whales, Shaun to get dolphins, Jules to get seals or Miles and Dr John to get naked so I can have an entertaining blog on Thursday!
"Snorkles"
26/11/2012 at 5:07 pm
I am too vain to show my veins!!!
"Snorkles"
26/11/2012 at 5:07 pm
…and so many good blog points too.
Any recognise those two with duct tape over there eyes?????
"Snorkles"
26/11/2012 at 5:09 pm
I love when you head your pointer (that’s mouse pointer) over the pic of Iain that it says Iain Liddel small – ahem ??
Rob – what are you saying about Iain ??????
"Snorkles"
26/11/2012 at 5:10 pm
E-Lane – you forgot a couple of snorkles in there too!
"Snorkles"
26/11/2012 at 5:10 pm
By the way – the duskies were close enough for me to tickle them under their chin today! Should have got a photo!!!!
"Snorkles"
26/11/2012 at 5:11 pm
Lips ? What Lips ???
Dolphin Whisperer formally known as Slowest Shaun
26/11/2012 at 5:26 pm
As per our conversation this morning Jules, I am psyching up (To continue Rooby’s theme) to attempt the 10k on Saturday. Im betting on a cramp out at 6k but am having a go.
The 3 points starts at 10.15 so according to my calculations, we should be out of there by then. (Or I will be cramped up on the beach trying to be avoiding looking like a whale carcus)(I have seen the footage. hahaha)
I suggest making a call on Saturday Morning depending on the conditions
and Michael’s alternate double lap of Freshie sound good if the conditions are not perferct.
Dolphin Whisperer formally known as Slowest Shaun
26/11/2012 at 5:32 pm
Also very happy and appreciative that there will be a tiger angel looking after us.
Also happy to lead the swim but for my inability to keep up with the pack. I suggest someone else take the role.
Little Sarah Abbott
26/11/2012 at 5:35 pm
E-lane dearest, I had already thought to myself that I must line you up as the next Blogger and see that Jules has been reading all my brightest thoughts:-)
All you have to do is update us on the Lonely Hearts Club with pics of your latest male ‘catches’ (in wigs if they don’t come naked), your latest TV interview tales, some of your fearless big surf escapades and more on Ted’s blossoming:-))
One thing you won’t ever be is boring!!!
Slow Ian
26/11/2012 at 7:16 pm
I thought you were doing Saturday as well!
I am reminded of a limerick:
A would-be ironman name of Robbie
Took up ocean swimming as a hobby
With the Beautiful and Bold,
He found the water too cold,
And he got out at Shelly all sobby.
Alyson
26/11/2012 at 8:20 pm
Haha Elaine you make me laugh… I bet dr John and miles are too scared to show up on Thursday now! As for not sleeping… Well, at least you will have friends in the asylum 😉
Billy Derrin New in Town
26/11/2012 at 9:22 pm
Long time reader first time writer . Nice blog funny shit
Rob Byrne
27/11/2012 at 10:36 am
Hover of the *cough* picture of Julie…even better!!!