27/09/15 – Birthdays, Blog Tarts, Budgie Smugglers

First things first – Happy Birthday Elizabeth Stuart!

We didn’t get to sing for Elizabeth at Shelly but, luckily, caught her on the ramp in front of the surf club on her way back.

 

The day started off somewhat gloomy, and with just the right amount of drizzle to keep those fair-weather swimmers under their doonas.

Not a fair-weather swimmer: Sterling

“I love rainy mornings. And I make a point of getting my kids out in the cold rain before 7am, as it is character building”

 

At the surf club, the small crowd starts to gather. Ian is registering today’s only newbie, Emily:

 

The notice board has been updated:

 

Part of the furniture: Storchy

 

Marco’s pledge: “I hereby solemnly swear that I will shed this ridiculous wetsuit on October 1st.”

 

(Martin got carried away and joined Marco without providing a specific date himself. I will follow up with Martin over the coming days.)

Sterling at pre-race trash talk:

 

 

 

 

Don Quixote de la Mancha and Sancho Panza:

 

7am – into the drizzle we wade..

 

Crossing over with happy 6:30 returnees:

 

A few waves to play with on the way out:

 

And more happy faces waiting at the point:

 

 

At Shelly, everyone’s thrilled to find the blogger:

 

#getaroom:

 

 

Management:

 

 

I first met Nick at clown school back in Europe, in the late 90’s. In recent years, Nick started to take a more serious interest in blog tarting and completed both the beginners and advanced classes I teach during the winter months.

Today, he made me proud:

 

 

Encouraged by Nick’s performance, the crowd began to warm up:

 

 

 

 

 

 

All clowned-out, we make our way back to the surf club:

 

The friendly blogger stops and offers portraits to passing swimmers:

 

Back at the beach, the conversation turned to rugby:

 

Fun Fact:

Baywatch is an American action drama series about the Los Angeles County Lifeguards who patrol the beaches of Los Angeles County. The show was canceled after its first season on NBC, but survived and later became one of the most watched television shows in the world..

 

 

Capless Dave diluting his brand:

 

I’m still looking for a caption for this one:

 

Cas and Midge brought their grand-kids down:

 

As I said, Nick was on fire.. this one is called ‘grumpy bear’ – or something similar. (sorry Nick!)

 

Emma & The Inner Westie Hipsters getting changed:

 

Good luck to Amalie, who’s completing her IRB driving test today! They grow up so fast..

 

Chris, my patrol captain and all-round great guy, got up at 4am to watch the Rugby World Cup:

 

I just had enough time to check in on John Bryan’s heart condition:

 

The club coffee shop tries their best to remember the names of all 8000+ swimmers:

 

Richard waiting for his Golden Gaytime:

 

Call for submissions:

Christmas is getting ever so stealthily closer.  Linda and Tim are keen and happy to put together a calendar for B&B again for 2016.  All our swimmers are welcome to submit their favourite photo(s).  Please note photos must be full resolution to stand any chance of making the calendar.

Email your submission direct to Manly Mac Art, as an attachment:

studio@manlymacart.com.au

I’ve already submitted my favorite photos – be quick, it’s once-a-year opportunity to get yourself published!

 

Tim tells me, to avoid a repeat of last year’s dirty and poorly managed selection process, this year, Iggy will select the finalists:

 

Due to the drizzle, the softer members of the apres-swim crowd gathered in Manly Wine:

 

While I checked in, an unnamed source handed me this BnB on-tour photo:

 

I leave you with another photo of today’s birthday girl and BnB mermaid extraordinaire, Elizabeth – surrounded by family and BnB executives:

 

Have a great Sunday everyone!

Lips x

Stats:
Swimmers:   100
Newbies:      1  (one)
Birthday:    Elizabeth Steward
SotD:   Nicky Poggi
Water temp:  19.2⁰ C