27/12/2014 – WE ARE SIX!!!

Yes it was 6 years ago today Bold and Beautiful took it’s very first swim!! 

Here’s what Roger wrote on yesterday’s blog – I could not have put it better!!

And now for a little history, which will be celebrated in the morning …

It will be six years tomorrow, since that day when two women decided to go for a swim at the southern end of Manly beach.  Jenny K and Julie Isbill.  On the second day, they were joined by Michelle and Izzy.

Day three and along came Mahdi, and then Anna Alvsdotter.  Within a month, Jenny M was with them too.  The incidental meeting place was the then-Cafe Steyne (corner cafe located in front of Havana), where Islander Tavita was renowned for having one’s coffee ready to serve even before you’d get in the door.
“Many of us were quite scared in those first few days,” recalls Anna.  “We didn’t like that distance to Shelly, and thoughts of what lurked beneath also had us worried.”
Izzy had previously been swimming with The Sheddites (50 metres north of Sunny Benches), but was looking for a more challenging swim.  She recalls the new group spreading out across the water like cats.  They later found out that it was because everyone was swimming with eyes shut; too scared to look into the deep.
About a month into it, Julie thought this small group should all wear the same-coloured swimming caps.  She proposed orange.“No! Hot pink,” said Izzy, the actor who at the time was into hot pink and leopard skin.
“None of the men will swim in pink,” someone retorted.  How things have changed, six years on.

Looking back, these women this morning recall how they have shared weddings, divorces, breakdowns … and the flood of incoming grandchildren.  They explain that Cabbage Tree Bay’s waters taste saltier these years; because of all the tears shed across its surface.  The thought of being grandparents prompts one to inform me they are launching “Sit-Ups Sessions” tomorrow.  “Oh good,” says another.  “I’ll bring the cake!”

….and here the girls are this morning… 

…and here’s a video that was put together about us a few years ago where’s Jules talks about it all! I love this video!!

And the front cover of 2012 calendar (taken in mid 2011)… see we were still small enough then to take a full group shot!!

I love what was written on the back of the above calendar! (There was well over 200 today!)

And if you’re interested – Click here for MY very first swim, from the blog that day and YES we had dolphins! 😀

So here’s the first photo from today’s swim… the end of the 6th year of BnB and start of the 7th! 

 Yep it wouldn’t be a BnB morning without a bit of drama… There were rumours of a shark in the area!!! But we swam anyway…. sharks are ALWAYS out there don’t kid yourself otherwise…;-)

…er… Sharnie!!!!

This is what greeted us… it was thick with it!!!

Here at Shelly getting ready to sing BnB Happy Birthday! 

Well done Anne for getting everyone’s attention…not an easy task these days!!

AND…Here’s Chloe..Not only was it her very first swim, she is SIX years old AND she did the Let’s GO and with no fear and a great big voice!!

um.. oh yeah Chloe watch out for everyone!! But she wasn’t bothered at all and couldn’t wait to get going herself!!! She swam there AND back AND did the Let’s Go…I noticed she was a good little swimmer…me thinks a future Julie Isbill!!

 Sheena’s smile sums up swimming with Bold and Beautiful….

I saw this little guy on the way back…

The darkness is seaweed! it was CHOCKERS!!

Back on dry land… there was cake..of course!!

 Jane reached her 1000km swim today!! She is now part of  very elite group 😉 Rainer aka Lips joins us soon….

So there is much more to write about Bold and Beautiful Swim squad Manly but I have to get this blog up and get to Brendan’s BBQ!! ;-p   … But writing from my own personal experience.. it has been the BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME!!!    Hand downs. And it is ongoing too – nearly 4 years later I still swim regularly and still love every second of it…. I hope you all continue to love the whole experience just like me…Thanks Jules for keeping it going and thanks to Jenny for being a crap swimmer so the whole thing could start in the first place! 😉 ……Jenny is an awesome swimmer now though!! ;-p