28.10.2018 – The Two of Us – Kate and Jackie

It was a beautiful dawn this morning, I was wishing the weed ‘begone’ as I approached our corner …and it was ! The board said 19.2…

I am not sure but it felt a little cooler than that , loads of people, smiling at both the 6.30am and 7.00am swims.

Jackie and Kate are B&B enthusiasts. Foundation members of the Manly Express – the Cammeray Chapter of the B&B, they are found many days a week, near the tree, adorning themselves with their matching Orca wetsuits, the only thing more reliable than their wetsuits, are their heartwarming smiles and easy laughs. Yesterday we were walking down the ramp chucking about I am not sure what, and Drinkie commented ‘Happy Jackie’  which gave me idea for today’s blog and then we coined ‘Mates with Kate’ and I was off….

‘Mates with Kate’

I can’t remember exactly when we met but I do remember that she liked to drink wine with me whenever I asked her. This is always a good entree into a lasting friendship. My first impression of Jackie was that she would look good in a matching ORCA wetsuit, ,which indeed was prescient as we were soon to become swimming buddies. We first started swimming at the B&B when I came back from holidays one summer and Jac called me and said she had something new for us to try.  We spent those first few months terrified before every swim and swapping texts over shark proof swim suits, winter face masks and logistics to escape our kids to get to Manly.

One of my favorite Jackie stories is when Jackie’s husband David bet us that we couldn’t even make 10 swims in our wetsuits.  When we did he took us out for a schnitzel…. and that as they say is history.

the best thing about swimming with Jackie is that she wears a matching ORCA wetsuit and doesn’t even consider the idea of ever doing a WWW.

Jackie has a special place in the ME as she loves sewing on a badge, and happily sews them on for any of our crew. Who would have known that lurking in this Cammeray resident, was a dedicated long distance swimmer, she inspire us all.  I can see her swimming the Channel one day, if the B&B would offer a badge for it?

My final thought on Jackie is a question , I would like to ask Management why she has never been SOTD??? she really deserves it!!!

Happy Jackie

I met Kate at Cammeray Public School when our oldest girls were in Year 2 together. We also live in the same street so I had seen her around. She always looks so happy so it was great when I finally got to meet her properly. Her boys are similar ages to mine too so there was a great synergy between the families.

Kate has a wonderful way of putting you at ease with her humour and so easy to chat with. Such great anecdotes about family life that you can’t help but think thank god I not the only one facing the chaos of parenting.

Kate and I started swimming at the B&B in January 2014. We weren’t the most dedicated but we loved going with the 7am group even though we were petrified! Our kids were still little so it was tricky getting out of the house. We came up with the fine idea of getting a babysitter to come and mind our 7 kids at Kate’s house from 7am until we got back, it was hilarious. We never knew what we were going to face on the return but we were so giddy with the excitement of swimming in the big ocean it didn’t matter.

I love swimming with Kate, she has these long strokes that are hypnotizing. If I can keep up with her those lovely strokes keep me calm.We usually brave the surf together to Shelly and back, and generally always get thumped by a wave either way which makes us giggle.

Kate is lots of fun and is always up for anything. 

I am always a better version of me after swimming with the B&B. That swims just puts everything back in perspective (always with the help of the wise words from ME car trip) & always makes me happy.

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Have a great day ……

Another pair of lovely Orca’s

 Another gorgeous ‘Two of Us’ Suz and Andrea and of course, STEVIE the wonder dog!!!

Some of  beautiful – Team Cammeray – Tim, Rob, Kate and Roz

Management notices

Heaps of Swimmers

a few  newbies

temp  19.2

Tickets for the xmas party which is on December 11,  go on sale after the November swim dinner. Dinner is second Tuesday night of every month, watch this space for information.