Ahhh…mazing swim today. We had it all… sunshine, clear water, marine life galore and smooth 17.8 degree waters. Lots of beautiful Old Wives around this year if you hadn’t noticed. Aren’t they gorgeous with their delicate shape, colour and big eyes? As are our very own, (used to be classed as old, but fit and fabulous, not so young) wives!
Here’s one amazing specimen, Sue Marinan… looking fabulous and with SO much energy. This lady has just swam to Shelly and back 3 times all before a day of teaching. Almost always topping the chart for ‘Furthest Swimmer’, she is an inspiration!
So is this ray of sunshine, @motheroffivesons and another Manly West teacher, Nat. (Rather a young wife this one though…)
A few more wives here (and Ted!). There was lots of hugging going on pre-swim today as lots of people had come back off holidays. Here are Ted,Kirsty, Shelly, Jane, Georgina, Robyn and Lisa.
If you are interested in art in Italy or water-colouring in Croatia speak to Georgina. Robyn has just returned from cycling in Slovenia and is also an expert on clotted cream teas in Devon, always happy for a chat!
Penny and Bill in the middle got one of Lisa’s huge hugs as they’ve been away for a whole year in Japan!
lf you want to go on a “wild woman on top” adventure, have a word to Elaine, second from left!
Emma on the other hand is an expert on Dallas and is always backwards and forwards from there!
Chris, Simon and David are about to go on tour modelling Orca wetsuits for the over 50’s. Let them tell you about it 😉
Derek is an expert on Lightening Ridge, Ted on Amsterdam, talk Spanish yoga retreats with Sheena and Patrick is just about to go swimming in Greece.
Now for today’s swim. Carole is looking at the Diamondfish and Yellowtail as we swim in clear, 17.5 degree water…
These tiny fish are called ‘Old World Silversides’ according to our very knowledgable marine expert Peter Barford.
Large Flathead near Shelly.
The A Team got splashed, so hard to get a good photo. Sorry guys.
Anne E was in charge today and asked Big Al to do the ‘Let’s Go’. His whistle worked too. Well done Al!
Lisa, Em, Rainer, Mike, Graham and Gemma blog tart away. Poor Belinda gets photobombed.
l catch a beautiful, small PJ swimming along a few 100 metres off Shelly…
…Or it could be a Crested Horn Shark, Peter??
We swam through schools of Diamondfish quite high in the water…
and Yellowtail…
Near the point I came across this ‘Banded Parma’ or Scalyfin. When I dove down he came really close to look at me and my camera lens!
Leatherjacket
Toadfish as I swam to shore…
These ‘Notso Old Wives’, always look as if they are tipsy on seawater and exude happiness, which is gorgeous and infectious!
Love the post swim chats when you learn more about our swimmers. Some are going through tough times but forge ahead with bravery and optimism.
The guy Richard above many of you will recognise as he is at Manly exercising most mornings. He was telling Jeremy and I about his battle with MS. He has amazed Doctors by improving his MS with exercise and a natural diet. He tells me how he used to drag his leg along but is much fitter now and has got more feeling back in his legs. Such a great guy.
Another inspiration is Paul. He has just returned from Japan as he was all ready to swim the challenging Tsugaru Strait between Honshu and Hokkaido. Unfortunately they weren’t allowed to do it because of a typhoon. He’s also competed in the Kona Ironman World Championships 4 times. What a legend!
Just thought I’d pop a couple of photos up of our beautiful home + income at Whale Beach/Avalon up, for sale at the moment! So much value compared to the Manly area for 7 bedrooms. Click on here for more details http://www.belleproperty.com/77P2005/?subOffice=77&auth=0561ec8d6d31d133db6288b113b74d33
As many of you know the front part operates as Whale Beach Bed and Breakfast and we live at the back. It’s given us a great work/life balance for the last 10 years but time for us to move to Manly and downsize now. If anyone knows of anyone who may be interested please let them know. I reckon after 5 years blogging surely nobody would mind if I do a little plug for Ted and I!
Monthly Dinner – 12th September 2017 – Guest Speaker
The next B&B monthly dinner for the year will be held on Tuesday 12th September at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. The guest speaker on the night will be Dr Tanya Evans, whose talk is entitled “Swimming with the Spit”
Dr Tanya Evans is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Modern History at Macquarie University, President of the History Council of NSW and editor and author ofSwimming with the Spit. Tanya’s talk will demonstrate that we B&Bs are not the first people to amble down to the beach and enjoy our invigorating morning swims. Sydney has a fascinating history of dynamic community swimming organisations. Learn all about this fascinating subject on the night.
The cost of the dinner is great value at only $25 a head, which includes shared entrees, and a selection of mains to choose from (including a vegetarian option). Glasses of beer or wine and desserts are also available at the special price of only $5 each. Numbers are limited, so bookings are essential: To avoid disappointment and secure your spot please book HERE.
8 comments
Jenny ((:
30/08/2017 at 3:00 pm
Thanks for the story about Richard – he works so hard. I had no idea he was battling MS.
Paul
30/08/2017 at 3:00 pm
Yes, that is a Crested Horn Shark, Lainey. CHS have dark patches that are blurry an ill-defined. PJs have a very distinct black stripe from the front of dorsal fin extending in a fork to the pectoral and pelvic fins.
Thanks again. Always love your fish pics.
Lainey Loo
30/08/2017 at 4:06 pm
Thanks Jenny. Yes, amazing guy. Comes down from Newport every day.
Lainey Loo
30/08/2017 at 4:07 pm
Thanks for the info Paul. Is there no end to your talents, marine expert too.
Lisa B
30/08/2017 at 4:53 pm
Fun, fun swim!! So clear, so cool and calm. Perfect! I love the marine biology lesson I get from all your blogs Lainey. It was wonderful to see Penny and Bill after a year away and so good having Robyn and Georgina back from their European holidays. Thank you for capturing all the happy group photos Lainey. Great blog and good luck with your house. I’ll spread the word.
Robyn
30/08/2017 at 5:26 pm
Lovely blog today Lainey. Always great to come back from holidays and be welcomed so warmly by the BnB community. Thank you for Richard’s story. I have seen him quite regularly at Manly and I think at Balmoral. Good to have a name to the face so that we can say hi. Beautiful conditions today, great for the jetlag and more importantly, to wear off the cornish cream teas, of which there were many. Thanks Lainey.
Edwina Harrison
30/08/2017 at 5:56 pm
Wow beautiful photos of the marine life elaine , looking forward to tomorrow, hope the home sells soon 👍
Dilemma
03/09/2017 at 9:22 am
Great blog lainey!! Just leaving dallas seee you on tuesday!! Thanks for letting us know Richard’s story – what a brave man!!