Yesterday’s blog urged everyone to turn up en masse to celebrate the amazing Wilf’s birthday. Little did we suspect how many would come to today’s party. Such is the readership of the blog, and the star power of Wilf that whole streets needed to be closed just to accommodate the anticipated crowds.
As Wilf is a seasoned triathlete, it is only fitting that the requirement for attendance was to either run or swim to party central.
Here our own special B&B mob – 185 swimmers today including 11 newbies – plunges into the delicious 21.2-degree water for the round trip.
‘Twas a rock ‘n’ roll swim to Shelly were the best advice was to not get too close to the sea wall. The swell was pounding against the rocks; there were even waves at Shelly.
The wave action necessitated a move onto the beach for the waiting choristers.
Even though Lucy might have had something better to do, she turned up for this significant event.
Naturally Wilf gave the ‘let’s go’, for the return leg and celebrations. After all, there was a gathering crowd in Manly thanks to the publicity on page 7 of the Manly Daily.
The swell has radically reduced visibility to just a few centimetres – so no significant fish sightings. . .
So, we just had to eat cake,
and more cake
and there was a cake stall too!!
The stall was in aid of supporting the work of volunteers to improve the pre and anti natal care for women in Nepal.
But back to the party where everyone wanted their photo taken with Wilf.
Now these two have the same birth date!! That means between them they have clocked up 160 years – now that is impressive.
As the party breaks up the revellers prepare to do it all again tomorrow.
With the Cole Classic tomorrow (Sunday 1 February), pre-swim meeting point is the benches.
B&B central will be overrun with future B&B swimmers!!
Have a great Saturday
Mary
Important Notice
B&B Karaoke Night
The Novotel Manly Pacific is generously hosting a fundraising Karaoke Night for B&B swimmers and their friends/families to entertain each other and enjoy the night away. Dress as a rock star – there will be prizes for best dressed. Details are:
DATE: Tuesday 10th February
TIME: 6.30 pm
VENUE: Novatel Manly Pacific (above Daniel San bar)
DRESS: Rock Star
COST: $25
Please note that bookings are essential for the Karaoke Night on 10th Feb. Book HERE NOW to avoid disappointment.
Don’t worry if you think you can’t sing, just come along and support/heckle your fellow swimmers who think they can. This event will be loads of fun, with plenty of laughs. The entry cost includes finger food and your first drink FREE. All proceeds will go to the running of the B&B.
Summer Swims
The next 10km swim is scheduled for Saturday 14 February, 2015. The 6km and 10km swims both start with the normal swim at 7am.
Staying safe
Remember that there are no badges for scaring yourself silly! While it is great to extend your boundaries, it is important to know your limits. Also, if you have a bit more experience, keep an eye out for new swimmers who might need company. Do read these excellent tips on staying safe in the surf. To read, or even download, click here.
The Stats
Regulars: 185
Newbies: 11
Temp: 21.2
Sunrise: 6.15am
Sunset: 8.01pm
13 comments
kirsty
31/01/2015 at 12:48 pm
Whereabouts are “the benches” for meeting tomorrow morning?
ros ex
31/01/2015 at 12:50 pm
Mary, I’m so impressed that you’re blogging despite your 5 day week job! And all done so brilliantly!
Mary
31/01/2015 at 1:03 pm
The Benches are the six tables directly opposite Manly Wine and next to the Telstra phone box.
From the beach front they are behind the Virgin Active tent which is the last sponsor tent before the registration area.
Lips
31/01/2015 at 1:09 pm
Brilliant photos Mary!
LOVE the one with Wilf between the two hotties. And the one right above it, with the Red Bull promo girls.
Well done Elaine and Elizabeth! Great cake, great cause!
Bernhard
31/01/2015 at 1:40 pm
Lovely blog Mary. At first I thought the road closures were for me when I finished the 10k sun run, but then I realised it must be for a much worthier cause as you pointed out, namely Wilf’s birthday celebrations.
Happy Birthday Wilf.
Roger Harvey
31/01/2015 at 2:00 pm
I can’t believe so many came for Wilf today … what a Legend!
I observed Kenny’s Queenscliffers lolling up, down and about – in the wide and powerful rollers under Queeny cliffs at 6.33…
The whoo-hooing Aussies … a hollerin’ American … and Avec Mon Dieu Regarde´ from one Frenchman. Queenscliff is a grand adventure I reckon 🙂
Thanks for the talented street party story, Mary!
Roger Harvey
31/01/2015 at 2:08 pm
PS: COLE CLASSIC
Someone this morning thought the swim might be in harbour tomorrow. But Ian Forster later said we will be in the ocean; probably heading north.
Cake cake cake & more
31/01/2015 at 3:33 pm
Hi all
Just to let you know that our cake stall was a brilliant success and we raised over $1000 dollars to support the incredible work Dr Ray and volunteers do helping isolated rural women in Nepal who suffer terribly from preventable conditions with 100 x the incidence here in Oz. A huge thank you to all who helped bake, helped sell, spruik, serve and those who indulged in support. There are just a few small items we might bring down for sale in the am and with a promised IOU I will update on the final tally asap. Thank you, thank you, thank you
Tori Grimes
31/01/2015 at 3:43 pm
Really want to swim tomorrow but was unsure what the plan will be since the Cole Classic-ers will be taking over Shelly…can anyone let me know what will be happening? Thanx…
Lainey
31/01/2015 at 3:45 pm
She doesn’t want me to but have to mention Elizabeth X aka Zab’s tremendous effort and hard work in getting such a great amount raised. She spent all day yesterday from dawn to dusk baking and bought all ingredients herself. She was also responsible for Wilf’s cake. Thank you to everyone else who helped too.
Lainey aka E-laine
31/01/2015 at 8:35 pm
Thanks Lips!
Mark
31/01/2015 at 10:00 pm
Happy Birthday Wilf, and very true about all the future B&Bers swimming tomorrow. That was me last year – battling to finish the 1km. Rockd up to B&B Central the next weekend and haven’t looked back 😉 going to have a crack at the 2km tomorrow.
emma
01/02/2015 at 6:30 am
Good work everyone and happy birthday wilf! X