Yet another DOUBLE blog today – update from Jules below.
Today’s turnout: 52 swam
Winter wonderland, great visibility, just to damn cold to stick around and enjoy the aquarium conditions.
Last day of winter…..i think I noticed a few ice blocks, and a polar bear floating past this morning, not sure of the actual temp cause Professor Nick TB didn’t turn up with the thermometer, maybe Lesley really did break it yesterday by taking it for a swim with her?
Winter Without a Wetsuit WINNER goes to Neil Cowan. Neil swam every morning of winter, Well Done Neil thats dedication.
Several swimmers did an early end of winter double lap at 6.20 this morning.
Fact of the day: A dolphin’s hearing is so acute that it can pick up an underwater sound from 24 kilometres away.
Stephen C Pics:
James at 6:20
James seeing if it’s still there, it’s cold
View from the Point
Sunrise
Pink caps
Dardanelles update:
Proud to be pink !!
100% of us completed the 6.2km swim across the Dardanelles from Europe to Asia, how sensational is that.
What an amazing day and what a team…
We left the hotel after a little breakfast at 8.45am to go into town and get registered and have yet another medical. Mahdi and John got sent behind the tents for a little rest as their blood pressures were too high… after a soothing talk from Michelle all was calm and all the boxes were ticked, we were all good to go with our timing chips and orange bonnets. A couple of hours to ‘relax’, enjoy the local scenery and check the water temperature before we got the bus and ferry to the start.
Michael formed his usual water temperature duty for us and despite the Turkish meteorological department stating a meagre 22 degrees, Michael delivered a much more comforting 24.9 degrees. Vicki and Mahdi did a double check for luck confirming the exact same 24.9, but their
measuring attracted a lot more attention… we are expecting to see this photo appear in the local papers to tomorrow.
Just before 1pm the starting gun sounds and off we go, dutifully heading against the current out to the first boat with red balloons 700m off shore, a long 700m it was too, then take a slight right aiming for the radio beacon on the shore until we come to a second boat with balloons. I don’t know if anyone else in the event found that second boat but John and I sure did, then another right to enjoy the current all the way to the finish line somewhere down the coast….
Michelle ‘made friends’ with a ferry who sounded its horn at her. Mahdi had her own personal escort boat for most of the way which kindly kept her on track. Vicki and Michael C were a solid team keeping each other on the straight and narrow. Izzy made friends with another swimmer as they stopped to ask people for directions as if looking for a train station in Paris. Michael A said the first 700m to the first boat was the hardest thing he has done and he either had to give up of get on with it, thankfully he chose to get on with it. Debbie found a Turkish swimmer who she thought would know the way so she followed his bubbles all the way to the finishing ramp. Greg and
Rosemary pulled out all the stops and had a terrific swim. Incase all of us finishing wasn’t enough, we also took home 6 medals in our age groups: John Bond, Izzy and myself won a second and Vicki, Rosemary and Michael C won a third !! 🙂
We also bumped into 3 other people out here, participating in the swim, who also swim with B&B: Frank Williams, Jenny Hole who won her age group and Gail Kennedy, how cool was that.
The swimmers in pink got lots of positive attention and we even got interviewed by Channel 9. The reporter said he hoped it would be aired on The Today show this morning your time, Wednesday 31st August, fingers crossed.
It really was an amazing swim by everyone ! Who would have thought just over 2 and a half years ago when B&B first started that we would all be doing this. I can’t tell you how proud I am, a personal best and a fantastic achievement for everyone, well done !!!
Go the Bold & Beautiful !! 🙂
Mahdi & Vicki double checking the temp
On the ferry heading over to the start
Everyone got a finishers certificate
Julie like a man with a big sword!
Sisters at the start
Uhmm which room are the B&B in ??
The girls give Jules a makeover as a prize for everyone getting across the line
Michael feeling good
Celebratory dinner
31 comments
Anna Alvsdotter
August 31, 2011 at 9:52 am
Biiiig congratulations to you all intercontinentals!!
Wow, you guys are truly amazing. The rumour that you all had finished and some of you even medalled spread like wildfire at this morning’s swim in Manly.
We’re very proud of you!! May I particularly congratulate my inspirational friend Izzy who not only made it but got a medal. I know you were nervous for a while before you left Sydney, and had a variety of challenges to deal with. Well look at you now. Izzy you excel at life, totally inspiring for the rest of us.
Julie you look delicious, what a stunner!
Can’t wait to see you all back in Manly and hear your stories 🙂
xxxx
Stephen Coulter
August 31, 2011 at 10:00 am
Hi Dardenellers,
Fantastic results for all, incredible! Photos look great.
Izzy, silver (wow, massive respect! Did you recite Byron all the way?)
Weather looked sensational , what were the times?
See you all sooner or later, Stephen xxx
Linda
August 31, 2011 at 10:03 am
Well done guys that’s awesome, B&B have had an inspirational August!!!
sue
August 31, 2011 at 10:25 am
A huge WELL DONE to all of you for just completeing the swim. We are all so proud of you.And to return with MEDALS is just so amazing.How long did it take???
No doubt Madhi can relax and enjoy the holiday now,not suprising her blood pressure high.
Just a word of warning to be carefull around brick walls over the next few weeks.Ekenhead was the fellow that accompanied Byron on his fisrt swim across the Dandenelles,he in fact fell off a brick wall and met an untimely death a few weeks after the swim. No Humpty Dumpty acts please.
Anna Alvsdotter
August 31, 2011 at 11:23 am
PS. Well done Neil on swimming every single winter’s day – without a wetsuit! You’re a legend, Neil 🙂
Elaine Kindred
August 31, 2011 at 12:08 pm
Absolutely fantastic ALL of you – massive achievement you have done us proud – let the partying begin !!!!! :} xoxoxo
Annette
August 31, 2011 at 1:03 pm
Congratulations to all the Dardanelles – well done on finishing and on bringing back so many medals!!
charlie
August 31, 2011 at 1:26 pm
congrats to everyone,….. 1st B&B cross the channel… then the Dardanelles… what next… Sydney to New Zealand! what a group!
tania.bsh@gmail.com
August 31, 2011 at 1:43 pm
well done guys n gals…. how amazing 🙂
Anita Keelan
August 31, 2011 at 1:58 pm
So happy for all of you!!! What a fantastic achievement
It is so hard to believe what the B&B have become NOW world travellers conquering all
So proud of all of you
Inspirational Jules WELL DONE
!
Cathie
August 31, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Fantastic achievement guys! We were all cheering for you. Rest and relax and have a fantastic holiday – you deserve it. See you when you get back – we will boil a few kettles and pour them in at Manly to see if we can warm things up for your return home. Well done.
Mary-Anne
August 31, 2011 at 2:54 pm
Wow you must all be on such a high! Fantastic effort.
Jules you surely have acheived what no one would have believed from those early days of whingeing emotional women trying every excuse not to enter the water to this….very impressive! Enjoy the rest of your holidays, Look forward to seeing you all return.
Mary-Anne
August 31, 2011 at 2:55 pm
P.S Great make over girls…..Jules you look fantastic!!
Little Tiger
August 31, 2011 at 2:55 pm
Wonderful effort and results. Congratulations!!! Big hugs all round.
Enjoy the rest of your travels.
Amazing swim this morning. 100% visibility. So glad I swam.
Well done Neil, you’re a legend.
Attracta
August 31, 2011 at 3:12 pm
OMG Well done everyone especially my swimming buddie Mahdi, We are all very proud of you and all I can say is here’s to
BORA BORA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PS It is very quiet here without you all
Attracta
lesley
August 31, 2011 at 5:00 pm
OMG also! I just saw you all on Channel 9 news!! There was a quick interview with Julie / someone held up the pink cap / and Mahdi said ‘i wish we’d kept our pink cossies on”! I saw Izzi and John too. 🙂 how funny!
joan.isbill@btinternet.com
August 31, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Well done to all Dandenelle Swimmers and those who got a medal. What a wonderful achievement.
Julie, once again so proud of you and boy you look terrific after your make up. Girls keep up the good work.
Izzy well done my best friend.
Little Tiger
August 31, 2011 at 5:05 pm
Bold & Beautiful looked great on the telly. Beautifully spoken works by Mahdi and Julie. Go you good things.
tim
August 31, 2011 at 5:05 pm
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/video.aspx?uuid=762f2791-583d-4404-a56d-bed2f62c14a8
nine news clip
Little Tiger
August 31, 2011 at 5:05 pm
OOPS, I meant beautifully spoken WORDS.
Anna Alvsdotter
August 31, 2011 at 5:25 pm
Great news clip 🙂
Sherieli
August 31, 2011 at 5:31 pm
To all the Dardanellians – you guys rock. I am so proud to hear that you all finished and are coming home with some medals too. A big shout out to Izzy – I bet you didn’t see that one coming? You are amazing 🙂
Enjoy the R&R, and safe travels home.
And a big congratualtions to all B&Bers who swam throughout winter – especially Neil, all I can say is WOW!! You have definitely set the mark for next year.
Can’t wait for the badge ceremony in a couple weeks.
Iain
August 31, 2011 at 7:16 pm
Awesome Swim All,
Looks like you had an amazing time and can’t wait to see you all in Sydney to celebrate!
Iain
jenny knapman
August 31, 2011 at 7:17 pm
you guys are all so amazing….I imagine the stories will go on for years and years. Can’t wait to hear them all. Love all the photos. keep them coming.hugs to you all. love from Jenny K Anna A Sarah W Elaine K Julie S (we are all at Sarahs place celebrating for you!!!
Gaétan
August 31, 2011 at 10:36 pm
Channel 9 video is so cool and very funny! Well done everyone, VERY proud of you all!
Also Neil, congrats on your WWW achievement, you are a star, we need a WWW badge created for you!
isobel
September 1, 2011 at 11:02 pm
hi darling,
just got onto the blog – thank you for your beautiful words – made me teary – miss you heaps and very proud!
lotsaluv
isobel
September 1, 2011 at 11:03 pm
hi darlin’ just got onto the blog
thanks for your sweet words and yes, I did a performance of Byron at the gin party afterwards!
he was in my thoughts…
miss you!
luv
xxxxx
isobel
September 1, 2011 at 11:05 pm
I can’t believe it’s quiet with you there to have fun Attracta!
miss you!
xxx
isobel
September 1, 2011 at 11:05 pm
Thanks Joan my best friend!!!
lots of love to you
xxxx
isobel
September 1, 2011 at 11:06 pm
thanks most darlingest gal! missing you xxxx
nope sure didn’t see it coming!
isobel
September 1, 2011 at 11:07 pm
thought of you darlin! was a walk in the park by comparison