This is what John Bond said to me as we enjoyed morning coffees on the benches, and he’s 100% right. It was Lake Manly today, with excellent visibility at the beach, getting cloudy at the point and improving on the way to Shelly.
There were 3 birthdays today, and here is baker Andre looking dangerous with his creation, and the birthday boys below
The ramp is pretty much back to normal, in time for the patrol season. I’m sure the lifeguards are happy too.
On the way to Shelly I didn’t see any of our regular stars, but did see some small Gropers, Silver Sweeps, Red Morwongs, Leatherjackets and a Puffer Fish to name a few. But near the shed a cormorant flashed past, and by the pool a Crested Horn Shark cruised by. Normally I only see them lying about doing nothing. They are very lazy.
Today’s art work courtesy of the amazing Temerature Guy is a tribute to Mercury Psillakis who was tragically taken by a shark only 12 days ago. He was a loving family man and an enthusiastic surfer, often referred to as a 57 year old Grommett.
Towards Shelly something brushed past my leg. Normally I am not skittish but I do admit to having felt a tad startled. Fortunately it was a mermaid and not a shark – the Manly Mermaid aka Lainey aka the cuttlefish and turtle charmer. We were both looking for Giant Cuttlefish. I was about to give up until I saw her with some other people face down in the water and we know what that means (don’t worry Trevor!). All up I saw 4, possibly 5, all in various stages of senescence.
The 2 photos below are of the same cuttlefish doing different colour displays in the space of seconds. They are truly amazing.
Oh and then a PJ
Speaking of bumping into people, there have been reports of less than stellar behaviour regarding bumpings, collisions or however you like to call them. Verbal abuse is never OK. Ever. No one person owns the wonderful piece of marine real estate we all so much enjoy. If you do bump into someone, at a minimum check that each of you is OK, and if either of you is not, help them or call for help if you don’t feel you are able to do it yourself (be aware of your skills and limitations as well as the state of the other person). Sure you might be having a bad day but if you can spend time swimming in a magical aquatic reserve bordering a very salubrious part of the world then you are indeed fortunate and your bad day is a happy place for billions of the inhabitants of the planet.
In other words, don’t be a knob.
Speaking of good fortune, I was very lucky to have enjoyed time in Tonga last week, swimming with Humpback Whales. We had good weather every swimming day and the final day delivered in spades, with a curious calf repeatedly coming to check us out while Mum had a well earned rest, with a watchful eye on Bub from around 15 metres below.
Long post is almost done, here are 2 reminders from Management.
Our new B&B Budgy Smugglers are back in stock, after selling out on first release.
Badge ceremony is on this Sunday. Parking at Manly will be tough due to road closures for the Jazz Festival, so why not take the opportunity to swim from Shelly?
Speaking of lucky, here are John Prine and Kurt Vile
One comment
lainey loodej
18/09/2025 at 4:04 pm
Great blog Anne and I made sure I only lightly touched you to point out the Groper. You did jump a bit though! I’ve just swam again (3pm) and 5 Cuttlefish in same area!