26/01/2021 – A Different Australia Day Swim

I first swam with the B&B exactly 10 years ago on 26th January 2011. It was honestly one of the top 3  best decisions I’ve ever made! Today was a different Australia Day swim to what I’ve been used to the last 10 years. There wasn’t a gathering on the beach, no bugling from Greg McDonaugh (RIP), no speech from Bruce or Izzy, not many people in Aussie Day attire and there wasn’t any singing of Advance Australia Fair…Swimmers were here there and everywhere at different times.The  surf was up, choppy all over and there were a few bluebottles. However…the sun was shining brightly, water was warm and there were still loads of smiley, happy swimmers to be found!

Photo of Kara above in Aussie bikini. She went through the chop and waves and even copped a bluey but was still smiling in true blue Aussie style!

A beautiful sunrise at 6.11am heralding a hot day ahead!

The first swimmers I came across were Roger and Rusty. I always like taking a pic of Rusty as I know his Mum in England reads the blog every day, like my parents. Hope you are enjoying the snow UK readers and we wish you all the best in these covid times.

Rusty and Rog are joined by Jeff with a J Parsons just in from his 2000 km swim. Congratulations Jeff!

Dry and wet… Michele just in from her early swim with friend Isabel.

Dave and Kara

The quintessential Aussie… Andrew Drinkwater aka Drinks/Drinksy. Godluvim we love his welcoming grin and hearing his chuckle when we gather by the Surf Club!

Another B&B legend Tony Stuart… He may be CEO of Unicef but we’re all equal in our Budgies and he’s kind, friendly and inclusive in true B&B style.

Billy is 95 and when I ask him what keeps him looking so good he points and says ‘the ocean!’ Good old Dr Salt

Lovely Henrietta opted for the safest option…swimming out nd in at Shelly Beach.Henrietta volunteers everywhere and after her swim was on Save the Manly Ferry duty. Please sign the petition if you haven’t already!

A lot of people went from Shelly today as even going in at halfway was dangerous. Here’s the proof!

Heather, Chris and Jacqui check out conditions at The point

Someone says Michele and I should have our photo taken in our Aussie bikinis. Avert your eyes if you think women of our age shouldn’t wear bikinis!

Lovely Helen and Jo are brave and bold and very capable swimmers. They both went from the beach.

Jeff is joined by wife Neri and daughter Gemma. Still glowing after his 2000 km swim!

Some of the ‘Originals’ at The Benches who have swam with the group since it began in 2008! John kelly is in the middle and it’s his first Australia day as an Aussie citizen! (Still looking like a Scouser who is on hols in Spain trying to get a tan though!)

Laura, Dave, Pete, Bruce, Sharon and Sarah at their bench

Martin, Michelle, Janet, Ian, Gayle and Jo

Jon, Drinky, Suzie and Matt

Brian, Councillor David, Richard, Chris and Oosty

9am swimmers at Shelly. Most of these are in bubbles. Dave, Corinne, Lucas, Shelley, Ronald, Tatchi,Michele, Robbie, Jimmy, Harvie, Patricia, Paul and Maria

And some photos from previous years! Errol and I a few years back!

2012 I think when some swimmers tried to look like lamington, Fairy Bread or Pavlova! love Brendan’s face in background!

NOT this year of course!

A great memory. Greg on trumpet and Arabella and Chris on vocals 🙂

On Saturday Gary the Groper was around so have to include these shots!

Last week it was fun checking out the Octopus, Old Wives, Wobbies and Fiddler Ray!

Happy Australia Day folks!

lots of love

Lainey