23/10/2019 – Izzy’s Birthday Swim

Well it was Izzy’s birthday today and the water warmed up to 19 degrees as a b’day treat. Photo above from last year as I missed Izzy in the water this morning but hear she did get in! 

Stunning sunrise above Shelly Beach at 6.03am and the air temp had warmed up to around 16 degrees.

Here’s Izzy getting a hug from Anne who had kindly baked the most delicious gluten free orange/almond cake.

For those of you who don’t know, Izzy has been swimming with The B&B since the second day it began back in 2008. She is an actress and voice coach who was Head of Voice at NIDA for 5 years and even taught Cate Blanchett. She has done a huge amount of theatre and TV and even wrote, directed and acted in Humphrey Bear! She acted in Z Cars (UK), Matlock Police, The Curiosity show, Division 4 amongst others and was one of the first pregnant women to appear on TV!

Earlier this year  she was in Europe assisting scientists to get the message across about climate change. She’s just come back from a holiday in Kazakhstan though, where her son got married!

Debbie and Georgina looking very bright in their new Budgie Smuggler swimmers. Mention B&B and you get a discount.

Leisa J’s lovely son Ben brought some buddies along today!

I didn’t see the Grey Nurse sharks that a few of the (very) early swimmers saw or the fever of Cow Nose Rays that the doublers saw … but did see this gorgeous Eagle Ray swimming along.

A few of you at Shelly Beach. Last photo of Joe who is getting married on Friday. Here he is with his sister over from England.

Wobbegong under a rock

Friendly Blue Groper

Roger, Sue, Janet and Gunnar. Between them this lot clocked up around 17 kms today. They weren’t talking about tequila shots when they said they’d done 2 singles and a double (Roger and Sue) 1 single and a double (Gunnar) and a Triple (Janet)!!

A few of us attended the tasting of the Bold and Beautiful wines last night at The Surf Club.

The wines are made by James Becker, out of his vineyards in the Hunter Valley.  David Webster has been planning the grape varieties, the style of wines and helping James through the process of making, bottling and labelling the wines. To order or enquire email David on

The Next B&B monthly dinner for the year will be held on Tuesday 12th Novemober at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. Our guest on the night will be Allan Sparkes CV, OAM, VA FRSN, who is one of only 5 Australians in the past 44 years to be awarded the Cross of Valour (CV), Australia’s highest bravery decoration. Allan will speak about “What is the rarely recognised element of courage and why is it so important today?” Is courage about overcoming fear? willingness to risk your all, an inner strength? perhaps it is about choice, leaving a place of safety to go to a place of danger? But how often do we consider courage is about the willingness to care. In his talk Al Sparkes will touch on the times he has had to be courageous to help others and the times he stopped caring about himself. And what he did to recover his life from the pits of hell.

Please book early for this event as it is sure to be popular. 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 at www.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au/bb-bluewater-monthly-dinner.html .

Have a great day!

Lainey