Friday 26 January 2018 Bold and Beautiful Australia Day

The national anthem, Australian flags and symbols and a cake stall raising money for  Australians for Women’s Health Hospital for Women and Babies. And swimming at the beach. And openly discussing your opinion about the date and the day without fear of anything but possibly social awkwardness or a different view. Australia Day Bold and Beautiful style  – we all come together some from Manly and some from elsewhere, from all different walks of life and ages, to swim.

860 people swam today  – a new record for BB!

80 newbies

 

The early swim surging through the water

 

Dorset and Henrietta

 

Our Ian with some newbies

Jim, Alan (holding Mia) Kathy, and Sheena

Javier and some visiting Spaniards

Have trouble spotting the Southern Cross? Not today:

 

Australians all let us rejoice for we are young and free…

Our land is girt by sea…

Cathy singing well for us to sing along

Bernahard, Rainer, Eva and Rainer’s mum and dad visiting from Germany. Welcome.

Are they still the women of the wall even though on the beach?

 

gold gold gold

At the point

John and Jeff keeping an eye on the swimmers

Can you spot yourself. I saw some excellent swimming

Thank you to Jim on a board and this life guard on a jet ski helping swimmers. In my opinion, it is a truly Australian thing to do to volunteer, to help others, to lend a hand to others.

Swimmers – Always make your own assessment before swimming. But swimming is like life, if you need help, ask. Almost always, people will help if they can.

Look at that technique – i made an exception from my rule of not photographing underarms in the blog for this.

 

Look at this synchronisation

This is a swimmer that swims without goggles. ever.

see the swimmer who swam with a flag on his head

Larry Hutchinson – swimmer of Australia Day

Nat and Sue

Big eagle ray at the point

Swimming for the joy of it

Jeremy and his lovely daughter

Post swim – the big walk in the humidity made my husband Malcolm soaked before he even got in the sea.

On Saturday 27^th January and Sunday 28^th January, our swim will commence at Shelly Beach at 7 am. This is necessary due to Surf Carnivals being held at Manly SLSC. Please do NOT leave your belongings at the surf club, as they will obstruct the running of the events. There will be no 6 km swim on Saturday due to the surf carnival.

Due to the large number of swimmers this weekend, we urge you to take particular care in the water. Remember, we are not racing; we are here to enjoy our swim. Please be mindful of our swimming etiquette, and avoid swimming on top of other swimmers. If you do collide with someone else, please stop and make sure that they are not injured. Let’s make this a great weekend for all involved.

Summer 10km swim
The proposed date for the next 10km swim is Saturday 10 February at 7 am. 

Swimmers are required to bring their own food/drink requirements which can be left at Manly.

The swim is dependent on suitable ocean/weather conditions.

Remember to be sensible as no badge is worth putting yourself and others in danger

Monthly Dinner – 13^th February 2018 – Guest Speakers

The first B&B monthly dinner for the year will be held on Tuesday 13th February at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. The guest speakers on the night will be Dr Ezequiel “Ziggy” Marzinelli and Dr Adriana Verges from the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS). SIMS, in partnership with Dorset Sutton and Jenny Lim Sutton and the Manly community, propose to undertake Operation Crayweed Manly, a project to restore lost underwater forests in Manly, in particular a type of seaweed called Crayweed, which provides critical habitat for crayfish (Eastern Rock Lobster) and abalone. Ideally the restoration would take place in Cabbage Tree Bay, as an iconic and beloved place under the watchful gaze of a community of custodians who care and love this exceptional marine environment. However this will depend on gaining community support and approval from NSW Department of Primary Industries (Fisheries) due to Cabbage Tree Bay’s status as an Aquatic Reserve. The project team are keen to talk with the B&B community, as people who love and use Cabbage Tree Bay, to hear your thoughts and seek your support for this project.

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 HERE.

 

 While BB swims this will never be how Shelly Beach looks

 

What I have been reading

Angel’s Flight by Michael Connelly, continuing the Harry Bosch series. The Old Ways (a Journey on Foot)  by Robert McFarlane. A book about walking and walkers (including writers who are walkers) and walks mostly in the UK but broader. It makes me want to find out more about John Muir. Next on my list!