On this last day of they year can we all please reflect on what it was that made 2017 for us, and what some of the best things were that we can be thankful for? For me the winner must be a continuing return to good health after overcoming a significant health issue the previous year, thanks to medical research and the federal government putting a previously unaffordable treatment on the PBS. Followed by (in no particular order) Roger Federer winning 2 more slams, the removal of legislation against same sex marriage, getting to see a real Beatle put on a show, becomimg a step grandma and doing some great travel.
And of course the unparalleled joy and privilege of regularly meeting up with fellow thalassophiles for frolics in our beautiful corner of the ocean.
How about you? What are some great things that happened for you in 2017? Did involve swimming? Family and friends? Personal journeys? If you could add a comment at the end of the blog that would be great.
Ocean conditions on this last day of 2017 were much calmer than the past few days (as seen in this shot of a few early swimmers leaving the water).
Swimmers were out in force. 538 swimmers and 45 newbies. Here are some of them (but welcome all, and I hope you had a lovely swim)
Friends caught up before hitting the water in a completely non violent way in line with the thalassophile code of ethics
JB put in a request for some fish photos and I promised to do my best
And here is a dog. Because dogs.
Excitement mounts as we approach the water.
And here’s a family of four about to swim together
A sea of (mainly) pink caps (mainly) waiting for the lets go at the point
On the way to Shelley, like cheerfulness the sun kept breaking through (to paraphrase the legendary, dearly departed but never forgotten L Cohen)
Heading in to Shelley
Lots of people at Shelley including this father and son who performed the most refined, subtle blog tarting I have ever seen
After the obligatory chats and a birthday celebration I was too far away to record, the journey back to the beach
OK JB here come the fish. I graciously admit to being well and truly trumped by Lainey (did you see the amazing footage of the cormorant? If not you will see it in the Manly Daily I’m sure) and anyone who got photos and/or videos of the cow nosed rays. But it’s all good, we are doing what we love.
These 2 flathead before they swam off (they are very shy)
I know this is not a fish but a submerged tree branch is not something you see every day.
There’s a dusky in the distance
Did those bubbles come from the scuba tanks or…..?
There’s a little leatherjacket in this photo. Can you see it?
Adult education in full swing
Luddericks
Lifeguards watching out for returning swimmers. Thanks guys!
Back on the beach, swimmers relaxed and chatted over post swim refreshments. Some appeared to be rehearsing for a burlesque performance.
On the way back to my car I stopped to watch the fish in the front yard of the Esperanto Society house, and reflected on this sign
I know that the word esperanto is based on a word meaning hope in the Latin languages, but did not know the specific meaning of the word. So I looked it up. It means a hopeful person. My hope for all of us is that 1918 is a Very Good Year.
Enjoy your NYE, and see you on the other side.
14 comments
Elizabeth
December 31, 2017 at 1:29 pm
Great Blog to farewell 2017. Fab swim today. Cheryl white and Brendan Maher swam 6 km yesterday ! Swimmer of the Day is newbie Ben de Maine Way to go
Cassie
December 31, 2017 at 2:04 pm
That was a fun read, thanks! -newbie
Andy
December 31, 2017 at 2:40 pm
Thanks for making me so welcome as a newbie this morning. Proud to earn that pink hat. Andy
Paul
December 31, 2017 at 3:31 pm
Yes, Greg Franks and I also headed north yesterday. It was much better swimming than in the bay. Behind the waves to Queensie the water was smoother as well as being clearer and cleaner than the swim to Shelly.
Paul
December 31, 2017 at 3:38 pm
Yes, Anne, I’m sure 1918 will be an excellent year. I don’t wish to preempt it for you too much, but expect an end to the Great War sometime in November. 😉
Seriously though, thanks for the blog, especially the fish pics.
Delighted to see the cow-nosed rays making a return.
Edwina harrison
December 31, 2017 at 3:38 pm
Really glad that newbies are also commenting 👍😍. It’s been good to see you improve your health anne , pat on the back to lots of hard work.love the photos too, thanks 😘
Paul
December 31, 2017 at 3:40 pm
….and thanks to all our bloggers for your wonderful contributions in 2017. Very much appreciated.
Inge
December 31, 2017 at 4:29 pm
Here, here! Another great blog by one of our team of bloggers. And all the best for the New Year!
John
December 31, 2017 at 5:03 pm
Thanks Anne for the last blog for 2017 and for your fish photos.
We appreciate the time and effort all our boggers put in on a daily basis.
Best wishes to all the BnB swimmers for the incoming New Year.
Hope to start the year with our usual dip in the ocean.
John
December 31, 2017 at 5:07 pm
That’s ‘bloggers’ in the comment above.
Anne E
December 31, 2017 at 6:55 pm
Ok, Anne. Here’s my list in a B&B context.
Aquatic Communion
Badges
Cuttlefish
Duskies
Every day (for 9 years)
Fun post-swim chats
Goggles
Hot water bottle showers
Ian Forster
John Kelly
Kicking with flippers
Life guards
Manly Paradise Pink Caps
Neoprene
Ocean
Point (as in The)
Quick Let’s Go in the winter
Rays (especially cownose fevers)
Swim suits
Tides (both low and high)
Underwater photographers
Volunteer greeters, data entrants and bloggers
Waves
Xtra lappers (Go doublers!)
Yoga mornings
Zigzag course across Cabbage Tree Bay
Happy New Year, everyone!
Lainey
January 1, 2018 at 12:04 pm
Love it Anne!
Lainey
January 1, 2018 at 12:08 pm
Really lovely blog to finish 201$ off on Anne. Thank you! We moved closer to Cabbage Tree Bay and our friends in 2017 so a great one for us!
Suzette Lamont
January 1, 2018 at 2:32 pm
Thank you to Anne and all the great bloggers for the wonderful posts.
2017 was my first year for ocean swimming 🏊 and my fellow swimmer, Andrea and I, have jumped on the pink cap bandwagon with a gusto. I am currently at Blackhead, where only a short 12mths ago I took my very first proper “goggle” swim in the ocean. Ocean swimming makes you brave and powerful and positive …. thank you bold and the beautiful community – you are all glorious xxx