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Friday 29 January 2016 – which is worse – waves or bluebottles?

29/01/201616

A nice morning for a swim. i did not catch the 6.30 swimmers on their way in. Here are some of the 7 am swimmers getting ready to go in

 

Henrietta with a newbie. I had a blue bottle encounter which spilled her name from my memory but welcome

 

Some swimmers with a swimming spectator. I too like watching good swimming.

 

These good looking swimmers posed to stop me interviewing the guys behind about what has just happened

 

 

 

Here are Angela and Paul. She is going to work after her swim like the rest of us but he has just retired!!!! Congratulations and have a great retirement

 

Some lovely swimmers posed with Alan to show his new swim cap which is extra pink somehow

 

Ian announces that there are some blue bottles in the water. He does not explain where they come from. Yes, they come from the north east but what is in the north east that is generating them? The announcement has made a big impact on one swimmer

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLINT (middle). I was lucky to meet this group of 6.30 swimmers on their way out of the water. Do the 6.30 swim group sing happy birthday at Shelly or is it all too fast?

 

the word on the ramp was that Max is having his last swim today and going to London (there is no BB swim there!) but despite best efforts, we could not find him

 

And then he arrived having swum in the waves a bit, by choice

 

Now facing the waves – these two swimmers are quite relaxed about the waves

 

And these swimmers are also relaxed – Shelly is showing how high the waves are while John is looking at the top of them

 

The swimmer in the middle said “it is not as bad as it looks” and I was glad to hear that but then made my own assessment in accordance with the BB Stay Safe Section below

 

Having taken a long time entering and then retreating through the waves I did not make it to Shelly while the big group was there. I did see some great swimming as they set off back to Manly

 

Peter and Tammy enjoyed the swim

 

Thanks to doublers and triplers I have some great swimmers to photograph

 

Thanks for the offer of going through the waves from this swimmer but it was not for me.

 

I finished up with some tentacles wrapped around my underarms near the bower. Because this is the BB Blog and not the Most Embarrassing Bodies show, I will not post a photo but it hurts. I did not even see the blue bottle on the surface. Sneaky things.

I presume everyone is clamouring to hear what I am currently reading. I got the Lake House for Christmas. I will finish it but it is a bit ordinary. I am also reading Islam and the future of Tolerance. Thought provoking. Let me know what is good to read.

SIGN IN IF YOU SWIM. IT IS GREAT TO SEE THE FACE AND PHOTO AND WHY NOT DO IT!! LOTS OF SWIMMERS SWIM AND DO NOT LOG IN. WHY IS IT SO?

There is a 6km swim every Saturday and on 13 February there is a 10 km swim. There is a badge for these.

If you want to do a VERY slow 10 km swim, join me on 13th Feb. Tell me. I will be at the back of the swim group.

 

Stats

150 swimmers
7 newbies
22.8 degrees (I think)
2016 Calendars !!
The 2016 B&B calendars are now on sale. Get your copy from Ian any day at the swim, or order online HERE. They make a great Christmas gift for family and friends, here or overseas. This year the calendars are even more impressive in a larger A3 format, all for the same cost as last year – just $15 each.
STAYING SAFE
Remember that there are no badges for scaring yourself silly! While it is great to extend your boundaries, it is important to know your limits.  Also, if you have a bit more experience, keep an eye out for new swimmers who might need company. Do read these excellent tips on staying safe in the surf. To read, or even download, click here.
B&B Swim School
Join Pacific Jules coach Sarah Anne for an hour in the ocean as they teach you the fundamentals of the underwater phase of your freestyle stroke.
This one hour session in the water will help understand the technique in easy to follow steps, bringing it all together to allow you to feel additional propulsion, power and speed.
When : Saturday 6 Feb 8-9am
Cost : $25
Location : Shelly Beach
Open to everyone and all abilities welcome.
What to bring: swim suit, cap, goggles, wetsuit compulsory, water and money for a hot cuppa afterwards!
Please email info@pacificjules.com.au for more information or to reserve your place. 

16 comments

  • Shelley K

    29/01/2016 at 11:47 am

    Your usual riot of colour and drollery, thanks Elizabeth

  • lesbubs

    29/01/2016 at 11:49 am

    I can actually comment on today’s title first hand…
    As i was about to head in on the big waves, already nervous and feeling scared by them, a bluebottle wrapped itself around my arm.. and i just had keeping swimming in on the wave dragging the B.B along with me ..

  • Brine

    29/01/2016 at 12:35 pm

    Reports came back with the 6 o’clock group that the way to Shelley was clear. I started early and kept wide getting back to Shelley on the second lap without striking anything. Started hearing reports of little monsters in middle of the bay. So far so good, so I committed to a third lap, again keeping wide. Great I’m halfway home without a strike. Then WHAM, they were wrapped around my arms and legs.
    After a wrestle with the tentacles beneath the water I cleared the batch and found clear water to home. The hot bath was so good!!

  • Lips

    29/01/2016 at 2:34 pm

    Makes sense. You looked a bit puffy this morning.
    Great blog Elizabeth. Currently reading The God Delusion by Dawkins. Just to annoy Tim.

  • Gillian

    29/01/2016 at 3:27 pm

    Jon and I had a BB encounter too just past half way. Wrapped around the forearm for me, nose and lip for him. I was watching carefully but they snuck up on us.
    Bless the life saver and the hot shower as Jon was quite distressed by the experience. I even had to drive him all the any home instead of my normal ferry to work Friday.

  • JeffwithaJ

    29/01/2016 at 3:31 pm

    Gould’s Book of Fish by Richard Flannagan is an award winning read I am just finishing. Thanks for your blog.

  • jenny

    29/01/2016 at 3:50 pm

    Thanks for the blog Elizabeth I was stung on the arm, I think it must have been a jymbol because it was like swimming into an electric fence and it swelled up and ached to the bone. I used phnergen (anti allergic) and washed it with clean water and followed up with antiseptic cream. It’s ok now.

  • LSA aka HKTQ

    29/01/2016 at 4:03 pm

    Love the blog and comments!
    ‘The Conditionality of Life in the Buddhist Teachings’ by our good friend, Nina Van Gorkom, which I’m helping to revise for a new print and translation.
    In Truth, not only a God delusion, but also delusions about Lips, bloggers, fish, blueys, tentacles and testicles! Actually there are just elements arising and passing away now!

  • Lips

    29/01/2016 at 4:11 pm

    No, Richard.
    I think Nick wrote the similarly named ‘Cod Delusion’. Completely different book.

  • Lainey aka E-laine

    29/01/2016 at 4:24 pm

    Another great blog and lots of photos of all swimmers, very inclusive! You are fantastic Elizabeth blogging for us when working a full day too. Hope everyone has recovered from their testicle encounters, woops tentacles!

  • Sel

    29/01/2016 at 8:13 pm

    I think people just want to swim and don’t care to be counted for the stats. Many just want the company during the swim and aren’t concerned about the details of the number of kilometres swum, badges, merchandise or photos for the blog. Respect that those parts aren’t for everyone.

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