I can’t contain my excitement at seeing this beautiful Hawksbill Turtle swim from under it’s rock shelter, to the surface in Cabbage Tree Bay yesterday, so am starting off my fill-in blog for Bernard with him! So many wondrous creatures lurk above and below the surface of our favourite swimming spot…
There’s a link to a video below too. Hope it will work!
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10202983467621606&l=2541004193997277566
As well as turtles there is of course the legendary, fun, friendly, exceedingly generous and kind hearted Mr Chris Taylor aka Tayls!!
This all round lovely guy has been swimming with us for around 2 years after leaving Lindfield for Manly. Now he has clocked up 1000 kms with our group earning him the sash, hat and pimp stick post- swim for an hour or so! He was supposed to wait for the ‘Tunnel of Love’ at the end of his swim but he did a runner back for a hot shower! We managed to catch him at The Benches.
Back to today’s absolutely marvellous, beautiful swim complete with calm, warm water, clarity and loads of marine life! Here are Attracta, Jenny, Vicky and Bev off for a head start 6.55am.
A few newbies today with the 7amers.
It’s a great time of year to swim with the sun rising as we head to waiting point at The Point.
Visibility is wonderful and Sophie and LSA give us an underwater shot.
Sophie smiles with a mouthful of seawater!
Tayls does the ‘Let’s Go’ at Shelly.
Loads of Dusky Whalers today, the most I’ve ever seen! Some were in the shallows for a change, over the rocks by The Point so a great photo opportunity! Please don’t let me put any one off swimming with us. These creatures are harmless and very shy. We are so lucky to see them! Their increase in numbers is a sign marine life in Cabbage tree Bay is flourishing!
The Old Wives were showing off over the flat rocks again…
And so were Anna and Sparkles!
Yesterday I spotted 2 beautiful wobbegongs towards Shelly…
As well as the sharks it’s also so beautiful to see the schools of sparkling tiny fish as we head in to the beach!
A Lainey blog wouldn’t be complete without a photo of a dog too. Here is Sky’s beloved Leia with Jeff, Sky and John. (Few photobombers in back ground)
Also a quick THANK YOU to so many of you (including some of you I don’t even know) who have been touched by my friend Ruth’s story and sponsored me for my first Marathon and donated to ‘Running for Ruth’ to help get Ruth a much needed electric wheelchair. Read her story here. https://www.mycause.com.au/page/85203/runningforruth Any donation however small gratefully accepted. Ruth and her husband Kevin are trying to get down to the benches tomorrow around 9.15am to thank people and say Hello.
Bloggers Needed!
Like to try your hand at amateur journalism ? Please join the blogging team as we have vacancies on every other Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Help keep the B&B journal alive by helping periodically. All training will be provided and it doesn’t have to take up much time. We will even lend you an underwater camera to get those fantastic shots. Come and join and help us. Please contact JK direct or on 0419 277 417 or at jmk@balancemanagement.net.au
2014 Summer Badge Ceremony – Sunday 22nd March
You’ve done the hard yards and got your Summer Badge(s), now come and collect your badges with all the pomp and ceremony the B&B can muster. Bring along $10 for each badge you have earned (correct money appreciated). The venue is the Royal Far West Children’s Home (opposite the beach) on Sunday 22nd March, straight after the regular swim! Everyone is welcome, family, friends and swimmers alike.
A $5 donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, Plus RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (bacon and egg sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food. Book here for Badge Breakfast
All 2014 summer badge qualifiers will be presented with their well earned badge(s), so whether you are getting one personally or you want to enjoy the celebrations of your fellow swimmers, a great morning is guaranteed so come along, soak up the atmosphere and get inspired for the upcoming winter badges.
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.
STATS
Swimmers 180
Newbies 13
Water Temp 22.7 degrees
Signing off
Lainey Loo (with my friend Ruth before her spinal degeneration really kicked in)
17 comments
Fifi
20/03/2015 at 11:00 am
What a beautiful blog lainey. Adored the turtle ahaek and tiny fish pics.
Good luck with your marathon !
LSA aka HKTQ
20/03/2015 at 11:15 am
Incredible turtle pics, diving pics, ‘my’ sunrise pic and all….
Amazing ‘quick’ blog…xx
Anna McBold
20/03/2015 at 11:31 am
What a stunning blog Lainey. So much Lainey Love! Love the contrasting green backdrop behind the Dusky.
Elizabeth X
20/03/2015 at 12:06 pm
Calling all ARTISTS
I am told there are a number of very able artists in the B&B.
We are holding an Easter Charity Art Show in Manly, Sydney to support the work of A4WH. If you are an artist, or know an artist, who might be interested in selling some artworks please make contact.
We are not asking you to donate your work. It will be on sale but the commission (of perhaps 35%) will go to cover the costs of the show and a donation to the charity. So this is your chance to display and hopefully sell some work whilst helping a very worthy cause.
If interested please respond to me or the Australians for Women’s Health Facebook page. Thank you
Shelly
20/03/2015 at 12:11 pm
you are one of the great bloggers Lainey with a heart of Gold !!!
I hope one day you can also get to insert video thingy right !
Ronnie had a few problems too ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAG39jKi0lI
Love you all
xoxoxo
Shelly
John
20/03/2015 at 12:27 pm
Great underwater pics Lainey of the small fish and sharks especially of the Hawksbill Turtle
Superb conditions for the swim with clear skies and warm, clear water
Karen Sanders on front page of the Manly Daily.
Elizabeth
20/03/2015 at 12:36 pm
Elaine- you are in fire! What a beautiful blog reflecting a beautiful swim today!
Elizabeth X
20/03/2015 at 12:38 pm
Absolutely superb blog Lainey – fantastic photography and really gives a feel for just how lucky we are to be able to enjoy this wonderful swim together. A plethora of incredible sea life in brilliant conditions and great company to enjoy a well earned coffee and good conversation with. Such a magnificent start to the day. You captured it all so well. Thanks
ros ex
20/03/2015 at 1:22 pm
Love the sparkly tiny fish! x
Shelley K
20/03/2015 at 1:23 pm
Great photos, as always…superb use of alliteration and Sophie’s muscle tone also worthy of note!
Lips
20/03/2015 at 1:45 pm
Aaah, the sash, the hat, the pimp stick. Makes it all worth it!
Well done Tayls!
Lainey aka E-laine
20/03/2015 at 2:09 pm
Thanks for your lovely comments guys. Really sad to hear about the chopped off shark fin found on Victoria Parade though 🙁
I love bubbles?
20/03/2015 at 2:21 pm
Ditto
JeffwithaJ and a Yellowtail
20/03/2015 at 2:48 pm
Great pics Lainey. You have the magic ocean touch!
Tayls
20/03/2015 at 4:01 pm
brillaint blog as always Lainey Loo….
Jane
20/03/2015 at 9:18 pm
Marvellous fish pics Lainey. I was talking to Mark at the OzMus today and he was telling one of the research scientists how much his website has benefitted from all the amazing photos supplied by our B&B photographers.
karen
20/03/2015 at 10:39 pm
Great blog today. I was at work from 8am – 9pm/ Missed a great day and I am jealous. Chris well done.
k