Did the wind and rain put you off swimming this morning?
Or maybe the determining factor was the temperature gauge indicating that although it was 5 degrees it actually felt like 3 degrees. What ever the reason, a modest 42 swimmers made the pilgrimage to B&B Central.
The 6.30 mob gave a rousing happy birthday for Alex – complete with cake and candles! They returned with reports of sighting of an enormous ray and a turtle out in the middle of the bay!
The much reduced 7am mob made its way to the point.
Sterling did it sans wettie today!!
A very quick turn-around at Shelly as the rain tumbled down.
No amazing fish shots, but a fabulous rainbow provided a gateway for us to swim through. Plus the Tardis is back.
Unbelievably, just about all the cafes of Manly were deserted post swim. . .
but it was a very grey, cold day. So if you want to do a belated post swim gossip, come along to the B&B dinner tonight at Bluewater. Kicks off at 6.30pm. See below for details.
Mary
B&B Dinner tonight!!
This month’s special presenter is Ruth Hollows, the youngest daughter of Fred Hollows. Her presentation is on how she is helping fulfil her father’s legacy through her role as Ambassador for Wild Women On Top Sydney Coastrek.
The cost of the dinner is only $20 a head which includes shared entrees, a selection of mains to choose (incl a vegetarian option), corkage (for byo wine only) and a little thank you for the staff. 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. Avoid disappointment and Book Now!
Fred Hollows is a modern legend, and was many things to many people – a husband, a father, a friend, a skilled ophthalmologist and for a few politicians and bureaucrats, an irritating thorn in their side. Above all else he was a humanitarian. This explains why he was so passionate about improving the health of indigenous Australians. In 80% of cases blindness is unnecessary, it can either be avoided or it can be overcome through a simple operation. Since Fred died The Fred Hollows Foundation has restored sight to well over one million people in the developing world.
Winter Badge season – only 3 weeks to go.
There are 14 weeks in the winter season. To qualify for the prized Cold & Bold Badge you simply need to swim 20 times within the season ensuring you have swum in a minimum of 7 different weeks. So, attempting to do it all in the first few weeks does not count!! Make sure you use the i-Log to register your without wetsuit for the WWW badge. The badge ceremony is being held straight after the swim on 21 September at the Royal Far West.
B&B i-Log
Log your swim ANYTIME of day using the B&B i-Log. This is the best and easiest way to ensure your swims are recorded in the daily attendance and on the Pacific Challenge. To get started, send an email to Ian Forster ugoboyo@gmail.com (This is not a link so please copy and paste into your email). He will check that your email address is activated on the attendance register then send you info on how to set up your log in.
Staying safe
Are you prepared for the return of the surf? 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. Do read these excellent tips on staying safe in the surf. To read, or even download, click here.
The Stats
Regulars: 42
Newbie: 0
Temp: 15.8 degrees
Sunrise: 6.38 am
Sunset: 5.23 pm
15 comments
Elaine de Jager
12/08/2014 at 11:32 am
As I sat at home today recovering from the flu, i thought it would take a very BOLD lot to swim today so very well done to all of you who did. Your photos still make it look beautiful out there Mary. That photo of Sterling and the rainbow behind is fantastic! Glad you were all rewarded with a rainbow. Happy Birthday Alex. We certainly do have a high percentage of Leo swimmers. (Or at least the ones that get themselves noticed 😉
Lesbubs
12/08/2014 at 11:51 am
So cold I turned back just before that cold strip at Shelly as i didn’t think I had enough in me for the trip back and I barely did!! Then I saw that enormous ray!! It was amazing it momentarily took my mind of the cold! It looked like our normal little stingarees on huge amounts of steroids!
So get this I would have had a 350 metre advantage over the swimmers at Shelly… And lo and behold as I got the point Scotty whooshed past me followed by the other speedsters! Omg!
Terry McJannett
12/08/2014 at 1:30 pm
It was worth it! Flat water , rainbows! What more can you ask for! wetsuit did it’s job.
Integrity Police
12/08/2014 at 1:31 pm
Making a habit of this I see Ms Bubbles.
Mmmmmmm
Elizabeth
12/08/2014 at 1:37 pm
Who saw the turtle?
Jenny Holmes
12/08/2014 at 1:38 pm
Lovely shots of sea, Mary, and the beautiful rainbow full of grace and promise. Soooo glad I struggled valiantly and grumblingly out of bed for this unbelievable kickstart to the day along with other cheerful B&B adventurers. Hope you’re better soon Elaine.
he who shall not be named!
12/08/2014 at 1:57 pm
Renae said she did but I think she saw some seaweed really.
She is shortsighted after all.
Skinny Pete
12/08/2014 at 4:21 pm
The turtle was right next to the motorbike 🙂
LSA aka HKTQ
12/08/2014 at 4:37 pm
Jenny, meanwhile it’s been so hot here that I haven’t been in touch with your brother as we usually hit Big Wave Bay early at weekends for a lovely swim and coffee and leave when the crowds start arriving … if that appeals, we’ll be there this weekend before heading to Europe on Sunday….
LSA aka HKTQ
12/08/2014 at 4:40 pm
Good for all the Bolds who’re still swimming every day! As Lainey would say, finally a morning I didn’t mind missing…..just remember, add some surf as well and these are just the conditions we had our lovely whale swim, so you never know….
Hope you get better soon, Lainey…. they need you to inspire them to throw off those doonas on cold mornings!
ros
12/08/2014 at 4:41 pm
Even a swim in the cold and rain at Manly is better than a swim in a hotel pool in Brisbane! I know this for a fact!
LSA aka HKTQ
12/08/2014 at 4:44 pm
Oh Shaun, at least she’s out there making a splash!
It’s when you set off with the 6.30s and Scotty still whooshes past over the rocks on return that it’s a worry! Honestly, I’ve had that experience:-))
LSA aka HKTQ
12/08/2014 at 4:45 pm
….and Dear Storchy, so predictable…. I prefer Renae’s version:-))
LSA aka HKTQ
12/08/2014 at 4:47 pm
Agree, beautiful atmospheric blog…. helps the world keep in touch!
Simon
12/08/2014 at 4:47 pm
Thanks again Mary for the comprehensive update.