29/07/2014 – Welcome home

Last night’s sunset almost brought down the internet (slight exaggeration, but there were lots of photos being shared.)  Well, this morning’s sunrise was just as colourful.

 

 

No doubt you have heard the saying, ‘Home is where the heart is’.  It occurred to me today that over the past week or so we have welcomed home so many of our squad.  Makes you realise we are quite a peripatetic lot.

 

 

Loads of heartfelt hugs all round.

 

There was also the mention of the annual calendar!!  So here are a few hopeful contenders. . .

 

 

 

I particularly like Rob’s coy pose.

 

The early swimmers are already well into their coffee by the time we are heading down the ramp.

 

 

Another calm 16.4 degree swim, with just a few brave wetsuitless souls.

 

 

Here is squad leader 007 at the point.  He leads the Pacific Challenge with 1788kms – which puts him somewhere off the coast of Townsville!!

 

Surprisingly warm over at Shelly today, but we don’t seem to need an excuse to get closer to our fellow swimmers.

 

 

 

 

Nick spotted a shy Cuttlefish off Shelly, but despite the presence of Elaine, the Cuttlefish Whisperer, this one stayed hidden under the rocks.

 

The pale rocks are always a gathering point for the large schools of our favourite marine life.

 

 

 

So good to have all my watery mob home again.

 

 

Mary

 

 

Special Event – Guest Speaker!

The next B&B monthly dinner is on Tuesday 12th August at 6.30pm at Bluewater Restaurant. 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 5 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 use the .

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:  86

Newbie:  0

Temp:    16.4 degrees

Sunrise:  6.50 am

Sunset:  5.13 pm