Dr Becky reporting for first-time blogging duty!
So I was a little nervous about losing my blogging virginity… What would I write about? Would I be inspired on the day or would I suffer from first time writer’s block? Several ideas had been forming…
– World Cup theme? – vetoed.. who cares now… Australia are out, Spain are out, England are out… Only Ted has reason for cheer….The Netherlands are looking strong. Anyway moving on…. Wimbledon starts next week!
– Which Game of Thrones characters are your fellow B and Bers? … The A Team often look like they have been in a battle with The Wildlings after getting cut up on the rocks at the point in big swell… Was looking promising until someone suggested it might get a little controversial… no one wants to be Geoffrey.
– How not to die of hypothermia when doing winter without wetsuit – not sure I’ve got this sorted yet…
Luckily as I crawled down to the surf club as the sun was rising there was more than enough action unfolding on the beach…..
Excitement point número uno! Today is the Winter Solstice! I could have got away with perhaps having the shortest blog of the year but there was just too much happening!
“The winter solstice is the day when the Sun reaches its furthest north position in the sky and starts moving back towards the south. It marks one of the main turning points in the year with the others being the two equinoxes and the summer solstice in December. This year winter solstice is on Saturday 21 June with 8:51 pm the time that the Sun is furthest north. After 21 June the days start becoming longer and night time shorter.” – thank you Mr Google.
In the UK it is the summer solstice and in a few hours time will see crowds descending on Stonehenge to celebrate the Druid festival. In Manly this means (as little Sarah found out much to her delight / horror….) you may be in for a little surprise at 6.30am as the Drinks Express goes Drinks Express-Less! Leaving their budgies on the beach / wearing them round their neck… 15 odd hearty souls whipped out their bits and bravely made the crossing! There were no casualties I am told though a 70 year old dog walker was treated for shock at Shelley Beach!
Sadly I missed out on this event but I am promised same time, same place next year!
No sooner had the ladies of Manly got over the excitement of the above…. It was over to Drs John and Jim and co as they got ready for their epic swim from Manly to Bondi! I have often noticed that Dr John takes a rather circuitous route to Shelley… heading out towards New Zealand in occasion .. so I was pleased to hear he was putting this technique to good use to raise money for the amazing work that Bear Cottage do!
It was all go as we said Bon Voyage to the hardy group of 9 swimmers as they set off on their epic 14 plus km journey completely with kayaks, support boats and to protect them….. The Spaniard on his surf ski!
Concerningly there seemed to be a little bit of confusion yesterday on the behalf of the Spaniard…. See comment from Alex….
Here he is ready for duty…. 9 swimmers Marc! 9!
We waved them off at the point with a hearty “Let’s go!” and off they went!!! Welcome them back in The Steyne tonight and sponsor them and their great cause at the link at the bottom.
So after all that excitement to the main event…. The Swim! First stop take your pulse before entering the water….
Then attempt underwater photo…. Sterling, Sophie, Anna and Dave!
Two…. Actually get to Shelley! Where to put my camera whilst swimming…. Can’t put it where Nick Dawkins purportedly puts it with my wetsuit on….
Three….. Chit chat and freeze your bits off at halfway…. And the obligatory birthday! Hurrah! Happy Birthday Poppy! Let’s rouse the neighbours with our dulcet tones! Who needs an alarm clock?!!
The Games Masters! JK looking happier than yesterday…. Always best just not to watch England in the World Cup….
Four…. Let’s Go! The A team jostle for position…. Sterling clearly cheating as he advances beyond the start point before the let’s go is given….
Five…. And we’re off!
Six… Go looking for fish. This was not so successful! I stalked a lady with a snorkel who looked like a seasoned fish-finding pro but only found three… so took my first underwater selfie instead!
Seven…. Avoid the rocks (or not if you’re JP), leap out feeling fabulous at the beach and head to coffee to discuss the morning’s events!
Storchy and Drinksy looking pleased as punch…. Now fully clothed!
Obligatory “politician with baby” photo at coffee – Brucey Kardashian cuddles up to Hope Florence Giovanelli!
Put the world to rights, have a caffeine fix, and warmup with a onesie…. (Sorry Sterling…. Had to happen….)
There simply is no better way to start your day! From here on in the water temperature may drop but the days are getting longer and summer is on its way (almost!) Hurrah!!!
Happy Saturday one and all! Enjoy it!
Dr Becky!
MESSAGES
1) Tomorrow is Miles’ last swim before he heads back to the UK for his English Channel Swim! Come see him off and sponsor him at http://www.giantsteps.net.au/english-channel-solo-swim
2) Someone has picked up Bella Wakes-Millers’ wetsuit – if you have it (an orca s3 ladies large) can you call her on 0412564009
3) To support the courageous swimmers today and Bear Cottage you can sponsor them on
http://swim.gofundraise.com.au/page/BearCottageBigSwim
STATS
Swimmers 170
Newbies 4
Water temperature – a tropical 19 degrees – chilly brrrrrr freeze wheezy!!!
19 comments
Snorkles
21/06/2014 at 12:29 pm
Lovely to have you on the blogging team Dr Becky. Far better first blog than Rainer’s first attempt – I don’t think anyone understood it!
yours has laughs, discussion on nudity, politics, small people, scenery and a bit of charity action thrown in – great blog!
I know those guys were swimming 14km today, but I swam the whole way from Manly to Shelly and whole way back again..that’s a first in about one year – its ok – I’ll congratulate myself!
nine swims to go……
Snorkel Queen
21/06/2014 at 12:30 pm
I saw TEN duskies today and no dead floating things …..
LSA aka HKTQ
21/06/2014 at 12:31 pm
Fantastic virgin blog, Dr Becky! Perfect looking conditions for the Bondi swim!
It was a great morning for an early double too – dark, glassy water, pink streaks in the sky, quiet and peaceful, the odd Channel swimmer stopping for a chat – then arriving in the midst of 20 naked men lined up long the beach at Shelly, having been instructed by Drinks-less to wait for me! Ha, ha…. we all laughed so much….they’d left at 6.20 this morning hoping to go unnoticed:-))
The fish amongst all the rocks were really amazing this morning too, but couldn’t compete with the Drinks Express-Less! Where were you Lesbubbs?
Sarge
21/06/2014 at 12:51 pm
Did you leave anything behind after your swim? I may have it. Catch me during the week if you want to convince me that it’s yours 😉 ( and no, thankfully, it’s not Storchies budgies!)
Simon
21/06/2014 at 12:57 pm
I enjoyed your first blog Becky, you tell a great story, may there be many more!!
My vote for best shots: the confused spaniard and the underwater selfie.
Mr. I. P. Freely
21/06/2014 at 1:03 pm
Great blog Dr.Bec (if that’s your real name).
Thank you to Ansell for sponsoring the midwinter solstice swim, where one size fit all!
Never seen Attracta so keen to bypass Attracta Rock and get to Shelly with the group for a grope.
Elizabeth
21/06/2014 at 1:10 pm
Fabulous blog. Great photos. Obviously a natural at blogging
John
21/06/2014 at 1:39 pm
Great first-time blog Dr Becky.
Beautiful conditions for the Drinks Less-Express. It was more a case of WWA – Winter Without Anything.
Good luck to all those involved in the Manly to Bondi swim.
DWSS
21/06/2014 at 2:06 pm
Smashing blog Bec!
Great first time. Best blog of the week.
Some comments from the solstice swim –
“Don’t forget to close your eyes when under water”
” I didn’t know it was so deep off the point”
” I didn’t know is was so sandy off the point”
” Sarah popped up at the business end of Shelly”
” sorry for being so slow, must have been extra drag or something”
” I don’t know what was scarier, swimming in the dark or the sun coming up! ”
” I saw a white pointer”
Lainey
21/06/2014 at 3:17 pm
What a fantastic first blog Dr Beccy and from a fellow Brummy too. (person from Land locked Birmingham, Uk) We are missing so much over here in Holland. Really miffed I missed out on the chance to photograph 15 bear bums at Shelly though. ( I only got 4 last year) Sounds such fun and well done The Manly to Bondi Bear Cottage swimmers! Please don’t write such good blogs they make me homesick!
The Spaniard
21/06/2014 at 3:26 pm
Loved your Blog Becky!!!
Best lecture I could ever have on my way back to Manly… With the whole team of 6 swimmers who completed the Manly to Bondi!!! Oh wait… Or it was 9? Never mind. If is anyone missing someone let me know tomorrow and we’ll look for him or her!
Lee Cooper
21/06/2014 at 4:07 pm
Good blog Becky – you may be able to give up your day/night job?? I reckon if you did the nudie swim today you can mark yourself for a double – thoughts?
Dilys Taylor
21/06/2014 at 4:40 pm
A natural blogger. The words flow as freely in text as they do from the mouth. Sorry I missed the 6.30 swimmers …and well done the Manly to Bondi swimmers
Lips
21/06/2014 at 6:15 pm
Oi! I know you love my blogs Snorks!
Great work Dr. Becky. I think you should cover all solstice and equinox swims going forward.
Well done Manly-Bondi team. I checked with management and you will all get credited with a double tick today.
Tim
21/06/2014 at 6:15 pm
Well delivered… but then you hear that all the time.
Snorkles
21/06/2014 at 7:04 pm
Ok, it’s true – they are fantastic lips!
Peter Anthony
21/06/2014 at 9:39 pm
Hey Dr Becky, just got home tonight and I missed the swim but got the blog… beautifully delivered…
Alexandra (La) Cordukes
25/06/2014 at 8:53 pm
Hi Sarge
My friend La left behind on Sat her Orca S5 wetsuit size XL. She is at a work function tonight but she will probably contact you tomorrow. I am hoping this is what you picked up. I have filled out her email address below. I know she is v keen to get it back. 1 swim in freezing cold water, this morning, was enough.
Alexandra (La) Cordukes
25/06/2014 at 8:55 pm
Just realised I didn’t tell you her name. It is La Cordukes