Goodbye summer, Hello Autumn!!!
Hello Everyone, My name is Lara and this is my first time blogging so I guess I am the newbie blogger!!!
It is a dark, wet start to the day but the 6.30am swimmers get ready and hit the water.
It really was one of those days when I wished that I had duck feet………….
I wasnt sure how many would turn up this morning in the rain but they all started to roll in. It seems nothing will stop this dedictaed B&B group!!
Ian giving some of the newbies the run down on how it all operates and to wait at the point for the “LETS GO”
Anne and Magnus joined us for the first time today. Hope you guys enjoyed the swim.
Also the first time for Kim and Haylee
Off to the water we all go………….
It was a nice 21 degrees in the water today but it still makes you hold your arms above the water for as long as you can until you just have to go under
Waiting at the point
The usual Saturday blogger Renae was having he day off as she and some other B&B regulars did the 50km Coast Trek from Palm Beach to Balmoral yesterday. She did come along for the swim and took the time to have some “salt therapy”
It’s not every day that you see a boat moored in this area. Wonder if they liked their wake up this morning of everyone swimming by
This is the view looking back to Manly as we make our way to Shelley, a whole lotta pink caps, arms and splashing water!!!
I havent been swimming this swim very long but when I am on my way to Shelley and I see these houses I am thinking ” Oh thank lordy, I am nearly there!!!” I’m also singing in my head the whole way over. Does anybody else do that?? What do you sing?
Everyone waiting pateienly at Shelley. Try and spot yourself in the pic.
SMILE!!!
Then its a lets go and we all head back
Met this nice lady swimming back to Fairy Bower this morning. She is building up to do the swim from Manly to Shelley and back. We’ll see you there in no time. Keep it up.
Water wasnt the clearest today as there was no sunshine but I did manage to find these strange looking little fellas. Anyone know what either of these are???
Some of the locals that like to make an appearance on a daily basis…….
Well thats it from me, I hope my first time blogging was enjoyable for you all.
This blogging thing is not as easy as it would appear!!! Chasing those fast fishes for a pic is a challenge!!! ha ha ha
Enjoy the rest of your Saturday.
Lara
Bottom of Blog:
2014 Summer Badge Ceremony
If you are in Byron Bay on the 9th March you can see the Bold and Beautiful movie there as well as that is where it will DEBUT!! It’s called Dr Salt and here’s a link to details:
B&B i-Log
Almost 50% of swimmers are now using the B&B i-Log. Log your swim ANYTIME of day using this really efficient and easy way to ensure your swim is recorded in the daily attendance and on the Pacific Challenge. To get started, send an email to Ian Forster (ugoboyo@gmail.com). He will check that your email address is activated on the attendance register then send you info on how to get started.
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. Do read these excellent tips on staying safe in the surf. To read, or even download, click here.
The Stats
Regulars: 150
Newbie: 13
Temp: 21.7 degrees
Sunrise: 6.43am
Sunset: 7.32pm
14 comments
LSA aka HKTQ
01/03/2014 at 11:20 am
Lara, congratulations! A very professional and excellent blog! Just like your Saturday mentor, Renae, you’re an absolute “natura!”
Look forward to more:-)))
Such heavy rain in the early morning – who would have imagined such beautiful swimming conditions!
Lainey aka E-laine
01/03/2014 at 11:21 am
Larzzy, that was an amazing blog for a first timer or 1,000th timer. Love it! The first 2 fish are leatherjackets and you did so well to get such good photos. They swim away fast when the camera comes near them. The second one looks like a fan bellied leather jacket.
Love the way you include the newbie swimming to Halfway with encouragement. So many of us started out by only doing part of the way and building up.
Thank you so much to those of you that came out to support Cath, Renae, Kirsty and i doing the Coastrek yesterday and of course to all who donated. we have raised over $4000 and indigenous Australians and disadvantaged all over the world will gain the gift of sight! It was an amazing experience. Let’s have a few B&B Teams next year!
mauricio
01/03/2014 at 12:10 pm
Great swim today.
Saw a dusky near shelly.
The Shark Toucher
01/03/2014 at 12:24 pm
Hi Lara – Welcome to the blog! Awesome pics 🙂
I’m usually singing whatever was on in the car when I turn it off.. could be anything… but there’s always something. It’s either that or make a song out of your breathing and stroke
Elizabeth
01/03/2014 at 12:46 pm
Great blog Lara
Margot
01/03/2014 at 12:59 pm
Yes it was a really good blog – for those of us who could only enjoy the swim vicariously through you lot, it’s great! As for singing – I do it too, with the splash and plunk as percussion. The weather here in the Blue Mtns is so disgusting today, I need encouragement to do a swim tomorrow (especially the drive)!
Lesbubbles
01/03/2014 at 1:02 pm
Omg yeah Lara your fish photos are great I agree with Elaine … Really hard to do !!! I have never seen that first fish before!?! Well done for spotting it! And welcome to the team of great Bnb bloggers!! 🙂
Cathfish
01/03/2014 at 1:25 pm
Thanks so much LSA,Jon, little tiger, Gary, Izzy, Jill,Heather and all or families who came out in the rain to cheer us on and feed us yesterday… and to Jenny,Elaine ansd Sarah for waiting at the finish yesterday. Great team and great day!!
Jane
01/03/2014 at 1:49 pm
Lara – those are gorgeous fish pics! The first is most likely a Yellow-Finned Leatherjacket (Meuschenia trachylepis), though it seems to have 6 spines rather than the usual 4 on the caudal peduncle, and the black face is very odd – might be a colour change caused by your presence. The next is a Fan-Bellied LJ (Monacanthus chinensis) – very spectacular!
I’ll send the first pic off to Mark at the OzMus for ID.
Look out all you seasoned photographers – you have a rival hovering on the fringes!
Slow Ian
01/03/2014 at 2:06 pm
Come on Margot, you know you can do it! Just think of the breakfast afterwards.
BTW – my swim song – Swimmin’ with the Wimmin’ (George Formby).
Bill McCaffeine
01/03/2014 at 3:32 pm
Well done Lara, excellent
Great walk yesterday by all the strong sharing caring wimmin
Lainey aka E-laine
01/03/2014 at 4:45 pm
Hope you went well with Coastrek Elizabeth doing it at night. You are a trooper!
Lainey aka E-laine
01/03/2014 at 4:47 pm
Margot, it will be worth the drive, you won’t regret it. Swim back close to the rocks and you’ll see all the marine life too!
Sally
05/03/2014 at 9:45 pm
Love the post too, I’ve decided that I’ll have to participate sometime. Thanks for the inspiration. x