It was one of those mornings; dark, raining and, of course, Monday. No amount of willing the fluro digits on the clock to stand still had any effect.
Arriving in Manly the beach front is crawling with blokes in fluro jackets busily dismantling the stands erected for the Surf Carnival. The rain eases just as the sun starts its assent somewhere behind the clouds.
And then a rainbow appears!
All is quiet at B&B central. The working week has begun, so it is just a bit quieter at the check-in. A modest 69 swimmers including 4 newbies! John Bond did casually mention that he has now clocked up 1500kms!!
Always a good idea to limber up before hitting the water.
The early lappers arrive back with promises of great conditions and much improved visibility.
A few small waves just high enough to slap you in the face to make sure you really are awake!!
And no, your butt does not look big at all!
Have you met Cathy? She is doing the Coastrek next weekend. Yesterday she and her team mates clocked up a 32km training walk in the rain.
The crossing looks like is will be uneventful as we spread across the bay.
With the improved visibility a significant number of swimmers head out along the rocks to see what the friendly fishy friends are doing. As my goggles begin to leak, I have to stop and chance to look behind as a full rainbow appears! So amazing to see these from the sea.
Being a little late into Shelly, I do manage to capture the rousing Happy Birthday lead by JK.
It is Nicole’s last swim with us… Come back as soon as you can.
A few fish photos on the way back. There are so many of these little black and white striped ones!
Up close with a groper
Love stingrays! They stay still while you take their photo.
The eel was being very protective of its patch. I watched as it chased two much larger fish away from its rock.
Elegant, sand whiting.
A quite week for B&B – no dinners or parties or publicity opportunities!! But keep swimming for RedFeb – you never know when you might be the beneficiary of all that medical research..
Mary
Oops! Almost forgot. Here are a bunch of B&B lovelies on tour. A spectacular view from the Great Wall of China don’t you think?
The notices (which are really important)
February is Heart Research Month, and we’re raising $1 for every kilometre we swim during the month.
We need to start kicking this along! The swimming is going ok, but a little more for the $$$$ would be great. Here’s the update…
https://redfebrelay.everydayhero.com/au/bold-beautiful-swim-squad-manly
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.
Summer is going, going . . .
The last Summer Badge Swim for this year is the 6km this coming Saturday! If you want that badge be at the usual meeting spot by 6.45am for a briefing from the designated swim leader. The usual route is to Freshwater and back, depending on conditions on the day. The swim kicks off at 7am with the regular mob.
Bolderdash
This daily swim to Queenscliff and back DEPARTS the surf club at 5.50am. As these are generally intimate groups, please WAIT for everyone in the water before heading off. Do buddy up with someone – great to be with someone who has the same pace – that way everyone is ‘accounted for’ at Queenscliff.
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: 69
Newbie: 4
Temp: 20.9 degrees
Sunrise: 6.32 am
Sunset: 7.46 pm
19 comments
Lainey-Loo aka Elaine
17/02/2014 at 12:39 pm
LOVE that close up groper photo Mary, absolutely gorgeous! Wasn’t it beautiful down in Manly this morning? It was hard to know whether to look up at the incredible sky and rainbows or below at the fish!
Bill McCaffeine
17/02/2014 at 12:50 pm
Yes a delight to see the rainbow !
Manly had better weather than over at Waverton, it dark gloomy and very wet.
Great Blog Mary
1500 kms to John, superman
Rob
17/02/2014 at 12:58 pm
not sure how I managed to get ahead of Lee and Nan in that picture coming up the ramp …they must’ve had a picnic on the beach as they were waiting for me to arrive!
LSA aka HKTQ
17/02/2014 at 1:08 pm
Beautiful lights and colours as shown in the blog so well and so many fish!!
I did an early double and the sky and light from Shelly both times was amazing – second time, could see the full rainbow with the pink caps coming through in the distance. The water was such a lovely surprise after yesterday too.
Always looking for very leisurely cruisers to keep me company on boldercrawls, early doubles or just back from Shelly as Lips has his eye on faster models these days:-)
LSA aka HKTQ
17/02/2014 at 1:13 pm
Wilf, watch out! Megan is chasing you:-))
Ros
17/02/2014 at 2:00 pm
It was truly amazing visibility underwater this morning! I saw the most marvelous big bright yellow catfish just before the point. And to think I was tempted to stay in bed …
Nurse J
17/02/2014 at 2:39 pm
Beautiful swim today, sooo clear, played more than i swam .
I’ve never seen the eel before!!
Mary Stollery
17/02/2014 at 2:57 pm
Indeed Ros the siren call of the cosy bed was very strong today!! So glad I didnt listen 😉
Lindsay
17/02/2014 at 3:14 pm
Beautiful rainbow which I missed during the swim. Thanks for posting Mary!
It was a cracker this morning – so glad that I got up as I was also really, really tempted to stay warm and cosy in bed…
Lips
17/02/2014 at 3:20 pm
Oh Sarah! It was YOU who abandoned ME, with your new early 6:20 starts. I’ll continue to show up at 6:59 every morning. Hoping that one day we’ll be reunited.
Had to pick up my speed on the way back in order to (A) see Lesley’s face when I beat her AGAIN!!, and (B) to complete the full swim and still make it to work on time.
Well blogged Mary. Great morning!
LSA aka HKTQ
17/02/2014 at 3:34 pm
Oh Lips, we all know about speed-dating on the side – they all have their excuses…..
Btw, to my utter amazement, I caught a lovely wave in to shore!
Lesley
17/02/2014 at 4:48 pm
That rainbow was pulchritudinous!
So many people missed it – too busy desperately trying to get to Shelly!
Lips: It’ll never happen!
Mary Stollery
17/02/2014 at 5:00 pm
Like
To: mary_stollery@hotmail.com
John
17/02/2014 at 5:28 pm
Enjoyable conditions for swimming this morning.
Great pics Mary of the rainbow and the variety of fish, especially the close-up of the groper. It was like swimming in an aquarium at the point on the way out.
LSA aka HKTQ
17/02/2014 at 5:34 pm
I have a theory that the slow swimmers have a lot more fun and see a lot more!
Leave him to his delusions!
Margot Pope
17/02/2014 at 5:34 pm
It’s not fair: we in the Blue Mountains had a rainy, murky beginning to our day, while you Manly lot got this! Looks like a nice swim today!
Anna McC
17/02/2014 at 5:51 pm
Huw, how do you go up 70 places in the last 7 days?! Nice work.
Love the description of the “B&B lovelies” on tour.
Simon
17/02/2014 at 8:28 pm
“Like” (from Changi Airport)
Gary
17/02/2014 at 11:05 pm
What an amazing morning. The colours (and Variety) of the fish and other sea life was only exceeded by the double rainbow.
Once again thanks to all for the hospitality.
From the bloke with the faded Thirroul Speedos.