The signs of summer are becoming more apparent. Happily, one is the appearance of early parking along the beach front as workers now on holidays can delay their visit to the beach. Another is the appearance of the prevailing north-easterly. This is the breeze of summer.
The nor-easter is a favourite with windsurfers, surfers and delivers those cooling sea breezes at the end of a hot summer’s day.
As the nor-easter swirled around us this morning the buzz was palpable. Summer is here; switch to holiday mode.
It was also the last day that lovely Jules will swim with us this year.
However, our early swimmers brought news of the other consequence of the nor-easter – blue bottles.
There is something about these weird creatures that really puts a dampener on the swim. I will confess to being a complete wooze. Not everyone is like me, so in through the waves went the squad.
Seems like there is collective amnesia about the location of the point. . .
Shelly stop was full of comparisons on who did or didn’t encounter blue bottles. There were also a couple of birthdays too! Michelle received a rousing Happy Birthday before John advised on the best routes back to Manly.
And of course a collective farewell to Jules.
The swell made the water quite choppy, but it has cleared to a stunning blue. Plus the gorgeous Yellow Tail are back. Here they are busy munching on strange blobs of jellyfish. John Kelly assured me that it is good to have the Yellow Tail around because he had heard that they eat, among other things, blue bottles!!
I think it must be true because just after taking this shot, I swam straight into a blue bottle. Bummer.
A little sense of déjà vu as the breakfasting took place at Manly Wine. Our lovely rowdy crowd filled the benches as we hugged Jules – and her Mum – farewell and all the best for your results on Wednesday. Oh, and I understand that there is an open invitation to Perth for her 40th birthday on 18 January.
Have a great day.
Mary
Want to help out over Summer?
If you would like to help out just like dear Lips is doing, then let John, Ian or Lesley know. Who knows, maybe you could start a career in blogging. . .
B&B Attendance Login App
Come on folks – there are so many good reasons to use the B&B Login App. No queues, no need for glasses so you can find your name, and it is eco friendly. With the aim of becoming carbon neutral the B&B Login App reduces our paper consumption. Log your swim between 5am and 9am for the easy way to ensure your swim is recorded in the daily attendance and on the Pacific Challenge.
New way to log in – Old way to log in.
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. Happy clicking.
Summer badge swims are go!!
Every Saturday during summer there will be a 6km swim – usual route is to Freshwater and back, then once a month a 10km swim. Route depends on conditions that day so it is a good idea to arrive a little early to have a briefing from Squadron Leader John ‘007’ Bond. The next 10km swim to be held on 11 January depending on conditions.
2014 B&B Calendar ON SALE NOW!!
Get one for yourself or pin it up at work. Give one to friends or send them overseas to the family back home. An ideal stocking filler for only $15 ! BUY YOURS HERE NOW
Stuck for a stocking filler?
How about a B&B Card? For a mere $10 you will have access to some fabulous discounts! My particular favourite is at Power Living where with the flash of the card you can practice your poses at the concession rate. Check out the website for other deals from our great sponsors.
Cole Classic
A special treat for the B&B until the end of this week – 21 December – is a reduced entry to the Cole Classic on 2 February. Enter the promo code 2014BBPROMO when you enter online and you will receive a discount of around $5.
Enter this in the promotional code box on the cart summary page and validate through pressing the green plus button on the right where the discount will then be applied.
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: 127
Newbie: There were some, but don’t know how many. . .
Temp: 21.8 degrees
Sunrise: 5.39am
Sunset: 8.02pm
16 comments
ros
16/12/2013 at 12:45 pm
Mary, I’m glad you managed to catch that wonderfully threatening sky in photo #10. I stopped on the way back from Shelly to admire its gloomy visage glowering over St Patricks.
Renae Fowler
16/12/2013 at 1:04 pm
Me too Ros. It was amazing. It looked like the start of a tornado.
LSA aka HKTQ
16/12/2013 at 1:16 pm
Love the pics – especially the ones of Jules. We’ll miss you! Please come back soon and best wishes for your results and next year of studies xxxxxx
Bluey sting 5 mins into my bolderdash, just like old times – picking off the threads and getting stung again on the fingers:) Thought of you, MIchael Christie and soldiered on for a lovely bolder-shelly. After all, when you’ve done a Curly 10K in tough conditions, what are a few stingers and some gentle chop?
Lips
16/12/2013 at 2:42 pm
Thank you for blogging Mary. Good to see my efforts to look ‘natural’ have paid off.
Not the best of mornings – wind chop, blue bottles, rubbish, and I counted at least three dead birds around halfway. Not quite ‘Lainey’s Thursday’.
Save travels Jules.. see you soon!
PS: On top of Anne E at last!!!
lesbubbles
16/12/2013 at 3:00 pm
errrr….that was your best blog tart gaze if there ever was one!
Michael [EX CI]
16/12/2013 at 3:11 pm
WANT TO HELP OUT OVER SUMMER????
I noticed that up the top. Leslie, Ian and John and all the bloggers do a FANTASTIC job. But its a lot of work. I know ’cause I’ve done it myself.
One way that I’m sure would help HEAPS, would be to start using the ATTENDANCE APP!!
I notice that the App only runs at about 15-20% of the daily attendance. Wouldn’t it be great if it ran at 90%!!! I’m sure Ian et al would be extremely grateful for the help.
Mary Stollery
16/12/2013 at 3:12 pm
And a couple of dead puffer fish too!
Pacific Jules
16/12/2013 at 3:13 pm
Gorgeous blog Mary !
I’ve had an absolutely wonderful couple of weeks with everyone, thanks so much for all the swims, love ‘n hugs. I’m just sorry the time went so quickly and I didn’t get to spend more time with you all. I have to get back though to save Michael from himself with his mammoth, heroic 10km solo swims.
See you all here or in WA, until next time xxx
Jane
16/12/2013 at 4:03 pm
HELP! Little Sarah’s only 30 km behind me on the PC and approaching fast! And she’s only here half the year! Can anything be done to stop this hurricane?
Jane
16/12/2013 at 4:03 pm
And why not 100%, Mike?
LSA aka HKTQ
16/12/2013 at 4:19 pm
Ha, ha… in the last 2 weeks, only one 10K, one 6K, half a dozen 4.5K, a few 3K and the odd Shelly run…. but I’ll be gone soon:)
As Lainey likes to tell everyone, if LSA can do it, anyone can:)
Elaine de Jager
16/12/2013 at 4:23 pm
If I can do it anyone can! I’m not half as bold and determined as you LSA! When are you bolderdashing again anyway? Lovely blog Mary and sorry I missed you today Jules and Joan 🙁 happy Christmas xx
Jane
16/12/2013 at 4:26 pm
Yes, but it’s very quiet and sad when you’ve gone, LSA
😢
LSA aka HKTQ
16/12/2013 at 5:44 pm
Why don’t you both come bolderdashing with me on Wed, depart 5.45? You just have to promise not to leave me behind:)
Anne E
16/12/2013 at 6:04 pm
People will talk, lipsy-poo, people will talk!
Jane
16/12/2013 at 6:07 pm
Och m’dear – it sounds AWFULLY early!