The day started off looking very grim as I was heading down from my place in Allambie Heights. Being at such a high altitude in the moutains we were high in the clouds this morning. I was thinking it was going to be a dull day at the beach and then alas the sun emerges as I get closer.
Moral of the story is, no matter what it looks like at your place it’s a different picture when you arrive at Manly Beach. Picture Perfect as always, well most of the time!
There was still a little haze hanging around Manly but is soon cleared up to reveal the stunning day that it was.
With so many newbies joining up for the swim the group is growing rapidly. The more the merrier I say. I know the swim has improved my quality of life for the better and I am sure you will all agree.
Here’s one for the ladies. Take a look at these fine specimens. They should really consider joining our group. Sarah Bursle, where are you when we need you? Thanks for coming down to Manly to brighten our morning boys. 😉
Here is Toohey with Oumpa (not quite sure on the spelling). How adorable are these dogs? Apparently Todd can’t get in a good walk along the beach with these two, getting stopped the whole way along for photos. Suprise, Suprise.
Cathie, Annie & Dave with new photobombers Brad and Lucy.
Need to be careful Annie, the paparazzi are always lurking. Looks like Dave & Arabella spotted me though. I need some more practice at this.
Roz, making her way across the bay
Some of the swimmers breaking through the waves to get to the point this morning. It was a little challenging.
Looks like we got the best part of the day as the darker clouds rolls back in again and as I sit here typing this up the I am now blanketed by grey clouds.
It wasn’t a long wait at Shelly this morning with a quick turn around today. Sparkles having the honors of doing the “Let’s Go”. If you look closely you might just spot her in the blue swimmers.
I had a lucky brush with an Eagle Ray today. Well, not literally, but I was very close. A little too close for some peoples liking. Yes guys I remember Steve Irwin and will use the zoom next time. Note the small fish swimming on top of the ray. It was huge, about 1 – 1/2 meter across. He was very hard to spot in the murky waters, hence diving down to get a clearer photo. The lengths we go to for that perfect shot.
There wasn’t too much to be seen today, but the yellow tail are always so reliable so here they are for you.
Renae. Have a good weekend.
Stats
Swimmers: 157
Newbies: 8
Water Temp: 20.1 degrees
Sunrise: 5:40am
Sunset: 7:43pm
Days to Xmas: 32
Bnb team up with Ocean Care Day – Sunday 1st December!
Cabbage Tree bay where we swim every day is pretty unique – there are not many places like it in the world – especially so near to a big city!! So please say thanks ‘for having us everyday’ by teaming up with Manly Environment Centre’s 20th annual Ocean Care Day and doing a “Clean-up the Bay” swim on Sunday 1st December. Anyone who wants to participate is asked to bring a net bag (or simply stuff your cossie) with whatever rubbish you find during our regular 7am Sunday morning swim. We’ll pile it up before distributing it to rubbish bins to see how much we collect!
There are no official prizes for who collects the most, but we know our fishy friends will be grateful (as will every environmentally savvy person who appreciates the treasure we have in our beautiful bay). Stick around to enjoy the festivities. Go this link for more information / full schedule: CLICK HERE
For your diary and other stuff:
B&B “Mad Hatters” Christmas Party
The B & B “Mad Hatters” Christmas Party will be held on Tuesday 3rd December at 6.30 pm in the Moonshine Bar (2nd Floor) at the Steyne Hotel. All swimmers and partners/friends are welcome (no under 18s unfortunately). Wear your craziest hat or other headwear. No need to be shy as we will have the whole bar to ourselves. Finger food will be provided and drinks will be at bar prices. Lots of fun and dancing are guaranteed, with a band featuring one of our very own swimmers. Come along to find out who it is. The cost is $10 per head, with all proceeds going to the running costs of the B&B. Don’t miss out. Bookings are essential. Book HERE now so you don’t miss out!
B&B Attendance Login App
The B&B Attendance Login App is the perfect way to avoid queues!! Log your swim (only if you did swim), between 5am and 9am for the easy way to ensure your swim is recorded in the daily attendance and on the Pacific Challenge.
To get started, please send an email to Ian Forster (ugoboyo@gmail.com) requesting to have your account activated. Ian will then send you info on how to get started. No badge, but bragging rights for being an early adopter. Happy ticking.
Badges, badges and more badges!!
Summer Badge season is just a couple of weeks away!! The sign of a committed ocean swimmer is a B&B 6km or 10km Summer Badge. The 6km swims take place every Saturday in summer. The first 10km swim is proposed to be held on 14 December.
Have Fun more with the Pacific Challenge
Our website guru, Magnus Butlin has developed a fun new page which shows a different take on the Pacific Challenge. The new page shows each swimmer’s progress over the last week (or fortnight/month/two months) in terms of their position on the leader board.
The bumps chart can be accessed from the Pacific Challenge page via a button in the top right hand corner. Take a look and see how many people you have passed in the Pacific Challenge in the last few weeks:
The ‘divisions’ listed are the columns currently shown on the Pacific Challenge page. At this stage, only the first five columns (300 swimmers) are shown.
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.
11 comments
lesbubbles
23/11/2013 at 12:21 pm
awww good one Renae!!! Who were those guys?? I saw them leaping around on the beach!
Thanks Lucy for forcing..I mean gently coaxing me through the big waves! hehe… i really need to get over my fear of them!! But yes Lucy turned up just as I needed some moral support – there is ALWAYS someone to help you at B and B!!! 🙂
I think about 40 bnb’ers are in Noosa today in the triathlon thing!?!? Anyway be interesting to see how they all do in the swim!! Good luck to them 🙂
ros
23/11/2013 at 12:54 pm
Forget those brawny blokes on the beach … I only have eyes for those gorgeous dogs, and the fabulous fishies. Oh, and thanks Renae for the pic of me swimming up hill! (Much better than Nick’s sniper shot yesterday).
It was good going out through the waves this morning, but much tougher coming back in. Can someone please install a wave-and-rip-ometer so I can tell whether to get out at half way?
Lindsay
23/11/2013 at 1:11 pm
Nice blog Renae!
I needed a bit of coaxing myself Lesbubbles, but in the absence of Lucy, bottled back at the point and swam back to the halfway steps alone on the way home after braving the waves on the way out. Still, a few extra metres did me no harm, and I noted a few others seemed to have the same idea!
Lips
23/11/2013 at 1:31 pm
Wise decision Lindsay.. Sky, Marije, and I should have done the same. Going back through the surf was messy to say the least. Rips and foam everywhere. Scary finish to an otherwise beautiful swim.
Well done on the Eagle Ray shot Renae!
Elaine de Jager
23/11/2013 at 1:41 pm
Lovely blog Renae. I agree, it always seems brighter at Manly. Does anyone know who the bunch of guys were? Fantastic shot of Tui and Oompa. (I used to think it was Toohey after the beer but he’s named after some surfer dude Tuitacoma or something!)
Lucy
23/11/2013 at 2:08 pm
Forcing?!! How rude, Lesbutt!! The waves weren’t even breaking where we were hahahaha!!
Thanks for capturing our photobomb Renae!! Classic xx
lesbubbles
23/11/2013 at 2:37 pm
NZ Rugby player actually ! Don’t you read my blogs Elaine!! ;-P
lesbubbles
23/11/2013 at 2:40 pm
Lucy Lucy that aint no photo bomb it’s just looks like you and Brad making out yet AGAIN! see myself or Lips for photo bombing / blog tarting tips…
Marije
23/11/2013 at 4:56 pm
Cool that you saw the eagle ray I haven’t seen him lately. I found the waves fun to go out through but getting back in was scary!
john.s
23/11/2013 at 6:30 pm
the bunch of guys were a group of friends fromTony’s Mens Gym in Singleton on an ‘away from home’ Sydney jaunt.
One said the jumping they were doing was called ‘the jump for joy’
Go figure?
ros
23/11/2013 at 6:37 pm
Who’s this ‘Joy’, does she swim with the B&B?