As I sit in Bluewater Cafe going through the photos of this morning’s absolutely magical swim with other swimmers we try and think of a title to sum it up for the blog. Everything was just so perfect this Thursday morning on one of the last days of Winter… The calm, crystal clear water, the beautiful sky and sunshine, the amazing variety of sealife… But us bloggers have run out of superlatives to describe it! Why pay a fortune to go to some tropical, aquatic paradise when you can get it all here!
Sunrise was at 6.16am today and what a treat it was to catch the sun rise above a thin band of cloud and illuminate our favourite corner of the world in a glow of glorious colours.
This is The Drinks Express heading off at 6.30am, now accounting for around one third of the day’s swimmers. Drinky is proud of his flourishing group of early swimmers, and the fact that more people have the opportunity of experiencing this magic in the comfort and safety of a group as some have to start work that bit earlier.
And they wait at The Point as do the 7amers.
It is a faster group though, as they need to get back to the clubhouse for 7am to ‘cuddle and canoodle the 7amers not head butt them’ as Drinky puts it! It is still open to all, so bring your flippers and don’t wait at The Point if you are slower.
One of our 2 newbies today, Aly’s father in law Max from Germany. He certainly got himself noticed in the snakeskin wetsuit!
Showing a bit of booty is Storchy who leads the 6am Boot Camps which are totally free, casual and open to all. Captions on comments please for what Lips says!
It’s Nadine’s 20th Winter swim!
The early lappers cross over with the 7am crew…
Hello Gail and Ian!
Sue McGregor’s last swim before she goes off to Spain to walk the Comino Trail. Have a great trip Sue!
Robbie’s Winter without wetsuit challenge was a fantastic success with over $3500 raised for Bear Cottage. Well done everyone and thank you sponsors. Dr Jane just has a couple of swims to go.
Our 2 Buzz Lightyears, Nigel and Rusty, 2 Pommies who can’t quite believe their luck to end up here!
Sparkles, Dave, Tim and John are feeling pretty lucky too.
The water is warming up, 17.8 today!
So much marine life today including lots of shark sightings of the harmless Port Jackson and wobbegong variety. There was so much to see even on the way over to Shelly. (Flathead in 3rd photo, groper and wrasse in 4th.)
I try to get as far as Shelly today, I really do, but the wonders of swimming in an aquarium slow me down and I nearly get hammered by swimmers coming towards me!
Still time to catch some blog tarting underwater!
Love this photo of Stephen chasing the yellowtail. (This was just after Lesbubbs saw a codfish but it swam under a rock.)
You can usually see a crimson banded wrasse around the rocks swimming back.
And if you are lucky you might even see a cuttlefish…Made my day today, I just love them!
See how the texture and colour of his skin changes and he even seems to give a friendly wave on the last photo!
And as if that wasn’t enough, a stingray actually swimming (they re usually just on the ocean bed!), a porcupine fish and catfish to finish off!
Along with a cheeky cartoon!
For your Diary:
The Bold and Beautiful Monthly Dinner IS NOW
FULL.
To go on a waiting list (or to cancel if you
cannot go) Please email Ian Forster on ugoboy@optusnet.com.au
******
Charity Events:
Halve Poverty
This Saturday 31st August on Manly beach at
11am, to form the words Halve Poverty by 2015 – and
it would be great if the Bold and Beautiful’ers with pink caps can form the
letter L
More information here: http://halvepoverty.org.au/whats-it-all-about/
******
Fred Hollows Foundation
James Pittar, the blind marathon
swimmer who has tackled some of the world’s roughest oceans, will be swimming
off Sydney’s Northern Beaches next month
to raise money for The Fred Hollows Foundation on Sunday 22nd September.
James will start his swim from Long Reef at
8am and arrive at Shelly Beach at
approximately 11.30am. He would love Bold and Beautiful swimmers to join
him for the last two kilometres from Shelley Beach to North Steyne Surf Life
Saving Club.
Swimmers will enjoy a delicious BBQ, hosted by
North Steyne SLSC to celebrate Swim for Sight 2013
******
Sydney Coast Trek – Trekking to Restore Sight!
Don’t miss out!! Round up your
friends, pick a fun
team name & Register your spot on 2nd
September
Click http://www.coastrek.com.au/ to
learn more
******StatsDrinks Express around 40. Total swimmers 138. Newbies 2
Air Temp 13 Water Temp 17.8 !!!
Sunrise 6.16am Sunset 5.35pm
Signing off
Lainey Loo aka E-laine
15 comments
lesley
29/08/2013 at 11:13 am
Elaine that first sunrise shot is AMAZINGLY SPECTACULAR!!!!!!!!!! Wow do I really live here?! 🙂
I had a quick look and I THINK what I saw was a Rock Cod – here’s a pic:
http://cmfishing.indev.com.au/includes/media/fish-large/03.jpg
Lips
29/08/2013 at 11:28 am
Fantastic blog Elaine! Love Max’s snakeskin wetsuit. And great shot of Stephen chasing his yellow tail!
Boy, it was hot this morning. That’s it. I’m dropping the wetsuit. Tomorrow. No excuses!
PS: Storchy was just showing me his new tribal tattoo. A babe magnet. According to him.. I’ll let the ladies decide.
the lemur with attitude
29/08/2013 at 11:54 am
E-laine that cuddlefish is sooo cute.
I bet it’d taste great with a bit of garlic, lemon and butter!
Thank you so much for the wonderful blog.
we are so lucky to live here…
Renae Fowler
29/08/2013 at 11:58 am
Great Blog elaine and awesome photos. We always have such a good laugh and some adventure on our slow swim back. It definitely all worth it..
John
29/08/2013 at 1:03 pm
Great sunrise shots and fish pics E-laine with the water continuing to remain so clear.
We have been blessed with the excellent weather for the near end of winter. Top conditions for open water swimming.
Jeff with a J
29/08/2013 at 1:22 pm
Thanks Lainie. I really enjoyed your blog and your cheeky cartoon of the women’s water temp chart. Stunning set of photos I am sending to friends who don’t live at Manly, to let them know of the paradise within which we live.
ros
29/08/2013 at 1:28 pm
Some great photos today Lainey: Max’s snakeskin is an absolute winner; Stephen chasing the yellow tail is a superb composition; and Lesbubb’s sneaky photo bomb is a classic.
DWTG
29/08/2013 at 2:11 pm
Great work Lainey Loo
You captured it perfectly. Very special swim this morning.
All the bloggers are getting so good with underwater photography. Well done.
Stephen C
29/08/2013 at 3:55 pm
Great blog Lainey Loo. The warmer weather and water is seeing the headlights come off high beam 😉
Rusty
29/08/2013 at 4:09 pm
AM-azing swim this morning.
Great blog Lainey Loo – incredible photos. It just keeps getting better and better.
And starting to warm.
Winter Without Wetsuit was an absolute doddle!
Amusing cartoon boobies!
Alyson
29/08/2013 at 5:18 pm
Love the sign off pic from you Lainey !! Another great blog, another great swim. I tell ya, those patterned wet ties are going to be all the rage soon!
slower Ian N
29/08/2013 at 8:58 pm
beautiful pictures.
The picture of the group underwater makes me think that we should go for a really big underwater group photo while the water is so clear.
The picture of the sunrise beside Fairy Bower would be a great calendar shot.
Drawings are very well done too.
Lainey
29/08/2013 at 9:10 pm
Hehe, yes there were probably only a few ‘coathangers’ today, maybe a few ‘wood carvers’!
Lainey
29/08/2013 at 9:11 pm
wet ties or wetties? Yes I think you are right Aly 😉 (Wonder if Martin dares to wear it now!)
Lainey
29/08/2013 at 9:13 pm
Thank you so much for your lovely comments folks. I’ve got a new camera now and am loving it! I’m pleased I didn’t offend anyone with my ‘Nipplometre Water Temperature Recording System’ too and if Jeff and Ian approved it, it must have been ok 😉