An interesting definition of ‘organic’ is organised, systematic,
coordinated. That sounds like us don’t
you think?
It was so dark this morning that the little light on the check in list
was a welcome beacon.
A massive 105 swimmers gathered for today’s swim. The usual good natured banter distracts us from the time – how fast it goes when there are conversations to be had.
I’m sure that John Kelly wishes we were a bit more organised. . . when he calls 30 seconds to go, there is flurry of tracksuits and hoodies being whipped off.
The word is out that it is 18.5 degrees!
Positively balmy!
Wetsuits dominate, but there are still the hard core who are neoprene
free.
Lesley gives encouragement by
sprouting the benefits of cold water swimming.
The sun truly smiles on this squad of early morning dippers. Can you think of a better way to start the
day?
The water – apart from being a whole degree warmer than the weekend – is clear
and peaceful.
The abundance of marine
captivates Jane! She is going to lead a
fish hunt on the way back to Manly.
Everyone is focused and ready to go.
I suppose not everyone can join in the hunt, but how lovely to have so
many turn up – especially as it is a school day.
Nick is always up for a hunt!
A stunning swim! Hope you can all do it again tomorrow! Thanks to Nick for some of the photos in today’s blog.
Luke Escombe has written a song about the B&B and will play it at the
ball… This is just a sample of what to
expect from the night’s entertainment. Click to listen
Have you heard
about the Ball?
Themed as The Great
Gatsby with a Touch of Pink, enjoy a night out with your fellow
swimmers at the cinematic home of Jay Gatsby, the old St Patrick’s Seminary in
Manly (now the International College of Management).
Be
transported back to the 1920’s with the theme of The Great Gatsby with a
touch of Pink. You will enjoy a night of fun and entertainment for $85, which
includes a 3 course meal and drinks throughout the night.
Tickets are very limited so head to: https://bnbball.arrangemyseat.com/ to book your ticket.
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.
Mary
The Stats
Regulars: 105
Newbies: None – all back at
school
Temp: 18.5 degrees
Sunrise: 6.58am
Sunset: 5.05pm
23 comments
Little Sarah aka LSA aka HKTQ
16/07/2013 at 12:37 pm
Love the pic of all the swimmers with the sun in the background!
So honoured to have Jane pointing me out as exhibit no 1 and to join her fish hunt back to Manly! Of course, I miss most the star exhibits so always grateful to have you and Nick showing the pics later:-)
Great sign-off pic, Mary!
lesley
16/07/2013 at 12:57 pm
Hehe I was actually discussing my theory with Sparkles as to why Elaine takes photos with her legs apart!
She’s like a giraffe…such long legs she has to spread em to bend! 🙂
Vanessa Maund
16/07/2013 at 1:01 pm
Just listened to the BnB song, very good. 😊
John S
16/07/2013 at 1:18 pm
A very attractive Mary, blog!
…………..I mean blog, Mary.
Bedazzled by your sign-off image!
Thanks for your efforts in blogging.
Jane, please what’s the real name of the angel fishys in the third to last image?
And what are the little fishys that hang around the white half way rocks that are brilliant blue with a vivid yellow tail, about an inch long?
Alyson
16/07/2013 at 1:32 pm
Nice guns Fiona!
Sparkles
16/07/2013 at 1:48 pm
Lovely swim, lovely pics, great blog…and yes, a lovely sign-off photo of you Mary. Hey, how much like Patrick does his nephew look…won’t try to pronounce his name/not sure i even caught it…but very Irish and a very strong familial resemblance to his older uncle…which ain’t a bad thing hey Cathie C?
BTW – Attracta spotted an amazing little fishy this AM with delicate long tendrils (?) wafting away from a number of it’s pointy bits…rather angelic-looking i thought…or maybe we were hallucinating Attracta?? cos it disappeared pretty quickly.
You can tell I’m not trying to comment from my stupid smart phone…!
Little Sarah aka LSA aka HKTQ
16/07/2013 at 1:58 pm
I think Patrick’s nephew must be the pink dolphin called Cathal O’Leary. Sounds Irish enough:-) He’s also studying medicine in Dublin and we hope will join his uncle at Manly hospital when he finishes. Welcome to the group, Cathal!
Lainey, while looking for the name, couldn’t help noticing your new sign-in pic:-))
Glad to have you and Ted back!
lesley
16/07/2013 at 4:32 pm
Shhh she doesn’t know !! But giraffe huh!! 😉
DWSS
16/07/2013 at 5:28 pm
Fantastic blog Mary. Great to see the water so clear. Questionable weather on top of the water
but once my head was in the water, it was perfect weather day from the water line down.
So much better than the Monday blog !!
DWSS
16/07/2013 at 5:30 pm
Binsy, I hope you get better soon. Look forward to seeing you back in the pink!!
Jane
16/07/2013 at 5:32 pm
The black and white fish are Old Wifes, Enoplosus armatus. They are not called that for nothing – those spines they are armed with are VERY sharp and painful if touched. And the dorsal fin spines contain poison which causes severe pain – so let’s keep our distance!
The other fishes sound like Blue (or Neon) Damsels, Pomacentris coelestis. Look them up on the Oz Mus website: http://www.australianmuseum.net.au/Neon-Damsel-Pomacentrus-coelestis/and let me know if that’s what they are.
Jane
16/07/2013 at 5:34 pm
Sorry, I must have mistyped that – here it is again:
http://www.australianmuseum.net.au/Neon-Damsel-Pomacentrus-coelestis/
Pacific Jules
16/07/2013 at 5:37 pm
Great blog Mary
Just LOVE the song Luke !! Brilliant 🙂
Can I put a link to it on the website and include it in the next newsletter please ??
Jane
16/07/2013 at 5:40 pm
So nice to see a PJ shark – they’ve been scarce lately.
And Mary – what a fabulous pic! You look just like the gorgeous Anne Hathaway:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004266/?ref_=sr_1
(Hope I got THIS link right).
Mary
16/07/2013 at 5:47 pm
Jane, I actually saw 2 Port Jacksons this morning. The photo is of the smaller one just around Half Way.
And thanks for the compliment 🙂 The photo was taken by Anna on Friday – so all credit to the photographer.
Jane
16/07/2013 at 6:14 pm
This time 2 (I think) years ago Jules and I and some others spent ages watching PJs mating, in less than 2 metres of water at the point . Jules’s photos of them are now on the OzMus website!
Jane
16/07/2013 at 6:15 pm
Luke! Your song is brilliant! Please identify yourself to those of us who don’t know you.
John S
16/07/2013 at 6:18 pm
Hi Jane
Thank you for that. I owe you a hug tomorrow!
Yes that’s it but the size is different. I’ve only ever seen them about 2.5cm and it notes on Oz Mus site that they grow to 10cm. Can you explain the difference?
Also for some reason I’ve seen them there for about two years (including winter) but they seem to have disappeared now. Any ideas?
John S
16/07/2013 at 6:20 pm
Yeah Binsy, get well mate.
Your a champ!
Catch you for a WWW swim and coffee soon.
Jane
16/07/2013 at 7:28 pm
I’m at the OzMus tomorrow but back Thursday, and will bring book with pic of a possible candidate for Attracta’s fish. Sounds as though it might be a juvenile Pennant fish or Diamond Trevally – lovely!
Jane
16/07/2013 at 7:39 pm
I think the size is just a matter of maturity. They are tropical and because CTB is very sheltered they seem to stay around longer. You would expect them to gradually disappear over winter (eaten, or die for other reasons, maybe the cold). I’m at the OzMus tomorrow so I’ll get some expert opinion on these points.
The hug will have to wait till Thursday – can’t wait!
Lips
16/07/2013 at 8:29 pm
Agree Jane. Love the song. 🙂
Lesley, as tomorrow’s blogger I challenge you to produce a photo montage to go with it!
Great blog Mary! Just what we needed after the recurring nightmare that is Monday’s blog..
LSA, agree, loving Elaine’s new profile photo!
Mary
16/07/2013 at 10:25 pm
Oh dear! Very cruel Ms L’butt