Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Every morning we wake up to a new beginning, new thoughts, new opportunities and a chance to ‘give it a go’, a clean slate if you wish.
Easter means different things to different people. Luckily, we are free to put any which meaning we want into this weekend, and by coming down for your B&B ocean swim with friends this morning, all 182 of us started it off in the best possible way.
Mahdi gave the best gift to her daughter Jess by sending her off to swim with us, and entertaining the gorgeous grandchildren in the meantime. Everyone seems happy with that excellent arrangement, maybe Mahdi most of all.
It was a tad dark to start with, I noticed, because I arrived before 7am for a change.
But as usual, an abuncancy of smiles brightens up the morning.
Whoa! Look at this Aqua Goddess. No wonder Cathy “Heartstopper” Coleman had to take up cardiology as a proffession.
Harmony, love and friendly smiles everywhere you look.
Like a little shiny dot of hope in the sky, the Easter moon kept a watchful eye over our school of pink caps until the sun crawled out from under its cloudy doona and took on the day shift.
Maaate!
John Bond is trying to talk Michelle into doing a double. “Nah”, she replied with some resolve, “I’m having a double shot, full fat, tripple chocolate cappucino at a cafe over there instead.”
But not before receiving the official Let’s Go, of course.
And once the swim had been enjoyed, it was time for Part II of our daily ritual, ie keeping the Coffee Bean Economy of Manly going. The sun tried unsuccessfully to compete with Fiona’s beautiful brightness.
Pictured below is a deservedly proud Michael Christie (remember him, anyone??), sporting his 1,000km badge received by mail recently although he has been sitting at the top of the Pacific Challenge for a long time. Michael is currently at 1,017.5km, which means John 007 Bond will be overtaking him within the next fortnight. Julie Isbill is on 906km, and a certain Ms Alvsdotter has less than a hundred swims to go.
“Note the 5 times solo Rottnest crossings on his shirt too 😉 :-)”, Julie wrote in the email with this photo, no doubt to take our eyes off the fact Mr Christie forgot to shave. Furthermore, we can all see the poor quality of the stitching on of the badge… Michael, send Maureen an airticket to Perth and she’ll sort it for you.
Seriously, well done Michael!!!! You are an inspiration to us all. When I get to your age I hope I’m as fabulous as you are, just with less facial hair. (mwah!! xxxx)
Signing out, your Girl Friday blogger Anna, pictured this week with Lori WhereWereYouThisMorning Szambowski. Enjoy the Easter break everyone!
For the diary . . .
Next Tuesday, 2nd April is the Bluewater dinner. Great value at just $20 for two courses with $5 drinks. To register your attendance follow the link Bluewater Monthly Dinner
Relay For Life
If you want to attend the Thank You bash on SUNDAY APRIL 7th, 2pm – 4pm for the Relay For Life, please RSVP by Wednesday 27th March, 2013 by calling 9334 1600 or email northernsydneyevent@nswcc.org.au
And because it was so much fun last year, there is an exclusive Early Bird Special for the B&B of only $10pp to register for the 2013 Manly Relay For Life. Jules Mackin is the team captain and chief organiser. Give her a call on 0430 156 170 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0430 156 170 end_of_the_skype_highlightingif you want to join the team.
Staying safe
NEW water safety tips courtesy of champion Ironman Craig ‘Riddo’ Riddington. It’s a great read and can help keep you safe in the surf. To read and even download click here.
The Stats
Swimmers: 182
Newbies: 13
Doubles: 8
Temp: 20.1 degrees
20 comments
Jane
29/03/2013 at 11:37 am
Izzy, I wasn’t there yesterday, but weren’t you the Blogtart extraordinaire!
Jane
29/03/2013 at 11:41 am
Another triumph – Mark at th OzMus has put some of Mauricio’s most recent fabulous video onto the Museum website. Here are the link; Mark says:
“Hi Mauricio, I have just added the largest of your three videos to the AM YouTube channel”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=G_TdNC1oaF8
and embedded it on the factsheet on the AM site:
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Striped-Catfish-Plotosus-lineatus
Jane
29/03/2013 at 11:45 am
Sorry to hog the blog, but I left my Speedo goggles in the changing room this morning. Anyone see them?
Jane
29/03/2013 at 11:51 am
Here I go again. Stephen Keable at the OzMus thinks the tiny blue biters (?) that we see might be these:
http://www.coraldivers.co.za/uploads/sapphires_of_the_deep.pdf
If anyone can collect one or more I can take it to the OzMus and have a look under the microscope. (I’m sure that wouldn’t count as stealing from a marine reserve – and anyway, it’s in the name of research!)
John S
29/03/2013 at 12:07 pm
Another day another dollar
or
today is the first day of the rest of your life?
Your call……….
Anna, you inspire me, tremendously.
Great blog.
Pacific Jules
29/03/2013 at 12:21 pm
What gorgeous photos, lovely to see Georgie and Tom Tom featuring, what a great way to start, such beautiful faces. Good to see Jassie and Laura both swimming too with a little help from their Dad and John S 🙂
You all look as warm and radiant as ever.
We had a beautiful swim this morning too with the moon, the sun and B&B swimmer Clair Maguire.
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE xx
leswee
29/03/2013 at 12:24 pm
Lovely sign off photo Anna!
Great in the water shots too!
Who’s that hot looking chick in red hoody at bluewater?? :-
John
29/03/2013 at 12:25 pm
Enjoyed the double lap today,cooler but calmer waters than yesterday. Thanks to all the swimmers for their participation.
Congratulations Michael on receiving your 1000k badge. I just need to get mine sewn on to my hoodie.
leswee
29/03/2013 at 12:55 pm
I’ll bring my specimen jar down tomorrow!
Wendy
29/03/2013 at 1:40 pm
Sorry Jane didn’t find your googles but oops seem to have picked up someone elses wet suit from the ladies showers, its a spring suit XL West, will bring it down tomorrow, let me know who to look out for to return it.
'The Lips' formerly known as Rainer
29/03/2013 at 1:48 pm
Jane, we’re all keen to meet this Mark you seem to spend a lot of time with lately..
'The Lips' formerly known as Rainer
29/03/2013 at 1:55 pm
That strange old lady? She shows up most mornings, muttering to herself about lost flippers and obsessing about the quality of hot chocolate at Bluewater.. I heard she lives by herself with a bunch of cats. Be nice to her.
Michael [EX CI]
29/03/2013 at 2:22 pm
congratulations to you too John. Cream rises to the top!
Mrs Badger (Little Tiger)
29/03/2013 at 2:25 pm
Lovely blog, swim, surf, sun & friends.
Oooh, I wouldn’t mind a nice holiday in WA, Mr Christie. I’m very well behaved and will sew that precious badge for you, no worries.
Am happy to sew any other badges, just pin it in place, put name & contact no. in with the hoodie and hand it over. I’m the one in the pink cap.
Jane
29/03/2013 at 2:26 pm
I’ll tell him that. I don’t know if he’s a swimmer as well as a diver, but if the weather would warm up a bit he could inspect at our CTB Aquarium while we swim to Shelly and back. I’ll see what I can do.
Jane
29/03/2013 at 2:27 pm
Onya Leswee. Make sure it’s empty before you start…..
Fifi
29/03/2013 at 5:37 pm
What a splendid blog today Anna! Beautiful words, lovely images. Thankfully the one of Jack calmed me down after that scary one of Sterch flying at me at warp speed. lucky I didn’t drop my iPad to match my phone.
mauricio
29/03/2013 at 6:49 pm
Huge jellyfish bloom at the point through to halfway just now, hope they are gone by tomorrow! Not jimbles or blueys but still a few stings!
T-Abs
29/03/2013 at 7:23 pm
Meoww
Pretty Lesley
Little Sarah Abbott aka Hong Kong Triad Queen
29/03/2013 at 8:14 pm
Well said, Fifi – both about the super blog and the relief at seeing Jack after the scary one of his Dad:-))
Anna, for you and all, from a Buddhist poem (written more than 2500 yrs ago):
“Let not a person revive the past
Or on the future build his hopes,
For the past has been left behind
And the future has not been reached.”