Late March in Sydney – the warm days are coming back for the weekend.
It’s a little bit darker in the morning and some of us need the alarm to get going but once you’re on your feet it’s all good…
It was a little hazy this morning but looked nice and flat for the daily commute across to Shelley…
Quite a good crowd turning up to block all the joggers and dog walkers… so much love…
Rainer’s Dad was here…He turned up just to ask Rainer if he wouldn’t mind pulling his head in a bit… (Rainer said …Yes – he would mind)
And now time for the surprise! – the water temp has dropped by a few degrees – hangover gone instantly!
Shelley turnout was well above average – we took up the whole beach…
Welcome back Mauricio -who says he’s been sick, but we say he’s Fully Sick bro…..
Tart of the week: Glazed Fruit Tart
Glazed fruit tarts are a classic dessert found in many a cake shop.
Sweet, buttery shortcrust tarts are filled with creme patisserie and
topped with strawberries, mandarins, kiwi fruit, mango, blueberries and
raspberries.
Shortcrust pastry has a reputation for being finicky due to its high
butter content, making it a very soft dough to work with. The trick to
shortcrust is to allow it to rest in the fridge. This hardens the butter
a little, making it easier to handle.
Another tip with shortcrust is not to overwork it. Use a gentle touch and barely any kneading for a melt-in-your mouth crumb.
(We said don’t overwork it Rainer!)
Wildlife section – Fiddler Ray, Diamond fish, Silver Trevally, a couple of Old Wives and some of the usual suspects…
Happy Birthday to John Kelly who is buttering the fairy bread and putting out the chocolate crackles for his party at 10:30 at Shelley. If you’re not doing anything get on down!
Stats:
Swimmers: 229
Newbs: 22
Water Temp: n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-nineteen (or thereabouts..)
Doubles: 4
Have a great weekend everyone!
Summer Badges Ceremony is Tomorrow!
The Summer Badge Ceremony will be held at Whitewater
Restaurant at 8 am, after our regular swim on Sunday 24th March, when
the 6 km and 10 km badges will be awarded. All swimmers are welcome but
bookings are essential. If you want breakfast, the cost for coffee and
breakfast is $15, payable on the day. Please book by following the link Summer Badge Ceremony
Badges are $10 each. To assist with the smooth running of the event,
you can please pay in advance if possible – see Ian, John K. or Lesley
before or after the swim any day. You must pay on the day if you don’t
pay beforehand.
For the diary . . .
Tuesday 2nd April is the next Bluewater dinner. You’ve
seen the photos, so come along and make merry. Great value at just $20
for two courses with $5 drinks. To register your attendance follow the
link Bluewater Monthly Dinner
Relay For Life
Last year the B&B had a team in very successful Relay For Life
event. The staggering $209,000 raised by the event will go towards
research, support, prevention, education, information and advocacy
program.
To celebrate the success the organisers want to thank all the 2012
teams by inviting them to an action packed afternoon of Barefoot Bowls
hosted by Rock ‘n Bowl.
As part of the afternoon festivities the B&B team’s efforts will
be recognised with a special presentation, followed by many laughs, a
delicious barbeque and some barefoot bowls. The Manly Relay For Life
Rock n Bowl is free to attend. 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 if you want to join the team.
Staying safe
NEW water safety tips!!! Michael’s tips remain
valid but this updated guide is courtesy of champion Ironman Craig
‘Riddo’ Riddington. He has put this RIP/ Surf swim education document
together for the B&B and it’s a good read. To read and even
download click here.
40 comments
Jane
23/03/2013 at 10:51 am
Slick fish pics Nick! The small silvery fish swimming with the Mados, top right in the last but one fish photo, are Silver Sweep (Scorpis lineolata). And I can see 2 sweet little Sergeants (Scissor-tail I think) – the silver ones with the vertical black bars, one at the bottom of the pic. They have a lovely scientific name – Abudefduf sexfasciatus.
Nick Dawkins
23/03/2013 at 11:02 am
Thanks Jane 🙂 I’m going to sit next to you every Sat breakfast!
fifi
23/03/2013 at 11:02 am
sexfasciatus??
White Groper formerly known as Slow Lips
23/03/2013 at 11:04 am
Abudefduf sexfasciatus? What a coincidence! That was my nickname in high school..
White Groper formerly known as Slow Lips
23/03/2013 at 11:05 am
Great swim despite the sudden drop in water temperature. Where is Leswee when you need her?
Can’t believe what a blog tart my dad is. Shameless.
Ros
23/03/2013 at 11:19 am
Hmm, shameless indeed. Like father, like son …
Jane
23/03/2013 at 11:32 am
It means six stripes, Fifi. Have to say I haven’t noticed them on the White Groper – there must be some other reason for his nickname. Maybe he’s in his summer coat at the moment.
Julia Gillard
23/03/2013 at 11:33 am
I must thank Elaine for educating me on surf tits! I think it’s just what my campaign needs to grab a few more votes and from Rainers excitement I can see it is already having an impact. The bold and beautiful certainly do embrace everyone, especially when the water temp drops a few degrees… Stay safe and see you all again soon.
Alyson
23/03/2013 at 11:37 am
Great photos! That top photo makes Manly feel like we are living at a resort! I am still fascinated by that beautiful, but mutant looking fish in the sixth photo down! Definitely bringing my camera tomorrow
Bronwyn Bishop
23/03/2013 at 11:44 am
Dear Julia, I’ve been so impressed with the support you’ve shown for our own northern beaches swimmers that I’m contemplating crossing the floor to join you. Can I be so bold (and beautiful) as to propose we combine forces and form a Girls’ Brigade Relay Swim team to quash T-Abs in September? Yours in girlish solidarity, Bronny.
Lindsay
23/03/2013 at 11:49 am
Missing my B and B swims, but Baby Glover is due in 3 days (i.e. anytime in the next 2 weeks…), so I’ll be looking forward to a piece of the morning action again soon!
In the meantime, the Boy Charlton pool is a poor substitute, but probably a bit safer!
Loving catching up with the fun on the daily blog, and via my lovely husband, though.
Jane
23/03/2013 at 12:03 pm
Well, Alyson, the big thing in the 6th. photo down is not actually a fish but a surf ski. But oh — maybe you mean the 6th. FISH pic down. That is an Old Wife, juvenile versions of which are quite common in our swim squad.
Alyson
23/03/2013 at 12:10 pm
I’ve been wondering how you are doing Lindsay? Be sure to keep us updated when the little one arrives, the mum squad is missing you!
Julia Gillard
23/03/2013 at 12:49 pm
I will have my people talk to your people Bronny, given B&B is all inclusive I too could make an exception, but we need to be careful to not give the misogynists any ammo.
Jane
23/03/2013 at 1:01 pm
I’d love that Nick, if you tell some more jokes like this morning’s golf joke!
Leswee
23/03/2013 at 1:02 pm
Just got back from the Kelly celebrations at Shelly! I am not sure Mr Kelly will make the 60 hours though!?!?!?
WOW yeah that temperature drop! My hands were tingly afterwards!
How the h*ll did you get that shot of the Surf Club Nick??? 3rd Photo down???
Spoke to a volunteer just now for “friends of shelly’ – I told her about the giant plastic bag in the water (which I think was put there by Jim Beam promotions!)
Also she ABSOLUTELY confirmed NO you cannot FISH in the reserve AT ALL.
I also have now all the contact numbers from her should we see anything untoward again….including too many Blog tarts!
Leswee
23/03/2013 at 1:03 pm
come back A.S.A.Y.C Lindsay!!!!
Leswee
23/03/2013 at 1:04 pm
My wee barely made a blip in today’s icy seas! Jalna and Jenny K enjoyed what I could produce tho! :-DD
Little Sarah Abbott aka Hong Kong Triad Queen
23/03/2013 at 1:43 pm
No wonder I lost Lips at Shelly – he must have been following the surf tits!
Good job Julia & Bronny~
See you all very soon…..
xxxxxxxx
Little Sarah Abbott aka Hong Kong Triad Queen
23/03/2013 at 1:45 pm
Best wishes and look f/w to meeting Baby Glover and seeing you back in the water on my return!
DWSS
23/03/2013 at 1:59 pm
What have I done????? I’m struggling with the who’s who here now. haha
Let me know when you two wish to come along. Give me time to call in the dolphins.
DWSS
23/03/2013 at 2:03 pm
I don’t think that big white groper is protected. Not while The Triad queen is out of town!!!
Bronwyn Bishop
23/03/2013 at 2:10 pm
Thank you LSA/HKTQ. I must say, I have been following your Shelly-nanigans with interest. Although I’m slightly alarmed at your pink-ish socialist tendencies, I think you may have leadership qualities: I hope you will be joining Julia and I in the Girls Swimming Brigade on your return to the Great Southern Land.
White Groper formerly known as Slow Lips
23/03/2013 at 2:12 pm
I think it is time to start blog tarts anonymous!!!
So if I show up in a photo – please do not recognise me!!!
I am trying to give it up, but I can not help myself.
Snorks, I need to kick this thing, can you please wipe all my spreddy blog points.
Leswee, can you please take all my km’s off the PC for me.
Boss HKTQ, cancel that order of peptides. I need to be honest with myself.
I would like to follow the integrity police and be a pillar of society!!!
that is if you would take me???
mauricio
23/03/2013 at 2:36 pm
Great Saturday blog, swim, photos, people and fish. Good to join the crew again and of course I’m sick, I have kids…they train you well dont they? Have a great weekend everyone!
Bronwyn Bishop
23/03/2013 at 2:46 pm
Dear DWSS: do I detect a nervous laugh in your timid ‘haha’? Beware! When you let Julia-Genie out of the bottle and into the ocean, you may unleash powerful forces that are beyond your control!
The REAL White Groper formerly known as Slow Lips
23/03/2013 at 3:00 pm
Imposter!!!
Clearly another dirty trick from those small-time criminals who sarcastically call themselves the ‘integrity police’.
I’m a blog tart and I’m proud of it. We are a growing movement within BnB, and there are more of us every day. We’re not ashamed of who we are!
The REAL White Groper formerly known as Slow Lips
23/03/2013 at 3:01 pm
Oh yes, he is. I just recruited Jane for personal protection until the Triad Queen returns.
Michael [EX CI]
23/03/2013 at 4:57 pm
Congratulations all on getting your 6 and 10k badges. Great achievement!! Remember there is a 20k badge available over here in Feb 14!!
The response so far has been astounding! I wonder if I’m sending this to the correct blog??
Pacific Jules
23/03/2013 at 5:00 pm
Welcome back Mauricio, that was a stunning video you put up the other day, I don’t know about sick, you seem to be getting better and better to me, if that’s possible !
Happy birthday male JK xx
Another fab blog Nick, absolutely gorgeous photos.
Have a wonderful badge ceremony tomorrow everyone !!! Congratulations to you all on another fabulous summer of swimming, plus a slightly extra special congratulations to all of you who never thought you would swim that little bit extra, especially LSA, the leader of the BoulderCrawl who did not just her 6km but also 10km no flippers, damn fine job and all for a stunning peice of cloth that you have the privilege of paying for and sewing on ur hoodies 🙂 It sure was worth it, you can show off to everyone now 🙂 I’m just sorry I won’t be there with you all tomorrow to share in the celebrations and collect all my kisses ;-
Will be with u all in spirit. Have a tonne of fun xxx
Jane
23/03/2013 at 6:05 pm
Luv ya Jools.
T-Abs
23/03/2013 at 6:22 pm
Misogynist…..misogynist?????
don’t talk to me about men that don’t respect women! when i was a child we had to walk over ten miles backwards, through a creek, whilst milking the cows before breakfast to get to school and id always walk closest to the curb with my sister.
i remember The Cauldron well, never a night went by when i wouldn’t let a female use my special silver spoon to hoover dancing dust first.
don’t call me a misogynist… i can smell an implication a mile away!
Nick D
23/03/2013 at 7:14 pm
We miss you!! x (two)
Nick D
23/03/2013 at 7:15 pm
Lesbuttwee… Just a zoom shot from the path 🙂
mauricio
23/03/2013 at 7:47 pm
Thank you Jules, you are so very missed here, no one can say “Lets Go” like you do, hope to have you back here sometime soon! Btw Did you get the usb drive?
Pacific Jules
23/03/2013 at 8:42 pm
Thanks Mauricio, thats very kind of you to say.
Yes I did thank you very much !! I did send you a message straight away to say thank you, but obviously you didnt receive it !? Im really sorry about that.
Look forward to seeing you guys and exercising my vocal chords again hopefully sometime soon
Margaret Thatcher
23/03/2013 at 9:59 pm
We’ll miss you Little Sarah. You are an amazing motivating influence on this ‘Swim Squad’. I also would like to share your turkish and scrambled eggs on occasions too. God bless you hunny bun.
Lainey-Loo aka Elaine
23/03/2013 at 10:04 pm
You are a good blogger Nick but not sure about the recipes 😉 How do you get those high up photos?
Lainey-Loo aka Elaine
23/03/2013 at 10:10 pm
Lovely to hear from you Jules and you are so right commending our amazing Little Sarah. She has spurred so many others on to push themselves out of their comfort zones too.
We will miss you and Michael tomorrow but will all be thinking of you, feeling grateful to you for all the effort you have made to get this amazing experience so well established and organised. xx
Little Sarah Abbott
24/03/2013 at 2:21 am
Just back in Hong Kong, where I’m no longer ‘Little’!
Lovely to hear from you, Jules. I know you’re really, really busy…but you continue to inspire and motivate us all. Thx so very muchxxxx
Likewise, wishing everyone a fun badge ceremony – sorry to miss it by a day! Whether you got a badge or not, it’s all about group support and camaraderie, so join in everyone who can!
Also thanks to Mrs T – promise to share my brekkie with you next time….if you’re still around:-)