While the beautiful summer sun was conspicuously
absent this morning, each of the 74 swimmers arriving for the daily dip
received a bright smile from the sunny welcoming committee.
Technique was a topic of conversation while we
waited in the gently drizzle for the 7am summons. Lesley was waxing lyrical on swimming technique (she is
getting ever so fast);
others were plotting their path to the point because. .
.
the weed is still here! There was a man taking a bag full of weed ‘for
scientific purposes’ who did help make a path – but returning early lappers
like Midge still had to climb over thigh high banks of weed to reach the
ramp.
At least we don’t have to try and
carry surf craft over the slippery, slimy mass of yuck.
The approaches to the negotiating the floating
weed were interesting. Some took it head
on … while a bunch headed a little north where it was ever so slightly less
dense.
Such a lovely feeling as it
slithers against your skin. Annie and
Michelle really enjoyed the experience.
The gathering at the point was a bit more
strung out than usual, although Lesley was keeping a sharp eye on the
proceedings. . .
The thing that struck me as we gathered at
Shelly was how quiet it was! There was
the gently rain, dense grey cloud and the calm sea (bet you are all wishing you
were there), however what was missing was the bevy of blog tarts!!!
The ‘let’s go’ was a double act from our
favourite duo Lucy and Brad – such a stunning celeb couple don’t you think?
Michelle really loved the leisurely return swim
especially when a fiddler ray was spotted!
Not a lot of marine critters obvious this morning, but Stephen managed
to capture this one – and it really was this colour!!
And a final appearance from the weed. Stephen manages to capture its ‘good’ side.
Tomorrow night is the monthly drinks at Murrays!! Come
along on Wednesday night (13th) from 6-30 pm, when all B&B swimmers can
partake of the local beverages at happy hour prices. It would be great to meet
and chat with new swimmers as well as old in pleasant relaxed surroundings, so
don’t be afraid (unless a woman called Elaine approaches you and tries to lure
you to the Boatshed).
And if you really want to get into some wild
water swimming, there is the Skinny Swim on Sunday. Did you know that in the early days of
swimming in Sydney – like the 1800’s – men and women swam at different times
because they swam nude!! See, this event is getting back to the
basics.
Just two more weeks to do a swim for a badge! Where has the summer gone? There is a 10km being planned for February 23 and a 6km each of the remaining Saturdays.
The
Stats
Newbies: 2 – Mark and James, plus a lovely man who
now lives in Cairo came back for day 2!
Regulars: 74
Boulderdashers: 10 (and mostly blog tarts so I
hear)
Temp: 21.7 degrees
Sunrise: 6.27am
Sunset: 7.52pm
Chance of rain: …has it stopped?
Have a magic day! Mary
28 comments
Alyson
12/02/2013 at 11:58 am
The weed has gone crazy! Sorry LSA and Rainer, hope Elaine passed on that I had to get my car serviced and missed the early swim with you 🙁 hope it was good and there were no stingers.
annie "yay" just call me Smurfy
12/02/2013 at 12:06 pm
Lovely blog Mary… grey skies and weed creates a mood more challenging to begin with but once out there, the swim is most pleasant. The idea that we are back to basics on the skinny swim is taken quite literally… so really we are just doing what our ancestors did…well thats good enough for me!
Slow Ian
12/02/2013 at 12:42 pm
Not sure how it happened, but somehow baby Maier got ticked, but you weren’t there Alyson!! Please explain. What is even more strange is that HKTQ was there but was not ticked! (now fixed at her request). Secret Squirrel where are you?
Alyson
12/02/2013 at 1:09 pm
Haha that’s funny, no, I wasn’t there at all. I wonder who the secret squirrel is??
Lesley
12/02/2013 at 1:13 pm
Mmm we were actually talking about nudity! and whether to do the Sydney skinny breast stroke or free style! Hehe
HKTQ aka Little Sarah Abbott
12/02/2013 at 1:18 pm
Rumour has it, Lesbutt, that you’re really getting into the swim of the skiinny…won’t pass on any more tales which would ban this site in a few more countries:-/
HKTQ aka Little Sarah Abbott
12/02/2013 at 1:25 pm
5.50 start this morning (after E-laine was persuaded to give up her jog) and still pitch-black, drizzle, heavy clouds, not a speck of a moon and sea-weed wading. Amazingly E-laine, Henchy Jon and I didn’t lose each other and had a beautiful Boldercrawl to the pink heart and then on to Shelly.
So sorry, Mary, we didn’t quite make the blog-tart cut-off time….. And no white rashie Lips either. Next week we’ll do some double blog-tarting for you, even if it means setting off an hour before sun-rise if we decide to fit in a B’crawl….
HKTQ aka Little Sarah Abbott
12/02/2013 at 1:33 pm
Put it down to the combined effect of the weed and the Bolderdash in the dark – on return I must have ticked baby Maier by mistake:-)
Alyson, I wasn’t given the car servicing excuse! I mean, who gets their car serviced at 5.30 a.m.? As for Jalna’s “it was dark”, well, yes……. was that a surprise?
John S
12/02/2013 at 1:41 pm
5.40am bolderdash tomorrow anyone?
DWSS? Secret Squirrel? HKTQ?
Nurse J? Since you didn’t swim this morning but got AA to tick for you how bout it?
Secret squirrel
12/02/2013 at 2:00 pm
Lesley
Family website, family website!!!!
😉
HKTQ aka Little Sarah Abbott
12/02/2013 at 2:12 pm
The Triad Gang are looking at Thursday for the next bolderdash….
Good luck with any agreements with Nurse J. DWSS is already in serious debt and sorry to tell you Johnny boy, but you are Secret Squirrel. It’s that darn weed again making you confused and inviting yourself out for company in the dark:-/
Now, FIFI is your best bet – that’s if the weed doesn’t mix up the days for her as it did today…
Dophin Whisperer
12/02/2013 at 2:45 pm
I’m in.
I’ll have a word to the squirrel as well.
Nursy????
Lesley? Anna? Fi? anyone?
Baby Maier??? (Its ok, you can leave mum at home)
Ill be calling the dolphins in!!!!!!
Dophin Whisperer
12/02/2013 at 2:48 pm
What about a simulated night swim and close your eyes.
Recommended around your husband, Stephen. Oh thats right, your not married. heheh
Mark
12/02/2013 at 3:00 pm
Hey Jules! There were actually (at least) two newbies. Me and my buddy James (we both signed into the new swimmers sheet). We both thoroughly enjoyed it despite the weeds and will be back.
Mark
12/02/2013 at 3:01 pm
Sorry – meant to say Mary… Hopefully you’ll have me back!
Nurse J
12/02/2013 at 3:46 pm
I did swim this morning just not the early so tick is valid
Sorry LSA, Jon and Elaine about my no show, but it was REALLY dark.
5.40 bolder tomorrow ?…….nope 🙂
Lesley
12/02/2013 at 4:10 pm
Hehehehe yes Jon certainly got an earful at breakfast…but i was pleased he really got into the conversation!! For more info on the topic discussed spk to Iain Lidddel!!
Hong Kong Triad Queen aka Little Sarah Abbott
12/02/2013 at 4:30 pm
If you click on the “view attendance” on the left-hand side of the blog, you’ll see that both you and buddy James are recorded. You’re on track for the Pacific Challenge too!
Next time you come, ask Ian or Lesley to take your pic, so that you no longer appear as pink dolphins. Same applies to any other newbies who haven’t had a pic taken yet! At least you’ve found the blog:-))
Secret squirrel
12/02/2013 at 4:58 pm
Aren’t they? You sure?
Same surname…..
Mary
12/02/2013 at 5:33 pm
Happy to amend the record 🙂 Love to have you and James back for more swims.
fifi
12/02/2013 at 5:42 pm
ok, famous last words, but I am going to bolderdash tomorrow….provided i dont turn the alarm off and go straight back to sleep and miss all shifts completely…Shauny I hope you can summon lots of friends to accompany me because I hate being alone in the dark. 🙂
fifi
12/02/2013 at 5:44 pm
Will it be a nude bolderdash, in readiness for Sunday? ;-P
Alyson
12/02/2013 at 5:52 pm
Ha! Fair call LSA but I couldn’t get back to my neck of the woods in time for my service at 7:30am 😉 hope you had a good swim. I will be back tomorrow and so will the sun (today’s title)
Alyson
12/02/2013 at 5:54 pm
Great effort guys! It WAS really dark tis morning… Well done!
Lainey Loo aka E-laine
12/02/2013 at 6:05 pm
Thanks for looking after me on the dark B’crawl today Jon and LSA. The water was beautiful though no skyshows or dolphins. I thought I heard some squeaks but was probably delirious! Great blog considering the conditions Mary. Love the photo of Smurfy and Sparkles!
Dolphin Whisperer SS- NOT "Dancing With the Stars Shaun"
12/02/2013 at 7:03 pm
haha Fi.
May as well be a nude swim down to queensy because its going to be DARK at that time. hahaha
You will be swimming alone again if you dont slow down.
Uh ohhh – Naked swim mentioned. I guess that will result in Lesley’s husband joining us tomorrow. hahaha
What do you think Stephen?????
watch out for tomorrows blog peoples. haha
Simon, bring your camera!!!!
Squirrel – settle down.
Dolphin Whisperer
12/02/2013 at 7:07 pm
hahaha Lainey Loo
Squeeks were the sound of select few high on seaweed at the time.
In for a bolder tomorrow again LL??
I hear its Fi’s birthday, or maybe just the birthday suit day then!!!!
Fifi
12/02/2013 at 10:21 pm
Ok, it’s late but I’m setting the alarm ….