Thanks Lainey for giving me the blog today – to look back at movie Flying High (released 35 years ago).  It’s a sharply perceptive parody of the big-budget disaster films that dominated Hollywood during the 1970s. Wednesday Conditions: Soft overnight drizzle; nil carparks even at 5.45 a.m; surfboat on the water at 5.48, ocean flat...

Oops.  I slept in.  Ian Forster reports there were only one or two jimbles left out there, and any blueys must’ve been beached and washed back out.  No sting in them. Temp:          19.7 Newbies:      Nil Swimmers  120 I’ve picked one photo from each blog.  It starts from August last year …  I’ll be shifting to...

The beachline yesterday was an intimidating translucent purplish blue … many people looked; but didn’t swim   — Someone saw something on Wednesday morning …   — The blueys were creating a bleak scenario.  But  – As Brian said (in 1979) – perhaps we should “Always look on the bright side of life …”   —...

Blind Date – Only Twelve Chances! Hall’s Bells!  Christmas is getting ever so stealthily closer.  Linda and Tim are keen and happy to put together a calendar for B&B again for 2016.  All our swimmers are welcome to submit their favourite photo(s).  Please note photos must be full resolution to stand any chance of making...

Winter Badge Raffle tickets are still selling – tomorrow, and of course Sunday – raising funds for our charitable host Royal Far West.  Early dawn Management here, already on the job …   — Many thanks Guy for your open-hearted talk three nights ago, which drew a full house … and much seat-trading during past...

Conditions Although drippy and wet on the ground, the ocean today is tranquil – and reflecting beautiful cobalts off the cloud cover.  Peaceful, and almost balmy.  Perfect for a swim, if you have managed to get out of bed …   — Your Chance to Grab the Stage! Got a song?  Monologue, poetry … come...

Marine Parks Appeal How lucky we are to have Cabbage Tree Bay in our lives!  Community feedback (below) about a Sydney Marine Park will help protect areas like CTB. All you need to do is visit www.communityremarks.com/Hawkesbury/ and click on ‘Make general comments’.  You only need to answer Question 5 saying you would like the...

Summer is around the corner You know those signs?  Overnight dew, before a stinking hot day.  That distinct Aussie smell of burn-offs in the air.  Balmy mornings … the portent of plumb-ripe thunderstorms on the wing … Winter is on the wane.   The hazy horizon blurred into the sea at 6.15 …. I was...

— Conditions Yet another gorgeous sunrise.  Glassy water.  Perfect.  That first 50 metres is always colder, until you get to the Point’s rocks.  I saw sporadic jimbles all the way back across Cabbage Bay, circa 6.40 a.m.  (They’ve heard Fifi is back, and are on the hunt …)   — Management assesses the situation.  “We...

  Half-moon Booty: Emma is smoking them in the beach sprint … — Yesterday’s 15.1º was a smidge off record of 14.9º.  So, where will it go today?  They stand and wait …   — Mr Bond rolls up pants and removes watch …   — While Annie and Claire get the machine up to...