Mad Men‘s final episode aired this week, with Don Draper meditating to the sounds of this iconic soft drink jingle from 1971: I’d like to buy the world a home And furnish it with love Grow apple trees and honey bees And snow white turtle doves Chorus: I’d like to teach the world to swim...

Whose Henna Hands are these?   — Flashback: Thanks Merilee for Tuesday night at Freshwater …   — “What’s the Point?  Where’s the point?”   — Merilee gave us each a little present of herbs and spices.  This stuff packs a punch – aye, Neptune!   — Collecting first drinks at the bar is always...

The orange sunrise lights up the sand … and this is the fourth blog in a row to mention sun in its title.  Were we all that waterlogged with rain?   — The sunrise – and the sea – are so beautiful, still and colorful this morning …     This flock of birds (above)...

The rain keeps many away and cosily tucked-up in bed today … Batman Begins: Mark gets ready for a lamplit swim in the dark   — Oops.  Fifi has one curl still to tuck …   — “Why aren’t you using the App?!”  JK starts taking names …   — Booty Time: After a long...

  RACING HAIRCUTS Here is a close cut, suitable for improving your swim time.  It’s a seven-year-old’s first effort … but she still hit me up for 20 dollars.  Enquiries to Ringworm Roger   — RACING TOMORROW Reposting Sterlo’s comprehensive scoreboard for first two legs.  Third and final race is tomorrow Anzac Day – battling...

  Thanks to all for last night’s fundraiser for women in Nepal – a fun event … and a passionate cause —       Suzanne wants today’s blog to be all about her … fair enough!                 If you want to donate, click on this link for...

It’s so black this morning.  Still a hundred metres down the road, the first thing I hear echoing down a dark Whistler Street is Andrew Drinkwater’s unmistakable laugh.  How sunless is it this morning?  To quote Rob Hawkins: “It’s dark dark.” —   But still, the newbies come … finding their way to Ian and...

Special Award for Dedication: Capless Dave accidentally woke up early today and rode halfway down to beach in the dark, when he realised it was actually 3.20 a.m.  He went home; to return for 6.30 a.m. swim.  Legend! I am reblogging some lovely water shots (as all my stuff is on dry land).  Love this,...

  There is a moist haze drifting over the beach at 6.30, and heaps of casual swimmers are body-surfing some really nice waves.  Perhaps the pending Qld cyclone is giving our waters a nudge? —   — Four naive newbies – about to fall into the charming clutches of Ian and Shaun at Sign-Up table...

— Fiona’s soiree art gallery opening ‘Still Lives’ two Saturdays ago … it was swish, musical, hot and arty!     Meet The Fukers.  (Mr Fifi far right in red) —   Art Appreciators Arabella and Annie.  Lots of swimmers turned up (fully clothed); supporting the show, and enjoying Fi’s hospitality and talent —  ...