Siyabona ( I see you) I love this greeting, a reminder to actually look at someone in the eyes and say hello, see them. Today is apparently bat appreciation day. We celebrate our lovely bat mates. I love anything that eats mozzies personally. And who isn’t just a tad batty. The early morning beach scene...

This was Silky, the lone dolphin who swam with us back in 2013 but… a lot of the Drinks Express swimmers swam this close to dolphins early this morning! Suzie said there were 5 of them including a Mum and bub. It was a stunning morning today with an amber, glowing sunrise and warm air...

No words, Drinky! I swam with this 6am crew Welcome Roarke & Riley with mum Bronwen from Johannesburg. Owing to the cloud layer on the horizon, the sun appeared rise twice. Sally (right) and her swimming buddies. Did Caroline beat Jon? Roberto & Nick swam north. Mary & her buddies John & Bonnie The boy...

The Drinks Express braved the weed and murky water as did quite a few 7am swimmers today. It was challenging going through the thick weed but viz was up to about 3 metres, the waves weren’t too big and it felt good! Hopefully we won’t get sick but most of us who risk it don’t....

The BOM said do not travel if not essential. So that meant that there were parking spots near the ramp for anyone who wanted it. It also meant that we could not see the temperature because the rain washed it away but we knew it was great art.  It was so dark I could not...

Today’s temperature artwork has an interesting back story even if like me you are not a cricket tragic. Read Guy’s insta post @temperature_guy_manly for more details, and give him a like and a follow if you haven’t already. My best intentions of an early arrival to catch the sunrise did not come to fruition and...

Wednesday 3rd April – the calmness in the dark, before dawn breaks. Early swimmers brave the black water, the flickering lights on their goggles twinkling like fireflies in the dark… The DPI contractor checks the shark nets, the Manly Life Saving Club athletes warm up on the sand in front of the club, boards lined...

The excellent conditions of the last week,  and especially the Easter weekend,  couldn’t last so it was no surprise to read Guy’s temperature report saying the ocean was grumpy. At least the sunrise was worthwhile and for the 7am-ers there’s not too many more before the clocks change and we’re back to lighter mornings. Greg...

Never thought we’d ever end Is it that time. The light has almost gone. The carnival moves on Caroline’s Pitch Report: Hot Cross Buns. It’s 22.1C. DX continue their romance with the dark, lights flashing across the bay. A 20 foot Grey Nurse was sighted! (trust me, it was big). on the outward journey and...

So atmospheric this morning, quite lovely. We will have another week and a half or thereabouts of darkish 7am starts before we put our clocks back at the end of daylight saving on April 7, and we’ll have bright mornings again for a while Guy’s illuminated art work Andrew brings his children Poppy and Louis...