Here are some photos taken between 7:00 and 7:30 this morning.
I normally edit my photos to make them look better / sharper / clearer but these have not been enhanced in any way.
As opposed to this composite which was published in Friday’s Daily Mail and its sister tabloids. It seems to me to be an attempt to discredit morning exercisers, and in the absence of real evidence fabricate some.
Let’s have a bit of fun….. let me know what you think is wrong with this picture (besides my butt thanks very much). Post your responses either at the bottom (tee hee) of the blog or in the comments.
Seriously though, Police closed Manly Beach around midday today due to crowds ignoring instructions – the promenade, the beach and the ocean.
If we want to be able to keep swimming here we must be seen to be doing the right thing as well as doing the right thing. Unfortunately the action of others including the gutter press are beyond our control.
But back to this morning. Conditions today pretty much as good as it gets.
Note the appropriate social distancing on the sand and in the water
If I can’t Havana in Cuba I think I’ll siesta in Spain
Visibility amazing, and some unexpected sightings under water.
These squid at the Point (thanks Cheryl for your persistence in the face of my deafness)
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Some kind of soft coral? Today’s conditions under water were so good! Easy to appreciate the beauty of the rock formations and the marine flora and fauna
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
I’ve also posted some video footage from today and the past week on the Bold and Beautiful Swimmers FB page as well as on my insta (annehenshaw)
A wave photo
NOTICES:
A reminder: The Bold &Beautiful swim has been suspended until further notice.
If you are out and about at this time, please take care, be safe and adhere to recommended guidelines.
Summer Badges
We are aware that some people missed out on their hard-earned summer badges last weekend. Assuming that it is safe and legal to do so, Anne and Ian will be at the benches from 8 until 8.30 am on Saturday so that you can purchase your badges. Please bring the correct money and maintain personal distancing protocols.
Note that, it is OK to log your swims while the B&B is suspended, but there will be no badges awarded while the suspension applies. This will affect the winter badges if (as appears likely) the suspension is not lifted by the end of winter.
B&B Blog
In an effort to keep you engaged during this difficult time our blogging team want to hear from you. Our bloggers have free reign during this time, so if you have photos or anything interesting to share, you can send it to our bloggers at boldandbeautifulmanly@gmail.com. Show us how you are spending your time in isolation. What is your favourite B&B memory or photo? Tell us why you love the group so much. We will share your stories and photos on the blog over the coming months. Please show your appreciation of our blogging team by commenting at the bottom of the blog. It is also possible that, in these difficult times, you have a need that someone in the B&B community may be able to fulfil (eg do you need somewhere to live, are you isolated and need help with shopping, or have you run out of toilet paper?). Feel free to ask in the comments at the bottom of the blog. Above all, stay safe.
Bluewater Cafe
Like all restaurants, Bluewater Cafe has had to limit its activities to takeaway only. I am informed however that they will still provide the B&B breakfast for you to takeaway. The new owners Jane and Kwan have continued to support the B&B so let’s try and help them through this difficult time. Find more details on their current menu and operations on their Instagram page @bluewatercafemanly (Facebook page coming soon).
Check out B&B’s new T-shirt for summer (also available in white type)
Orders are available online along with all of our fun B&B merchandise at: https://www.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au/clothing.html
What am I reading? I’ve just started reading The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan. Dorrigo Evans is a prisoner in a Japanese POW camp on the Thai-Burma Railway struggling to keep himself and his men alive and that’s just part of his story albeit a pivotal one.
What am I listening to? Rolling Stone (the publication) are releasing a series of short live recordings called In My Room. This one is a performance by Angélique Kidjo. The Graham Nash one is great too just saying.
13 comments
Edwina harrison
05/04/2020 at 1:29 pm
Beautiful photos , didn’t realise you were the one in blue cossie chatting to bike rider, not everyone in those photos are spaced apart enough unfortunately
Janet Franks
05/04/2020 at 1:40 pm
Everyone is well spaced from one another but the zoom lense prefers to show otherwise. Answer to your Quiz Anne, car in background is facing the wrong way, proves a point the picture is a fake! Enjoy your Saturday Anne 🤣
Shelly
05/04/2020 at 1:40 pm
Council rangers have been equipped with tasers to control beaches.
Love you all
Shelly xoxoxo
Anne
05/04/2020 at 1:46 pm
yes they are – I was there. Photo has been doctored imo. Look how close the wall looks to the road.
Juliette
05/04/2020 at 1:52 pm
Hmmmm…. well, i can see my husband standing next to my son – yep, that happened, but i think that because we’re in the same household, that’s allowed. And i can see traffic driving two ways in a one way street – don’t know that that was happening… And somehow the space between the road and the traffic looks very narrow…. a LOT narrower than it actually is! Possibly they photoshopped your butt too :). I do know that a good backside makes sitting much more comfortable :). And i guess when you’re a tabloid, your main aim is clickbait, not truth… The contrast between your second one and their photo is the most stark. My dad has had a sticker on his car for ages, something along the lines of “Are you getting the truth, or is your News Limited?” Thank you for your truthful blog.
Tony
05/04/2020 at 2:13 pm
I think the rangers should move from where they stand by the seat and the social distancing electronic sign and the surf club trainers should be moved. All these are funneling everyone into a much smaller space than if they weren’t there.
Anne
05/04/2020 at 2:32 pm
Frank Zappa next blog
Lesbubs
05/04/2020 at 2:35 pm
Anne 100% agree with you …I’m down there most mornings from 6.30am – 8am’ish and EVERYONE is keeping apart even cuddling-Ian and cuddling-drinky and I have eagle like vision and think 1.5 metres is still too close in “normal life” 😂 let alone now..so i would spot people “breaking the rules”… not that I would say anything to them but yeh us regular bnb’ers for sure are doing the right thing..
Jim Bullard
05/04/2020 at 5:46 pm
Anne, thanks for the photos and video and the words. I had a great swim this morning and kept at least 3 metres space when I could. There were however still plenty of people sitting on the wall drinking their morning coffee all along the runway and the steps not out exercising … same on the beach … and when I came back into the beach about 0740 there were lots of groups of swimmers standing around getting dry and gas bagging at the bags in groups of 5-15 people.
.
It’s not just keeping apart … it’s about NOT hanging around. That is infectious … 1 person stops to chat, then everyone wants to do it, they have enough FOMO at present (fear of missing out). If enough people actually have the moral courage to say ‘I’m not standing here to chat with you as we all need to keep moving, and YOU need to leave too’, maybe people will get it. Lead by example … get out of the water, have a quick rinse, grab your bag and walk straight back to your car or residence. It aint rocket science.
.
In passing I said to a few people “don’t hang around, just grab your stuff and go or they will close the beach” … the looks and disparaging comments were astounding.
Jason Scott
06/04/2020 at 12:14 am
Stay at home. It’s not hard, just do the right thing. Your socialising could kill someone’s mother, your mother, my mother. I miss my swims, both ocean and pool but I am staying at home. It’s the right thing to do. Stay The Fuck At Home. Simples
Lainey
06/04/2020 at 5:40 am
Thanks for your blog giving an honest and truthful portrayal. After coming out of 2 weeks isolation I was surprised to see a lot of people out walking but if we socially distance we need this for our mental and physical health. A lot of people who begrudge people even the right to exercise live in big homes or have a garden or pool. I’ve seen regular B and B swimmers doing the right thing the last couple of days. Great blog again Anne. Thank you.
Shelley K
06/04/2020 at 6:46 am
My husband can’t walk any distance, and can’t go to the gym now, the only thing he can do at the moment is swim. Without this form of exercise he is suffering, and not sleeping. It is very hard for him to have to choose between his mental and physical health and the small potential risk of infection. He doesn’t socialise, only swims and leaves. All individual circumstances are not equal.
Jenny Andrew
06/04/2020 at 10:26 am
Thanks for a thoughtful blog Anne. Have also enjoyed reading the thoughtful comments and different points of view.
Jim I admire your moral courage in speaking out, it’s too easy not to say anything.