Bishop reporting in for duty.
Firstly it should be noted that at 5pm last night some of our swimmers were caught doing a secret training session. Here we have Dave pretending to be the Department of Immigration, and the Spaniard running for his life.
This morning’s Drink Express posed for their annual team photo. The ever growing 6:30am swim is ruled by the iron fisted Andrew Drinkwater (seen here howling at the moon). The group is a lean, mean speed machine!
Here they are setting off into warm, clear, flat waters as the sun pokes its head up above the horizon.
The 7am group arrive. George ‘the ghost swimmer’ likes to eat a pink cap before each swim, while Dave shows off his Peter Andre six pack!
Here we have Matt ‘Rambo’ Cumberworth. A new swimmer to the group who I have known for several years. Watch out A-team, once Rambo gets his fitness up there will be a new speedster in town.
To keep this educational the next shot is of the elusive Scotty’s Passage. It can only be attempted to be swum through on a high tide… and has only ever been succefully navigated by Scotty. Attempt it on a low tide, attempt it during swell, attempt it and not be called Scotty – and you will be torn to shreds.
And here come the returning swimmers. Spaniard in the wetty comes in first followed by Sean and Scotty (the passage was closed today).
And is love in the air? Here is Maguire and the Shmopey cosying up… hmmm, me thinks I will be buying a shotgun soon.
Finally, Peta will be collecting coins this weekend in support of the families of the Sherpa’s who lost their lives on Everest recently. The Australian Himalayan Foundation will make sure it gets to where it needs to be.
BTW this morning there were 101 swimmers and the water was 21.0 degrees.
OK, show someone how much you love them today. 1 John 4 says there is no fear in love, because perfect love drives out fear. How is that for good news!
18 comments
Elaine de Jager
01/05/2014 at 10:07 am
Haha funny blog Bishop! Love the Drinks Express group photo even if it wasn’t the best of werewolf Drinky 😉 Looking forward to the Spaniard’s blog next Thursday. Hasta la vista!
Scotty Mellis
01/05/2014 at 11:27 am
Excellent Blog Bishop, The shot of Spaniard running for his life is priceless. For anyone tempted to swim through Scotty’s Passage, remind yourself of 1 John 4, perfect loves drives and fear and as you float over the barnacles, you will love it when you find yourself, a good 10 meters ahead of where you should be!
Nurse J
01/05/2014 at 11:36 am
Not sure if we are still reporting sightings but…saw 4 DUSKIES today
Jones
01/05/2014 at 11:38 am
Got a belly laugh out of me Bishop ! 🙂
Drinks
01/05/2014 at 11:41 am
As one who has been keel hauled by the passage……… Beware!
Great blogging Bishop and excellent recon to spot the unauthorised training session
Hammerhead Partington
01/05/2014 at 12:30 pm
As if we didn’t already know it but I came across this article today: My question is are you Avid?
Avid swimmers have a 50 percent lower mortality rate than runners, walkers, and people who don’t exercise at all.
Researchers at the University of South Carolina’s Arnold School of Public Health evaluated data spanning 32 years and involving more than 80,000 participants in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study. They found that swimming lowers the mortality rate—in men, at least—by about 50 percent.
The fact that the nonprofit National Swimming Pool Foundation partly funded this project may or may not be irrelevant.
Lips
01/05/2014 at 12:32 pm
Nice one Bishop. Well done on stealing Lainey’s sunny Thursday morning blog spot.
I have you know I’ve navigated Scotty’s Passage by foot during low tide. In sneakers and white socks.
Happy Birthday Little Sarah!
lesbubbles
01/05/2014 at 12:34 pm
I saw 6! they were everywhere! it was great!
lesbubbles
01/05/2014 at 12:36 pm
I go down Scotty’s Passage all the time 😀
……also Slow Ian goes there everyday too even through waves and low tide!
Mark
01/05/2014 at 12:48 pm
Great blog Bishop.
Happy birthday LSA from me and the girls.
Me thinks I will steer clear of Scotty’s passage.
Enjoy the day
Slow Ian
01/05/2014 at 1:43 pm
Is that what all those scars are from?
Ros
01/05/2014 at 2:07 pm
I never knew about Scotty’s Passage. That’s why I read the blog every day: to learn something new. Maybe there’ll be a question about SP on Trivia night!
John.S
01/05/2014 at 2:42 pm
Maybe how big is Scotty’s Passage?
Great blog, quirky sense of humour.
Lesbubbles
01/05/2014 at 4:06 pm
are u kidding? Trivia Master JK refuses to put anything about BnB in his questions!
Elizabeth
01/05/2014 at 4:33 pm
Great to see the photo of the 630 swimmers and the fast swimmers. Otherwise they just pass in a blur being so fast and excellent. That swimming is almost a different activity to my swimming but I am def avid.
Anna McB
01/05/2014 at 6:33 pm
Yes it’s handy isnt it Elizabeth. I wish I was being so fast and excellent.
Simon
01/05/2014 at 7:27 pm
“Like” (from Byron Bay)
slower Ian N
01/05/2014 at 11:22 pm
at about 6.45 this morning a big white cruise ship was heading towards Scotty’s Passage but luckily the helmsman was alert enough to notice it was closed and diverted in time to Sydney Heads. – consequently no Pasha Bulka or Costa Concordia-like events and no impact on our swims.
Sydney Ports information:
Arrival time: 01/05/2014 08:28
Berth: WHITE BAY CRUISE TERMINAL(WHT5)
PACIFIC PEARL Passenger Vessel
Origin: Melbourne
Departed : 01/05/2014 16:06
Destination: Auckland