Today I spend half an hour in bed, cosseted by the patter of rain – and planning a way to blog without leaving home …
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Last night a massive blanket of rain carpeted much of Sydney, and it has rained consistently all night.
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Something makes me get my butt up. At 6.30 it is still almost black. Only 14 Drinks Express die-hards are gathered at The Point. Drinky holds the pattern, until last one has swum to us. “Well, I’d tip my hat to you all – if I had one,” he says. It’s actually quite pleasant here. Pre-dawn rain sprinkling on the sea you float in; this is almost romantic. At Shelly I exit, and trot back along wet and empty walkway – to get my phone camera. Below: 6.30ers Mike and Glenn exiting
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It’s kinda strange that so many are not here today. Ironic that it’s too wet to come down and get wet. I couldn’t get out of bed for a swim on Sunday … I was feeling terribly flat and melancholy. Confessed this to a close swimming friend later, and he said: “Send the body down for a swim – and the mind will follow. Just great for bad days.” Below: Booty Camp at 6.50 a.m.
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Winter Solstice Swim
Above: John Bond moves his temperature board to Shelly in order to record more accurately. Hello, Longest Night and Shortest Day – and goodbye wetsuits, for this event. Swim is next Monday 22nd June, and being led by the Drinks Express
• Earlier start @ 6.20 a.m.
• Gather at The Point
• Remove swimmers, and place around neck. Ladies might prefer rolling tops down
• Swim nude to Shelly
• Quick game of Kiss-Chacey
• Swim nude back to Club
Tip: Replace bathers before exiting sea
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For further nuddie updates or Solstice support, see this guy (below left)
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Winter Warmer B&B Swim School
Join Pacific Jules coaches Warren and Sarah Anne in the ocean – as they teach you the fundamentals of freestyle breathing.
This one-hour session in the water will help you breathe with ease. Tune your body position to get more air, and work on achieving a calm and controlled breathing pattern.
When: Saturday 4 July (9:45 – 10:45 a.m.)
Cost : $25
Location : Shelly Beach
Open to everyone – all abilities welcome
What to bring: swimmers, cap and goggles. NB: wetsuit compulsory. Drinking water, and money for a hot cuppa afterwards!
Please email:
info@pacificjules.com.au
for more information or to reserve your place
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Booty Camp close-up. (Showing raindrops patterning sand)
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Exiting 6.30er Matt
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There are maybe 22 Seven O’Clock starters today. (It’s not a good day for taking photos)
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About me: Roger, one of the blogging team. I started swimming with you all 11 months ago. For 25 years, I’ve been a full-time freelance illustrator. Before that, I worked as a writer and photographer at VicPol’s PR police magazine. I like doing the blogs, as it gives me the chance to revisit that role (I loved that job). Actually, I’m a bit obsessive about the blog – and write half of it the preceding day. I lose heaps of work time to the blog (up to five hours when with cartoons), but can’t resist it – and it’s doable when freelancing. I named it Driftwood on a whim; just picking an oceanic word for things that float up at shore. Recently I learnt there’s a regular Driftwood column in Manly Daily – that’s not me.
Below is a part of my favourite photo from police mag. I borrowed the foam suit from the Truth newspaper, and guy wearing it was my workmate (who is 6’4″). It’s in a fire escape at side of 412 St Kilda Road police complex, and I told them to pretend they were trying not to get shot. The Age published my pic after seeing our magazine.
I’m glad to be a part of our wonderful blogging team. It has also been a great way to meet lots of you swimmers!
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How dark is it this morning? This photo is at 7.10 a.m. – as I duck home to get the kids to school
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Five more photos – just in from Lainey 🙂
How’s this one for a fab pic!
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Seven-Seventeen a.m. @ Shelly
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Newbie Cam
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Newbie Rachel
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Did you lose these Rivers runners? Have you got Ian’s?
Ian Nicol – 0411 31 61 41 / (02) 9971 0326
See first comment below, please 🙂
STATS:
Swimmers: Approx 45
Temp: Approx 19
Solstice pic: James Mason and Helen Mirren – Age of Consent (1969)
19 comments
Ian The slower
19/06/2015 at 11:31 am
I missed the Manly swim today and swam in a pool. Nice and warm with cool rain on the back.
Roger, an interesting blog and very diverse.
Solstice swim has to be without wetsuits.
How about a badge: WSWA (winter solstice without anything)?
LOST AND FOUND RUNNING SHOES YESTERDAY Thursday 18 Jun
Yesterday my Asic Gel running shoes with brown socks went missing from the base of the hook wall and a pair of Rivers joggers (with socks) were leftover when every piece of clothing, bags, towels etc had gone with people.
It seems that someone might have mistakenly taken my shoes which looked similar to the Rivers ones that were left behind.
I have the Rivers shoes with me as they might have been lost, stolen or disposed of if left at the wall unattended for a day or two.
I am intending to swim at Manly on Sat and Mon.
I can be contacted on 0411 316141 to sort it out and swap them.
Ian
Elizabeth X
19/06/2015 at 11:33 am
“Send the body down for a swim and the mind will follow” – just love it !!!
Thanks for another awesome blog Roger and for all the effort that you and so many others put in to our daily blogs.
Well done bloggers they are greatly appreciated.
Jo
19/06/2015 at 11:34 am
Love the Friday blog. Never fails to put a smile on my face. Thanks for joining the blogging team Roger.
Well done for making it down to swim in the dark and rain this morning. You were given sound advice. There is no better mood enhancer than a B&B swim with friends.
DWSS
19/06/2015 at 12:01 pm
Yes, the Friday blog is always one to look forward to. Well done Driftwood.
Tip for the Donna Huggers – it’s not raining when you put your face underwater.
Darkest swim this morning. Sky full of cloud but the water was fantastic.
Shelley K
19/06/2015 at 12:04 pm
Loving your multimedia blogs Driftwood. Thanks. Had to speak sternly to myself to drag the carcass to the water’s edge this morning but it was lovely in. The solstice swim in the nuddy definitely deserves its own badge.
Lesley
19/06/2015 at 12:04 pm
Vic Pol’s PR police magazine!!?? You have KIDS!!!??
Yes we really enjoy your blogs Roger, we are lucky to have you! (and all the other bloggers)
I love that too “send the body down…” and very true! DEFINITELY a case of My mind followed my body this morning!
I did NOT want to get up at all…
but just went through the motions and even when I arrived in the dark and hardly any people
I did not want to be there… but yeah I felt great afterwards…
Lesley
19/06/2015 at 12:05 pm
ps. I think the solstice swim only benefits the MEN!!
roger
19/06/2015 at 12:12 pm
9 and 13, Lesbubbs. And a cat – who howls at us if he has just one drop of rain land on him. (As if it’s us controlling the weather) Cat is sulking at moment
LSA aka HKTQ
19/06/2015 at 12:17 pm
It really was a lovely swim today and I’m not kidding….lovely, small group….perfect whale conditions. Always worth getting out of bed for…..and the coffee and chatter afterwards is so much better for swimming to Shelly first….
roger
19/06/2015 at 12:19 pm
PS: I just worked out that ‘Donna’ is actually a warm blanket
🙂
Lesley
19/06/2015 at 12:24 pm
Not sure if everyone figured it out but you can track your winter swim badge by going into Daily Attendance and click on the 2015 winter badge.
or this link
http://www.faulconbridgesoftware.com/bb/pub/winterbadge2015.html
Lesley
19/06/2015 at 12:25 pm
no he defo meant Donna
Gillian
19/06/2015 at 12:41 pm
Gosh, it WAS dark at 0700! And I love the mind following the body.
Rob
19/06/2015 at 1:04 pm
great Blog Roger, thanks!
was v. dark at 6.15, I stopped to look for my buddies at the point at one stage but couldn’t see them…v. enjoyable nonetheless!
Kerry
19/06/2015 at 2:23 pm
Fantastic advice to send the body down and the mind will follow – Gold! And great blog 🙂 Oh – and what a so sad I have to work on Monday 😝
Lesley
19/06/2015 at 5:02 pm
I think wherever Sparkles hoodie is you will find your shoes Ian!
ps. underpants have been take too..
LSA aka HKTQ
19/06/2015 at 5:39 pm
Yep, must be a new swimmer that they love to hug….:)
Elizabeth X
19/06/2015 at 7:06 pm
Steyne triangle as per Rogers previous blog ?
Elizabeth
19/06/2015 at 8:31 pm
Agree