Friday 8 October 2021 The thrill of anticipation

Anticipation is enjoyable on its own quite separately from the event that one is anticipating, I think. Whatever your persuasion, I imagine it is hard not to get carried away with the anticipation of Freedom Day on Monday 11 October 2021. So I wonder what some swimmers are thinking about doing on Freedom Day.

I think more than one person will be making a plan to visit this lovely place. I must say wherever I see a cabbage tree palm, it is a very appealing sight. There are a few around. I may plant more

Anne swimming to Chinamans Beach with Jo. Great shot Garry!

Allan Bicknell and the Brooklyn/Bobbin Head swimmers are looking forward to swimming without fitting in the with tides

Peter Barfod has shown himself to be a true die hard diver as he has dived more than once in the Parramatta River near the former industrial sites of Woolwich and so on! for Freedom Day he is aiming for a swim in on Monday (regardless of crowds and weather) or alternatively a snorkel if conditions are good. If not too crowded then a coffee afterwards. I miss that coffee at the surf club!

Anita plans to mark freedom day with a visit to her mums nursing home It’s been too long between visits. I think many people have that same plan!

Gillian shared a favourite photo taken by Delly Carr in Chicago just before World Champs race start. B&B photobombing came into its own in capturing his attention. The other is Gillian teaching a new American friend the B&B pose.

Alison B from Lane Cove does not have any photos of her swimming. But here is a lovely recent post-swim photo from Greenwich baths. Monday plans: the theoretical plan is to wake early to squeeze in a 6am B&B swim before work, despite the rainy forecast. In practice Alison thinks she will probably turn off the alarm and wait till her day off on Wednesday.

Alison Harmer is planning to buy a mountain bike, and if she does will, with hubby Phil be riding mountain bikes in the Blue Mountains!

Marion – a lovely photo from the Time Before. At Manly

Inez is wisely waiting to see what is what on Monday. So cool. Here is a great shot of Cabarita swimming pool early last weekend when Sydney was covered in low cloud

ANNOUNCEMENT

Winter Badge Collection 2021

The Winter badges are finally on their way! Congratulations to all those who completed their Covid-19 winter swimming challenge. As more than 500 swimmers qualified, the badge distribution this year will initially be via snail mail to maintain a Covid-safe environment for our volunteers. Unfortunately, only virtual handshakes and hugs from Ian, John, Anne and Pauline and contact-less distribution.
There are two ways you can obtain your badge(s)

• Method 1. Inside a self-addressed, stamped envelope place cash for your badge/s – $10 per badge for the Winter Badge (if you completed 20 swims over winter) and an extra $10 for the WWW Badge if you did those swims without a wetsuit. Family members/friends sharing an envelope must clearly name each swimmer and badge achieved. Please check postage rates and size of envelope required for multiple badges. Post this envelope in another envelope to Ian Forster, 6 Bligh St, Northbridge. 2063.
• Method 2. Wait until Covid restrictions on gathering are relaxed. We will then arrange a time for you to collect your badges from us in person. No promises when this will be but it may be when the vaccination rate reaches 80%.

Badges will be posted as soon as they arrive. If you have any other badges that you are missing and wish to purchase, please include cash for those as well.