LAST DAY OF WINTER SWIMS, PLEASE ENTER THEM IN THE SYSTEM

Apologies for the upper case (not really), please log them today – this was a message management asked me to include in the blog.

It’s so nice to be back after a month away on the other side of the world, especially when Manly turns on its best conditions (huh?) and there is plenty of parking (huh? why were all those beachfront spots blocked off? which reminds me, there’s some fun run (and we know that’s a lie – whoever thought of juxtaposing those words?) tomorrow and there will be road closures

Where are the WOWs? Where is everybody?

Annie and Peter were here, having their morning cuppa

Management and a WOW.

Someone was due for a pedicure and didn’t want their feet on display today, so mad skills were employed

That’s more like it

Martin and Roger

While a sizeable contingent of WOWs is wowing it up in Greece, the task of defending the wall fell to us 4

JK  suggested a Shelley Beach entry and was ignored by everyone except 5 people (Anne E, Edwina, Gillian, Jonathan and me)

Even in the shallow water the visibility was truly awful, so I amused myself by taking photos of Anne E’s flippers

I was heading to the point when I saw swimmers heading towards me and remembered I was today’s blogger and really should get back to Shelley pronto. (still jet lagged)

I rinsed my lens repeatedly  but still my perspective was blurred

Back at the point most of us prepared for the swim through the break while watching the board paddlers

Jo on the left was in a celebratory mood after making the 20 swims – congrats Jo.

The doublers waiting for their lets go

It was round about now that I saw a wobbegong at the point but by the time the message had made it from my eyes to my one functioning brain cell it had gone on its way.

Still, I have to include a fish photo, so here’s one I prepared earlier. This was off a Red Sea beach on the Israel side of the border with Egypt. As you can see the visibility was ridiculously amazing. The fish at this beach are used to being fed despite signs in several languages saying not to. An elderly gentleman was sitting on the steps of the pier, feeding them cheezels (or the Middle Eastern equivalent).

Ian and Gayle having fun in the surf

Surfers doing the same (but differently)

Back on shore Lainey alerted me to celebrations on the new steps. Dave had just completed 500km and he and his buddies were celebrating with espresso martinis and carrot cake

oopsie

Back on shore

WOWa featuring Izzy and honorary WOW David C

Bindi waiting patiently for her Daddy

Other stats – 1 brave newbie and 180 swimmers

What am I listening to? While writing the blog I was listening the 1980 Ry Cooder album, Borderline. Here is Across The Borderline off that album. Quite possibly even more apt today .

Adios amigos