Calm conditions and a strong southerly greeted the B&B swimmers this morning. Fellow Sunday blogger Michael formed my welcoming committee, having been at the beach since 5am to find out key events, anniversaries etc:
Jim was keen to have his photo taken next to beautiful Manly beach, so I took this shot:
It’s that special time of year when things finally slow down and everyone starts to relax after the craziness that’s gone before – especially those mad few weeks of December when everything seems rushed. A swim with the B&B is the perfect antidote to that craziness. Time to hang out with family:
Ronald and Nicky with daughter Tash.
Rob with son Dave.
And then there’s that other special family – the B&B community:
Clare, Martin and Roz. The only thing grey about this lot is their hoodies!
Michele lit up the morning.
Jill waited patiently for husband John.
Despite her best efforts, Shelley couldn’t escape the blog camera.
Anne informed me there were 26 newbies today!! With a flat ocean and water temp of 20.3 degrees this was a great first day for them. The regulars led the way into the water:
Emma and Lisa.
Ronald, Clare and Stripey Jo.
Michael showed what happens when you wear the same swimwear day in, day out, for ten years. (Stripey Jo – you are warned!). Talking of which, as I walked home along Ashburner, a cyclist was coming the other way in nothing but his pink cap and budgies. I LOVE Ashburner Street!
I found these guys on the way to Shelly (I think they only just outnumbered the swimmers in the bay):
Very large crowd at Shelly:
Thank goodness we had Ian to keep order:
Rainer helped too (I’m sure):
At this point I lost control of the camera, and possibly the blog:
A selection of current and former Sunday bloggers celebrated a controversy-free year (yours truly, Jac, Rainer and Anne):
We took advantage of the perfect conditions:
Lucy and Jac:
Clare, Emma, Lucy, Lisa, Kerry and Jac:
Clare dived deep:
Clare looked so happy it was unfortunate when this happened:
Janet turned up on her double leg, amazed that we still hadn’t made it past the toilet block:
Our return journey got delayed again by a beautiful eagle ray:
Jac provided scale:
Divers near the point found plenty to see:
I bumped into Charl at the point:
Edwina showed Belinda her photos of the blind shark she’d found on the scenic route:
Ned and Maisy asked Ed to repeat that:
Ned and Ed bonding:
Ed, Fi, Lucy and Belinda and I swapped stories of our plans for the holidays before we all headed off to escape from the southerly (or possibly each other):
Have a great Sunday, everyone!
Stats:
Swimmers: many hundreds
Newbies: 26
Water temp: 20.3 degrees
Management notices
None!!
19 comments
ian the slowest
December 22, 2019 at 12:51 pm
Gemma, that’s a great blog. While I am out with a shocker cold, your blog is a good way to half enjoy my non-swim. You showed lots of great underwater activity, ..
I sometimes wondered if some WOWs could talk underwater. Jac showed us that they can. Very clever.
Edwina harrison
December 22, 2019 at 1:48 pm
I’m starting to get a cold /throat 😩
Edwina harrison
December 22, 2019 at 1:48 pm
Beautiful photos Gemma , a lovely read thanks
Shelley K
December 22, 2019 at 1:52 pm
A very relaxing blog indeed, thanks Gemma. Fantastic underwater shots of peeps, and the big schools of tailor – they were especially beautiful today.
Anne
December 22, 2019 at 2:05 pm
Such a great blog, thanks for your fearless leadership of the motley Sunday bunch
Lips
December 22, 2019 at 2:59 pm
Another great Sunday blog Gemma!
Thanks again for managing the ragtag team of Sunday bloggers in 2019.
Gemma
December 22, 2019 at 3:50 pm
Thanks Ian! Sorry to hear you’re under the weather 🙁 . Hope you’re back in the water soon.
Gemma
December 22, 2019 at 3:51 pm
Thanks Ed 🙂
Gemma
December 22, 2019 at 3:51 pm
Thanks Shelley 🙂
Gemma
December 22, 2019 at 3:52 pm
And thanks to you Anne for your amazing blogs this year!
Gemma
December 22, 2019 at 3:53 pm
You’re welcome, Rainer! Enjoy Melbourne 🙂
Jac
December 22, 2019 at 7:12 pm
Thanks for your hours of fearless leadership for the Sunday blog. Beautiful pictures as usual! . Now to 2020 without a Sunday blog captain. What ever will we do?!
Lucy C
December 22, 2019 at 10:16 pm
Great and funny blog and fabulous photos Gemma! Priceless photo of Jim by the toilet block when he wanted to be photographed by the beach! 😆 Look forward to doing it all again tomorrow!!
Dilemma
December 23, 2019 at 9:39 am
Loved the blog & hanging out with you all sunday – fantastic pics Gemma if i say so myself lol!!! Seriously lots of fun and awesome editorial !
Michael S
December 23, 2019 at 1:58 pm
We are going to miss you Li’l Gem. It’s been tough trying to maintain stellar the standards you require of your blogging minions But wonderful working under your tutelage. I may never be allowed back on the beach after that photo.
Gemma
December 23, 2019 at 8:52 pm
Thanks Jac! As for 2020, we’re a creative bunch – we can work it out!
Gemma
December 23, 2019 at 8:54 pm
Thanks Luce!
Gemma
December 23, 2019 at 8:55 pm
Thanks Em, yes it was loads of fun and your photos were fabulous!
Gemma
December 23, 2019 at 9:00 pm
Thanks Michael – your standards this year have been amazing! And don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere – just slipping back among the minions!