Sunday 24 November: Wow! Just Wow!

I should know by now that the mornings when I don’t feel like swimming are the mornings when I definitely should swim.  I wasn’t too happy to hear my alarm go off today but, being a dutiful blogger, I cancelled the snooze button and leapt out of bed.  And I’m very glad I did – but more on that later …

 

The water temp is slowly creeping up, but the strong southerly kept the air temperature low.

 

JK and Dave having a serious moment.

 

This lot didn’t get the memo and lit up the grey skies with their smiles.  Emma, Lisa, Kerry, Georgina and Jules (back for his second swim!).

 

Anne welcomed newbie Lyndon and passed on important tips such as “remove your glasses before putting on your goggles”.  Is there no limit to Anne’s encyclopaedic knowledge?

 

Talking of top tips, Gillian showed me how she keeps her goggles warm, which apparently prevents leakage.  Good to know!

 

 

High tide, with the water lapping the ramp.

 

Photographing the photographers.

 

Rainer and Jo.

 

Alison and Di, wading through the deep water.

 

Excellent photo bomb by Fiona.

 

The point was a loose concept this morning.  Eventually I realised I’d missed the let’s go, and went.  I missed it at Shelly too, so I got to capture some good swimming technique heading my way:

 

 

This lot were in no hurry to leave Shelly:

 

Emma demonstrated her expert diving skills:

 

 

I found some fish!  The water’s still pretty murky though:

 

 

The side-lying fish (Mary’s favourite 🙂 ).

 

Clarity improved as I rounded the point.  Then, as I was well past the point and on my way into the beach, this swam right under me:

 

I was in fairly shallow water so it startled me somewhat!  The ray (a bull ray, I think) was heading away from the beach so I followed him, collecting Georgina and Kerry on the way.  (Hats off to the swimmer who also swam right over this enormous ray and somehow didn’t notice it – clearly they were deep in swimming meditation!  Or should have gone to Specsavers?)

 

 

 

 

We were so busy saying “Wow!” that eventually we lost the ray in the murkiness.  But not to worry – Georgina and Kerry demonstrated just how big it was:

 

 

Back on land the fun continued, as I caught up with the beautiful Colby (Jo must have the most-photographed legs in Manly 🙂 ):

 

 

Greg and Jo.  Charl in the background whizzed past me this morning doing backstroke.  And I was doing freestyle!!  No wonder I didn’t make it to Shelly for the “let’s go”!!!  The rest of the Pottgieter clan enjoying their Sunday:

 

Susie and I fought for Colby’s affections in an amusing but slightly undignified manner:

 

 

Susie needs some new clothes and has just set up a GoFundMe page.  She’ll be first in the queue at Izzy’s clothes swap this afternoon.

Enjoy your Sunday, everyone!

Stats:

Water temp 19.4

Swimmers: Busy but seemed slightly down from your average Sunday

Newbies: 3.5

And now for the notices:

Ocean Festival

Sun 24 Nov – Sun 1 Dec

Celebrate our oceans in this week-long festival stretching from Manly to Palm Beach. Events include:

Ocean Trivia at Harbord Diggers on Monday 25^th 7 pm – 9pm

‘Science at The Steyne’ Tuesday 26^th 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Art Meets Science Wed 27 Nov  6.30 – 8.30pm – Ruby Lane, Mona Vale

Ocean Care Day – Sun 1^st Dec  10am  – 4pm

Operation Crayweed Snorkel Tour  + much more…

https://www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/whats-on/ocean-festival

A Note from Emma G.

B&B FUNDRAISING CHRISTMAS PARTY

Please book early for the B & B Christmas Party, which will be held on Tuesday 10^th December at 6.30 pm in Henry’s Rooftop Bar (2^nd Floor) at the Steyne Hotel. All swimmers and partners/friends are welcome (no under 18s unfortunately). The theme is simply “Christmas”, so come dressed in your finest Christmas paraphernalia. The music this year will again be provided by the band, “Gluteus Maximus”, who play two types of music, Rock and Roll! The cost is $15 per head, with all proceeds going to the running costs of the B&B. Book now! Don’t miss out on this fun event, as numbers are limited. Book HERE now!