Sunday 26 September: The adventures of Alice (and others) in Wonderland

 

A grey day.  A wet day.  Should I go for a swim or stay in bed?  Er, I’m blogging.  Decision made.

The friendly smiles at B&B Central provided instant warmth.  Auntie and niece combo Lisa and Alice:

 

The WOWs had turned out to celebrate Alice’s birthday.  Happy Birthday, Alice!!

Holly asked if there was cake:

 

Nat, Chrissy and Lisa:

 

Jo and Ed:

Ed was counselling Jo to let go of her coffee cups so she could go for a swim.  Patrick offered to help:

 

Kerrie and Charl:

 

I recognise that wistful look in Charl’s eyes.  It says:  “Are you a hairdresser?”  No, Charl, sadly I’m not.  But I share your pain.

Lyndall with Poppet and Freddie:

 

You may not realise it but Lyndall’s a local power broker.  Today she collected scones from a cafe that had baked them just because she had asked them to.  Wow.  If you need anything fixing in Manly, just let Lyndall know.  Roger was first in the queue:

 

The rain had nearly washed away the temperature mark:

 

We gathered at the point for a quiet, reflective moment to celebrate Alice’s birthday.  Lisa, Fi, Alice, Nat and Lou:

 

Quiet reflections over, the girls went wild:

 

 

Then Fi spotted a couple of Port Jacksons:

 

 

I found one too, but lost it in the time it took for me to call everyone over.  Lisa and Fi were very understanding:

 

For more sharky news, see further below.

Shelly looked foreboding:

 

I needn’t have worried.  The lovely Cheryl was there to greet me:

 

We had a nice chat, then Cheryl headed off to the Bower while I ploughed back through the bay:

 

Visibility was surprisingly good:

 

 

 

 

By the time I made it back to the point, the rain was coming down hard:

 

Soldier didn’t mind (look at those eyes!!):

 

Nor did Emma, Fi or Melise:

 

**STOP PRESS NEWS** First-hand report this morning from intrepid roving reporter, LesBubs: “LesBubs was swimming by herself over the rocks near the point when she looked to the side and RIGHT next to her at the surface was a big shark sniffing her!  They looked at each other in the eyes, both freaked out!  The shark went one way Lesbubs the other.  True story.  No photos unfortunately 😉.”  On further questioning, LesBubs reckoned (with 9/10 certainty) it was a dusky (“smiley face like a dusky”) and that the encounter was both scary and exhilarating: “scarhilerating”!  Two lessons from this story: (1) Always carry your camera (2) Don’t swim near LesBubs 🤣.

I will leave you with the lovely Annie, who tried (but failed) to escape the blog camera by ducking down Ashburner Street:

 

Thanks all for being part of my Wonderland.  Happy Sunday, everyone!

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.