5amish mobile phone tells me to get up.
The rain was driving. The wind relentless. The windows rattled in the house and in the car. The surf was huge.
Actually the waves weren’t – they were huge at every other northern beaches – Queenscliff, Freshie, Curlie and all up the coast but we had our little bit of calm paradise at Manly. That southerly brought flat seas to our little bay as if to fly in the face of news reports.
And they did swim, didn’t they?
Above: The waves at South Steyne were at least 1-2 foot monsters but the sun made a valiant effort to break through all day.
Above: This gang weren’t sure that that the others would turn up but they did.
Above:
Swimmers – about a hundred for a 6.15am swim – so they say.
The rest scattered across the day as people realised the conditions weren’t that bad.
Total of 99 by 2pm.
Temperature – chalk record washed off by the rain but I reckon about 17.3.
Jimbles – I did not come across any but there were reports of Jimble nipple stings (Rusty).
Brush turkeys at Shelly – unsettled.
Visibility: Murky
Above: Robert and John heading out.
Above: Just do it.
Above: Chipo, Rusty and Pete discuss their swim and Rusty’s jimbling.
Above: Kit and Woody spend some quality time together.
Above: Giant cuttlefish seen fleeing Shelly Beach.
That’s it for today- I’m outta here. Enjoy your swimming.
I have my Pfizer No.2 vaccination lined up for Friday – the staff at Sydney Olympic Park run a friendly and efficient operation. This time I hope to avoid being stung on the lips by a jimble on the morning of my jab.
Remember – it ain’t over till its over.
Oosty
6 comments
Elizabeth
June 20, 2021 at 4:17 pm
I got stung. It was truly lovely. But for the badges I might have not even driven in because of the reports. But I had a great swim. Fabulous blog but you did not get the winter solstice swimmers? Or is it tomorrow. Asking for a friend
Inge
June 20, 2021 at 4:39 pm
I enjoyed the tale Oosty. What a peculiar day, with it being so calm down there. I heard there were some strange sea creatures this morning.
Anyway your surname got me going – Oosthuizen is a village in the Dutch province of North Holland. It is a part of the municipality of Edam-Volendam, and lies about 8 km north of Purmerend.
An oast house is actually a freestanding kiln for drying hops – which are used in the production of beer – many converted to houses. They must have had these structures around Oosthuizen. I love oast houses and I love beer.
Shelley K
June 20, 2021 at 4:52 pm
Ted’s crack wasn’t the only one on display this morning. No wonder those turkeys were unsettled. Roger made another splendid vadge badge and Capless Cafe took orders for fortified hot chocs, marshmallows and the like for the exhibitionists in our midst in mid CTB. All in all, and weather notwithstanding, another excellent event swim. Thanks Drinkie!
Anne H
June 20, 2021 at 5:11 pm
Beaut blog. I got mine.
Rusty
June 20, 2021 at 5:14 pm
Oosty another cracking blog. Was searching for those pixelated low res incriminating photos, but alas…just wanted to say that Rogers badge is sensational. Chippo reported soggy salty marshmallows on his tour of the bay. But then he is a deviant!
Edwina harrison
June 20, 2021 at 9:41 pm
That’s amazing 👍