Thursday 13th September: So do you identify with tongs?

The day started innocently enough with the usual suspects gathering like crows on a branch. Even Sterling made it down with his wing in a sling.

Then suddenly, without warning (like suddenly goes) the big stories started breaking. Now I’ll break them to you in the order they unfolded, so you too can experience the drama, suspense and cliffhanger like morning it was. And I’ll save for the end a special request for a person with special skills.

So the first big story is the birthday of our favorite fireman Ken Murphy, an earlier swimmer, fire saving hero and sometime B&B Dinner star speaker. Here he is with his cake (a bit sideways but that’s OK because Ken’s a bit sideways), and his mates…and Roger’s depiction- go Rog!

The second big story is Julia Baird winning  Our Watch Media Awards last night which reward and recognise excellence in journalism that contributes to a deeper understanding of violence against women. Here she is speaking at the Awards last night and with her mates after the swim this morning (special free blog subscription if you can guess which is which)…

And the special request? We are looking for a Tong Man or Tong Woman or Someone of any gender that identifies with Tongs to assist with the sausage sizzle this Sunday morning’s Badge Ceremony. You will be feeding the needy swimmers at the Royal Far West from 730am. Any cooking or culinary skills are a disadvantage because we want our snags burnt black on one side and pink on the other, just like we like them. The winning Tong Person will need their own Tongs of course. (I personally wouldn’t turn a sausage with another man’s tongs.)

That’s all the news for today.

And the swim? Calm, cooler than it felt and chummy as always.

See you at the swim

Pete Anthony

Stats:
Swimmers  122
Newbees  2
Water  16.4 – (felt like 15.234567321)

2018 Winter Badge Ceremony – Sunday 16^thSeptember – THIS SUNDAY

You’ve done the hard yards and got your Summer Badge(s), now come and collect your badges with all the pomp and ceremony the B&B can muster.  Bring along $10 for each badge you have earned (correct money appreciated). The venue is the Royal Far West Children’s Home (opposite the beach) on Sunday 16^thSeptember, straight after the regular swim! Everyone is welcome, family, friends and swimmers alike.

A $5 donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, and …. RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (sausage sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food.  Book here for Badge Ceremony.

All 2018 winter badge qualifiers will be presented with their well-earned badge(s), so whether you are getting one personally or you want to enjoy the celebrations of your fellow swimmers, a great morning is guaranteed, so come along, soak up the atmosphere and get inspired for the upcoming summer badges.

In conjunction with the badge ceremony, Royal Far West will be holding a raffle with great prizes, so don’t forget to bring along extra money for the raffle.

B&B TOWELS HAVE ARRIVED !!! 🎉😜 they are an amazing new light weight material that is super easy to shake the sand from.

Get yours now for only $50 in Budgy Smuggler Store, 1A/22 Darley Rd, Manly or Online:

https://budgysmuggler.com.au/collections/accessories/products/bold-and-beautiful-towel