Tuesday 29 November 2016 – A Pacific Jewel you need to see to believe

I woke this morning in a panic as the morning light had already beaten a path through the window and up the wall. I bounded out of bed with the prospect of an early swim. Ian Mcknight had warned me the night before he would be banging on my window at 5:30am to make sure I was awake. It was like trying to stop your alarm going off but like clockwork the banging started. But then I woke in a sweat and realised I was home and there was no Ian at my window.

Such was the start to a typical day in Lord Howe Island with the B&B crew on tour. While this mornings swim at Manly was enjoyable, I need to impart to you a sense of the magnificence of a Lord Howe morning and the prospect of immersing yourself in the blue pacific coral filled waters of the offshore lagoons and open ocean. I do this to suggest, in the event you havent done it yet that you put it on your list (fairly high up I suggest).

The days start with of course the Mcknight led early swim which for some was around the buoy and back, a mere matter of 100 meters while for others meant heading for one of the islands and turning back when you realised it might have been a bit far. Either way the return to shore meant breakfast was next. As you can see Ian was in his element in the clean Lord Howe water.

After the sensational breakfast fuel up, it was off to the swim boat, to the other end of the island, a trip that took 5 minutes by bike. This was followed by some swim tips by the local swim captain Trevor Hendy and his merry band. From there out to sea to find an ideal start mark for a few K’s of swim.

The start was usually just behind the breakers to the lee side of the island depending on wind direction. So many choices.

The swim usually ended up with a choice from offshore and return to base by boat though some days we just swum back to shore and headed back by bike again to Pine Trees for a for a lunch that was always exciting followed by a trek somewhere. With so many choices we just ticked them off 1 by 1 and still after a week had many left on the list.

With an island only 4 km in length everything usually included some up but all close at hand and usually a few hours round trip. The treks required another swim on return of course so we usually ended up on a lee beach somewhere cooling off and sleeping in the afternoon sun.

The afternoon cool down was usually followed by a relaxed ride back for a cuppa and some wind sown before meeting at the boat house for some strategy discussions ready for the next day.

Then back for another sensational dinner and do it all again.

Let me say it was one of the best breaks we have had. No internet, no mobiles and no worries mixed with an island I had to visit to believe.

We are planning another visit as soon as we can so if you are interested get in touch and let us know so we can get some details to you well ahead as it books out fast.

And now to business – This morning we were greeted by a very high tide and some lightly choppy conditions and low visibility. We had about 180 participants and 8 newbies, 4 of which we caught up with at breakfast still buzzing from the experience. Thats what its all about folks – get into it when you can.

Have a great week and see you at the christmas party.

Brian