Wednesday 23/11/2016 Hump Day Bump Day

I was in a slight panic this morning. I hadn’t had time to plan my blog and I felt very uninspired with no idea for a theme.

I shouldn’t have worried. There was no need for a theme today. There was so much to celebrate, experience and enjoy so I’ll let the morning and all its glory unfold with the great variety of happenings in these photos.

First of all A very happy Birthday to Henrietta. She is one of the most beautiful women of the Band B and always so happy and delightful. She is celebrating a big birthday today so I’m glad we were all able to celebrate with her. More of her birthday celebrations to follow.

 

As the 6.30’s started to arrive there were some very happy faces but some very nervous glances out to the ocean which was putting on a spectacular display of rolling, heaving, bumping, bouncing waves

 

Sue and Nat

 

 

 

 

Charlotte and Sophie trying to decide to swim or not to swim. That is the question!

 

You know its going to be a tough swim when the Drinksy Express are gathered for a team talk.

 

Regardless of the challenging conditions, they all head out with a smile

 

 

 

Into the churning maelstrom they go!

 

Meanwhile back at the wall with Robyn and Henrietta who starts to get all her birthday hugs

 

Henrietta, Dorsett, Martin, Peter and Jill

 

After his 6am swim, Mark was looking a lot healthier then when I last saw him on Sunday night after his bluebottle encounter and was happy to report no pesky stingers this morning. Mark enjoyed a post swim chat with John and Sean or should I say Fabio. Donations welcome for his Movember fund raising!

 

Adam, Sabina, Toby and Sanna

 

John, Shelley, Robyn and Richard

 

Michael, James and Penny take time out to peruse the new calendar

 

Fiona also enjoying the pictures

 

Caden and Luca issuing a shark alert

 

John and his WOW team

 

Dave, Rob and Scotty’s dad Craig. Craig came for the swim to help Scotty celebrate his 1000k swim. Brilliant effort!

 

Scotty celebrating his 1000 and being first back, I believe

 

 

 

We gathered to listen to our wise leader who suggested a walk to Shelly might be a good idea.

 

 

 

 

Whilst half the group heeded his advice the other half braved the waves

 

 

Gemma, Caroline and friend enjoyed the walk over whilst others still pondered what their best option was

 

More pondering

 

Louise, Emma and Michael did the Can-Can on the way over

 

This gorgeous group of swimmers were enjoying a calm stroll to Shelly…until…

 

 

There seemed to be more gazing out to sea when we got to Shelly, than actual swimming today. For a good reason – we were waiting for the birthday girl Henrietta as she and Richard had ordered hot chocolates all round

 

 

 

 

Cheers Henrietta!!

 

 

Great shot of Jill, Mary, Rainer and Sarah

 

After finally getting into the water Anne, Emma, Caroline and I made it to the buoy before a quick turnaround back to Shelly. The water was a warm 20.8 with quite a swell and limited visibility but still a fabulous swim.

 

On the walk back we were treated to this acrobatic aerial show with loop the loops, barrel rolls, stalls and other stunts. Very impressive.

 

Melissa, Emma, Robyn, James, Alison, Georgina and Jane

 

I met James, Ed and Katie today. James has been coming for a while, Ed not that long and Katie enjoyed her first swim with B and B today. Great effort and welcome Katie! These were tricky conditions for your first swim so we will look forward to seeing you back again.

 

John, Danny, Marco and Brian

 

Caroline David, Mel, Bails and Me

Was there a complaint of disturbing the peace? No! It was just the regular chat and coffee on the wall

 

 

“It wasn’t us Officer believe me! It must have been that mob at the Benches”

 

Having sorted out the riffraff at the Wall off they head to fight more crime….on the beach?

 

 

So to recap, we had a special birthday, a 1000k swimmer, a lovely stroll to Shelly, hot chocolate at Shelly and cakes at Manly, an acrobatic airshow, new swimmers and large difficult seas, police on horseback and this was all before 8am. What a brilliant start to the day!

Stats: (Completely fabricated)

Water temp: 20.8

Swimmers: 119

Walkers and swimmers: 83

Newbies: at least 1 (Katie)

Police on Horseback: 2

 

Enjoy the rest of your day

Lisa

B&B Christmas Party – don’t miss out – BOOK EARLY

The B & B Christmas Party this year will be held on Tuesday 13th December at 6.30 pm in the Moonshine Bar (2nd Floor) at the Steyne Hotel. All swimmers and partners/friends are welcome (no under 18s unfortunately). The theme again this year is simply “Christmas”. So come dressed in your finest Christmas paraphernalia. Lots of fun and dancing are guaranteed, with music by a fantastic rock band “Gluteus Maximus”. The cost is $10 per head, with all proceeds going to the running costs of the B&B. Book HERE now! Don’t miss out on this fun event, numbers are limited.

(I’m sorry I have no idea how to activate the booking site and my technical advisor (my son) is not home)