Winters Back!

It couldn’t have looked more appealing after reading last nights forecast for big waves and hearing a wild wind at home. How lucky are we I thought, like a lake with sun shining. Not a bump to be seen.

Then I saw John and that temperature, and my heart sunk a bit, really not my ideal November temp. He tried a while too, and it felt like 16 but thanks to the cooler air temp it wasn’t fun afterwards, for most.

The early swimmers have always inspired me, especially in winter, but any time because they’re always excited to be down there, often entering the water in the dark and then exiting with an extra oomph in their steps.

I walked up to the point to see how much sun would be shining on me while swimming. Quite nice after you left the point. Here are the early people making their way in and around the point. Straight in and swimming, no mucking about like me, hopping and breast stroking until it’s too deep.

The only marine life I saw were the blue gropers, still a bit murky, but nice to see the seaweed and sea grass around.

I started between the two groups today, and avoided the onslaught of the 7am group, so many people coming towards me at once.

My favourite view towards the end of my swim, seeing the club and trees not far away.

Once you left the swim , back into the shade and cooler air temp ( 12-13 ), it was a bit uncomfortable. These men still had plenty to smile about and ready to shower promptly.

Sophie couldn’t stop for a photo, she was sprinting for a shower and to get dressed. Still smiling as always though!

Late arrivals, takes that long to put on a wetsuit sometimes, is it worth it? Probably yes today.

Freddy was like a lovely little hot water bottle, the dog – not the human known as Teddy.

Sue and Matt were comparing hip replacement scars and their recoveries, Sue’s back swimming short distances now. Such a great achievement.

Nicky is back after months away, working and travelling, warming up with Jo and Elaine post swim.

This guy wasn’t coping, and was using the sun to warm up, couldn’t even keep his head out of his towel!

Stats: temp 16.7, 9 newbies, 283 swimmers

Have a fabulous weekend everyone 🙂

Next Saturday,  four of us are holding a cake stall. We are walking for Beyond Blue with Coast Trek, 15km, in March next year. We’d love any baked goodies people can offer, or others to come and have a feed after the swim. Such an important cause , often not talked about openly, and significant for more than you realise.

The Monthly Dinner – 12^th November 2019 – Guest Speaker

The Next B&B monthly dinner for the year will be held on Tuesday 12th Novemober at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. Our guest on the night will be Allan Sparkes CV, OAM, VA FRSN, who is one of only 5 Australians in the past 44 years to be awarded the Cross of Valour (CV), Australia’s highest bravery decoration. Allan will speak about “What is the rarely recognised element of courage and why is it so important today?” Is courage about overcoming fear? willingness to risk your all, an inner strength? perhaps it is about choice, leaving a place of safety to go to a place of danger? But how often do we consider courage is about the willingness to care. In his talk Al Sparkes will touch on the times he has had to be courageous to help others and the times he stopped caring about himself. And what he did to recover his life from the pits of hell.

Please book early for this event as it is sure to be popular. The cost of the dinner is great value at only $25 a head, which includes shared entrees, and a selection of mains to choose from (including a vegetarian option). Glasses of beer or wine and desserts are also available at the special price of only $5 each. Numbers are limited, so bookings are essential. To avoid disappointment and secure your spot please book at www.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au/bb-bluewater-monthly-dinner.html