wow, that’s more like it!

After all the heatwaves and then claps of thunder overnight with rain, today was the kind of day I could wake up to all the time. Perfect swimming conditions and a beautiful temperature as well, I want summer to stay a while.

There were 13 newbies today, not sure I got photos of all of them. Graham was first up:

the backpacker brigade from the youth hostel, the only way to travel I think. Jessica, Beyza, Nico and Kyle hailing from France, Turkey ( german resident ), Canada and Italy!

Rosy ( not new ) with Amanda.

Jackson, Danielle and Jarod ( I think also not new )

Now some scenic shots:

there were pink caps in every corner of the bay today. I saw the big eagle ray today with lots of fish, a turtle last weekend, still no dusky for me, and the normal cute rays.

Now for the humans: it was Roz Beaver’s 500km celebration- well done! Elaine de Jager introduced her to the swim apparently:

Note Ian McKnight above trying to outshine Ian Forster-try again 🙂

This is Senta with her beautiful baby Merle, wish I’d had time to beg for a cuddle.

I bumped into Robyn with her son Keith today, nice to see him back again, and I have a hunch she did her double or even triple with Belinda today, Robyn being only maybe 8 weeks post hip replacement?

Speaking of doubles: Pauline did her first one yesterday at a lovely leisurely pace with myself and Deanna, Ian you’ll be next I think to join us.

Sir Laurens made a friend the other day, can’t resist the dog photos sorry.

Merrilee’s dog exhausts himself when he sees Panda, he’s all over Panda like a rash!

Now news and important info: water temp was 22.4 degrees, 250 swimmers.

copy this link for an interesting video on our swim including an interview with Jenny Knapman, one of the original pink cappers.

Jenny tells me the other videos on Sydney are also worth watching.

Pauline found some rayban glasses last weekend, on one of the days we started our swim at Shelly Beach, ask at the desk if you lost some.

Next big swim:

The first B&B monthly dinner for 2017 will be on Tuesday 14th February at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. Our guest speaker on the night will be Nigel Marsh, who is best known for his creative pursuits. As well as the author of three books – Fat, Forty and Fired, Overworked and Underlaid and Fit, Fifty and Fired-Up – he is also the co-founder of Earth Hour and the founder of the Sydney Skinny. Nigel will talk to us about the Sydney Skinny swim. So bring your special friend and celebrate Valentine’s Day with your B&B friends.

The cost of the dinner is only $25 a head and includes shared entrees, a selection of mains to choose (incl a vegetarian option), corkage (for byo wine only) and a little thank you for the staff. 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 HERE NOW.

Cole Classic Sunday 5th.
anyone interested in volunteering for cole classic use this contact:

volunteer@manlylsc.com

We are currently unsure of where the Cole Classic will start or end as yet as conditions sometimes change the course, so we will make a decision on where we swim to and from on the day.
If all of the activity is around the Surf Club and Shelly Beach, we would probably go North, however as I said we will endeavour to find more out this week
and make the decision on the morning of the swim.

I think that’s it, apologies for any names that are incorrect. I thought I’d taken a photo of one of my favourite colleages but it’s not on the camera: oops, sorry Matt and partner. Next time 🙂

I”m off the Melbourne for the Davis Cup, see you all next week.