Pacific Jules

Friday, 18 May 2012

18/05/2012 - Turtle Treats

100 Bold & Beautiful swimmers !

Yet another heavenly swim in warm, calm seas. It's living the dream don't you reckon, starting each day swimming together with such wonderful friends across our world class aquatic marine reserve. How lucky are we !

Even in the middle of winter when it's 'a little fresh'... you've acclimatised and are ready to embrace the swim after the gathering at the point.

Simon forgot his pink cap this morning but it must have been intentional as he wanted to show off his pink butterfly... ;-)

There were two schools of fish suspended just below the surface as we set off from Shelly, it was just as if they were hanging on display in an art gallery.

Then... Anna, Sue and Derek were the privileged few who got to see a turtle just as they were swimming back to shore !!! Magic, I was only thinking about him as I was swimming back taking photos, maybe I saw him too in my sub conscious ;-)

Some of our swimmers just love the early mornings, and who wouldn't when you've got a superb swim to look forward too ;-) 8 people enjoyed a bonus early lap at 6.30 this morning, meanwhile 5 headed North and 4 others preferred to get their distance in afterwards. Then there's always those who just do them all :-)

Our newest participant, beautiful baby Lilou joined us at Bluewater this morning, oh my gosh she is sooooo cute !! Oh yes I almost forgot, it was lovely to see your lovely Mum and Dad too Lilou, thanks for bring them with you ;-)

A big congratulations to two of our swimmers; Sarah Thomson (who is also one of our valued sponsors from Innovations Sports Physiotherapy) and Dan who just got engaged !!! :-)

Water Temperature 19.8
Air Temperature 14.0
Sunrise 6.43am
Sunset 5.01pm
High Tide: 6.26am
Low Tide: 12.18pm

Posted by Pacific Jules at 10:59 AM in Bold & Beautiful | Permalink | Comments (19) | TrackBack (0)

Thursday, 17 May 2012

17/05/2012 - Oodles & Oodles...

Over 78 Bold & Beautiful swimmers.

Another top morning with yet another beautiful sunrise - gosh we are sooo spoilt ! Thanks to Gaetan for this lovely early photo.

It's pretty much spot the cossies now with all these seal suits being fashioned... don't forget that highly regarded 'winter without wetsuit' badge that is out there for all to strive towards, starting 1st June... ;-)

Ian enjoying some lovin' from the girls at the point ;-)

Smiles all round as we all sing happy birthday to Nicolee at Shelly Beach :-)

My oh my... what's happened to our duskies during the last 4 weeks ?? They've seriously multiplied... I must have seen at least 30 this morning, some rather new looking baby ones and some really very healthy ones !!

Despite the cooler temperatures, there is still so much activity with 10 people still swimming early with a bonus warm up lap at 6.30pm and 4 enjoying some post swim double :-) If these conditions keep up as predicted I'm sure there will be some people keen for a 6km on Sat if anyone wants to join in.

Check us out !! Looking good as our peleton of pink caps features in the background of photo 3 on Sprout Daily today :-)

It seems that there may be a few changes in positions on the Pacific Challenge... not that we care or anything, but... John appears to have just slipped ahead of me... and Lori ahead of Attracta !! Watch out Jane you're next in Lori's sights with only 0.5km clear ;-)

We were all snug as a bug in a rug with the sun shining on us at Bluewater for the launch of our new exclusive hearty breakfast menu this morning :-)

Don't forget you are welcome to stop in any time of day to take advantage of our special $2 take away coffees, just show your 'I'm a B&B discount card' which you can purchase online or from me after any morning swim.

Very happy birthday to Linda Goodwin and Nicolee Goins today !! :-)

It you missed the Orca wetsuit fitting last night but you would still like to take advantage of the B&B 15% discount just let me know as we can order them anytime.

To read Michael's tips on how to stay safe in the surf please click here

Water Temperature 19.9
Air Temperature 12.0
Sunrise 6.42am
Sunset 5.01pm
Low Tide: 11.42am
High Tide: 6.12pm

Posted by Pacific Jules at 10:49 AM in Bold & Beautiful | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)

Wednesday, 16 May 2012

16/05/2012 - It's Great To Be Back

Over 95 Bold & Beautiful swimmers.

It's wonderful to be back, not only in the water which is still pleasantly warm I'm happy to say, but with all of you... thank you for the warm welcome and all the hugs and kisses... we must go away more often ;-) xx

Thanks for taking the photos so I could enjoy the swim this morning Lesley :-) I know you will all miss Lesley's great humour on the blogs, but don't worry... she won't be far away... so we might just get Lesley (and anyone else who is keen) to write guest blogs from time to time even if we aren't away :-)

Gotta love that golden glow of the sunrise as we enter the water.

The wonderful chatter as we gather off the point :-)

The Shelly Beach social rest stop.

Plus a wonderful array of our diverse fishie friends including soooo many schools of tiny baby fish and our infamous duskies all out and about enjoying the morning together with us.

In fact you gotta love the whole damn thing, it really is the best medicine and the best start to any day :-)

A massive thank you to John, Ian, Anna and Lesley Queen of the camera and Blog who all did an amazing job whilst we were away, thank you so very very much for looking after everything and everyone so brilliantly for us... in fact you did so well we think we might start planning our next trip away ;-)

Don't forget: Orca wetsuit fitting in Manly this evening for anyone who is interested... B&B get a special 15% discount :-) Email me if you're keen and I'll let you know where.

Important info re post swim breakfasts... unfortunately for us after a wonderful time at Manly Wine they are no longer able to carry on with their same breakfast menu. We have had many many happy breakfasts, celebrations and other get together at Manly Wine and I'm sure we won't be strangers, but with winter coming up we do need our hearty winter warmers at apres swim so effective as of tomorrow Bluewater are offering a special B&B winter brekkie !!! :-) There will be a great selection of choices including coffee or tea for only $10 !! There will be other fantastic specials too including $2 take away coffees all day if you show your 'I'm a B&B Swimmer Card' !! Please come down and join in.

See you all in the morning, it's gonna be magic :-)

To read Michael's tips on how to stay safe in the surf please click here

Water Temperature 20.1
Air Temperature 12.0
Sunrise 6.41am
Sunset 5.02pm
Low Tide: 11.03am
High Tide: 5.31pm

Posted by Pacific Jules at 10:49 AM in Bold & Beautiful | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBack (0)

Tuesday, 15 May 2012

15/05/2012 - Wave Hello!

Over 59 Bold and Beautiful Swimmers

Another lovely morning - Water is warmish at 20.0 degrees - well warm compared to air temp of about 9 degrees!

As from tomorrow this will be Michael's bottom we see not John Kelly's :-D

Jules' filler-in staff whilst she has been away.. Wake up John!! Next pic - It is our last day at 'running the show'!! We really enjoyed it but glad Jules and Michael are back, we especially now appreciate how much work they do! xox

Some nice big waves this morning! er...Hello?? Who said it was flat?! proof below! ;-)

Walking in, waiting at the point (taken from half way), a few of us at half way!!

Elaine modelling the latest in SIFT - super in-efficient flipper technology! ;-)

Coming back in - avoiding the rip!! Some good waves to bring us in....

Made it!

Happy Birthday to Sheri Bowes!

Welcome back Jules and Michael and see you and them tomorrow morning (Wednesday)! Yippeeeee!!

Posted by Pacific Jules at 10:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)

Monday, 14 May 2012

14/05/2012 - A Most Momentous Monday!

Over 49 Bold and Beautiful Swimmers!

There were some impressive big waves this morning but they were coming from the south (I think!) so they were mostly heading towards the northern end of the beach - Check out The Bomby...

Air temp was cold! I think about 8 degrees? But water is still warm at 20.4!!

Suiting up for the swim....

We noticed this morning that Michael and Julie have dropped off the list because they haven't swum for 3 weeks!! BUT they are returning to Australia tomorrow and back in charge (PLEASE!!) on Wednesday! YEAH!!

Also Mr John Bond has been taking advantage of their absence and moving up the Pacific Challenge scale! Today he swam into joint 2nd place with Julie and tomorrow will over take her! DON'T BE SICK tomorrow John! ;-)

The Pacific Challenge is to the left side of the blog, click on it to see where you are placed! Michael Christie has done the equivalent of swimming to Yamba.

Izzy snorkelling up for the swim!

The walk out, sharing the water with the surfers today.....And waiting to go!

Coming back in dodging the surfers!

Visibility was 'down' in the water today, especially the deeper sections of the swim, churned up by the surf no doubt. But the morning was stunning and clear and sunny!! How we love the sun in winter!

Extra Extra...

WETSUIT FITTING

The Orca wetsuit fitting this coming Wednesday evening for any one who is keen. It will be in Manly from 6.30pm. B&B get a 15% discount. Please email if you are interested and we will let you know the venue.

Posted by Pacific Jules at 12:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Sunday, 13 May 2012

13/05/2012 - Mother of all Swims!

Over 126 COLD and Beautiful swimmers!

Chilly start today - the water is still warm-ish at 20 degrees but outside was cold, I think about 11 degrees possibly less due to the wind. So incredibly clear, a dream to swim in!

Happy Mother's Day to all B&B mothers! They got a 10 second head start today!

16 swimmers took advantage of the calm and clear water conditions and did a double lap lead by John B.

George Sweetcorn joined us today!! (2nd pic - welcoming another newcomer Ashleigh)

So flat!

Mermaid Nick.

The view sharks see!!

One very large very brave blue groper! sHe was about a metre long (but hard to tell in the photo!) and it was swimming all by itself amongst DOZENS of sharks, the most I have ever seen - all swimming along together!! One shark swam UP towards me and a small fish swimming next to me, sniffed the fish and then swam away - me AND the fish were very relieved! :-D

What are these yellows tales 'running' away from? (next pic) King Fish!

Close up of a stingaree! And next pic, top left, not too sure what it is - possibly the rare Liverpudderpuss?

Someone looks pleased to see me! ;-)

Bold and Beautiful On Tour/Extra News

Message from Jules re: WETSUIT FITTING

Argyle Road Trippers

They stopped off at Katherine Gorge for a swim..it was so cold there they froze MID air diving in!!

Posted by Pacific Jules at 10:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

Saturday, 12 May 2012

12/05/2012 - A Heavenly Start!

Over 155 Cold and Beautiful Swimmers!

Yes it was definitely a heavenly start to the day with that sunrise! Water is still warm at 21 degrees! Air temp not bad! ;-)

Six did an early swim to Freshie including Richard, Roberto and Miles (who beat Roberto!).

Seven did a double lap lead by John B!!

We were joined this morning by a member of the Black Ice swimmers in Melbourne, he said the sea they swim in gets down to 11 (and no doubt more)... so that should keep us going when it ONLY gets down to 15 for us! They sound hard core, absolutely NO wetsuits! Black Ice website

The tide so low and the sand bank so high we are actually WALKING out to the point at the moment!! Water is clear clear clear and flat flat flat!

"Braducy"

And around about now both Ian and I realised we forgot goggles/cap!

But a chance to take some 'above' the water shots!

A group hug for Jules at Shelly :-) ....instigated by Ian of course..and only man in there?!

Only underwater photo that came out - but shows how lovely and clear the water is!

Now that we are no longer going to our usual coffee/breakie spot we congregated in another temporary location and enjoyed the sun!!!

ANOTHER wonderful swim!! Thanks to everyone for coming along and enjoying themselves!

Bold and Beautiful On Tour/Extra News!

ONCE AGAIN Richard Agius lost his hoodie!! He left it sitting on top of his bag outside the surf club - Description: Bold and Beaut grey hoodie, NO BADGES ON IT AT ALL , no name inside! So if you accidently took it please bring back down tomorrow or asap! thanks!

Argyle Road Trip...

What's on the menu in Kunnnnunurrurrruura?

Item number 7 please! A B&B special - which someone is eating in next photo - looks good!

Posted by Pacific Jules at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)

Friday, 11 May 2012

11/05/2012 - Lovely Manly!

Over 119 Bold and Beautiful Swimmers

Oh what a beautiful morning!!! Water temp 21.2 - air temp? who knows but it was warm!! ;-)

John Bond lead Sam, Robin and David for a double lap due to the calm conditions!

Our shadows matching the Norfolk Pines....

Does it get any better??

Visibility is top notch! A quick stop at Shelly (at least for the slowies!)

Our lovely stingarees are constant presence... Next pic up side down fishes! No it was me that was upside down ;-)

Coming back into the beach I saw MILLIONS of little fish!! Apparently someone saw a turtle also!!

Bold and Beautiful On Tour / Extra News

Argyle Road Trip continued

Pinks caps, Sunsets, Kununurra....

The boys and their pack lunches, and somebody's Knob??

Gaetan and James!! We need captions please!!

James' restaurant receipt that night?!?

Posted by Pacific Jules at 11:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

Thursday, 10 May 2012

10/05/2012 - Time to reflect..

Over 68 Bold and Beautiful Swimmers!

Another lovely lovely morning! Water 21.1 Air much warmer, and should getting up to 25 degrees today! LOOK ..The clock is working again!

Four people did a double lap lead by John Bond, to make the most of the LOVELY conditions!!

I received a message from Bold and Beautiful leader Julie Isbill this morning saying her father, Don, had passed away (he had been ill for a while and the main reason Julie has been away in the UK). She said he is at peace now. Here he is below with Julie's mum Joan.

In honour of Julie and her family we really enjoyed our swim and I am sure they were all 'there' with us.

From all your friends in Manly xxx

Posted by Pacific Jules at 11:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (16) | TrackBack (0)

Wednesday, 09 May 2012

09/05/2012 - Salute to the Sun!

Over 91 Beautiful Bold Swimmers + lots dolphins!

We are definitely making the most of the conditions! 91 B&B'ers is pretty good for a Wednesday!

20.8 in the water and about 14 air temp.

Whilst waiting at the Surf Club we spotted dolphins (see arrows below!) heading towards the Bower/Shelly - so we decided we would swim out towards the Bower, which was a nice change!

Also the waves are much smaller so everyone went in from the beach...

Come on Midge get your goggles on!

Getting in and waiting at the meeting point

And we're off!

We didn't see any dolphins but it was fun swimming from the bower into Shelly on the waves! And there was something different to see over there - all those lovely boulders..(didn't come out in the photo though!) But water is clear and lots to see - a big blue groper caused some excitement, though not for him! ;-)