Pacific Jules

Breaking out on a moody blue morning

A moody blue morning greets us. A waft from a local bakery lingers. A full moon sets. Beauty I'd always missed. With these eyes before.

First light is 6.31am but they are pushing off strobing blue and green, just after 6am. Sam adjusts a dog light.

Hey you with the pretty face. Welcome to the human race.
A celebration, Mr. Blue Sky's up there waitin'. And today is the day we've waited for

A potential lockdown and the beaches are humming with walkers and swimmers. Opposite the Steyne they line for a some event.

The Black Wiggles

The 6.45 crew launch

Half way registration

The Masters of the Universe stride out. Stealthy stares longingly towards the deep ocean swell

Point break

Karl advises Neece (her first CBT swim) that licking the lens is the best way of getting clarity. Still working that one out.

Morning breaks midway.

Rusty and Chippos pitch report

Sunrise planned for 7am. A gentle WNW breeze clocks in at 9km/hour. High tide at 9.04. A small pulse pushes the odd wave through, enough to create a bumpy ride especially coming back. It’s smoothed out from yesterday, but still harder to get into a rhythm. Viz a bit low, no jimbles, no turkeys, and chased by a lamington. Cabbage Tree Bay always delivers something to kick start the day. Salt Joy indeed!

Thanks for the swim Team. Don't let your true love run cold.

Chippo Picasso, Mel Efficient and Rusty the Fish

Stay safe.

Thursday, 24 June 2021 - Life Down Under (Deep) - Bliss

BOLD & BEAUTIFUL IS NOT CURRENTLY RUNNING
DUE TO THE RISKS OF CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).

Thank you for following public health advice at all times.

Water temp: 17.9

Winter Swimming

B&B is still bound by Covid 19 restrictions with which we are determined to comply. So, for the near future, B&B’s operations will continue to be suspended. This does not mean you need to stop swimming. As an encouragement to swim, B&B is offering its usual badges over the winter swimming season. To qualify for a highly prized winter badge, you need to:

• swim from Manly to Shelly and return (or halfway swim) a minimum of 20 times between 1st June and 31st August. 
• swim in at least 7 different weeks during the same period.
• log your swims.

If you manage to do all of your qualifying swims without a wetsuit (or other thermal enhancing equipment), you will also qualify for the coveted WWW badge (winter without wetsuit).

All swims must be at Manly. Should there be any restrictions imposed during the Winter period, The Covid Swim will return as an option.

Wild and woolly winter fashionistas

Dumela ( hello in SeSotho) 

Winter swimming brings out the fashionista in us all. Or perhaps it buries it. I asked the crew to show their winter apparel on our SLC catwalk. 

Rocking it on the SLC catwalk Angie Ali and Sadie 

Two legends Justus and Lainey strike a pose 

Birthday girl and legendary fast fish Jenny surrounded  by models Sean, Craig and Super Trooper (there’s always one) 

Nat and I try a warm fur ( Freddie obliged so wonderfully). Shanni added the post swim glamour 

Legend of the Drinks Express struts his stuff. Move over Elvis. 

Gorgeous models Annora, Sally, Kath and Karen show off their post swim ensembles. You saw it here first. 

Danny and Brian show their metal. That’s heavy metal. Move over  Don Corleone. 

Beauties Jo, Shelley and Ros bring colour to the catwalk with this seasons on trend colours. Completed with a must have tote. 

The gorgeous WOWs Deb, Ro, Georgina (wearing her own design) Hels and Pinky sport the bikini look with Ro striking a cheeky Marilyn Munro pose. 

The men of the bench show off their finery. It’s about the hats. 

A thoughtful pose by Roger who completed his 2000 this week well done ! With A happy David. Happy is this seasons big look. 

Trooper, Jonny, Drinky and Tim of Salt Joy refining the post swim yeah-no-but chat, seen here in sporting fine BnB fashion . 

Cam struts his stuff showing what a fashion icon he is on the catwalk that keeps on delivering.
The Scogs and Ro’s brother Jonny just ‘tripping’ in as a guest on the catwalk with Nat. The Italian look is so in.

 Its all about the shoes too, some WOW model shoes for the season  demand is high get your orders in quick fast. 

Deb always sports the best ‘pack it all in’sporty look. She comes all the way from Galston so is always well prepared.

 The sunrise today was spectacular, taken by Lainey x

The models relax for a coffee 

Sorry a technical hitch with  management blurb so please remember to swim within your own risk level. 

Thank  you to all my wonderful models who allowed the paparazzi to photograph away. We are such a fashionable bunch, winter just brings it out doesn’t it. 
Until next time Hambe Kahle (go safely ) 

Di

x

22/06/2021 - Salt Joy

Cuttlefish photo bombardment continues! Won't be too long now before these gorgeous creatures start to die off as both males and females die after mating and only live to 1-2 years! This was the lovely Lisa Peresan last week being swallowed by a Giant Cuttlefish ;-) Thank you Tim Keith for the title of today's blog. It's the title of the fantastic documentary he's made about our swim and swimming community. Hope you've got your tickets for 12th or 20th July when it will be shown at The Steyne. It is actually sold out but get on the waitlist as more tickets could be released! I'm off to work early today so a hotch potch blog with photos from the past week and a few from today.

This was lovely Sunday blogger Barb with her mates Annie, Kate and Roz off for an early swim in 17.7 degree water this morning! It was cold with murky water on the 2nd shortest day of the year but all swimmers were glowing after their dose of 'salt joy'!

Debbie has recruited her partner Paul to the B&B and they look very cute in their Georgina Hart designed swimmers!

The 'Merpeople' were thin on the ground today as a few of them are in Hobart for Dark Mofo and should be skinny dipping right now! Hopefully some photos with surface somewhere!

This swim brings a lot of joy to this selfless couple Juliette and Andrew. They are finding it harder to swim as they've just fostered another child. When asked 'why' Juliette tells me there are 350 kids without a home in NSW alone and they want to 'share the love'. Good on you guys!

Kate and Michelle with bump. Michelle put a lot of work in to fundraising to get 'Salt Joy' completed recently. Thanks Michelle.

Murray came in first at 6.55am today after swimming the Drinks Express. He hates his photo being taken but I managed to get him whilst he shivered. Our dose of salt has given him a lot of joy and he's spread the message with his work with mental health charity Batyr and helping start up the Babewatch swimming group. We love you Murray :-)

Yesterday our favourite cartoonist/swimmer swam his 2000th km with the B&B. He got a cheer from the Drinks Express at Shelly and a very short arch at the Surf Club!

New friends Liz and Anita met down at the B&B and now are great buddies!

More buddies Henrietta and Jenny who may have met at the swim too.

These Cuttlefish met in Cabbage Tree Bay too and here they are mating!

Di, Ro and Jonny  had a close encounter last week!

As did Roz on her birthday last Thursday.

Two Lisas

I saw 4 Duskies on Wednesday with Cheryl.

and a rare sighting of a Spotted Eagle Ray

The Gropers seemed to be bluer than ever last week with the beautifully clear Winter water!

Seeing a Wobbegong swimming is one of my favourite sights in Cabbage Tree Bay!

Cheryl also showed me 3 Octopus. She is indeed an 'Octopus Whisperer'!

If you've been missing the kindest man in Manly, Derek Dreyer, he's on a road trip with Bindi. Here he is with B&B founders Jules Isbill and Michael Christie in Perth a few days ago.

That's all for now. Have a great week!

Lainey

Contain your excitement

After a weekend of rain we were presented with the perfect window of paradise this morning; the sun rising and shining for just long enough to get the swimmers in and the camera's out.

But thats not all that was out today. With a quick glance around the 'battlefield' one couldn't help notice it strewn with the various weapons of choice on display. From the simple change-easy towel poncho to the flasks of pre-made coffee (Read: Elixir of life), each swimmer showing off their own piece of armour against the elements and wearing it proudly like a badge of honour.

However, most noticeably today it was the 'courageous container' in all its shapes and sizes which captured our hearts and minds. A vial, so versatile, so varied and so very very valid, vying for the attention and spotlight it so deserves.

Stunning

the New renaissance man 

Freddie not wanting to be left out; one good pupper keeping warm

Weapons at the ready for a brave soldiers return 

Buckets galore






The dog friendly container 


Stay warm, enjoy your swimming and have a great week all

MDP

They didn't, did they? 20/06/2021

5amish mobile phone tells me to get up.

The rain was driving. The wind relentless. The windows rattled in the house and in the car. The surf was huge.

Actually the waves weren’t – they were huge at every other northern beaches - Queenscliff, Freshie, Curlie and all up the coast  but we had our little bit of calm paradise at Manly. That southerly brought  flat seas to our little bay as if to fly in the face of news reports.

And they did swim, didn't they?

Above: The waves at South Steyne were at least 1-2 foot monsters but the sun made a valiant effort to break through all day.

Above: This gang weren’t sure that that the others would turn up but they did.

Above:

Swimmers – about a hundred for a 6.15am swim – so they say.

The rest scattered across the day as people realised the conditions weren’t that bad.

Total of 99 by 2pm.

Temperature – chalk record washed off by the rain but I reckon about 17.3.

Jimbles – I did not come across any but there were reports of  Jimble nipple stings (Rusty).

Brush turkeys at Shelly - unsettled.

Visibility: Murky

Above: Robert and John heading out.

Above: Just do it.

Above: Chipo, Rusty and Pete discuss their swim and Rusty's jimbling.

Above: Kit and Woody spend some quality time together.

 

Above: Giant cuttlefish seen fleeing Shelly Beach.

That's it for today- I'm outta here. Enjoy your swimming.

I have my Pfizer No.2 vaccination lined up for Friday – the staff at Sydney Olympic Park run a friendly and efficient operation. This time I hope to avoid being stung on the lips by a jimble on the morning of my jab.

Remember – it ain’t over till its over.

Oosty

 

June 19, 2021 A blog about nothing and everything

Up with the birds

Winter surfers

Bed or Beach the winter quandary, the never ending "will I or won’t I?". The blog drove me from the warm sheets to the cool sand, to greet a gorgeous winter morning. A few less people than average, swimmers and surfers,  some meditating some sand running. Subtle colours in the sky, changing almost imperceptibly as the morning light comes. After another magnificent Manly morning, with cool waters and warm smiles,  I reflect that the answer to "will I?", should always be "I will".

The boardwalk goes from almost silent to the chatter of the brave. Watching the day come alive is a treat.


The 6.30 crew celebrated Jens significant birthday with a tunnel, a song and the comment ‘She’s still kicking A’ in the early crew. A goal for us all.

A young man happy for the winter holidays scampers in to do the chilly dance we all do getting into the water this time of year.

Today's  Cammeray winter crew Annie, Belinda and Jackie ready for their cold water immersion.

Happy Saturday, enjoy the weekend. 

Water temp 17

Clarity : bitsy 

the B&B continues to operate informally.

Habits and Routines

A winter swim. Clear water. Temperature falling. The swimmers arrived today in large numbers (swimming individually at a time of their choosing) to swim under a clear winter sky. Taking off warm clothes and revealing swimmers underneath or wrangling into the wetsuit. Swimmers have their locations and swim times. They have their preferred goggles. Some are boringly predictable - yes, me: on arrival, even though I am going to swim anyway, I check the temperature; I ask early swimmers what the conditions were like, whether there were jimbles. I take ages to get in rather than being like Nike and just getting on with it. Out in the water, you think every swimmer is just swimming but all you have to do is some aquarobics actions out in the bay to find them stopping and asking "are you ok?" (this from personal experience.

 

 

 Here is Robin with the sun behind. The early swimmers are entering almost in the dark as we approach the winter solstice. And only this morning I was involved in a conversation with some swimmers about Sunday's 615 swim marking the winter solstice from Shelly Beach for which there is a private badge that can be bought. It was interesting to many swimmers who want to swim with a deliberate wardrobe malfunction. 

Here is the "Getting Ready" chapter of this blog where I focus on swimmers getting ready but as this is a family blog I wait until there are no wardrobe malfunctions to capture in the photo

Look at the lovely sunrise aura surrounding Linda and swim mates

More swimmers getting ready. A swim robe allows for easy and modest changing

AHHH What a warm glow seeing two pink caps. In these times where the group is not swimming we are all wearing different caps. In the olden days we would all wear a pink cap and it is lovely to see this 

 

Early swimmers dressed and ready to go after a superb swim

triathletes who have probably run and biked through the night to now come and have a swim

See the sun reflection behind these early swimmers; even without it they glow with the benefits of the swim in the sea they have completed. Partly in the dark. 

On the ramp




Kevin reports that the swim was excellent. It is true that the water was very much warmer from the point onwards while the shallower water was cold. 

Have a good day!

Thursday, 17 June 2020 - Life Down Under (Deep) - Mysterious

BOLD & BEAUTIFUL IS NOT CURRENTLY RUNNING
DUE TO THE RISKS OF CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).

Thank you for following public health advice at all times.

Sources:

Visual Ecology and Functional Morphology of Cubozoa (Cnidaria)1 | Integrative and Comparative Biology | Oxford Academic (oup.com)

South Western Stinger Factsheet | Western Australian MuseumSouth Western Stinger Factsheet | Western Australian Museum

Water temp: 17.4

 

Winter Swimming

B&B is still bound by Covid 19 restrictions with which we are determined to comply. So, for the near future, B&B’s operations will continue to be suspended. This does not mean you need to stop swimming. As an encouragement to swim, B&B is offering its usual badges over the winter swimming season. To qualify for a highly prized winter badge, you need to:

• swim from Manly to Shelly and return (or halfway swim) a minimum of 20 times between 1st June and 31st August. 
• swim in at least 7 different weeks during the same period.
• log your swims.

If you manage to do all of your qualifying swims without a wetsuit (or other thermal enhancing equipment), you will also qualify for the coveted WWW badge (winter without wetsuit).

All swims must be at Manly. Should there be any restrictions imposed during the Winter period, The Covid Swim will return as an option.

Interact with the Sea

In the Dolphin Blog today, they noted that they swam with Cheryl White today and with Simon, Danny, Julie and others on the long weekend. I just don't know if they have any photos. 

We have photos of some of the beautifully bold people who swam today

Even if the Dolphins blog won't have photos, we do have superb photos of the sea life at Manly - how fortunate that we have such generous photographers sharing their lovely photos

Octopus

A shark

The perennial favourite, bright blue (no camouflage) groper