Pacific Jules

The point is

Siyabona Swimmers 

What a beautiful swim too.

Just getting those swimmers who are soon departing for my home turf Kruger Park into the mood. Siyabona means ‘I see you’ and is a beautiful African greeting. The point is say hello. See someone. 

Like a beautiful aboriginal storyline we arrive at the bay each day to meet at the point, swim to another point, point at waves, ponder what’s  the point, make one helluva point with fashion attire - it’s endless. 

What we arrive to this week. On point. Today beams back. 

The yogis in cat cow pondering  their point towards the sun #namaste. 

Temperature reaching the pointy end of endurance for the without swimsuits lot, talking personally. 

The 6.30 crew make a point of having a shower Sarge, Duncan, Chris, Paul and Capless. Holly makes a pointless attempt to escape. 

Our beautiful beating heart of the BNB Lainey has her birthday today. She makes a point of making everyone welcome and loves a match make. Lainey is also an amazing photographer. Happy birthday dear Lainey we love you 😍 

Richard Helen Ted (making a love point) Lainey Matt and Shaun 

Lainey and Helen while Shaun makes a riveting point

Jonny and Shanny make warm water their point post swim- only  one looks like they getting on with it 

Nikki, Helen and I debated the point of spanx - no point, no one can be asked. 
Bon voyage to Nikki who leaves for Europe travels on Friday x

Beautiful Sophia and Hayley before the swim, the joy of a swim that’s the point 

The 6.30 crew basking in the sun. Jeanette said the swim was her high point. Love that, said it for us all. 
Ted, Andre, Jon, Gary, Suzie, Jeanette and Jonny. Ted was everywhere making a visible point.

The Mers looking for or finding a point 

This crew find the point of life is coffee though Champ is still scratching his head about that one. And there’s our Ted again. 

 Margaret from Dorset in the UK joined us for some ocean swims making a point of picking up that ever precious pink cap. Loved having you Margaret come again ! 
Making a welcome WOWs point Pinky, Lisa, Melise, Rob, Cath and Margaret 

Making a high rise point all the way from KL in Malaysia in the infinity pool  is our WOW young gun Natalie (also daughter) flying the BnB flag high. Enjoy your month of work there Nat we miss you. 


Final point goes to Hels who asked me what the point of a car was. I jumped in mine and turned the heated seats on. 

Have a great day and get to see the Leonard Cohen story of the song Hallelujah if you haven’t already. Doco at the Orpheum. It’s amazing! 

Hambe Kahle ( go well) 

Di

x

B&B monthly dinner – Tuesday 12^th September 2022

 

At our next monthly dinner, to be held on Tuesday September 12th at Bluewater Café at 6.30 pm. Our September speaker, or rather speakers, will be a group of BnB swimmers who took on the challenge of walking the entire 800 kilometre pilgrim trail, Camino de Santiago, the way of St James. 

Battling exhaustion, despair, resignation and finally exhilaration they travelled from Saint Jean Pied de Port, France, and headed westwards across mountainous Spain to Santiago de Compostela.

Be enthralled as they recount their tales of exhaustion, rain and blisters as they discover more about their fellow pilgrims and delve into their own individual journey of physical and spiritual self-discovery.

 

The cost of the dinner is great value at only $35 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 (please note, NO BYO). Bookings are essential, so to avoid disappointment and secure your spot please book HERE.

Tuesday August 16th - A winter delight

 

Or close to it anyway. Pretty calm seas, not bad viz, temp a bit on the chilly side at 15.5 but always great to get in.

With Lainey back I've got extra help with the photography.

A few snaps from Shelley. 

Nicci, Martin and Michele

 

 Mary and Rainer loving that feeling. 

Irma and friend 

 

Wow's warming up for the swim

Lainey and can't see who under hat and glasses. 

Ian and Nicci on "welcome" patrol

 

The wall looking busy, good to see!

 

Enjoy this lovely string of good weather and conditions. 

Amanda

 

B&B monthly dinner – Tuesday 12^th September 2022

 

At our next monthly dinner, to be held on Tuesday September 12th at Bluewater Café at 6.30 pm. Our September speaker, or rather speakers, will be a group of BnB swimmers who took on the challenge of walking the entire 800 kilometre pilgrim trail, Camino de Santiago, the way of St James.

Battling exhaustion, despair, resignation and finally exhilaration they travelled from Saint Jean Pied de Port, France, and headed westwards across mountainous Spain to Santiago de Compostela.

Be enthralled as they recount their tales of exhaustion, rain and blisters as they discover more about their fellow pilgrims and delve into their own individual journey of physical and spiritual self-discovery.

 

The cost of the dinner is great value at only $35 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 (please note, NO BYO). Bookings are essential, so to avoid disappointment and secure your spot please book HERE.

Monday, 15 August 2022 - Blissful moments

 

Another beautiful morning to swim across to Shelly.

Water visibility was stunning and the temp refreshing (MDP and many winter warriors having no issues without a wetsuit).

Sun is starting to shine earlier, the BnB fam seems to be steadily growing in numbers each morning and the conditions were postcard perfect.

I was happily reminiscing many blissful BnB moments during the swim this morning. And continued when I got back to my desk.

Here are some great memories from the last few months.

 

Co-writer and legendary human! Always comes with a smile and great vibe. Thanks for being you. 

Mornings wouldn't be the same without the people!  

Bruce and the babes! Thanks Leah for the amazing underwater and action photography! Tilly pre triple-crown victory, great to see fame didn't change you. 

Locals catching up. 

Prime example - it's all about the journey! 

Friends and family of the BnB always add to the vibe! 

Love a good sunrise! 

Fam pic! A few of the many amazing BnB'ers that brighten up the day. 

Locals hosting international guests and showing them a great time! 

Visitors joining the BnB fam for another great day.  

Booty crew in action for a pre-swim session. 

Community coming together! 

Wettys are out! 

We've had some wild days along the way... 

Never stops the BnB crew making the daily pilgrimage

Couldn't help another morning fam pic!! 

BnB taking to the blocks! Go you good thing! 

BnB fam is always up for a (covid safe) hug! 

 

This will be my last blog before heading OS for a while. Big thank you to the BnB family for many great memories, amazing mornings, and beautiful smiles. I’ll be back.

Stay safe!

Scott

Friday 12 August 2022 - A Summery* swim...

Even though there was no sunshine and no warmth, YES it was a summery swim today because it was massively bumpy and strong. A good swim but it was a bit of work.

One of those days where you turn to breathe or take a photo and a wave hits you that was not there a second ago. 

Wave is down

Wave is up

Claudia was so pleased for me to be in her way on the return swim. 

 

Nick at the point having a birthday double swim (what better?!)

Nick at Shelly after a birthday song, having some splashing. Lucky that some swimmers know what to do. The traditions and rituals of the olden days are being lost. Like swimming at 7 stopping at the point and setting off when you hear Let's Go. There is room for the new but a birthday song and splashing is great stuff.

More action at Shelly:

A-Team ritual where a powerful swimmer makes a gesture causing another team member to go under water . 

Gorgeous A team smiles

Swim buddies - some new - at Shelly

So much colour here that I felt the temperature of the water improve on the spot. 

The only being lingering at Shelly today. Frrrrreeezing






 

Wednesday 10th August - getting physical & swimming like greased lightning in Our Xanadu

Wednesday 10th August - Cabbage tree bay is Our magic Xanadu where we go together & swim like greased lightning whilst getting physical  …  a tribute to an inspirational and beautiful human, talented singer, tireless fundraiser for cancer research & treatment & friend of  our ocean ….RIP Olivia newton john … 

Anyone growing up in Australia in the 1970s and 1980s in Australia would have idolised the late Olivia Newton John.   She shot to stardom in Greece (and THOSE pants) however for some reason I loved the music to "Xanadu", which was listed as one of the worst films of that year (1980).   I probably remember that music because of Roller skating outings to the Big Roller at Carlingford  .....(hmmmm)...  I met her once - I was so star struck I couldn't even ask for her autograph (she signed my book "love Olivia" which I still treasure).. she was beautiful and kind (and probably very amused too!)

...  If you take Coleridge's definition  of Xanadu (from the poem "kubla Khan"), Xanadu is a metaphor for an idyllic and opulent place (and also a bright feature on the surface of Saturns moon, Titan). I think we all agree that our Cabbage Tree bay fits that definition perfectly.   

Now to the stats of our Xanadu this morning..

Water temp: getting warmer,  a summer lovin’ 16.1 

air temp: a magic crisp wintery 3.9 degrees 

conditions: we go together into the small, clean but building swell & milky water 

vibe: hopelessly devoted to swimming 

Did you know that Olivia Newton John was a passionate advocate for marine environments, and a Reef Ambassador?   She featured in a video alongside legendary marine conservationists Philippe Cousteau and Sylvia Earle to convince UNESCO to invoke stronger protections for our beautiful great barrier reef.  

linky thing here:

https://youtu.be/GkuftBfQ5EU

Did you also know that in 1988 she filmed a video clip right outside Manly Life Saving Club (photo credit MLSC) and her parents used to live in Darley Rd, Manly!  

Other facts about Olivia Newton John:

• she started her singing career singing country & Western!
• She performed at 1974 Eurovision in Brighton, UK, finishing 4th to the eventual winner, a little band called ABBA!
• the first goodwill ambassador to the United Nations Environment program in 1991
• her dad was an MI5 officer who worked on the Enigma Project
• She split her ultra tight pants whilst filming Grease & had to be sewn back in for the final scenes!
• despite her illness and challenges, she advocated tirelessly to raise funds for cancer research & treatment and funded the Olivia Newton John Foundation Fund and the Olivia Newton John cancer and & wellness centre and of course started the "Gaia" retreats which some of our community may have visited.   Her legacy will live on - RIP ONJ..

And who can forget her complete change from "girl next door" to raunchy leggings, high cut leotards & sweat bands in  "lets get physical" - a cult song of 1981 ..  and another reason to visit our Xanadu - to keep fit & exercise our bodies and calm minds....

So in honour of ONJ, today we asked swimmers how they "get physical" when they’re not swimming - only G rated answers were accepted ! 

Mermaid Mel loves PT & walking 

Daniel and Alex visiting from Canberra love to run (good luck in the city to surf on Sunday!)

Drinks & rob - tennis …. 

this group of legends fresh from Wednesday “in and outs” - Trish loves reformer Pilates & Danny loves yoga !

Chris loves gym, yoga & Pilates 

James loves bike riding 

Ruth, mike & Lenore (mrs drinks who took up ocean swimming at age 72! - what an inspiration!) a mix of cycling, bushwalking, kayaking, tennis & yoga 

“Mr 3000” and our daily “sales” reporter Frangi loves running & playing in a band, guy (our wonderful temperature artist!) loves walking & golf 

Mermaids brooke & jo love walking the dogs & dancing ! 

Renee jumping for joy after a run!

Have a wonderful Wednesday - stay safe, stay sane, stay kind & look out for each other ! 

Jocelyn 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday August 9th - Don't trust the forecast

To be fair it was actually raining when I got up but by 7am it had cleared. Temperature's going down again,  15.8c so hopefully not much further. 

The 6.30 crew arrived back with big smiles and only positive things to say.

Jo needed her warm shower post swim. Oops, I made the sideways mistake again!

Clare brought Alison along for her first swim and she loved it. Viz was great and several of us saw the big, black ray plus a few duskies, PJ's and a cuttlefish. 

Martin and Michelle also trying to warm up. 

Derek,  Nat and dogs catching up. 

Alex and Nat making the most of Nat's last week before she heads to Malaysia for a work stint.

So get out there while it's so lovely, forecast says bigger surf coming,  but then do we believe the predictions!?

Have a great day. Don't forget tonight's dinner. 

Amanda 

B&B monthly dinner – Tuesday 9^th August 2022

 

At our next monthly dinner, to be held on Tuesday August 9th at Bluewater Café at 6.30 pm, the guest speaker will be Tim Andrews. Tim is an actuary and a leading international expert in measuring and assessing the risks arising from floods, storms and bushfires. Increasingly, there is an urgent need to understand how climate change is affecting the risks from natural hazards in Australia. In 2019 Tim was named the Australian Actuary of the Year for his work in leading the development of the Actuaries Climate Risk Index, an objective measure of extreme weather conditions and changes to sea levels.  Come along to find out what the numbers are actually telling us about the climate and its potential impact on the B&B in the future.

 

The cost of the dinner is great value at only $35 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 (please note, NO BYO). Bookings are essential, so to avoid disappointment and secure your spot please book HERE.

 

 

Monday 8th: Georgy Girl

UPDATES

1. Air is 10º (Rain didn’t quite arrive)

2. John Kelly was guest chalker over weekend

3. There’s a temporary plunge pool next to ramp

4. There are three more weeks of Winter

You’ve been Hanging with the Nicest People

Be my ritual, Be my one desire
Be my light be my pure delight, Be my purifier

6.30am we celebrate a rise of 2 degrees in the temp. Outside and Inside. Leave your wetsuits at home. Trooper arrives and leaves in his skin-tight wetsuit. Fast in the water but the girls are squirming as he cycles past.

A big turnout for both 6.30 and 7 today

The trail of 6.30 continues...

Rusty and Caroline's Pitch Report:

Chippo planks. Swanbourne Sam and I wade out to a small swell. I swear that the Point has become a pick up spot, with a young lady asking us to swim with her. Chippo is like Benny Hill at the suggestion. So much warmer, not sure why TFS has a wetsuit on. Caroline is circled by 6 duskies over the sand at Shelley. A bit bumpy. Relatively clear. Moving water. Time your entry with the waves. We push back out & try to catch a couple after Chippo’s dynamic Tokyo drift past the point. Stealthy would have had a pregnant pause….

The Guvnor wears leopard print to impress Duncan who has trekked 200km from Switzerland to Italy. Inspiring. I’ve stopping looking at Lainey’s FB posts, another Greek island to finish the trip.

The swim brings out those smiles

Dan and Scott warm up each other’s hands and hearts.

Chippo and TFS grind against each other. You'll never know what you do to me, So sublime
You're like the Devil in Heaven, Every time

Thanks for the swim and coffee Team. Remember don't let your true love run cold!

Carolinebythebeach & Rusty The Fish

In some other exciting news, Nonna Maria's Night Blooming Cereus flowered. Happens once a year at night, the flowers are dead by morning.

 

 

Tuesday August 2nd - The aquarium is back

As Di said,  what a difference a day makes,  not that I swam yesterday but today was pretty special albeit pretty cold!

With the temperature at 15.6C it was handy that we could walk almost to the point,  calm seas and no wind made it almost bearable. Might be time to get out the wetsuit! We saw a couple of duskies and a PJ with the better viz. No jellies to be seen, yay!

7am start on the dot.

Post swim warm shower. As much as I love winter swimming,  it will be great to leave the extra gear at home.

A few familiar faces back from various trips.

And the usual bench crowd with Bindi in her spot under the bench.

Enjoy this beautiful day and don't forget the dinner below. 

Amanda

B&B monthly dinner – Tuesday 9^th August 2022

 

At our next monthly dinner, to be held on Tuesday August 9th at Bluewater Café at 6.30 pm, the guest speaker will be Tim Andrews. Tim is an actuary and a leading international expert in measuring and assessing the risks arising from floods, storms and bushfires. Increasingly, there is an urgent need to understand how climate change is affecting the risks from natural hazards in Australia. In 2019 Tim was named the Australian Actuary of the Year for his work in leading the development of the Actuaries Climate Risk Index, an objective measure of extreme weather conditions and changes to sea levels.  Come along to find out what the numbers are actually telling us about the climate and its potential impact on the B&B in the future.

 

The cost of the dinner is great value at only $35 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 (please note, NO BYO). Bookings are essential, so to avoid disappointment and secure your spot please book HERE.

 

Monday, 1 Aug 2022 - Arctic swimming

 

Well, not in Manly but in some parts of the world winter swims are truly arctic.

Today was a balmy 16.3 degrees (thanks as always Guy).

After being out of the water for a week, I felt like I was heading in for an arctic swim this morning... Before the ‘point express’ could help me swiftly swim from the beach out to the point, I was bobbing with the 6:30am BnB fam feeling warm and content to the core.

Have a lovely start to the week all.

Stay safe, Scott

 

 

B&B monthly dinner – Tuesday 9^th August 2022

At our next monthly dinner, to be held on Tuesday August 9th at Bluewater Café at 6.30 pm, the guest speaker will be Tim Andrews. Tim is an actuary and a leading international expert in measuring and assessing the risks arising from floods, storms and bushfires. Increasingly, there is an urgent need to understand how climate change is affecting the risks from natural hazards in Australia. In 2019 Tim was named the Australian Actuary of the Year for his work in leading the development of the Actuaries Climate Risk Index, an objective measure of extreme weather conditions and changes to sea levels.  Come along to find out what the numbers are actually telling us about the climate and its potential impact on the B&B in the future.

The cost of the dinner is great value at only $35 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 (please note, NO BYO). Bookings are essential, so to avoid disappointment and secure your spot please book HERE