Pacific Jules

Monday 23rd May 2022 - A warm 21.6 degrees in the water!

Mauricio’s close encounters.

“Rio” no, Nth Steyne.

Finals today & Tuesday.

Stay safe, enjoy

Simon 

 

B&B monthly dinner – Tuesday 10^th May 2022 

 

The speaker at our next monthly dinner, to be held on Tuesday May 10th at Bluewater Café at 6.30 pm, will be one of our swimmers, Ranya Alkadamani. Ranya, whose career as a political media adviser involved traveling the world with a former foreign minister, will take us behind the scenes of the dark art of political electioneering. These advisors, professional guns for hire who sell their skills to the highest bidder, are a strong determinant on who we vote for. Sometimes more Yes Prime Minister than West Wing, this insight into the secrets of political manoeuvring will be totally enlightening and entertaining. So, forget about the Federal election, open your mind and park your politics at the door.

 

The cost of the dinner is great value at only $30 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.

 

 

 

 

Recovering from last night

Underneath the city lights, there is a world few know about. Where rules don't apply. We emerge from our rabbit holes, a grey dark sky. But knowing that under water, clarity will come. 

The night before keeps echoing back. A little bit of naughty is a little bit nice. Felecity tells of erotic bubbles at the bower. We head there.

Pitch Report:

Dark, but deliciously warm. Feels like winter. Swanbourne Sam heads north for a Baldy. A smaller Drinks Express, some still out at St Peter's Mosh Pit. A touch of swell, a bit of bump. Lots still heading down the scenic route. Everybody just come to life, under the spot light. A return from Hawaii, applause for Rowan's rough water swim. I pushed off for a return lap, some magnificent cuttlefish down the back straight, awaiting the girls return. The bower rocks were warm and frothy, back to the shed, the yoga studio and an awaiting coffee. Don't be turned off by the grey, underneath it is amazing.

and some flash backs start to emerge .....

Happy birthday Will (50?). Hit it up, get it up. Won't let you rest. Hit it up, get it up, this is not a test...

and then it goes downhill......

Thanks for the swim and (double shot) coffee Team.. Don't let your true love run cold.

Rusty the Fish

Photo credits to Gary Brits, Roger Harvey and Tony Faahan Smith

and now a word from Management:

Lisa Boyle is our lucky B&B Budgy Smuggler Swimmer of the Month for April. Lisa receives a voucher for a pair of Budgy Smugglers from the Budgy Smuggler shop. To be in the running just swim at least once in the month and log your swim.

B&B monthly dinner – Tuesday 14^th June 2022

The speaker at our next monthly dinner, to be held on Tuesday June 14th at Bluewater Café at 6.30 pm, will be one of our swimmers, Dr Caroline West. Caroline, one of Australia’s best-known doctors, will explore the science behind memory improvement and what we can do to keep the brain young - simple steps that may really surprise you. Caroline is well known for her extensive medical media work in print and TV which includes reporting and producing for Ask the Doctor, Catalyst, Beyond 2000, Good Medicine and 60 minutes. Most recently she has been posted in Broken Hill working with the Maari Ma Aboriginal Health Service as well the Flying Doctor Service.

The cost of the dinner is great value at only $30 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.

Today was the wrong day to stay in bed....

Someone told me long ago. There's a calm before the storm. I know. Today I know. 20m+ viz. A plethora of marine life. Multiple turtles. A French accent off the shed points us towards 4 cuttlefish. Daphne is bragging about a horse size Cephalopoda. Andy laments that he didn't actually see anything, never does.

It's a happening thing, and it's happening to you. Full moon and thunder, ribbons of blue.

It's my direction, It's my proposal, It's so hard, It's leading me astray

Steady stream of breakaways from 618 onwards. Is it broken clock that has given a reason to sidestep tradition and “wander in whenever”?

Pitch Report:

Chilly morning out. Guy is contemplating one glove (white?) to help steady the chalk hand. No surf again, not a good place for a WSL surf comp. Heavy cloud cover. Is it any wonder, the streets are dark. Is it any wonder, we fall apart. The sales team note the the tropical like conditions, warm, with staggering visibility. Grey nurses, wobbegongs, yellow tail, cuttlefish, frickening amazing (excuse my french). The clear winter waters have arrived. 

6.30/7 cross over

A light rain hit after 7. Wish I didn't have to go to work. A golden glow settles across the beach. We discuss the various uses of winch handles, and listen to various boasts of the sights seen underwater today. Should have brought the Go Pro down Caroline.

Well done to Peter Ley the double shot champ with 1000th doubles under his belt today.

Nothing stops the indefatigable, the persistent, the tireless FFF, relentless in their passion to get to the back of the waves. Pretty easy today Trooper, more ripples on my Mum's goldfish pond.

Our local Calgary Flames fan is excited to be let out. Faahany had a great swim but why the wetsuit. Stealthy was rumoured to be having an operation to change something, so no show.

Chippo got confused (he started to think)

See you tomorrow!

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

Rusty the Fish, Carolinebythebeach, with special guest appearance by Chippo Scaramanga.

 

 

 

Wednesday 18th May - wonderful windless waveless Wednesday & Cuttlefish choreography

Wednesday 18th may 

What a wildly wonderfully windless waveless Wednesday!  Great for swimming , not so much for the surf comp at north Steyne today …  the silence, calm & serenity as we entered the water moments after “drinks express” , watching the sun rise and the moon set was breathtakingly beautiful…  today felt like Mother Nature was giving us a huge hug … 

Water temperature: 20.5 

air temperature at 6:30am : 13.3 degrees 

conditions:  to quote MasterChef judge melissa: “smooth and silly”… sarah from sales seemingly taking a break letting people immerse in the moment… clear & calm 

the "vibe":  a bit of awe & wonder today  … full of gratitude for perfect conditions & excited to maybe see the fever of cow nose rays, and of course our cuttlefish friends 

creatures spotted: fish, rays (sadly no cow nose by the time I left the beach), cuttlefish, wobbygongs & flitters of sapphire blue bioluminescence aka baby jellies waiting to grow 

2 birthdays today… the amazing Linda Goodwin who has coached & helped so many b&b swimmers to build confidence… 

And happy birthday to the wonderful effervescent kate full of infectious energy & happiness …. Iron woman triathlete, lifesaver & all around fabulous friend!

the swim across the bay as the sun rose was beautiful … sun on water like diamonds

 Paddle boarders & skis out in force 

Cuttlefish seem to be the talk of the bay this week - they are back, performing their little dances to attract other cuttlefish as its mating season ...  winter is near although the water temperature seems to be resisting the temptation to drop.... its about 2-3 degrees higher than the same time last year so make of that what you will.   We are not complaining and deferring the inevitable breathless squeals as that first wave engulfs your otherwise dry body and you become one with the sea..

a few Cuttlefish fun facts (Thanks National Geographic!):

• They are invertebrates like octopus and Squid, the cephalopod (greek or "hefad/foot") family with 8 arms and 2 long tentacles attached to their head rather than their body 
• they have three hearts (capable of LOTS of love)
• their favourite foods are fish (refer Laineys famous photo of a cuttle eating a grouper), crabs and shrimp 
• they are very intelligent and although colour blind, are adept at changing colour and texture to camoflage, to hunt or avoid being hunted or to attract mates
• they have "W" shaped pupils and can see behind them and switch between peripheral and forward vision
• they cleverly control their buoyancy via the "cuttlebone" (the white bone that canarys like, and that is found in the bay at the end of "cuttlefish season") which contains tiny holes into which the cuttlefish adds liquids and gases to swim up or down, and using jet propulsion to propel forwards and backwards
• they have the largest brain to size ratio of all invertebrates, and being so intelligent, can count & remember where, what and when they last ate... a memory trait shared with humans.  
• i'll leave the biology lessons on mating rituals to Lainey for another blog - suffice to say, males have been known to resort to trickery (and camoflage) to attract females, who in turn leave the males wondering which one was lucky enough to father her offfspring!

swimmers today displayed the cuttlefish interpretative choreography

Luke & speedy chris 

DC

And some new canine b&b friends:

thembile (pronounced temby) - an angelic halo surrounds her in this photo - not long after she broke away to chase seagulls on to the beach … lifesaver and Manmaid dan to the rescue !  

Napoleon 

Mer dog chance 

Fish parties are back: old wives 

Yellowtail 

& little ones 

And todays parting shot… if only all days were like today .. .. it was hard to get out of bed pre dawn when it was freezing cold but I’m so glad I did … 

Have a wonderful day, stay safe, look out for each other, stay kind & enjoy the beauty Mother Nature has provided us,

Jocelyn  

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 17th TuesYay, what a day!

There's not a lot to say about today as it was pretty much as good as it gets, unless you love the wild surf.

The wall was busier than it has been in ages, word has spread of good conditions!

Water temp still nice at 20.3, viz good, no jellies, saw a cuttlefish and wobby plus plenty of fish.

Today is Alan Thompson's 72nd birthday but wasn't at Shelley quick enough for the birthday splash so wishing him a good "bnb" birthday here instead!

Plenty of post swim joy in the sunshine.

Photo quality looks bad on my phone but nit sure why! Apologies.  Have a great, sunny day, like we expect in Sydney!

Amanda 

 

Mon 16th: What Fish is That?

Conditions perfect this morning

 

Somewhere on a South Pacific Island

Sits a young man staring at the surf, A tribal sacrifice made to the earth.

Pitch Report:

Sunday. The swell has gone. No sightings of our orange stinging friends. 2 duelling cuttlefish sighted off the pool, in real close. Camouflaged. Big old grizzy things. Just awesome. Guy forgot something, saw him back about 8am, thermometer? Got caught in the 7am crew, a fairly sizeable contingent today. Viz is becoming an Autumn style clear. Arrived back on the sand, could hear Drinksy's booming laugh. Coffee arrived swiftly, tall tales non true were told. Another excellent adventure.

She collected sea shells every day....6am from the balcony...

Flat and shiny first glimpse of the Point.

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

Rusty the Fish & Hungover Josh

 

 

The Temper of the Time

Sydney, nights are warm. Daytime telly, blue rinse dawn. Early swimmers Sarah & Jon (the Sales team) make it back from their 6am dark sojourn up north, missing a headlight and reporting some tumbles in the surf. No jellies.

Surfing and Jellies don't mix. The beach is scattered with them.

Reports that the ferry side was perfect and flat.

Sometimes you've got to take the hardest line. Buildings, clothing the sky, in paradise.

 

Drinks confident chat. If you don't feel it don't do it. It's breaking out past the point, it could be challenging.

The Pitch Report:

Wild yet wonderful. Keeping the goggles on was a challenge. People, wasting away in paradise. Going backwards, once in a while. A lumpy entrance and swim, with some sets pushing out way past the point. Couldn't see the bottom in some parts. A few jellies again off the toilet block, Caroline took out 4, I didn't see any. Still warm. Guy says the pink 7 on the temp is for the girls. OK. Coming back in went wide, it looked pretty messy in by the rocks.

Psycho shower scene for the FFF. It's a underarms and football clubs. Flat chat, pine gap, in every home a big mac

Fi and Sophie heading out.

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

Rusty the Fish and Carolinebythebeach

 

 

11-05-22: Wild and woolly!!

If you read yesterday's blog and came down today in the hope of experiencing the same stunning conditions, you would have been mildly disappointed. The Easterly wind was strong, the waves 'face slapping' (in the words of Amanda Grant), visibility 'so-so', swimmer numbers down and lots of water movement. (Thanks to Lainey who took this photo at Shelly!).

 

At least the water was warm at 20.6 degrees and we did manage to see a cuttlefish and a dusky all around the same time as bumping into Pip who was trying to avoid being washed onto the rocks by the waves as she snorkelled her way to Shelly!

 

Amanda kept disappearing in the waves. I had the advantage of wearing fins which made my swim relatively easy!  I offered a fin to Amanda, but the foot size was out by a mere four and a half sizes! 😳😆  She felt that it probably wouldn't be overly useful.

This blurry photo (which actually looked really good from the water without my glasses!) is of Lainey and Kate who were walking back to Manly for no particular reason other than they could! (and Lainey hadn't actually been swimming today) . 

 

 This is the cuttlefish we saw! Not quite to the photo standard of Lainey, Jocelyn, Bibiana etc but hey, a cuttlefish nonetheless!

 

Trying to capture the waves on camera is always a challenge but they were there and they were BIG!

 

Back on land and straight into solving guessing competitions! Guess who swam today - Donald or Anton? Find out in tomorrow's blog for the answer!

 

Charl and Suzy were in a hurry to get to their ferry! Charl's hair was clearly not interested in going on the ferry today. It was well and truly off in another direction.

 

These three were up to no good as you can see! It's written all over their faces! 🤣

Ian was explaining about being in the height of athleticism but covering himself up!! 🤔

Gotcha!!! 😆

 

And last but not least, sweet pup Maisy being super well behaved while her owner had a swim! (No, not my Maisy - I did say well behaved!)

Have a great day.

Lucy

 

10/05/2022 - Cuttlefish Disguises and Swimmers Smiles

 

 

Such a great swim this morning. I hope some of you weren't put off by the early rain. It was clear, warm, calmish and glorious! Giant Cuttlefish are around and this one was showing off in front of the shed today. It's mating season and the males are on the prowl for females. I did discover females can mate up to 17 times a day with 2 or 3 males so be on the look out for some interesting sightings!

I love this photo. Shelley and Louise catch up as they head in. Champ looks back. Isn't the light stunning!

Juliette and Andrew bring a new swimmer down this morning. She's sure to get addicted!

Al used to be a regular swimmer with us but is now living in WA. Our swim beats Rockingham he says!

Rusty is back from a great holiday in the UK where it didn't rain once! His Mum always reads the blog 'Hi Ann' ;-)

The rain had gone away for the 7am swim and the morning light was stunning!

Deb, Nicci, Georgina, Cath and Shelly about to go in.

Friday blogger Rusty and mate, after his early swim.

These three, Suzie, Kate and Kara look happy and smug. They saw a Cuttlefish and a Turtle!

It was calm with a few gentle waves today. The water is now just on 20 degrees but when that first wave hits you its cold!

A lot of us were excited about seeing a Giant Cuttlefish or even 2 today and one put on quite a show for me near the shed. Here he is looking a bit crafty and suspicious.

Now he's being clever and his skin is starting to look like the rock!

Here he's smooth and sleek as he swims off.

Looking a bit coy here as he tucks his arms and tentacles in!

Brave and bold here as he looks me in the eye and flares his tentacles! They are such masters of disguise!

Below photos from the weekend

The males go white when they're trying to attract a mate

Kirsten and a Cuttie

Still a few spots left. Book below!

B&B monthly dinner - it will be a good one - a few episodes of Yes Prime Minister or Utopia will prepare you well!

Tuesday 10^th May 2022

The speaker at our next monthly dinner, to be held on Tuesday May 10th at Bluewater Café at 6.30 pm, will be one of our swimmers, Ranya Alkadamani. Ranya, whose career as a political media adviser involved traveling the world with a former foreign minister, will take us behind the scenes of the dark art of political electioneering. These advisors, professional guns for hire who sell their skills to the highest bidder, are a strong determinant on who we vote for. Sometimes more Yes Prime Minister than West Wing, this insight into the secrets of political manoeuvring will be totally enlightening and entertaining. So, forget about the Federal election, open your mind and park your politics at the door.

The cost of the dinner is great value at only $30 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.

lots of love

Lainey