Things do not always go as planned and that is alright, it is at these times that we sometimes need to just GO WITH THE FLOW. I think I have learnt this wisdom from being a mother of 5 boys. If I was to get upset over things that didn't go to plan, I do not think I would be a very happy individual. Over thinking and over anyalysing can sometimes hinder us from living our lives. The unplanned events in our lives cause for wonderful experiences and beautiful memories.
I came down here this morning ready to blog and take amazing underwater photos. However, the conditions were rough for me and I didn't want to drown today. So with a few squad members I walked to Shelly Beach jumped in the water there and went to the point off Shelly Beach. I enjoyed being tossed in the waves and feeling one with the ocean. This morning I just went with the flow and the consequence of this was having a fabulous morning in the tumultuous waves of the ocean and laughing and chatting with the squad members.
Manly Beach
New Prototype for the budgy smugglers
Ian was our model today sporting the new Bold and Beautiful budgy smugglers. He has asked for feedback on the budgy smugglers ONLY and not of him wearing them (yeah, good luck with that Ian). I want to be the first to give feedback, I think you are absolutely killing it in these and if retirement isn't fast paced enough for you I am sure you could be a senior male model (just saying).
FRONT VIEW
You are such a natural Ian
BACK VIEW
The beautiful Pauline (hand model) and Edwina with our very own model
Rough and Ready
JK giving everybody the safety and conditions speech. "You do not have to swim today the ocean will still be here tomorrow!"( Basically the water was rough at Manly and at half way, plus there were jimbles at Manly.)
The B and B Squad listening to JK intently
Few brave hardcore swimmers entering at Manly Beach
Walking to Shelly Beach- the conditions were rough
Jogging to Manly with the lovely Lainey aka Manly Mermaid and bumped into these beautiful ladies
At Shelly Beach
Lainey found a dead cuttlefish
Lainey and Les getting some quick hair extensions
Ian telling everyone that he is here and he is looking good in budgy smugglers
This great family came from Epping because they read Lainey's blog yesterday which included beautiful photos, calm and clear conditions plus the whale sighting. But they just went with the flow. I am sure they had a blast together on their swim.
The Squad contemplating whether to swim to Manly or to half way or just to go in and have a frolick
Fun girls decided to swim out to the point off Shelly
The Point off Shelly Beach
When I looked up I thought it looked like a desserted island
Les clearing her goggles with Lainey in the distance looking for Port Jackson sharks
Me
The budgy smuggler seem to be doing well in the water
Hardcore swimmers arriving at Shelly Beach from Manly
The SQUAD
Arriving back safe and sound
Humans of the Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad
Each time I blog I ask a few squad members these questions:
1) Why did you start swimming with the Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad?
2) How does it make you feel?
Introducing Sam
"I moved to Australia about 9 months ago from the UK. This is probably my favourite thing about Australia. Great training, awesome conditions... not quite today but a great way to start the day before work. Today it has made me feel a little bit dizzy. The guys that were supposed to come down and swim with me wimped out when they saw the conditions. So I am actually quite proud today."
Introducing Shelly
"One of my best friends told me about it and she was trying to convince me to come along but, she actually never ended up coming. I have been swimming for a couple of years now. I absolutely love it. I have always been a swimmer and it is my main sport. It is just what I do every day. "
Introducing Mike
"I come from Joburg where ocean swimming is non existent. I started in February 2 years ago. I absolutely love it. What a great way to start the day. "
Introducing Fiona
"I have been swimming everyday in the mornings for 24 years. I came back from overseas in Europe and it was a really stormy winter and I would usually swim in Curl Curl. I used to see the Bold and Beautiful on their 10km swim to Curl Curl. So I thought I would swim with those guys because they seemed like they were pretty good swimmers. So in 2011 I started swimming here and I haven't returned to my native Curl Curl. I don't function if I don't swim. I love it, it is the best!"
Introducing David
"A friend of mine Rob Hawkins comes down and he convinced me about 3 years ago. I have been loving it ever since."
I have been enjoying my walks and talks with Pauline in the mornings. Wishing the Swans good luck on your game this weekend. Pauline is on her way to watch the game in Melbourne. She is the biggest die hard Swans supporter I have ever met. She had her flight booked 6 months ago for this. See you Monday Pauline. Don't worry we will keep an eye on Ian.
It is one of our Bold and Beautiful Squad members 40th Birthday today (not that he swam), Happy 40th Birthday Ravi hope you have an incredible year.
Zoe is coming home tomorrow
Woah it has been a super quick 6 months. Hopefully I can convince her to swim Saturday morning
These pics were taken on Monday.
I was lucky enough to be invited by Lainey to swim "Ted's Triangle" where I was able to see wonderful underwater sea life. My favourite was seeing a Port Jackson shark on the move. That was a real treat. I have only been swimming for just over a year. For the most part all I would actually do is swim, from Manly to the point then to Shelly and all the way back. My main focus was survival and not drowning. However, I think I have come to the point in my swimming life that I can now enjoy the scenery and I have been doing just that. I now take a camera into the water and try and photo document my swim which I can share with my boys when I come home in the morning. At best my underwater photos are still a bit blurry and have a green tinge but none the less they love it.
Monday the water was beautiful and calm
Here is the spectacular Manly Mermaid aka Lainey
Here is a photo that Lainey took of me. Hmmmmm same day same water. Her picture of me is clear and the water looks blue. Mine is blurry and the water looks green.
Manly Mermaid has some real talent.
Here is the Port Jackson shark that I spotted swimming off the point of Shelly Beach near where the waves break on the rocks. Pretty cool.
Okay, so this is a blue groper...I know it doesn't look blue here in the photo but it did in real life (I promise).
These fish were fascinating they swim super close to the surface of the water and they have a massive SQUAD.
These diamond fish are super cute. Lainey's blog yesterday showed a photo she took of these fish in a magical giant fish like formation. I must have caught them in an off occasion where they were not synchronised and are looking a little flustered. Perhaps it was my high viz fluro orange wetty that through them off course.
Stats
Swimmers: 86
Newbies:ZERO
Temp: 19.6
Bottom of the Blog
Staying safe
Remember that there are no badges for scaring yourself silly! While it is great to extend your boundaries, it is important to know your limits. Also, if you have a bit more experience, keep an eye out for new swimmers who might need company. Do read these excellent tips on staying safe in the surf. To read, or even download, click here.
http://www.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au/safety-in-the-surf
B & B October Monthly Dinner
The next B&B monthly dinner will be on Tuesday 11th October at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. The guest speaker for the night will be Di Westaway, one of our swimmers and head of Wild Women on Top (WWOT). Her talk is titled “NATURAL EXHILARATION design a life you love”. Di believes that Adventure is Fun. It motivates you to get off the couch and into action. Di will explain how natural exhilaration can transform your life. Doctors call it Lifestyle Medicine. WWOT call it natural adventure. But it’s not for everybody. It’s only for people who really want to get their sparkle back and flourish in a busy buzzy world.
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.
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