On this last day of they year can we all please reflect on what it was that made 2017 for us, and what some of the best things were that we can be thankful for? For me the winner must be a continuing return to good health after overcoming a significant health issue the previous year, thanks to medical research and the federal government putting a previously unaffordable treatment on the PBS. Followed by (in no particular order) Roger Federer winning 2 more slams, the removal of legislation against same sex marriage, getting to see a real Beatle put on a show, becomimg a step grandma and doing some great travel.
And of course the unparalleled joy and privilege of regularly meeting up with fellow thalassophiles for frolics in our beautiful corner of the ocean.
How about you? What are some great things that happened for you in 2017? Did involve swimming? Family and friends? Personal journeys? If you could add a comment at the end of the blog that would be great.
Ocean conditions on this last day of 2017 were much calmer than the past few days (as seen in this shot of a few early swimmers leaving the water).
Swimmers were out in force. 538 swimmers and 45 newbies. Here are some of them (but welcome all, and I hope you had a lovely swim)
Friends caught up before hitting the water in a completely non violent way in line with the thalassophile code of ethics
JB put in a request for some fish photos and I promised to do my best
And here is a dog. Because dogs.
Excitement mounts as we approach the water.
And here's a family of four about to swim together
A sea of (mainly) pink caps (mainly) waiting for the lets go at the point
On the way to Shelley, like cheerfulness the sun kept breaking through (to paraphrase the legendary, dearly departed but never forgotten L Cohen)
Heading in to Shelley
Lots of people at Shelley including this father and son who performed the most refined, subtle blog tarting I have ever seen
After the obligatory chats and a birthday celebration I was too far away to record, the journey back to the beach
OK JB here come the fish. I graciously admit to being well and truly trumped by Lainey (did you see the amazing footage of the cormorant? If not you will see it in the Manly Daily I'm sure) and anyone who got photos and/or videos of the cow nosed rays. But it's all good, we are doing what we love.
These 2 flathead before they swam off (they are very shy)
I know this is not a fish but a submerged tree branch is not something you see every day.
There's a dusky in the distance
Did those bubbles come from the scuba tanks or.....?
There's a little leatherjacket in this photo. Can you see it?
Adult education in full swing
Luddericks
Lifeguards watching out for returning swimmers. Thanks guys!
Back on the beach, swimmers relaxed and chatted over post swim refreshments. Some appeared to be rehearsing for a burlesque performance.
On the way back to my car I stopped to watch the fish in the front yard of the Esperanto Society house, and reflected on this sign
I know that the word esperanto is based on a word meaning hope in the Latin languages, but did not know the specific meaning of the word. So I looked it up. It means a hopeful person. My hope for all of us is that 1918 is a Very Good Year.
Enjoy your NYE, and see you on the other side.
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