It was a drizzly start to the morning, traffic was slow and there was an air of 'lets just stay tucked up in bed' lingering! Apart from cars, very few people were out and about! Approaching the beach was quiet too and it felt like no-one was there for our swim - until I got beyond the tree - and voila! There they all were - keeping their hair dry under the eaves of the surf club.
'Not sure why they want to keep dry. They are going to be wet in a minute!' yell some who are boldly standing in the rain pre-swim and putting on exceptional blog poses!
Inge is spotted keeping Champion warm and dry. Very thoughtful of her on this rainy overcast day! She insists she is just copying Shelly who, if you look closely, can be seen doing the same to her in the first photo!
Everyone is delighted at having the ramp back this morning! No trucks and construction blocking the way! Straight into the water as usual!
And they're off to Shelly!
According to some, a Wobbiegong and a Dusky were swimming in the shallows of Manly. Sadly I missed both but here is a lovely photo of seaweed for you. (its actually not even that lovely).
The swim is always excellent for meeting people and making new friends, irrespective of the inclement weather!
These guys didn't know each other before the blog photo but are best mates now!
Shelly shenanigans!
Here is Lainey with Ali, out from Germany. On first glance I thought Ali was Lainey's daughter! Oops - sorry Lainey! They were great swimming buddies before Ali moved to Deutschland! Thanks for visiting again, Ali!
While I was down the other end of Shelly (eastern suburbs) taking photos, Ian got everyone to sing happy birthday to Tim G! I missed the photo opp, Tim. So sorry. But here is a birthday cake for you. Hope you like chocolate.
Before you could say 'today is a miserable rainy day but boy we still love swimming with the BnB', everyone had taken off back to Manly except for these three who were having a rather lovely chat and were oblivious to the fact that they were the last man (and women) standing (floating) at Shelly.
They bid their farewells (great placement of hands Ian!) and off they scooted!
Something was amiss on the way back. There was tension in the water. Someone from the point had also sensed the tension. Something just wasn't quite right. The A Team were unnerved. They kept looking over their shoulders, in disbelief. Faster and faster and faster they swam, breathless, looking over their shoulders again and again.
A swimmer they didn't know, was encroaching on their space. Getting a little too close. Who could possibly keep up with them?
Oblivious to the stress she was causing the A Team, Shane Gould, Australian Gold medallist, Survivor survivor and all round legend, was just down at Manly having a swim with her sister! Please don't stress our A Team out again Shane. (Feel free to come down again tomorrow!!!!!)
There was a distressing sight on the way back into the beach! The swimmers were having to take the stairs again!
In the half an hour we were away, the trucks and construction had taken over the ramp again!
We weren't impressed but these construction guys thought it was funny!
But at the end of the day, we can't really complain. An awesome swim, good cold shower, a post swim hug, a coffee with Bindi the Kelpie, rain, hail or shine, is what life is all about!
Here are some photos we couldn't reveal earlier and the smudgy one unsmudged!
Have a great week.
Lucy
Stats:
Swimmers: 150
Newbies: 5
Water temp: 21.4
Notices:
The Monthly Dinner– 12th March 2019 – Guest Speaker
The first B&B monthly dinner for the year will be held on Tuesday 12th February at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. Our guest on the night will be Helen Pitt, a Sydney Morning Herald journalist who won the 2018 Walkley Book Award for her book The House, the dramatic story of the Sydney Opera House. In 2016, she wrote a story about the Bold and Beautiful swim club, which is where she met veteran B&B swimmer Wilf Deck, a former Opera House engineer with Arup’s who features in the book. Helen will talk about the book and will have copies for sale on the night.
Please book early for this event as it is sure to be popular. The cost of the dinner is great value at only $25 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. Numbers are limited, so bookings are essential: To avoid disappointment and secure your spot please book at www.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au/bb-bluewater-monthly-dinner.html.
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