Just sometimes on a drizzly Sunday morning, when you are hurrying across wet roads in the grey, 9 degree dawn, you question why you have forsaken the comfort of your cosy bed.
“I’m doing the blog today!” is the grumpy retort to myself. On the way to B&B Central you nod to other swimmers, check out the conditions and begin the routine – cap, goggles, earplugs, etc, chat then chat some more. Soon, that grumpy voice is silenced by another telling you to acknowledge your good fortune and to be grateful.
So today I give you the 10 things for which I am grateful.
1.There may be rain, but how grateful are we to have this precious gift from the heavens. For us in the ‘burbs our gardens and lawns are green and bursting with new growth.
2. The friends! What an opportunity to meet so many new and interesting people to not only swim with, but to share so many other joyous occasions! Each time I swim, I have the opportunity to see these beautiful and amazing people. Each with their perfectly unique stories that inspire, amuse and sometimes stretch the realms of believability.
3. The sea that ceases and suffices itself. Plunging into the sea gives you such a sense of renewal. We are so lucky to have this watery health spa.
4. My ability to swim. I was told by a Buddhist friend that she begins each task by being grateful that she has the ability to complete the task. I am very grateful that I can swim (‘cause I’m a hopeless runner).
5. The opportunity to celebrate. Today David cracked the 1,000km – and yes there was cake – and it was Corinne’s birthday.
6. The serene marine creatures we see each day. The sunny flash of the yellow tail, a Blue Groper darting about the rocks, the Wobbegong that blends into the shelly bottom of the bay, the Rays, the Sand Whiting. So much nicer to see them here than in submerged in ice at a fish market. (However, not seen today 'cause it was a bit murky).
7. That bottle of hot water on a wintry morning. It makes all the difference.
8. The après swim coffee. This is the only time I drink coffee – and it is soooo good. Made even better with the pleasure of sharing the morning sun with friends.
9. Being here to enjoy this moment.
10. My friend, and Sunday Blog Meister, Gemma who has somehow enticed me back to blogging.
What are you grateful for?
Mary
Bottom of the Blog - the very useful stuff
And now for something completely different, a word or several from management
There is a new set of wines, just for Manly!
They're a white and a red named 'The Bold' and 'The Beautiful' dedicated to “us” - all the swimmers who take to the ocean for the daily Bold & Beautiful swim from Manly to Shelly Beach and back.
The wines are made by James Becker, out of his vineyards in the Hunter Valley. David Webster has said it’s been a wonderful journey planning the grape varieties, the style of wines and helping James through the process of making, bottling and labelling the wines. It's a very small run with just 100 six packs available for purchase. Each six pack contains 3 bottles of the red (Shiraz Viognier) and 3 bottles of the white (Cardonnay).
David and James would love to see you at the wine launch on October 22nd at Manly Surf Club where you'll have the chance to taste the wines and nibble on some cheese while David talks you through the story behind the wine. Tasting starts at 6:30pm and runs through until 8pm.
Please RSVP to David if you’re able to attend at: david@northernbeacheswine.com
The Stats
Regulars: about 180
Newbie: 7
Temp: 17.9 degrees
Sunrise: 6.17 am
Sunset: 7.06 pm
Recent Comments