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BOLD & BEAUTIFUL IS NOT CURRENTLY RUNNING DUE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING AND STAYING INSIDE AS MUCH AS IS POSSIBLE DUE TO CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
Thank you for swimming at different times of the day,
exercising only in pairs and maintaining 1.5m distance.
** SSDD = same sea, different dialog
Thanks to Garry for set design!
Water temp: 19.9
Enjoy our beautiful fresh air,
clean water and delightful people.
And please take care.
BOLD & BEAUTIFUL IS NOT CURRENTLY RUNNING DUE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING AND STAYING INSIDE AS MUCH AS IS POSSIBLE DUE TO CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).
Also remember to try swimming at different times of the day if possible and only exercise in pairs while maintaining 1.5m to 2m distance.
The Mermaids have been wondering about how geographically spread the B&B blogosphere is with it's readers (feel free to call out where you are from near or far in the comments!). For those unable to swim safely alone or in pairs throughout these Covid times, Coral & Pearl wanted to give you all an 'up over' the water tour of the gorgeous Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve...
To kick us off, the pre swim start always begins with leaving your belongings here. Winter appears to have arrived over the weekend and bottles of hot water for post swim have started appearing again!
Coral and Pearl pause to look at the wonder of the start of the swim:
Then remember this is an 'up over the water' tour and quickly check in to remind themselves of all their friends under the sea:
As they continue along the walk, is that loch ness the mermaids have spotted?! Even better! It's the arm of a B&Ber!
Stairs down to the Bower are a reminder of all the Rona Rules:
After getting down the steps, the Mermaids can't resist a quick dip in hopes of a turtle sighting!
No 'up over' tour would be complete without paying respects to Helen Leete's Sea Nymphs - now in full Covid safety character:
Or Tim Johnman's sculptures. Coral and Pearl have seen many Groper sightings of late!
Both Mermaids giggle at the notion Octopuses are gloomy - if anything, they feel they are the brightest and smartest of the sea!
Alas that brings us to the end of the tour today! Remember to stay socially distant when out & about B&Bers!
Our swim has been described as our 'Vitamin Sea', Dr Salt and 'Happy Pill'. That's why so many of us have been so grateful that even during these times of social isolation we've still been allowed to exercise and swim across Cabbage Tree Bay, though not as a group.
We see some awesome and wondrous sightings whilst swimming and sometimes something a little strange... Looking down through my mask this morning I saw a man running along the ocean floor!
It was dark and gloomy in our favourite corner of the world at 6am so the crowds weren't around and was rather quiet.A few brave early swimmers ventured out at 6am with head lights. I felt I could run, swim and catch a few swimmers swimming at different times for today's blog. Everyone was socially distanced, obeying rules and it was lovely to see how happy that ocean made them feel!
Conditions were calm, water felt a bit warmer than the 17.9 recorded by Ian and was clear in places.
6.54am and a bright patch appears...
Bruce, Bones, Pete and Din (Dean) venture in at a really quiet time...7am
Superstar Errol gets a lot of joy from his daily swim!
I didn't actually see this Dusky Whaler this morning but was lucky enough to spot him, along with many others at the weekend...There were a few bright blue specks in the water today that Penny Berents describes as 'a little crustacean called a copepod. The scientific name is Sapphirina'. Thanks Penny!
I did see a beautiful rainbow though as I swam in the rain!
Another one of the running Merman...Who do you think it was? Responses in blog comments please!
Stacey and Chrissy explained to me how much they need to get out for a swim. They've been working from home for 9 weeks now and really need the exercise and social interaction...
Matilde and Andrew after their swim
Ian McNaughty has a cuddle to warm up,from Napoleon post-swim.
Robyn and John Dennett are still celebrating 35 years of marriage!
Robyn then ditches John and goes for a late swim with some of her Wow friends. Jane, Lisa, Jenny and Georgina!
Roger and Sue heading off for their swim. They'll probably clock up 5 or 6 kms today!
Fiona is happy that her sister Trish is down from Sawtell and they can enjoy a swim together.
Wednesday blogger Petra loved her 8am solitary swim.
Sarah, Derek, Sheena and Merilee have all swam and are about to exercise more...surf, cycle or yoga
Thank you for saving our marine life from plastic Cheryl! She comes out with a load of rubbish after a short swim and then goes in again to cross the bay!
It's International Midwife Day today! Thank you Cath for all your amazing work. Cath had had a difficult morning and was so eager to swim the frustration out in that salty ocean!
Around 9am I bumped in to some of our wonderful 'Managers' Pauline and Ian. I have to include below a photo some of you may not have seen of the couple over 40 years ago!
Ian and his twin brother Colin! Colin has recently moved to Manly and is regularly mistaken for Ian, usually with ladies rushing up for a hug or kiss!
Greg Mara comes down for a later swim and the sun is out!
Here is John with the lovely Christine, with and without rubber ;-)
One of the original swimmers Anna walking today with her partner Martin. Anna used to blog for the B&B and being a journalist she wrote the most heart-warming and inspiring blogs. Look them up one day...
BOLD & BEAUTIFUL IS NOT CURRENTLY RUNNING DUE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING AND STAYING INSIDE AS MUCH AS IS POSSIBLE DUE TO CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).
Also remember to try swimming at different times of the day if possible and only exercise in pairs while maintaining 1.5m to 2m distance.
Have a great day folks!
Lainey
6:03am high tide.
BOLD & BEAUTIFUL IS NOT CURRENTLY RUNNING DUE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING AND STAYING INSIDE AS MUCH AS IS POSSIBLE DUE TO CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).
Also remember to try swimming at different times of the day if possible and only exercise in pairs while maintaining 1.5m to 2m distance.
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You never know who you are swimming with when you swim with the B&B. So it should be no surprise that many B&Bers are also on the Covid frontline.
I asked a few frontliners to comment on their experience with Covid.
Dr Jules
It’s certainly been an interesting time to be working as an Intensive Care Registrar. Our rosters got changed to cope with the anticipated surge and we sectioned off half of our unit with plans for further stages of escalation. But thankfully Covid 19 hasn’t been for us, what it has for so many other places in the world. So far anyway 🤞🤞🤞
I just can’t imagine what it must be like for the healthcare workers in London / New York / Italy / Spain etc....
Life for me is good. We have been lucky to still be able to swim (albeit only in twos, a very small sacrifice in the scale of things). And.... our bloggers have been AMAZING.
I, along with thousands of people around the world, have loved our ongoing daily connection. The creativity, commitment and dedication of our bloggers, especially during such challenging and sensitive times has been absolutely remarkable. Our B&B daily blogs have contributed enormously to a sense of ongoing connection, bringing a smile to so many people, many of whom are facing very challenging circumstances.
A massive thank you to our volunteer bloggers
Big love and thanks 💞🐬🐳
P.S. This was actually taken before the 2 person rule, but when social distancing was in place xx
Dr John
Alas at Concord Hospital I’m pleased to report that we have had very few cases...indeed only single figures. There has been a lot of planning with acquisition of extra PPE, increasing capacity of our ICU, determining how best to safely manage potentially infected patients, and emergency rosters to minimise staff to staff spread. But thankfully the storm has, as yet, not come. As such however I certainly don’t merit being hailed as a hero on the blog!
Michele may have had more direct contact having been in the Emergency Department?
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Dr Michele
The hospital is seeing many people for Covid testing but the usual emergencies are less over the last few weeks probably because people are not hurting themselves or getting infected with other viruses.
I have been trying to get in a swim when I can, socially distanced of course. Doing lots of online video chat after hours with friends and family. Also zoom yoga classes, online cards, zoom bookclub when not at work, stay safe everyone.
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Lyndal RN
Together we have all tackled the biggest challenge of our professional lives. We have learnt so much about COVID 19, ourselves and each other. We continue to be overwhelmed with the amazing generosity of a community that truly do have our backs. We know the battle is far from over but we do know that with the ongoing support and care from the community we will soon go back to a new kind of normal.
We cannot wait to be able to give our Patients a cuddle when they need it or hold the hand of an old soul as they take their final breath.
But we have also learnt to slow down and appreciate everything that is right in front of us and most of all each other. That will remain long after COVID 19 is gone.
My two darling daughters are staying with their grandparents in Tamworth at least until June.
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Sandy RN
This is about the only photo, taken recently of me, that looks like I might come across a virus!!!
I’m not very front line. Just a regular nurse doing my job!
I’m a bit more frontline now we’ve opened the cafe.
I’m a nurse during the week and at weekends a cafe owner/slave.
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Dr Patrick
To be honest it's no biggy. I'm covered from head to toe in PPE so the chances of my picking up the infection at work in the COVID ward are pretty low. The people most deserving of your attention are the front-line staff in ED such as Michelle Franks, Helen Gardner and Lyndall Keith. They see all comers from the get-go as they arrive in ED any one of which could be infected. The ED staff are at far higher risk of copping it.
Also, the patients with COVID or suspected of having COVID are completely isolated and unable to receive visitors which is pretty tough on them. The nurses in the COVID ward are there for entire shifts and at far greater risk than the likes of me. They are far more deserving of praise. Don't forget the kitchen staff and cleaning staff too who are absolutely fantastic in difficult circumstances!
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Jac RN
I think the main thing about working during corona virus is that it’s the devil you know.. so if you treat it like that and protect yourself you should be ok. It has been very frustrating caring for corona patients as it takes so long getting the protective clothing on just to go and see the patients. But in doing that I’m being safe every time. I’m more likely to get corona going to the shops. I think it’s important to get outside and into the sunlight and stretch your legs so you don’t end up with any other conditions caused from sitting around the house too long 🏠
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Covid fashion for a surgeon/swimmer.
On behalf of all B&Bers a big shout out to all our frontliners for all that you do in fighting Covid 19.
Stay safe and keep social distancing.
Simon
BOLD & BEAUTIFUL IS NOT CURRENTLY RUNNING DUE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING AND STAYING INSIDE AS MUCH AS IS POSSIBLE DUE TO CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).
Also remember to try swimming at different times of the day if possible and only exercise in pairs while maintaining 1.5m to 2m distance.
Another gorgeous morning. The surf forecasts indicate a rising Southerly swell but here at Manly we were having none of it
We are getting the hang of this social distancing and exercise stuff.
Lainey and Shaun exercising
Bindi and me sharing a joke. Bindi thought it was hilarious.
Bower expedition. We do social distancing even when no one's watching
Some more paddlers. Sometimes we get in each others' way but they are out training in all conditions, and they have often helped swimmers in rough conditions.
Gary does not care for social distancing when he thinks a human might be feeding him sea urchins. Sorry bro. He does look disappointed.
Here are some cute little baby squid
And a strange fish
Can you see the Sergeant Baker hiding on the ledge?
Another groper with his pal the crimson banded banded wrasse
Some pretty flora
This is a rabbit fish aka a happy moment. I did not make this up.
Stay safe and healthy, friends
Something a little different.... enjoy
BOLD & BEAUTIFUL IS NOT CURRENTLY RUNNING DUE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING AND STAYING INSIDE AS MUCH AS IS POSSIBLE DUE TO CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).
Also remember to try swimming at different times of the day if possible and only exercise in pairs while maintaining 1.5m to 2m distance.
A friend passed on this link to me recently about swimming from the New York Times, wonderful reading.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/10/opinion/sunday/swimming-covid.html?referringSource=articleShare
Today's sunrise was beautiful, as they have been all week. An assortment of colours from orange and yellow to pink clouds, very difficult to capture, but so stunning to witness. Initially the sea looked calm and inviting with not much wind.
Nice to see people catching up before doing their exercise.
I got my dog fix today, was fabulous. Maisy was holding onto her ball waiting for a game to start, one of my favourite dogs in Manly. Nice to see her owner too, Dave, who's not really a pink capper, but always keen to have a chat and talk about surfing with me. Which fascinates me endlessly, haven't yet mastered or tried that sport.
Dave Brown was having a peaceful and mindful moment on the sand, such a wise idea.
Now, the water becamea bit choppy and wind affected , quite warm especially without the wind factor. I saw two different wobbegongs, lots of fish, no turtle, no dusky whaler, no fever of cow nose rays.
The turtle from a week or so ago
Once i got out of the water, I caught up with an old friend I haven't seen for ages, Arthur. He was minding a friends dog, Rosie, who's a rescue dog but still very anxious 9 months after being rescued.
I got a take away coffee with Jenny after the swim, before heading off to the bakery then home.
Stay safe everyone until this crisis is over, we're not out of the woods yet.
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