Pacific Jules

Thursday, 31 December 2020 - Life Down Under (deep) - NYE

BOLD & BEAUTIFUL IS NOT CURRENTLY RUNNING
DUE TO THE RISKS OF CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE CONTINUE PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND
FOLLOW PUBLIC HEALTH ADVICE. 

Thank you for the past year of swimming at different times of the day
and maintaining 1.5m distance - even in blog photos!

*SSDD = Same Scene, Different Dialog

Wishing you all the very, very best for 2021. 

 

29/12/2020 - Some Highlights of 2020 and Today's Great Swim!

Photo of Lauren taken Sunday over Bower rocks! Even with Covid restrictions we must admit we've still had a fantastic year of swimming in Cabbage Tree Bay! We've had more Turtles and Grey Nurse sightings than ever before. By staggering our swim times and breaking into smaller groups new friendships have formed. We now have a 'Lunchtime Swimmers' group, 'The Manmaids and Mermaids',  'Weirdos of the Wall', 'The Mods or Men of Door' and can't not mention 'The Wows', Drinks Express, Originals and many more! Hopefully the friendliness and welcoming ethos of inclusion and support will continue in spite of these smaller groups!

The love and support offered to our beloved Errol when he suffered a minor stroke this year shows the care in this community of swimmers. He has been back swimming and is healthy again but presently in lockdown.Here he is with son Scott a couple of weeks ago.

A very old photo of our founder Julie Isbill with partner Michael. Jules who started the B&B 12 years ago has recently been inducted in to the Australian Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame. I quote her here :'I still have to pinch myself. To be inducted into the Australia Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, still seems so surreal.

AMSHOF have kindly listed ‘my’ swimming achievements, but they are actually ‘yours’ - every single person who has supported me.

Bold & Beautiful - the highlight of my life. Seeing literally thousands of people achieve things they never even dreamed of. Lives have been forever changed. Mine has been forever enriched, thanks to that fateful swim, almost 12 years ago to the day. Over 22,000 people have swum with B&B during this time and B&B is going stronger than ever thanks to our amazing team of dedicated volunteers '

 

We've had lots of Turtle sightings this year and thanks to the great work by Marco Borderieu and the Sydney Viz page they have been documented. There have been a few rescues and rehabilitations thanks to The Australian Seabird Rescue Central Coast. Ella and Billie were found to have ingested plastic but were rehabilitated and released back in to our bay.

 

We've also seen more Grey Nurse sharks whilst swimming than in any other year of the B&B. I remember one Saturday about 2 months ago Roger reported seeing "One Mum, a Dad and a couple of teenagers". Others said, "I saw one 4 times or 4 different ones". They were different sizes so there were definitely a few out there!

 

Some of us have been lucky enough to see marine creatures mating this year. I saw Port Jacksons having a good go a few months back. A few saw Giant Cuttlefish mating and even Blind Sharks!

The largest Stingray on earth, the Smooth Stingray has also been around the bay a lot this year. I saw him really active in the shallows of Shelly once. Exciting but a little scary!

We've had the pleasure of looking at some great drone shots of the swim this year and our Cabbage Tree Bay. Here is one of Greg Cole's above.

The Wows above celebrating the lovely Kerry leaving Aus to go back to the USA a few months ago. Great shots again courtesy of Greg.

A couple of my shots of our amazing sunrises this year shot from a swimmer's garage roof!

Back to today's swim. The seaweed and blueys had gone and water was calm, clear and warm!

Here is a shower scene of the 6.30amers or 'Drinks Express'post-swim.

The beautiful Numbray spotted off The Point today

School of Yellowtail near the shed.

Lots of beautiful Gropers!

The 'Manmaids and Mermaids' off for a Bolderdash!

 

A couple of funny shots to end off with of Dave and George trying out masks earlier in the year!

Management notices

SUMMER BADGES - Summer: 1st Dec - 28th Feb

Due to government restrictions, this summer we will not be organising 6km or 10km swims or badges. Instead... we are offering the following badges:

• Triple Manly to Shelly- swim 3x laps of Manly to Shelly Beach and back, any day during summer - distance 3.5km
• Covid Summer Challenge- swim 30 times over 7 different weeks of summer
• Corona Super Swimmer- swim 50 times over summer

You will earn and be eligible for any / all of these badge if you complete these swims and log them in i-Log

As for the winter swims, you can swim anywhere at any time to qualify, but if you don’t swim at Manly, you must log a Covid Challenge Swim

 

Keep swimming and Happy New Year!

Lainey Loo xx

Cloudy, humid, rumours of blueys - it must be summer.

Quite muggy this morning, a change from yesterday's sunshine - it seems the weather person is getting it right.

Shaun and Veena - Veena said there was so much seaweed in the shallows that she struggled to get her flippers off. Note to self, there seems to be less weed at the flags. Speaking of which, it's good to see that the flags are up again. Just an aged clubby perspective - the presence of the flags is minimising the risk of swimmer-boardrider collisions and ensuing injury.

Our very own red dog Bindi ,with Freddy lurking in the background

Lainey and Ros

Beautiful Helen happily demonstrating a correct sunscreen application procedure 

Shelley looking stunning

Martin, Michele and Annie

In the water

It's OK, he could stand

Carolyn and Ruth

They'd heard of blueys near the pool and had swum very wide. 

Carolyn said they were this big

Not drowning, waving

A kind stranger offered to take my photo

Very little to see under water today so here's something I prepared earlier

Here's the lovely Cath and lovely daughter Ruby about to brave the blueys - hope they didn't get you!

Back on shore with Lyndall, Mary, Rainer and part of Lyndall's doggo

 

What am I reading?

Cath lent me Permanent Record by Edward Snowden back in July. Well written and thought provoking. I have a very satisfying backlog of books for when I've finished this one. I'm about to get back into it now, with the cricket in the background.

Here's something a bit different to listen to

Management notices

SUMMER BADGES - Summer: 1st Dec - 28th Feb

Due to government restrictions, this summer we will not be organising 6km or 10km swims or badges. Instead... we are offering the following badges:

• Triple Manly to Shelly- swim 3x laps of Manly to Shelly Beach and back, any day during summer - distance 3.5km
• Covid Summer Challenge- swim 30 times over 7 different weeks of summer
• Corona Super Swimmer- swim 50 times over summer

You will earn and be eligible for any / all of these badge if you complete these swims and log them in i-Log

As for the winter swims, you can swim anywhere at any time to qualify, but if you don’t swim at Manly, you must log a Covid Challenge Swim

Monday 28th December 2020 - Bumpy, weedy & small groups.

5:47am

Weed

Jo & Ali, like me, prefer to swim early to avoid the crowds.

I also swam across the bumpy bay with Trish & Greg.

Brad & Sterling arrived early enough to get their caffeine hit before swimming.

Patrick was grateful to be back after 14 days ISO.



Girls, boards & skis

Ann, Craig and friends swim in a small group.

“We change under the trees to avoid the crowd”.


John (#2 on the Pacific Challenge - 5,506kms) swims with his buddy Tony.

Scoot & Surf.


Sign of the times.

Friendly & familiar Manly

Keep your distance & stay safe.

Simon

 

27/12/20 Happy 12th Birthday Bold and Beautiful

Beautiful Sunday. But unfortunately not that beautiful on the Covid front.

Looks are deceiving and we have reverted to the stay-at-home Covid regulations.

Thankfully we can still exercise.

There would have many changed plans for Christmas. Now it looks like there may be plenty for New Year.

While many of us on the Northern Beaches can’t go anywhere, spare a thought for those who planned their holidays here in Manly and can’t get in.

At least we get our daily exercise in the sea, many countries like South Africa don’t allow people to swim under Covid regulations.

Nevertheless compliments of the season to you all!

And... big drum roll... a very Happy 12th Birthday to the Bold and Beautiful!

Above: I joined Guy and Jeff in the  6.57am contingent for our exercise. People are swimming at different times of the day in keeping with rules so there would have been groups  at 6.38am,  7.16am,  7.50am, 9.03am and various other times around the (daylight) clock.

Above: Today's swim included the seaweed challenge where you choose between a calf strengthening wade or a shallow doggy paddle through the good green stuff.

 

Above: Speaking of which ... If you overindulged over the Festive Season (like one member of our family), that daily swim is the perfect way to clear the cobwebs and return to that refreshed and revitalised feeling.

Above: My watch has failed to find the GPS since Derek and I drove to Adelaide. Would you believe it – when the planets lined up (Jupiter and Saturn) on the solstice (on Monday) my watch finally found the GPS signal again so I can again tell where I am swimming and where I have been.

Above:

Today's stats:

Water Temperature: Twenty something

Swimmers: Scattered starts over various times of the day

Air Temperature: 18

Above: A couple of weeks ago I did a spectacular wheels up after stepping in this oily puddle in the Coles Car Park. It was a major win for me that I didn’t break anything as my left (butt) check took the full impact although I did walk with a limp for a while. So take care when heading back to your car.

Enjoy Round Two of Boxing Day tomorrow – we have had a tough year in 2020 but we do get two Boxing Days.

Hang in there. Stay safe and healthy and remember it ain’t over till it’s over.

Oosty

 

Management notices

SUMMER BADGES - Summer: 1st Dec - 28th Feb

Due to government restrictions, this summer we will not be organising 6km or 10km swims or badges. Instead... we are offering the following badges:

• Triple Manly to Shelly- swim 3x laps of Manly to Shelly Beach and back, any day during summer - distance 3.5km
• Covid Summer Challenge- swim 30 times over 7 different weeks of summer
• Corona Super Swimmer- swim 50 times over summer

You will earn and be eligible for any / all of these badge if you complete these swims and log them in i-Log

As for the winter swims, you can swim anywhere at any time to qualify, but if you don’t swim at Manly, you must log a Covid Challenge Swim

 

Boxing Day Adventure...

I wanted to swim early today but didn't know anyone at Manly going early, so i joined my masters squad friends at Freshwater and swam towards Manly. A little bit grey and cloudy with some sprinkles of rain but nothing too harsh. Some waves were present for sure, and a bit of swell and movement, but that was part of the challenge for me and fun to go to a different environment.

 

Four of us jumped into the water here and swam through a gap in the rocks to the beach

 

We swam over to the heart on the cliffs at Queenscliff

Tim, Lisa, Greg, not getting swamped by the waves

Then we continued to the block of flats a little further along

The return leg to Freshwater I found to be bumpy and a bit swirly, but glad I took myself out of my comfort zone. Once I'd finished, I found a cute oodle of some sort, swimming with his owner, having a ball doing circles around him.

Just so cute

Yesterday's Wobbegong

Dont forget to tick your swims, try and get a badge or three at the end of summer.

Anyone who needs some information about the latest news for our area and Covid

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au

Have a lovely Boxing Day everyone,

Edwina.

Christmas Day 2020 BB in exile Blog

Merry Christmas wherever you are during this lockdown

I went to Balmoral for a swim before the tumble of Christmas Day. I encountered a lot of parking spaces and swimmers. 

I am grateful for Roger's blog yesterday as he updated us on what is happening at South Steyne. It is lockdown arrangements for the present so we swim wherever we can. Today swimming and celebrating Christmas each in their own way. 

Bit of sun, bit of cloud and a bit of rain.

Take care everyone

BOLD & BEAUTIFUL IS NOT CURRENTLY RUNNING DUE TO THE RISKS OF COVID.

PLEASE CONTINUE PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND FOLLOW PUBLIC HEALTH ADVICE. 

Thank you for the past year of swimming at different times of the day and maintaining 1.5m distance - even in blog photos!

Wed 23rd: Peace and Goodwill

 

CONDITIONS

Serene and flat … beautiful sunrise.  Soft, smooth waves.  Romantic.

Surprisingly, I could see the bottom all along garden route.  More signs of oceanic fish, after the heavy rains. (Upwellings?)  Visibility still stuck at 70%.

 

Air           19º

Water      20º

Vis:         70%

Feel:       Serene

Fish:        Lots

Light:       Solstice was yesterday.

                (Today feels much shorter)

Entry:       Water crystal-clear in shallows,

                with lots and lots of stingray pups.

                (Always beware when wading in)

Media:     Channel 7 van on the ground from 5.

 

 

•••

 

6.30 Swimmer of the Day:

Fingerbone.  Top-two fastest.  Broke his leg at beach two years ago, doing Ins-and-Outs sprints (and it still ails him).  Favours the rubber bucket for swim kit.  Needs a haircut.  Tucks goggles and cap into Speedos, like a gunslinger.  Amiable

•••

 

Dunnies Update:

MEN’s - We got two new cubicle doors, and white paint above the tiles.  That’s all

 

WOMEN’s -  Not known this stage. (Shaun, can you lend me a dress?)

•••

 

Point Cafe History:

Kane has been here for approx 15 years, believe it or not.  His mother started it.

 

Annie took command (of Kane and cafe) about ten years ago.  Where would we be without them!!

 

•••

South African of the Day:

Brad.  Grew up in Durban 'burb Amanzimtoti.  Found his roots in Forster, NSW.

Extremely fast swimmer.  Buys all of cafe Annie’s marshmallows.  Circumspect.  Has a very dry wife

•••

 

Xmas Party Flashback:

Mel, Roz n Mark

•••

 

TRAVEL

I snorkelled under and around Tathra pier on Sunday.

 

Stunning visibility, ghostly pillars reaching 15 metres to clear bottom.  Two big black rays constantly cruising, an octopus sitting on bottom in plain view, a dozen teens joyfully jumping 10 metres over and over … and, no ... I didn’t notice any Great Whites

•••

 

Coles Update (for Jo Gregory):

Entry by QR.  100% mask usage.  Extremely well-behaved patronage

•••

...................................................................................................

BOLD & BEAUTIFUL IS NOT CURRENTLY RUNNING DUE TO THE RISKS OF COVID.

PLEASE CONTINUE PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND FOLLOW PUBLIC HEALTH ADVICE. 

Thank you for the past year of swimming at different times of the day and maintaining 1.5m distance - even in blog photos!

..........................................................................................

Wishing all you swimmers a contented Friday ...

 

 

Tuesday 22 December 2020: Day four of lockdown.... I think?

BOLD & BEAUTIFUL IS NOT CURRENTLY RUNNING DUE TO THE RISKS OF CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).

PLEASE CONTINUE PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND FOLLOW PUBLIC HEALTH ADVICE. 

Thank you for the past year of swimming at different times of the day

and maintaining 1.5m distance - even in blog photos!

 

The Northern beaches are making the rounds on national television as we have been labelled the ‘insular peninsula’ - a term used to describe that we often don’t like (or need) to leave our beautiful beach suburbs. 

I hope everyone is staying well and safe. Hang in there team!

The swim was quiet this morning but I did manage to get a few underwater snaps… socially distanced ofcourse!  

 

Also, a few above the water shots which say a lot about the restrictions… very empty for this time of year!

 

 

 

Thank goodness for ocean swimming :) For those of you who have been unable to make it to the swim due to restrictions… take care!

 

Notices:

 

Tilly Sammut says ‘Thanks’

On Monday, 12-year-old Tilly Sammut completed her 6 km swim to raise money for the homeless. Due to the lockdown, she had to do this alone without any of her friends who had planned to be with her. Tilly would love to say thanks to those who sponsored her, and remind you that it is still not too late to donate. So far, she has raised over $900 but would love to get more than $1000. Can you please help? To donate, go to:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/homeless-fundraiser-6km-swim?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1  

 

Also.. 3 sleeps until Christmas!

 

Sunday 20 December 2020

BOLD & BEAUTIFUL IS NOT CURRENTLY RUNNING DUE TO THE RISKS OF CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).
PLEASE CONTINUE PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND FOLLOW PUBLIC HEALTH ADVICE. 

Thank you for the past year of swimming at different times of the day
and maintaining 1.5m distance - even in blog photos!

My swim morning started much the same as normal. Wake up about 5.30, throw my swim gear and clothes into the car and drive towards Manly. Every day I pass this sign but today I notice it and take a different turn. Manly straight ahead, I turn left towards Balmoral. This is to be my new normal swim. I arrive around 6 am and park. I look around - there are no groups chatting, laughing and jumping into the sea. Its eerily quiet, I hear a small wave breaking on the shore.. I actually hear it. I look out to sea.. not a swimmer in sight. This is strange and exciting as I have the whole ocean to myself. I look out toward the heads through the misty rain. This is gorgeous, the serenity the magical ocean... I hear my name being called .. I squint along the shoreline and see a figure waving to me and of course waving a pink cap. ...its Inez.. I wave back. I walk towards the shore and look right. Inez has joined 3 others in the distance .. they enter the water and swim towards the yellow buoys 50m offshore . I swim out. suddenly I see a pink cap I stop and say hello to Inez ..I hear laughing..I look behind  I see Anne and Garry Edwards and of course Ian. We have a chat and a laugh. Now I'm feeling like this is more normal. I wish I had brought my waterproof camera to capture the moment. We all swim off and do our own thing. Its a morning of discovery for me as I head to the change rooms. The floor is dry, there are warm showers... OMG.. there is an advantage of my new normal. I walk to the car and hear hello.. its Claire and Tilney, I take their photo. I really wanted to take a cheezy photo of Anne Edwards at Edwards beach but she was still swimming. I did enjoy my swim today but did miss my old normal. Hopefully back to it soon.  My covid swim is recorded as just 19m.. now I'm literally creeping towards my 1500km milesone at a snails pace but thinking how lucky I am to be able to swim. Wherever you are I hope that you can enjoy your covid swim. Stay safe and have a lovely Christmas.

Decision time

Clare and Tylney

View of my temporary Covid swim-no head clashes here.

Another of my temporary Covid swim and oysters.

One of the saved heritage ferries heading towards Manly

Looking towards Manly. I'm waving to you :)

HRH (Pauline)

Management notices

SUMMER BADGES - Summer: 1st Dec - 28th Feb

Due to government restrictions, this summer we will not be organising 6km or 10km swims or badges. Instead... we are offering the following badges:

• Triple Manly to Shelly- swim 3x laps of Manly to Shelly Beach and back, any day during summer - distance 3.5km
• Covid Summer Challenge- swim 30 times over 7 different weeks of summer
• Corona Super Swimmer- swim 50 times over summer

You will earn and be eligible for any / all of these badge if you complete these swims and log them in i-Log

As for the winter swims, you can swim anywhere at any time to qualify, but if you don’t swim at Manly, you must log a Covid Challenge Swim

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