Pacific Jules

MAGIC MIKE MEETS MANLY

Click the link below for Sunday’s vlog 

 

 

Blue bottle time and Happy Birthday Suzy.

There was a strong nor easter today so I turned up expecting not to swim but to check out the surf and the blue bottle situation. The early crew had swum with some people reporting stings and others not. They were celebrating Suzy's birthday with some cake, under the surf club awning, to protect from rain.

 

Lisa and Emma were discussing the plan for a Shelly swim..

 

As if I need reminding of what a blue bottle looks like, I bumped into Teddy carrying one from Shelly to Manly. He promptly threw it back into the ocean at my request..he'd been stung on the leg unfortunatey.

 

This young boy was about to jump off into the unknown world of swirl and swell, from the point area. I found him later on surfing with a friend and watched the surf get bigger with Peter Grinter.

 

The only wildlife I saw today

 

A few brave souls at Shelly, people were stung at both ends of the swim today. Sightings were everywhere in the bay.

Pretty costumes

 

 

Jon wisely pointed out to me, an orange plastic barrier that is no longer serving any purpose, is breaking up into little pieces, ready to be blown into the ocean. Note to self to email council. Thanks Jon.

 

 

A surfers paradise today

 

 

When the beach is closed it's probably best not to swim, you can always do the same distance from Shelly, or not at all. Unless I guess you're exceptionally strong and zero risk of having an adverse event in the surf. Then there's the blue bottle situation too. A dry blog for me today, I"m heading to the pool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cole Classic and Sun Run are back for 2021!
This year, if you’re taking part in the event, you can choose to fundraise for Royal Far West, our local charity, which is supported by Bold and the Beautiful throughout the year. By choosing Royal Far West, you’ll be helping to raise funds to help vulnerable country kids access the specialist developmental and mental healthcare services they urgently need.

To find out more or to register, visit: http://rfw.care/EZoP50Df76W
If running is more your thing, you can also fundraise for Royal Far West in the 10km Sun Run from Manly to Dee Why on Saturday 6 February.   
However you choose to fundraise, we’d love to have your support!

Have a good weekend everyone. Edwina.

Friday 29 January 2021

There was a huge swell today making for a challenging swim depending on your capability. I got out past the point and felt a sense of achievement - and also a sense of wonder at how I would ever get back in - when the Turtle Magnets Ryssa, Meredith and Isabelle told me that the turtle was swimming underneath. I am so grateful as I did not identify it myself. woo hoo.

It was a big exit at half way

Entering was a tricky task for me and fun for others

It was great fun out the back - up and down. The only tricky part was entry and exit.

Up

Up more

Up some more

Where is Adam?

They saw the turtle too

Rob on his way back in

Alan Andrea and another swimmer out and about. Alan always has some good advice on negotiating waves

A bit of a slosh

The turtle magnets before the swim - Ryssa, Meredith and Isabelle

The turtle

The turtle magnets in the swim

Some before shots

You will have read the fabulous alternative blog recently. Well Dee has been able to engage Rusty (below) to join blogging. I'm looking forward to it. He reported the swim was great today

Down the ramp in a small group

Elizabeth Stewart

Thursday, 28 January 2021 - Life Down Under (deep) - O. tetricus

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

Thank you for following public health advice by maintaining 1.5 distance.
Remember this when you're in or taking photos.
And do please continue to swim at different times of day. 

*SSDD = Same Scene, Different Design

Gloomy Octopuses feed nocturnally on bivalves, invertebrates and each other.
They bring their food home to their den to eat, likely because it is safer than eating in the open.
Females have been known to cannibalise the males following mating.

Water temp: 20.5

Swimmers: We are well and truly into surf carnival and summer ocean events season now. Please be aware of these when choosing where and when to swim. Upcoming events include:

Wednesday 27th January - what a difference a day makes and announcing the 2020 swimmer of the year!

Good morning!   What a difference a day makes!     From hot to cool, from choppy to flat! 

But first - some good news out of 2020 for one lucky B&B swimmer .... The 2020 B&B swimmer of the year is.... drum roll....

.... Congratulations to Sam Di Sano!    Sam swam every month of 2020 to earn his place in the annual draw and for his efforts he wins a $200 voucher donated by Budgy Smuggler!     Congratulations Sam, and thank you to Budgy Smuggler for their ongoing support of B&B - Budgy Smuggler has some crazy and cool new designs so he has a lot to choose from!    

Sam's smile will be all the bigger with his $200 voucher to spend!

 

 

Over the last few days mother nature teased us with beautiful blue skies & heatwaves but tested us with windy, challenging murky lumpy swimming conditions  - thanks to everyone for taking advice & guidance of Manly Surf club over the last few days as they navigated keeping people safe with challenging crowds, waves, sharks, bluebottles and emergencies ...  

 

Todays conditions - pretty sublime - the long awaited "southerly buster" hit overnight and brought welcome cooler air and a southerly swell to blow the bluebottles away to wherever they go when they are not terrorising the beaches & produce absolutely stunning flat swimming conditions this morning in cabbage tree bay.    There werent alot of swimmers today - perhaps recovering from yestedays holiday or maybe catching up on sleep & enjoying a lie in after a few hot restless nights.... 

 

 

 

With the Big Swim (Palm to Whale Beach 2.8km) and the Little Big Swim (1km) this Sunday (31st January), I thought i'd ask swimmers if they had entered, or, what their swim goals were.     I was lucky enough to register for the Big Swim early before i had time to think it through!  I am very nervous but the swimming community is incredibly supportive & encouraging and full of knowledge about the nuances of the swim (around headlands etc) and i am really looking forward to it.    Every swimmer will have different goals but as this is my first year of ocean swimming, my aim is to complete the swim - to borrow a mantra from the Warringah tri club - "finish lines not finishing times" - For this swim and all the others this season.     

 

There's usually a large cohort of B&B swimmers for the Big Swim but this year due to COVID entrants were limited to 350 for the Big Swim (2.8km) and 500 for the Big Little Swim (1km).     So unfortunately a lot of swimmers missed out this year, however that didnt detract from the general mood this morning & goals dont always have to be completing a swim!   A recurrent "Swim goal" theme was seeing each other every morning for a swim, coffee & sometimes birthday cake!   It was Kates birthday today and Kara made a delicious carrot cake.  Happy birthday Kate!   

 

 

Mark, Rob and Mel enjoyed their swim today. Mel enjoys the different swims but the Palm to Whale (Big swim) is her favouite swim because its challenging, around headlands, good surf, choppy but FUN!    She also loves the social aspect & trying to beat times year on year.    A great combination, proving you can have fun whilst striving to meet goals!     

 

 

Sandy, Fiona and Kerry received the "white top" memo - they really enjoyed their swim and have enthusiastically volunteered for the Cole Classic on Sunday week.     Thanks ladies!  

 

 

Mermaids Clare and Mel all smiles after their fabulous swim.  Mel is considered a "ray whisperer" as she saw four types today including Fiddler rays & tiger rays and swam above a graceful bull ray on the swim back in near the point - the ray was so beautiful she wanted to keep floating above it.   Clare has such a graceful and beautiful swim style that i hope to emulate some day ....she has competed in quite a few ocean swims & organising the ocean swim at North Steyne in March!    Mel seeks to better her Cole Classic time from last year and im sure she will crush it!  

 

 

I chatted to Lainey before her swim and Henrietta after hers.   Both volunteer as "friends of cabbage tree Bay" (linky thing here if you'd like to join the fun (https://www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/environment/coast-and-waterways/aquatic-reserves/friends-cabbage-tree-bay) - ensuring our pristine swimming bay which we share with so many amazing creatures remains so.    Fun fact - did you know that Lainey started ocean swimming with Can Too 11 years ago which gave her the confidence to give ocean swimming a go, and joined B&B 10 years ago.  Lainey has completed many ocean swims including  10km return swim from Curl Curl to manly - which by all accounts was challenging especially the swim back against the current!  simply amazing!   When asked if she would do it again she replied "never say never!"!  Lainey loves introducing friends to ocean swimming (like Henrietta & Ros!) & especially when its changed their life (i can totally relate to that!), we all enjoy seeing Laineys happy smile & enthusiasm & fabulous photos every day... thanks Lainey for bringing your light to the B&B community :) (and of course Ted & Freddy!)... and inspiration to all of us.  

 

and here's lainey preparing to transform into a mermaid for her swim ....  camera at the ready to take more fabulous pictures!  

 

 

Annie and Ros - Lainey introduced Ros to ocean swimming and she was hooked!  Ros always removes rubbish before or after her swims - contributing to ridding the ocean and beaches of rubbish!   Today they saw a Wobbygong and a huge school of yellow-tails.

 

 

Three generations!   Barney, Juliet & Alex!   Juliet and Alex are Big Swim regulars but this year they are part of the (thankfully large!) organising & water safety crew (much to my relief!).  Barney is about the embark on a Gap year program in Moree -  hopefully Barney will be able to keep swimming and we wish him good luck with the program!   

 

 

Izzy - the brightest smile this moring lit up the gloomy day!

 

 

Gemma and Jo - so happy with the sublime fabulous conditions today!  

 

 

Daughter & mum Harriet and Jane - matchy matchy (nearly!)!   Harriet grew up at Queenscliff nippers!    its so great to see so many families passing on their love of the ocean to their children. 

 

 

I was lucky enough that my parents also loved the ocean and took us for beach holidays every year.  However, one holiday i had a new favourite swimming costume - it was red.  Dad had a warped sense of humour and told me that sharks were attracted to red and its taken me years to wear bright colours in the ocean (until now in fact!)!  

 

And finally, one of the main reasons we swim - a common goal - the cameraderie over coffee!  

 

 

Even our canine buddies have common goals too - ear rubs, belly rubs, cuddles or food!  Freddy (on Teds lap), Minki (next to ted & Freddy) & Bindi (under the seat) with Bella, 4 months old enjoying the wind flapping her ears!  

 

 

Happy Wednesday everyone and  GOOD LUCK to all swimmers in the Big Swim and Little Big Swim this weekend!   The Big Swim was described to me recently as either requiring boxing gloves or dancing shoes - although we would dearly love "dancing shoes" mother nature will dictate the conditions and we will be ready & encouraging & supporting each other all the way from start to finish!

 

have a great day!

 

Jocelyn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26/01/2021 - A Different Australia Day Swim

I first swam with the B&B exactly 10 years ago on 26th January 2011. It was honestly one of the top 3  best decisions I've ever made! Today was a different Australia Day swim to what I've been used to the last 10 years. There wasn't a gathering on the beach, no bugling from Greg McDonaugh (RIP), no speech from Bruce or Izzy, not many people in Aussie Day attire and there wasn't any singing of Advance Australia Fair...Swimmers were here there and everywhere at different times.The  surf was up, choppy all over and there were a few bluebottles. However...the sun was shining brightly, water was warm and there were still loads of smiley, happy swimmers to be found!

Photo of Kara above in Aussie bikini. She went through the chop and waves and even copped a bluey but was still smiling in true blue Aussie style!

A beautiful sunrise at 6.11am heralding a hot day ahead!

The first swimmers I came across were Roger and Rusty. I always like taking a pic of Rusty as I know his Mum in England reads the blog every day, like my parents. Hope you are enjoying the snow UK readers and we wish you all the best in these covid times.

Rusty and Rog are joined by Jeff with a J Parsons just in from his 2000 km swim. Congratulations Jeff!

Dry and wet... Michele just in from her early swim with friend Isabel.

Dave and Kara

The quintessential Aussie... Andrew Drinkwater aka Drinks/Drinksy. Godluvim we love his welcoming grin and hearing his chuckle when we gather by the Surf Club!

Another B&B legend Tony Stuart... He may be CEO of Unicef but we're all equal in our Budgies and he's kind, friendly and inclusive in true B&B style.

Billy is 95 and when I ask him what keeps him looking so good he points and says 'the ocean!' Good old Dr Salt

Lovely Henrietta opted for the safest option...swimming out nd in at Shelly Beach.Henrietta volunteers everywhere and after her swim was on Save the Manly Ferry duty. Please sign the petition if you haven't already!

A lot of people went from Shelly today as even going in at halfway was dangerous. Here's the proof!

Heather, Chris and Jacqui check out conditions at The point

Someone says Michele and I should have our photo taken in our Aussie bikinis. Avert your eyes if you think women of our age shouldn't wear bikinis!

Lovely Helen and Jo are brave and bold and very capable swimmers. They both went from the beach.

Jeff is joined by wife Neri and daughter Gemma. Still glowing after his 2000 km swim!

Some of the 'Originals' at The Benches who have swam with the group since it began in 2008! John kelly is in the middle and it's his first Australia day as an Aussie citizen! (Still looking like a Scouser who is on hols in Spain trying to get a tan though!)

Laura, Dave, Pete, Bruce, Sharon and Sarah at their bench

Martin, Michelle, Janet, Ian, Gayle and Jo

Jon, Drinky, Suzie and Matt

Brian, Councillor David, Richard, Chris and Oosty

9am swimmers at Shelly. Most of these are in bubbles. Dave, Corinne, Lucas, Shelley, Ronald, Tatchi,Michele, Robbie, Jimmy, Harvie, Patricia, Paul and Maria

And some photos from previous years! Errol and I a few years back!

2012 I think when some swimmers tried to look like lamington, Fairy Bread or Pavlova! love Brendan's face in background!

NOT this year of course!

A great memory. Greg on trumpet and Arabella and Chris on vocals :-)

On Saturday Gary the Groper was around so have to include these shots!

Last week it was fun checking out the Octopus, Old Wives, Wobbies and Fiddler Ray!

 

Happy Australia Day folks!

lots of love

Lainey

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday 25th January 2021 Do my boobs look too big

23 minutes before sunrise.

Bumpy ride to Shelly. Unfortunately Greg swam into the one bluey in the bay.

@6am I enjoyed the company of Pirate Alex, Jo & Becky to Shelly and back through the waves.

Boys.

Bruces.

Jeff.

Kerry with bike.

one please.

Boys in the coffee queue.

 

Alan had good news! Daughter Aimee escaped the UK and flew on a DFAT fight to Darwin (11 days to go in quarantine).

Jonny said, “are my boobs too big in this?”

Girls.

Pre-swim read and a coffee.

Irish Alex in the Coffee queue@7:45am.



Cole Classic this Sunday 7 February- register now.

Swim in Small groups and stay safe.

Simon

January 24th - Sunday sign-up and swimmer of the month

 

BOLD & BEAUTIFUL IS NOT CURRENTLY MEETING DUE TO THE CONTINUED RISK OF COVID-19. IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND FOLLOW PUBLIC HEALTH ADVICE. THANK YOU FOR SWIMMING AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY.

Congratulations to the swimmer of the month for December, Irena Sidorovich,

Irena receives a $50 voucher from Budgy Smuggler.

 

 

Sunday sign-up

What a busy morning it was at Manly today, the place was buzzing with families enjoying the surf and a swim. Enjoying the last days of school holidays for many. A perfect morning, weather wise, for a swim to-day although a little choppy across the bay. Post swim Ian, John and Anne were busy at the benches greeting, signing up new swimmers and giving each a pink cap whilst selling the much loved silicon caps and past badges to the faithful. Lovely to see so many smiling faces, especially those who have been doing covid swims and haven't connected with us in awhile. we love hearing from you and if you have friends swimming with you encourage them to sign-up and wear the pink cap. Newbies can join our BnB family by emailing Ian at [email protected]

Water temp a warm 21.4 deg C

Anne and Ian ready to greet newbies

 

Ian and John sharing a coffee and a laugh

Congrats to Penny for her 1000 km, its such a milestone to chalk up so many swims.

Jeff happy to purchase a new silicon cap to enhance his visibility in the swim

Petra, a fellow blogger called by for a chat.

Laura and Katie (right with her covid baby bump-congratulations)

sharing a laugh

Gillian and her son Jonno are regulars, lovely to catch up this morning

Shilpa (right) completed her first full swim today, congratulations.

Looking forward to seeing you regularly now

James and Lisa saw the light and relocated from Melbourne, welcome to the BnB family.

A few of the usual suspects.

Visibility hasn't been great lately so it was good to see these guys are still hanging around.

cheers and enjoy your day,

Pauline (aka HRH)

 

Summer Saturday's

It's a hot weekend in Sydney this weekend, the Manly Life Saving Club has their carnival on, it made for a busy area between Manly and Shelly beach. We were asked to swim elsewhere or from Shelly beach to give the club plenty of room to use the ramp and the beach.  I decided to start early-ish from Shelly to give myself time to park and swim without getting lost amongst the crowds.

It actually looked lovely and calm on arrival, water felt warm. I did notice a sign from during the week was still there, pondered the risk of getting in, and had my swim anyway. 

Water wasnt terribly clear , but I did see a puffer fish and some little fish near the pink rock that the octopus used to live in. It was also a little bumpier than it had seemed from shore, just provided a bit of bounce.

Lucy and Brad were finishing off as I started my swim

Lots of people coming and going, and I went to see if the octopus was still there but I"m told I was in the wrong place. Roz was there and pointed out the correct rock, but the den was empty unfortunately.

After my swim I found Polly who was waiting patiently for owners, then I found Alison and had a lovely catch up with the two of them.

Walking up to the point, I saw a cute little pooch having a swim at the rocks at halfway, having an absolute ball jumping back in to have a paddle.

Up at the point I could see Manly was buzzing, people talking on microphones, surfers and swimmers everywhere plus a zippy little boat coming back to shore. 

And this was Shelly as I left for the day

Message from management:

On Sunday 24^th January your B&B volunteer helpers will be at the benches (100 m north of the surf club, weather permitting) from 8 am until 9 am with a sign-up sheet for anyone who wants to sign up and start logging their swims. Remember, to be eligible for the Summer Badges, you will need to log your swims. Any new swimmers who have started swimming over the summer period are invited to sign up and get their free B&B latex cap.

 

In addition, we will have a supply of this year’s winter badges for sale (Covid Challenge and Ice Cold Corona) at $10 each. We will also have the following items:

 

·         summer badges (triple, 6 km, 10 km), distance badges (500 km, 1000 km, 2000 km) and assorted past badges - $10 each (cash only please bring the correct money)

·         silicone swimming caps ready for winter - $15 each  (cash only please bring the correct money)

·         latex caps (free) if you have broken/lost yours or have friends/family who have just started swimming

Don't forget to slip, slop and slap in the heat this weekend, take care everyone. Edwina.

Friday 22 January 2021

Sometimes the visibility is very poor and the swell is a bit substantial. But when you have come down to the beach for a swim especially if counting swims for a summer badge, all you can do is get it done. I could not find my camera today so have some dryland shots. A good reminder that some dryland exercise is apparently useful to build swimming capability. Must google that

NOTE: THERE IS A SURF CARNIVAL ALL DAY AT MANLY TOMORROW. GO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO SWIM. IT WILL GO FROM SOUTH STEYN NORTH. You will be able to swim from Shelly but not in to South Steyne

Look at this eye catching couple of swimmers!

Champs!

Congratulations Meredith (centre) who is expecting her first baby in May

What the camera could not see is the big bite on the leg here. 

Stripey 

Caroline and I. She has a sister Elizabeth 

Illegal fishing in the aquatic reserve 

If you see someone fishing in Cabbage Tree Bay it is probably best not to make a citizen's arrest (which is possible but there is a fine line between a lawful citizen's arrest and vigilantism which depending on what occurs during the 'arrest' may not be lawful) but you should - as others have - report it to

https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/compliance/report-illegal-activity 

New Swimmers sign-up, Caps and Badges

On Sunday 24^thJanuary your B&B volunteer helpers will be at the benches(100 m north of the surf club, weather permitting) from 8 am until 9 am with a sign-up sheet for anyone who wants to sign up and start logging their swims. Remember, to be eligible for the Summer Badges, you will need to log your swims. Any new swimmers who have started swimming over the summer period are invited to sign up and get their free B&B latex cap.

In addition, we will have a supply of this year’s winter badges for sale (Covid Challenge and Ice Cold Corona) at $10 each. We will also have the following items:

• summer badges from 2020 not 2021 (triple, 6 km, 10 km), distance badges (500 km, 1000 km, 2000 km) and assorted past badges - $10 each (cash only please bring the correct money)
• silicone swimming caps ready for winter - $15 each  (cash only please bring the correct money)
• latex caps (free) if you have broken/lost yours or have friends/family who have just started swimming
• badges for summer 2021 will be available after summer ends at a date to be advised. keep logging your swims

Happy swimming

Elizabeth Stewart