Well our sunny days had to end at some stage.... Wednesday brought moody skies and here comes the rain! However, we still swim, as swimming in the rain can be very therapeutic, calming, meditative watching raindrops on water... and we are wet anyway!
air temperature at 7am 15.7 degrees
water temperature 20.9 degrees
conditions - generally flat & clear-ish in the bay with a few fun waves here and there near the point..
I was literally "caught" out this morning - my planned blog theme was sunk but i thought it necessary to change the theme. I was about to leave the beach to go to work when Deb exited the water, with a large fish hook & lure firmly implanted in her arm (see picture). She was rounding the point for the swim home and felt something touch her arm...sadly it was said fish hook - it didnt take much for the sharp hook to embed itself!. Unfortunately its a reminder that although Cabbage tree bay is protected from fishing, there are the odd rogues so continue to watch out for debris - we may be able to quickly extract fish hooks etc but sadly our aquatic creatures cant always do that .... Deb was being incredibly stoic - quipping that she was definitely the "catch of the day" - she was certainly well cared for by Drinksy, Simon (who provided some liquid anesthetic) and a posse of BB'ers with first aid (and plans to get a tetanus shot) and hopefully she will be ok. Deb certainly has a story to tell and a reminder for all of us - we can mobilise by writing to council, fisheries etc (I have done jut that this morning!) - on behalf of our aquatic friends who cant!
deb was stoic in her pain....
Contacts:
Fisheries - department of primary industries: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/contact-us
Northern Beaches Council - https://www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/services/customer-services
Speaking of stories, last night I attended the “story room AUS” at the Steyne with some of the BB community. The theme was “perfectly imperfect”... each of the six inspiring story tellers including BB own Kirsten McLaughlin told their unique “perfectly imperfect” story... a common theme was the importance of community & acceptance and having the courage to embrace our individuality & write our own playbook ... the BB community definitely fits that brief ...
Speaking of “fit”... with the pronounced wintery bite in the air, and the water temperature slowly dropping (evidenced by the early arrival of Port Jackson Sharks!!), we are starting to see wetsuits coming out of summer hibernation & hear the groans & sighs of swimmers shimmying into said wetsuits.
Les Bubbles doesnt ever wear a wetsuit - she gets cold but manages her swimming time
Mitch, Danny and Jo - the "sawtooths" - no wetsuits for these three, who warm up after by layering clothes and hot drinks!
Antony, Alexis and Colin - definitely wetsuits, sometimes all year (I wont tell which one!)
derek went for a surf (in his wetsuit)
Deb and Attracta - Deb is most definitely the catch of the day today - her words - before she was hooked... they have been swimming with BB for over 12 years and never in wetsuits for these legends!
Tony has been swimming for 2 years! He started swimming with Can Too having never swum before and 2 years later is addicted! Tony is definitely an inspiration (and never with a wetsuit - see his badges!)!
Christo was stung in the face by a jimble... Alex didnt as she was wearing a sleeved suit.... both intend to try to hold out for WWW
Darren (from Sydney) guilted Sue (visiting from Melbourne) into swimming today. Darren describes himself as a "delicate petal" and wished he had worn his wetsuit (soft!). Sue on the other hand found the 20 degree water balmy (sue is definitely not a "delicate petal!") as she normally swims in the Bay in Melbourne where the water temperature is currently 14 degrees, and can get as low as 9 degrees, definitely wetsuit conditions (unless you are practicing Wim Hof!)!
Olivia, Rohan and Jenny - Olivia and Rohan encountered a few jimbles and Jenny saw a Dusky Whaler on the "Scenic route"
Ian and Andrea - ian definitely no wetsuit, Andrea definitely will not go for WWW! andrea saw a Port Jackson shark & Ian saw an Eagle Ray!
Happy Birthday Simon (aka trooper) from the Guvnor and the Drinks express, celebrating with a little something special to warm our hearts (and to help Deb with the pain of the fish hook!)!
Popcorn has had "the procedure" hence the cone of shame
Bindi (rescue) is walked by Michael whilst Derek (Bindi's human) swims...
Tilly and Coco are both rescues - its said that a rescue hound rescues us.... as much as we rescue them....
and the Ocean can heal all of us in its own way... hopefully Deb will heal from her fish hook injury!
have a great "Hump" day everyone!
and another notice - if you havent already booked there are still seats available:
B&B monthly dinner – 11th May 2021
The next B&B monthly dinner for the year will be held on Tuesday 11th May at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. Our speaker for the night is a regular B&B swimmer whose identity will remain a mystery until the night. From his position as a high flying international corporate executive, we will follow his journey to homelessness as a result of a declining mental health. We are all touched by mental health issues, whether in ourselves, family and friends or just those we see on the streets of Manly. This really is a tale of courage and perseverance. You probably see our speaker most mornings at the beach and would never guess how important this morning ritual of exercise, friendship and community involvement has contributed to his recovery and ongoing happiness.
The cost of the dinner is great value at only $30 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 (please note, NO BYO). Bookings are essential, so to avoid disappointment and secure your spot please book at www.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au/bb-bluewater-monthly-dinner.html
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