Pacific Jules

30-06-21: End of Financial Year Seal

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

Thank you for following public health advice at all times.

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What is 1000 times better than an End of Financial Year Sale? An End of Financial Year Seal of course!

A number of very lucky swimmers had the magical experience of swimming with this seal this morning on the last day of the financial year! Not quite sure why she picked this day to swim into CBT and frolic with the swimmers - perhaps she was showing off about having already lodged her return! HUGE thanks to Lainey for the photos and if you want to see more of Lainey's photos and footage, go to the B&B Swimmers facebook page! 

7.30 swimmers, Lainey, Chrissy and Sooze were some of the super lucky ones to swim with the seal this morning! Their excitement was intoxicating! Lainey could hardly talk as she was shivering so much but we certainly got the gist of what she was saying! Ssssseal.....ssssswimmming....fffffrrrooolicking......allllll ththththhe way to ssssshelly......bbbbooowwweeerrrr .......ssssshark (baby grey nurse).....  ....... .......!!

 

So were Jimmy, Tatchi and Paul! If I could have got Paul's description on his encounter with the seal on video that would have been almost as good as seeing the seal itself I reckon!!!

 

Fi and Angela didn't spot the seal but were relieved as they can be quite territorial and have a nasty bite. I've never seen Fi and Angela be territorial and bite before, but I guess there is a first for everything! 

Lainey said the seal was a baby.... so all good!

The water was warm, flat and inviting this morning! It was a little cloudy (unless it was my goggles) but it was a beautiful swim!

I went seal spotting but all I found were these old wives!

And many of these....!

And Dave diving down to get a closer look!

I think our fabulous lifeguard Bordo, is quite happy with COVID lockdown. There are way less people for him to worry about! I hope you make the most of it Bordo - put your feet up and have a cuppa or two while you can! Maybe a bit of sudoku or crossword puzzles too!

Nat, Mary and Jay

Ronald

Kirsty, Dave, Lainey and Mary

Greg going for a walk!

Sally and daughter, Carma

Have a great week and stay safe!

Lucy

The July B&B Dinner has been cancelled due to COVID.

 

Covid swimming

I'm writing this standing in the covid testing queue (just a precaution,  no symptoms!) thinking how we are back to where we were last March with the restrictions. Still, the swim keeps us going! Thought the rainy weather might have deterred people but when there's not much else you can do a swim is good!

It was actually a lovely morning. The sea still calm and pretty flat with good viz. Stuck with under 10 people per the rules.  1 sting unfortunately but did see the cuttlefish and plenty of fish. Temperature was 17.8c so in theory warmer than yesterday  though we weren't all convinced. 

Mark, Lainey and Lyndall looking happy after their swim

Lisa, Chrissy and Ro trying to warm up. 

Carolyn used her hot water too.

Ranya about to swim, looking excited!

Richard,  Mike,  Sheena, Jo and David enjoying a quick post swim chat.

So that's about it, this filled in an hour waiting in the queue,  hopefully not much longer.

Have a good day!

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

Thank you for following public health advice at all times.

Amanda

Lockdown Limerick

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

Thank you for following public health advice at all times.

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A little lockdown limerick for this moody Monday

 

There once were some swimmers from the Beaches

That liked to swim and snorkel with its creatures

and even though the lockdown has hit again

and we are forecast with a week of rain

We still got down and showed off our 'peaches'

 

Make sure to chuck your best Limerick in the FB comments :)

Some isolated social distance swimming in action:

Stay safe and have a great week all!

MDP

 

27/07/2021 - Grateful we can Swim :-)

An absolutely stunning morning down in our special corner of the world with sunrise at 7am, 16.5 degree water and great visibility with teems of fish! First day of a 2 week lockdown... but thank goodness we're allowed to exercise and the waters of Cabbage Tree Bay felt particularly healing this morning...

Great news is the Port Jackson sharks are back! They come every Winter late June when the water temp falls below 17 degrees and I saw this one over the rocks at the Bower surfbreak today.

What's incredible is these sharks have come all the way from Tasmania. They don't just find their way back to Manly they even find the same rocky ledge where they spent last Winter. They come to mate and give birth. They cram their eggs in to the rock crevasses around Cabbage Tree Bay!

Very quiet first thing...

John and Jill are back from their big trip up the Top End and it's always lovely to see them.

Franji aka Jon is still wearing his tennis shorts...

Annie and Martin&Michelle head in at 7.15am

Lucy brings a friend down for her first swim

Shaun and Veena bring their niece Carly down.

Some of the Wows getting their Vitamin Sea today

More grateful swimmers...

Lots of Gropers around showing up particularly blue with the clear water!

So many Mullet!

The Mados are so pretty!

I only saw this Cuttlefish briefly before he went under a rock. The white speckles could mean he or she has mated and is starting to wither and die. Remember they only live to 1-2 years. Fiona saw 3 or 4 today. I'd love to hear about your Cuttlefish sighting in the comments at bottom of blog!

A healthier looking Cuttie a few days ago

This is a Sergeant Baker. His fin was beautiful like intricately woven green lace!

That's all for today folks. It wasn't really my blog day but happy to help out.

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

Thank you for following public health advice at all times.

Lainey xx

It's here!

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

Thank you for following public health advice at all times.

Last Sunday between 8:35 and 11:40 a couple who has tested positive had breakfast at The Boathouse. If you were there at the time, please do the needful as they say on the subcontinent. Let's hope it's contained quickly.

The weekend has so far turned on some fabulous conditions. Currently we are not in lockdown and free to exercise and socialise outdoors. May it remain so.

Staying fit when a contagious virus is about is really important and Manly is a fitness hub

Getting into the water was a joyful if slightly chilly experience

This is blogger and WoW the beautiful Jac, looking amazing at full term pregnancy, starting the swim to Shelly and back. All the WoWs are in full Auntie mode, but I think Jac and Dan are even more eager to view their creation in the flesh. It's time to drop and pop, little baby, we're all waiting.

This cuttlefish was intent on pursuing another one. Whether it was a rival or a love interest I really don't know, but they both disappeared into a cave and didn't come out........

There is always someone from the Manly club training in the water, on the water or on shore. This lady makes it look easy. 

Manly club member and patrolling lifsaver Daphne, happy after her first swim in a while due to an injury

 

What am I listening to? In June 1971, Joni Mitchell released an album called Blue. It's critically regarded as one of the Best Albums Ever, and most of the songs have been covered by multiple artists. 

Stay safe everyone!

Breaking out on a moody blue morning

A moody blue morning greets us. A waft from a local bakery lingers. A full moon sets. Beauty I'd always missed. With these eyes before.

First light is 6.31am but they are pushing off strobing blue and green, just after 6am. Sam adjusts a dog light.

Hey you with the pretty face. Welcome to the human race.
A celebration, Mr. Blue Sky's up there waitin'. And today is the day we've waited for

A potential lockdown and the beaches are humming with walkers and swimmers. Opposite the Steyne they line for a some event.

The Black Wiggles

The 6.45 crew launch

Half way registration

The Masters of the Universe stride out. Stealthy stares longingly towards the deep ocean swell

Point break

Karl advises Neece (her first CBT swim) that licking the lens is the best way of getting clarity. Still working that one out.

Morning breaks midway.

Rusty and Chippos pitch report

Sunrise planned for 7am. A gentle WNW breeze clocks in at 9km/hour. High tide at 9.04. A small pulse pushes the odd wave through, enough to create a bumpy ride especially coming back. It’s smoothed out from yesterday, but still harder to get into a rhythm. Viz a bit low, no jimbles, no turkeys, and chased by a lamington. Cabbage Tree Bay always delivers something to kick start the day. Salt Joy indeed!

Thanks for the swim Team. Don't let your true love run cold.

Chippo Picasso, Mel Efficient and Rusty the Fish

Stay safe.

Thursday, 24 June 2021 - Life Down Under (Deep) - Bliss

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

Thank you for following public health advice at all times.

Water temp: 17.9

Winter Swimming

B&B is still bound by Covid 19 restrictions with which we are determined to comply. So, for the near future, B&B’s operations will continue to be suspended. This does not mean you need to stop swimming. As an encouragement to swim, B&B is offering its usual badges over the winter swimming season. To qualify for a highly prized winter badge, you need to:

• swim from Manly to Shelly and return (or halfway swim) a minimum of 20 times between 1st June and 31st August. 
• swim in at least 7 different weeks during the same period.
• log your swims.

If you manage to do all of your qualifying swims without a wetsuit (or other thermal enhancing equipment), you will also qualify for the coveted WWW badge (winter without wetsuit).

All swims must be at Manly. Should there be any restrictions imposed during the Winter period, The Covid Swim will return as an option.

Wild and woolly winter fashionistas

Dumela ( hello in SeSotho) 

Winter swimming brings out the fashionista in us all. Or perhaps it buries it. I asked the crew to show their winter apparel on our SLC catwalk. 

Rocking it on the SLC catwalk Angie Ali and Sadie 

Two legends Justus and Lainey strike a pose 

Birthday girl and legendary fast fish Jenny surrounded  by models Sean, Craig and Super Trooper (there’s always one) 

Nat and I try a warm fur ( Freddie obliged so wonderfully). Shanni added the post swim glamour 

Legend of the Drinks Express struts his stuff. Move over Elvis. 

Gorgeous models Annora, Sally, Kath and Karen show off their post swim ensembles. You saw it here first. 

Danny and Brian show their metal. That’s heavy metal. Move over  Don Corleone. 

Beauties Jo, Shelley and Ros bring colour to the catwalk with this seasons on trend colours. Completed with a must have tote. 

The gorgeous WOWs Deb, Ro, Georgina (wearing her own design) Hels and Pinky sport the bikini look with Ro striking a cheeky Marilyn Munro pose. 

The men of the bench show off their finery. It’s about the hats. 

A thoughtful pose by Roger who completed his 2000 this week well done ! With A happy David. Happy is this seasons big look. 

Trooper, Jonny, Drinky and Tim of Salt Joy refining the post swim yeah-no-but chat, seen here in sporting fine BnB fashion . 

Cam struts his stuff showing what a fashion icon he is on the catwalk that keeps on delivering.
The Scogs and Ro’s brother Jonny just ‘tripping’ in as a guest on the catwalk with Nat. The Italian look is so in.

 Its all about the shoes too, some WOW model shoes for the season  demand is high get your orders in quick fast. 

Deb always sports the best ‘pack it all in’sporty look. She comes all the way from Galston so is always well prepared.

 The sunrise today was spectacular, taken by Lainey x

The models relax for a coffee 

Sorry a technical hitch with  management blurb so please remember to swim within your own risk level. 

Thank  you to all my wonderful models who allowed the paparazzi to photograph away. We are such a fashionable bunch, winter just brings it out doesn’t it. 
Until next time Hambe Kahle (go safely ) 

Di

x

22/06/2021 - Salt Joy

Cuttlefish photo bombardment continues! Won't be too long now before these gorgeous creatures start to die off as both males and females die after mating and only live to 1-2 years! This was the lovely Lisa Peresan last week being swallowed by a Giant Cuttlefish ;-) Thank you Tim Keith for the title of today's blog. It's the title of the fantastic documentary he's made about our swim and swimming community. Hope you've got your tickets for 12th or 20th July when it will be shown at The Steyne. It is actually sold out but get on the waitlist as more tickets could be released! I'm off to work early today so a hotch potch blog with photos from the past week and a few from today.

This was lovely Sunday blogger Barb with her mates Annie, Kate and Roz off for an early swim in 17.7 degree water this morning! It was cold with murky water on the 2nd shortest day of the year but all swimmers were glowing after their dose of 'salt joy'!

Debbie has recruited her partner Paul to the B&B and they look very cute in their Georgina Hart designed swimmers!

The 'Merpeople' were thin on the ground today as a few of them are in Hobart for Dark Mofo and should be skinny dipping right now! Hopefully some photos with surface somewhere!

This swim brings a lot of joy to this selfless couple Juliette and Andrew. They are finding it harder to swim as they've just fostered another child. When asked 'why' Juliette tells me there are 350 kids without a home in NSW alone and they want to 'share the love'. Good on you guys!

Kate and Michelle with bump. Michelle put a lot of work in to fundraising to get 'Salt Joy' completed recently. Thanks Michelle.

Murray came in first at 6.55am today after swimming the Drinks Express. He hates his photo being taken but I managed to get him whilst he shivered. Our dose of salt has given him a lot of joy and he's spread the message with his work with mental health charity Batyr and helping start up the Babewatch swimming group. We love you Murray :-)

Yesterday our favourite cartoonist/swimmer swam his 2000th km with the B&B. He got a cheer from the Drinks Express at Shelly and a very short arch at the Surf Club!

New friends Liz and Anita met down at the B&B and now are great buddies!

More buddies Henrietta and Jenny who may have met at the swim too.

These Cuttlefish met in Cabbage Tree Bay too and here they are mating!

Di, Ro and Jonny  had a close encounter last week!

As did Roz on her birthday last Thursday.

Two Lisas

I saw 4 Duskies on Wednesday with Cheryl.

and a rare sighting of a Spotted Eagle Ray

The Gropers seemed to be bluer than ever last week with the beautifully clear Winter water!

Seeing a Wobbegong swimming is one of my favourite sights in Cabbage Tree Bay!

Cheryl also showed me 3 Octopus. She is indeed an 'Octopus Whisperer'!

If you've been missing the kindest man in Manly, Derek Dreyer, he's on a road trip with Bindi. Here he is with B&B founders Jules Isbill and Michael Christie in Perth a few days ago.

That's all for now. Have a great week!

Lainey

Contain your excitement

After a weekend of rain we were presented with the perfect window of paradise this morning; the sun rising and shining for just long enough to get the swimmers in and the camera's out.

But thats not all that was out today. With a quick glance around the 'battlefield' one couldn't help notice it strewn with the various weapons of choice on display. From the simple change-easy towel poncho to the flasks of pre-made coffee (Read: Elixir of life), each swimmer showing off their own piece of armour against the elements and wearing it proudly like a badge of honour.

However, most noticeably today it was the 'courageous container' in all its shapes and sizes which captured our hearts and minds. A vial, so versatile, so varied and so very very valid, vying for the attention and spotlight it so deserves.

Stunning

the New renaissance man 

Freddie not wanting to be left out; one good pupper keeping warm

Weapons at the ready for a brave soldiers return 

Buckets galore






The dog friendly container 


Stay warm, enjoy your swimming and have a great week all

MDP