Pacific Jules

Friday 31 December 2021 Special Days

Today is a special day. The first time in more than 2 years that I have arrived at Shelly Beach while the other swimmers are still there. What a treat. I saw Bruce Baird call Let's Go and then the flurry of arms and foam as the swimmers set off. A very nice scene. 

This pair swam so well I had to get a photo 

Bruce said "Let's Go" after this. At this point, these are the only two A Team swimmers who were at Shelly. More arrived after the shot. Late. 

 I note it is apparently new year's eve. What anticipation new year's eve brings! Anticipation of a swim to mark the passing of the old year (as well as a shout to this one of "good riddance") and looking forward to a new year. Here are some swimmers who came along today

 

 

I was able to say that old dad joke to many before I set off for my swim: "See you next year!" Another treat. Happy new year to you all

 

 

Friday 31 December 2021 Special Days

Today is a special day. The first time in more than 2 years that I have arrived at Shelly Beach while the other swimmers are still there. What a treat. I saw Bruce Baird call Let's Go and then the flurry of arms and foam as the swimmers set off. A very nice scene. 

This pair swam so well I had to get a photo 

Bruce said "Let's Go" after this. At this point, these are the only two A Team swimmers who were at Shelly. More arrived after the shot. Late. 

 I note it is apparently new year's eve. What anticipation new year's eve brings! Anticipation of a swim to mark the passing of the old year (as well as a shout to this one of "good riddance") and looking forward to a new year. Here are some swimmers who came along today

 

 

I was able to say that old dad joke to many before I set off for my swim: "See you next year!" Another treat. Happy new year to you all

 

 

Thursday, 30 December 2021 - Life Down Under (deep) - Farewell 2021

BOLD & BEAUTIFUL IS BACK!

*SSDD = Splendid Sea, Delightful Day

Farewell to 2021 and to Life Down Under (deep).

All the best for 2022.

Water temp - 23.1

Tuesday is the new Wednesday

Siyabona ( I see you ) 

Yesterday I blogged my Wednesday blog … except it was Tuesday #yesterdaysgirl and thankfully no one noticed / read/ cared. Meh

So here I am blogging my definitely last blog of the year. It is also definitely Wednesday. Haibo!  (iZulu for ‘goodness me’) 

The temperature was 22.7 C - thanks Guy and no bities. Lovely and calm. Bit of rain. 

The Booty Camp crowd contemplating the next move 

The mood board 

Ian recent newbie to Manly from Sussex seen with Henrietta and wife Emma already helping the welcome crew. Famous last words from Emma ‘I don’t swim’. You forgot to add ‘yet’ Emma:) Welcome to both and thank you for joining us. 


Lovely Gaia rocking her first pink cap - yay 

Lovely Dr Michelle adds the glamour between Martin and Michael. Michael’s mock outrage at being asked to speak up JK style when giving the ‘let’s go’ call. Best wind up. 

Rain huddles the 6.30 crew linger longer 

The Donald, Chrissy and I were delighted to find a bench for our coffee chat. Small and delicious post swim luxury find
Mer people Jo and Jocelyn with Maike and her parents Jutta and Hans fresh out of iso having arrived from Germany a few days ago, a big welcome to them as they taste freedom Manly style. 

Drinks and his brother Stickman. Fantastic is to see Sticks swimming. This is because some time ago he was involved in a bad accident and had to be airlifted to hospital in a Careflight. He has subsequently staged something of a miraculous recovery which is just brilliant to see. Onya Stickman! 

He is paying it forward raising funds for Careflight in the Coles Classic by swimming 5km. 
This week we lost Archbishop Desmond Tutu. A fine fine man. 
he said so many wise things, this being one of them

‘Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.’ Desmond Tutu

The link if you’d like to help  this fantastic cause

https://coleclassic22.grassrootz.com/careflight/drinks-express

A big shout out to fellow swimmers - the husband Manus and paddling partner James, also to Gav Needham (who was in a single)  for completing the 20 beaches kayak race recently in excellent times despite huge swell and wind. 

Happy 2022 everyone may it be a good one for all. Thanks for all the fun laughter and support. 

Archbishop Tutu was asked how he wanted to be remembered and he said ‘he laughed, he loved, he cried’.  Me too. 

Di

x

 

 

What’s the matter you? Hey!

 

• Wednesday 21st, water temp 23.2 C thank you Guy.
  
  Lovely swim. Some rain. Some sea lice / no-see-ums (as the folk of South Carolina islands call them) and a bit cloudy. 
  
  Mood board pictures 
• 
• 
• Guy is seen here Glamourised by Ab Fab Izzy and Sarah. The bloke on the wall wears  the ‘here we go again’ look. 
  
  The Pinky in a blanket look. Gorgeous Young WOW Pinky waiting for summer or Godot whichever comes sooner. 
  
  Welcome to Irish newbie Dee seen here with fab welcoming crew Henrietta Amanda and Sally. 
• 
  Welcome to another Newbie Katie from Dubbo rocking it with a pink cap for the first time. 
  
  Fabulous trio of BnBers Manus, Dave (Bachie) and Anthony (Scoggy). Spot the bloke who got the 7 am memo. 
• 
  Daughter Lou and fellow BnBer’s fabulous fruit cake re imagined for Xmas day seen with a bow (wow) of Holly looking on 
• 
• 
  This will be my last blog for 2021. The ‘meh’ year. 
  
  Does anyone remember where we were when in this last year, it’s all a bit time blurry.
  A year of more quarantine lockdowns, tripping, no more tripping so over it all, tripping over partners and kids working from home enough already, jabs, delta, the bloody Pfizer-smug folk, omicron come on, boosters talks of a 4th FGS scanning, scamming, online deliveries, lockdowns, QR code’s such a comeback, masks, distancing, cancellations and more cancellations of all things fun. The studies have just started in the effects on us all. Meh 

Thankfully though in our corner we always had the joys and distractions of  daily CTB swims to clear the head. I’ve never felt so grateful for the recent return of the 7 am swim and JK’s comforting call of ‘Let’s Go’ at the point. Can’t believe I just said that. I might volunteer to be part of the study. 

• I’ve penned an adaption of Joe Dolce’s song ‘ Shaddap You face’ with apologies to Joe, this one is addressed to the Virus. 
  I’d like the virus to Voetsek (go away) ! Enough already. 
• Cue an Italian accent
• 'Allo, I'm-a Vac-a-Cino 
  I gotta something special-a for you, ready
  Uno, duo, tre, quatro -- 
• When we swim a-Bold, a-round about a-mile
  JK he a say ‘let’s a go’, don’t a you a-stray 
  Swim across a bay, always shoot-past a-pool
  Straight a past a dusky and a-yakka school
• Boy, you make-a me tired, all the t'ing I gotta do!
  I must-a getta booster jab, gotta a-follow Covid rules
  And, you make-a me sick, need to take a-nasal tests 
  Got to feel-a like a fool 
  And we like to say alla time -- 
  
  (Chorus:)
  What'sa matter you (virus)? 
  Hey!
  Gotta no respect?
  Whadda you t'ink you do? 
  Why you make us -a so sad?
  It's-a really bad, 
  It's-a strange space 
  Ah, shaddap you face!
  
  
• So many thanks to our amazing management team, you guys rock! What an amazing effort all year round. 
  
  I wish everyone a happy healthy 2022 full of wonderful swims friendship and laughter and one I heard today ‘happy no fear’
• 
  Hambe Kahle (go well) 
• Di
• x

Monday 27th December 2021 - Happy 13th B&B!

Today is the 13th anniversary of the bold and beautiful swim squad. Shaun conducted the happy birthday splash.

Sarah@5:36am


Love the black enhanced  23.5 degrees. Note the new pot plant. The water was even warmer at Shelly.


Neil@5:39am.

3 wise men

John & his drinks express fan club.

Have a safe and enjoyable holiday period

Simon

 

 

 

One More Sleep : C H R I S T M A S E V E

Tonight I'm gonna have myself a real good time. I feel alive
And the world I'll turn it inside out, yeah

6am time to reflect. Times past, current times. The happiest of times, the saddest of times.

That's why they call me Mister Fahrenheit. Guy is expecting big things tomorrow, he has been exceptionally good this year.

Sarah says we don’t do Santa, so I can be as good or bad as I like. Stickman dodges the question. Roger lurks in the background like a naughty elf.

 

Geoff and his mates head off to Shelley at 6am. Geoff thinks he's been good 

Some of the express gang head north for a lazy 6k. 

I'm a shooting star leaping through the sky. Like a tiger defying the laws of gravity

Merry Christmas from the Machine Men. Don't Stop me now. I'm having a good time

I am a satellite I'm out of control. I am a sex machine ready to reload

Chippo is not expecting any Christmas presents this year

 

Good enough to share. Three mates on a wave at the Bower

Rusty Caroline & Chippo's Pitch report

Pristine. Flat. As we head in early. Paul and the express lads heading north, predicting a strong headwind coming back from Freshie. Amazing today. Warm as wool, Geoff and his 6am gang in wetsuits, more lice protection than warmth. If Will was here, he would have his booties and orange hat on. Lice were patchy, more in than out of the bay. The bower rocks were superb today, washing oxygenated water over us. No jetski rescues needed today Drinksy!

Matt wanted to keep the hat. Had to chase him down to get it back

Heroically gave up their spot in the shower line for this magnificent photo

 

The gifting of matching Christmas caps. Rumours of Isobel becoming a blogger with all her effort today!

Photographer  becomes the photographed

Mermaids and Mermen cheers to Christmas with a sneaky champers

Duncan the suave Christmas elf - the brim hat & scarf stays he says

Merry Christmas from Matt & Fiona. 

Yeah, I'm a rocket ship on my way to Mars. Audie loves the Christmas hat bucket. What a first Christmas for Audie!

Merry Christmas to everyone, thanks for the swim. Stay safe and be good for one more night before Santa comes.

 

Carolinebythebeach & Rusty the Fish

 

I find peace in the rain Thursday 23/12/21

It seems el Niña has raised her head once again this morning, as ominous dark clouds gathered on the horizon, ready to welcome the swimmers. 

 I love swimming in the rain and this morning was certainly no exception. Apart from the light massage on your back as you slip along and enjoying the dilution of the salty water the visual feast is a delight. The soft waves in the bay were punctured by the heavy drops of rain causing an almost “Glomesh” fabric quality to the ocean *Please Note:   If you’re reading this and your under 50…you may need to google Glomesh!

 

I only wish I had a GoPro to capture it all…ahem…ahhh Santa…I’ve been very good this year!😇 Oh and I may also need an elf to show me how to use it. 

 

But I digress, for me, I find it peaceful and calming, and another reason to stop at the point on my way back from Shelly and take a moment of gratitude. It’s important to find your peace and what makes you happy,  not only because of life’s uncertainties at the moment but because for some of us, this time of year can be daunting.  Something as simple as swimming in the rain may just be your tonic. 

 

Many of us were also grateful for the the water temp today, a positively balmy 23.7. But not so thankful for the presence of those pesky little sea lice. Are they actual lice?? Gross. 
Checkout the morning in pictures below! 

There were lots of newbies being greeted by our wonderful volunteers, Henrietta, Shelly and Jo.

Here is newbie Scott! 

Newbie Shannon

New to Manly is Emma with Ian 

Nicola and Ingrid take Aly for her first swim too! Matching smiles to go with their matching festive caps ! 

Dorset and Karen 

 It’s 6:52 time to get wet!! Oh wait ….☔️

Nothing like a pair of flippers to shelter under Di! 😂

Lots of activity! 

Here’s a nice pic I found online that kinda looked like today! If only I had a GoPro of my own…have a wonderful day everyone…

 

Fin yoga xx

 

Dont forget to read on for important info below: 

important info about coveted summer badges:

As the Summer long distance swimming season approaches, we look forward to a return to our normal summer swims. Three long distance swims are on offer, all of which will earn you a badge:

• The 6 km swims are held every summer Saturday morning generally starting at 7 am. The first 6 km swim will be on Saturday 4^thDecember.
• There is also a 10 km swim once a month over summer, also generally starting with the 7 amswim. Dates for these will be announced in the blog.
• If these swims are too long for you, you can try a Triple Manly to Shelly swim any day during Summer (distance 3.5 km) from 6.30 or 7 am.

 By popular demand, we have decided to retain the summer challenge and super swimmer badges which were both well-received last summer. This year we will have the following badges:

• Summer Challenge - swim 30 times over summer, and swim in at least 7 different weeks
• Summer Super Swimmer - swim 50 times over summer

In order to be eligible for any/all of these badges you must log your swims in i-Log. If you don’t have a log-in, please sign up HERE. All swims must be at Manly (unless we have further lockdowns). Covid swims will cease on 1 December. HAPPY SWIMMING.

 

 

Wednesday 22nd December - the day after the longest day

Wednesday 22nd December - the day after the longest day and the shortest night of the year.

Water temp: 23.3 degrees - kind of like swimming equivalent of warm beer & jelly soup!

air temp at 6:30am 22.1 degrees - warmer in  than out!  

conditions: flat, clear, loads of sea lice and jelly blubbery thingys

vibe:  festive, wary, tired, excited - the whole range

water:  full of those pesky sea lice, sticking around like Omricon, and those icky jelly blobs.....

This morning the vibe was a mix of excitement (at the thought of holidays) and subdued as hugs were replaced by virtual hugs & expressions of festive cheer.  Omricon is certainly a reminder that mother nature is not finished with her 2021 surprises.  However, mother nature did provide warm, clear water today.     The water felt heavy, probably all those sea lice and jelly blobs taking up space.   Kind of like drinking a warm beer - its the tonic you need but doesnt feel quite right but you have it anyway just because. Kind of like 2021 really.  That said, we swimmers are a resilient bunch and not much stops us from taking our daily dose of vitamin sea for a clear head (or to wash away festive hangovers) and the wonderful B&B cameraderie & connection and friendships that have been so welcomed and valued through 2020 and 2021.   Yet again this Christmas has been kind of disrupted for many and we need to continue to check in on each other and provide that virtual connection to those that cant in person.

Todays happy snaps - and the smiles said it all.   What is there not to smile about in our beautiful ocean playground?

the water temp:

The Wednesday greeters!

the 6:30 crew head into the water

and head back from shelly - a sea of Christmas caps (fundraising by lara to support ovarian cancer research)

jumping for joy!  the year is nearly over!

swimming through fish - and sea lice and jelly blobs

jelly blob

fish and more fish!

7am Happy hour! whats not to smile about?

7am happy hour are off!

where the only wave is a party wave

festive spirit alive and well - and well photobombed!

Yet again this Christmas has been kind of disrupted for many and we need to continue to check in on each other and provide that virtual connection to those that cant in person.  Suffice to say i think everyone is looking forward to the end of twenty-twenty-[no]fun and onwards to twenty-twenty-new!

Stay safe, stay sane, stay negative, think positive and take care!

Jocelyn

Important info about coveted summer badges:

As the Summer long distance swimming season approaches, we look forward to a return to our normal summer swims. Three long distance swims are on offer, all of which will earn you a badge:

• The 6 km swims are held every summer Saturday morning generally starting at 7 am. The first 6 km swim will be on Saturday 4^thDecember.
• There is also a 10 km swim once a month over summer, also generally starting with the 7 amswim. Dates for these will be announced in the blog.
• If these swims are too long for you, you can try a Triple Manly to Shelly swim any day during Summer (distance 3.5 km) from 6.30 or 7 am.

 By popular demand, we have decided to retain the summer challenge and super swimmer badges which were both well-received last summer. This year we will have the following badges:

• Summer Challenge - swim 30 times over summer, and swim in at least 7 different weeks
• Summer Super Swimmer - swim 50 times over summer

In order to be eligible for any/all of these badges you must log your swims in i-Log. If you don’t have a log-in, please sign up HERE. All swims must be at Manly (unless we have further lockdowns). Covid swims will cease on 1 December. HAPPY SWIMMING.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21/12/2021 - Getting to look a lot like Christmas

Sue and Heather in front of a Sandman! Yesterday's photo I admit but the snowman made from sand with a carrot nose was such a lovely, christmassy sight, (reminded me of Birmingham...well maybe not quite!) It was a stunning swim today with much clearer, flatter water and a few gentle waves. Water temp 23.3!

Happy as always, some of the 'Merpeople' at Shelly. Great to congregate at Shelly again :-)

Cheryl looks great in her Santa rashie. Remember to come with Christmassy looking clothes or accessories on Christmas Day. there's always a joyful atmosphere down at the swim. swimmers often bring a plate of cookies to pass around too (hint, hint!)

Murray and Tom's friend on the right is back to the US today.

A squad of squid as we headed back from Shelly

Pomfred

Conditions today...beautiful!

Stefan's 2nd swim today and Ann is back in the water after her shoulder op kept her out for 4 months!

Happy Christmas from all our favourites!

 

Have a great day and wonderful Christmas!

Lainey xx

SUMMER BADGES

As the Summer long distance swimming season approaches, we look forward to a return to our normal summer swims. Three long distance swims are on offer, all of which will earn you a badge:

 

• The 6 km swims are held every summer Saturday morning generally starting at 7 am. The first 6 km swim will be on Saturday 4^thDecember.
• There is also a 10 km swim once a month over summer, also generally starting with the 7 amswim. Dates for these will be announced in the blog.
• If these swims are too long for you, you can try a Triple Manly to Shelly swim any day during Summer (distance 3.5 km) from 6.30 or 7 am.

 

 By popular demand, we have decided to retain the summer challenge and super swimmer badges which were both well-received last summer. This year we will have the following badges:

• Summer Challenge - swim 30 times over summer, and swim in at least 7 different weeks
• Summer Super Swimmer - swim 50 times over summer

 

In order to be eligible for any/all of these badges you must log your swims in i-Log. If you don’t have a log-in, please sign up HERE. All swims must be at Manly (unless we have further lockdowns). Covid swims will cease on 1 December. HAPPY SWIMMING.