Pacific Jules

Tuesday 29th March-Last Dark Days

And boy was it dark and gloomy this morning, even after 7am. Numbers of swimmers still down but on the plus side, so was the number of jelly blubbers. The pollution sign didn't go up till after we got out!

Ian with Julie, visiting swimmer from Melbourne and Di trying to photo bomb!

Thin crowd and more light from the surf club than the sky.

Apologies for another sideways shot (forgot!).

Murray reporting a good swim with less jellies, although still too many for me, but not great viz. With all this extra rain it may still be awhile till perfect clarity!?

Temp is 22.7 so still quite warm. 

Have a great day. 

Amanda 

B&B monthly dinner – Tuesday 12^th April 2022

 

At our next monthly dinner, to be held on Tuesday April 12^th at Bluewater Café at 6.30 pm, we will go behind the scenes of Careflight. Each year Careflight treats and transports around 8,500 patients in need of critical care. This is your opportunity to really get an insider’s view of what happens when that call goes out and these dedicated professionals hit the sky. Only a couple of years ago, one of our own, Mark Drinkwater aka Stickman, was a recipient of this life saving service. After a horrific motorcycle accident, he was airlifted to hospital and due to the dedication and professionalism of the pilots and medical staff on board he is back swimming with us today. In response to this event, a group of Mark’s fellow swimmers (The Drinks Express) has been conducting fundraising for Careflight over the last few months. More than $20,000 has been raised and a giant cheque will be presented to Careflight on the night on behalf of all those B&B swimmers who helped with the fundraising or donated to the cause. 

 

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 HERE.

 

Summer Badge Collection 2022

Congratulations to all those who completed summer swimming challenges. If you missed the official Badge Ceremony on 27 March, there are still three ways you can obtain your badge(s)

1. See Ian any day of the week before 7 am with cash ($10 per badge).
2. Place cash for your badges inside a self-addressed, stamped envelope - $10 per badge for the Summer Badge (if you completed 30 swims over winter) and an extra $10 for the Super Swimmer Badge if you completed 50 swims. Also, $10 each for the distance badges (triple, 6 k and 10 k). Family members/friends sharing an envelope must clearly name each swimmer and badge achieved. Please check postage rates and size of envelope required for multiple badges. Post this envelope in another envelope to Ian Forster, 6 Bligh St, Northbridge 2063.
3. Wait until Saturday 9^th April when Ian and Anne will be at the benches (100 m north of the surf club) between 8 and 8.30 am with all the badges, including past summer and winter badges. Cash or credit card will be accepted on this date.

 

If you missed out on your summer badges, start training now for the winter challenge, starting 1^st June. Happy swimming.

Monday 28th March 2022 - Jellyfish before dawn with the Drinks Express.

Colour at 6:23am, forty two minutes before dawn.

A warm 22.6 degrees.

25 drinks express swimmers, led by Capless Dave, bunched together in the dark.

On the return trip I keep in Trooper Simons bubbles through a legion of Jellyfish until he accelerated to get into Murray’s bubbles. Then I fended off the jelly army with punches above and below the tentacles. Once around the point I managed to beat Sterling.

The photo.

Coffee anyone?

Stay safe, enjoy yourselves, the water is still warm….

Simon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday 25 March 2022 Pretty Good Swim

Here is David (who has arrived to swim from Washington DC and maybe prompted by the blog ) and Matthew from Dee Why, his son.

The conditions were pretty good today so I’m sure they enjoyed the swim I watched the FFS doing their routine  as a non athlete I have watched and heard them from a distance. I did not know what they were saying but thought it was what I imagine athletes talk about  you know, “Watch your posterior tibialis in that bumpy section” or “I don’t think your tricep is working effectively on the run in” etc  But Paul told me that they take turns to have a rant about issues of concern to them. That puts a different complexion on it. I may join and talk about the misuse of semi colons before a list which is surely one of the biggest preoccupations of many adult in Australia today. I just hope it is not like when an acquaintance told me everyone was coming in costume to a party… I wonder what the today topic was: people littering? people throwing batteries into the bin and therefore landfill? Who can know 

This lot thought it was pretty good enough for more than one lap

Suzette and pals swam today and found it to be pretty good despite reports they had heard of conditions being awful

Nice water and sky

 

On the ramp

What a delight to see Sarah and Jonathan on the beach before going for their swim

The 630 swimmers are swimming IN THE DARK. I saw this lot return. Phew

2021 Summer Badge Ceremony – Sunday 27^th March

You’ve done the hard yards and got your Summer Badge(s), now come and collect your badges with all the pomp and ceremony the B&B can muster.  Bring along $10 for each badge you have earned (correct money appreciated). The ceremony will be held at the Royal Far West’s Centre for Country Kids at 14-18 Wentworth St (opposite Rialto Square) on Sunday 27^th March, straight after the regular swim! Everyone is welcome, family, friends and swimmers alike.

A $5 per person donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, and .... RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (sausage sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food. Book here NOW  https://www.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au/2021-summer-badge-ceremony.html

All 2021 summer badge qualifiers will be presented with their well-earned badge(s), so whether you are getting one personally or you want to enjoy the celebrations of your fellow swimmers, a great morning is guaranteed so come along, soak up the atmosphere and get inspired for the upcoming winter badges...

To find out if you have qualified, go to the Daily View page on the Log-in site and click on the relevant badges. Or Click on the links below:

Summer Badge

Summer Super Swimmer Badge

Triple Badge

6 km Badge

10 km Badge

 

Thursday, 24 March 2022 - Golden Greeting

A mix of happy anticipation and mild trepidation quickly
turned to joy this morning with a golden greeting.

• • • • Pollution rating: Unlikely
      • Water colour: army green
      • Debris: nil
      • Visibility - murky but could see fish
      • Water temp: 22.7
      • Swimmers: 29 
      • Newbies: 2

Newbie Thomas in the middle

2021 Summer Badge Ceremony – Sunday 27^th March

You’ve done the hard yards and got your Summer Badge(s), now come and collect your badges with all the pomp and ceremony the B&B can muster.  Bring along $10 for each badge you have earned (correct money appreciated). The ceremony will be held at the Royal Far West’s Centre for Country Kids at 14-18 Wentworth St (opposite Rialto Square) on Sunday 27^th March, straight after the regular swim! Everyone is welcome, family, friends and swimmers alike.

A $5 per person donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, and .... RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (sausage sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food. Book here NOW  https://www.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au/2021-summer-badge-ceremony.html

All 2021 summer badge qualifiers will be presented with their well-earned badge(s), so whether you are getting one personally or you want to enjoy the celebrations of your fellow swimmers, a great morning is guaranteed so come along, soak up the atmosphere and get inspired for the upcoming winter badges...

To find out if you have qualified, go to the Daily View page on the Log-in site and click on the relevant badges. Or Click on the links below:

Summer Badge

Summer Super Swimmer Badge

Triple Badge

6 km Badge

10 km Badge

 

Looks much better above the surface

These 4 lovely ladies were so excited to be in the blog! They thought I was Lainey, so I let them run with it (kidding)

It looks as though we have more rain coming, hopefully not as bad as the recent lot. Here's the Willyweather rain forecast for Manly Beach for the next few days

Elizabeth and Henrietta, 2 regular swimmers

Welcoming committee

Attracta and JK 

Amanda and Jacqui

Ted said 'no pictures!' while I was capturing Guy's lovely art work, so here he is, not once but twice haha

Fun in the shorey

Swimming undeterred (so much rubbish under the surface, please consider taking 3 for the sea when you swim)

Gloomy beauty above the surface and in the sky

More shorey fun

2021 Summer Badge Ceremony – Sunday 27^th March

You’ve done the hard yards and got your Summer Badge(s), now come and collect your badges with all the pomp and ceremony the B&B can muster.  Bring along $10 for each badge you have earned (correct money appreciated). The ceremony will be held at the Royal Far West’s Centre for Country Kids at 14-18 Wentworth St (opposite Rialto Square) on Sunday 27^th March, straight after the regular swim! Everyone is welcome, family, friends and swimmers alike.

A $5 per person donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, and .... RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (sausage sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food. Book here NOW  https://www.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au/2021-summer-badge-ceremony.html

All 2021 summer badge qualifiers will be presented with their well-earned badge(s), so whether you are getting one personally or you want to enjoy the celebrations of your fellow swimmers, a great morning is guaranteed so come along, soak up the atmosphere and get inspired for the upcoming winter badges...

To find out if you have qualified, go to the Daily View page on the Log-in site and click on the relevant badges. Or Click on the links below:

Summer Badge

Summer Super Swimmer Badge

Triple Badge

6 km Badge

10 km Badge

I recently finished watching the Peter Jackson Beatles documentary. Amazing in a voyeuristic way. Footage of the final concert on the roof. The Fab Four with the equally fab Billy Preston

 

 

22/03/2022 - Improving Conditions and a blog for Cuttlefish Lovers

After all these weeks of rain, murky water, wild seas, shark alarms and monstrous jellyfish...it's fantastic to have clearer water and fish sightings back again! I went for an afternoon swim yesterday and had a great interaction with a Cuttlefish at Shelly beach. It grabbed a large Luderick, rolled it and backed away with it before my eyes!

Lots of swimmers back for today's swim. Not quite like The Maldives as Simon said at 7am but a huge improvement!

Just a few photos of this morning's swim as I have to rush to work! It was warm, clearer but still murky with a few waves building up!

This was the Cuttlefish before he grabbed the Luderick yesterday afternoon.

As I have to rush off to work I've regurgitated one of my old blogs with lots of info and pics about the Cuttlefish below.

We are incredibly lucky to swim in this beautiful bay with such 'monsters of the deep' as the Giant Cuttlefish! Do you know they have green/blue blood and 3 hearts?? How weird is that?!  And they are the largest of the world's 100 or so species of Cuttlefish. They can change colour and texture in split seconds. Small males also have a very sneaky way of mating...Find out below!

Using cells known as chromatours they can change colour in an instant and by raising parts of their skin they can change shape and texture to imitate rock, sand or seaweed.

They have 2 tentacles for feeding and if they are male 8 arms and if they are female 6. They have W shaped eyelids so they can see in front of them and behind at the same time!

Alyson with one a couple of years ago, trying to trick us  to thinking he was seaweed!

This one  has taken on a rock-like appearance on one side and seaweed colour on the other! They really are the 'chameleons of the sea'! Their spectacular displays are used for camouflage, mating or even hypnotising prey.

They belong to the family of cephalopods, the same as octopus and squid and are the most intelligent of all invertebrates! They can grow to about 1 metre long and weigh up to 10 kgs!

If you swim fast, 'wide' and away from the rocks and haven't see one, this might be why. Look how this Cuttlefish has changed colour and texture to imitate the sand as he speeds over it!

Now he's starting to look a bit more like the rocks!

As he approaches the weed he's changed again!

I took the above 4 photos in August 2013 and I'm sure they are of the same little fella' in many disguises!

Now the scene above is of their bizarre mating ritual. It involves a sneaky small male who pretends to be female. (The one on the right). Too small to fight for a female, a small male sidles up to a mating couple and pushes in 2 arms (remember females only have 6) to pretend to be female. The larger male thinks he's lucky to be getting two females but the small male moves in and mates with the female under the males tentacles!!

Click on the fantastic David Attenborough clip below to see a video of this sly way to get the ladies!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Australian_Giant_Cuttlefish#p005bpsl

And if you want to find out more about these weird captivating creatures another video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0NslgnSEtE

Couldn't resist 2 more photos. Aren't they just the weirdest and most alien-like creatures ever?!!! (Apart from Lips and Shauny of course ;-) )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDwOi7HpHtQ

 

Budgie Smuggler Swimmer of the Month

The Budgie Smuggler Swimmer of the Month for February is .. (drum roll ...Fiona Johnson. Fiona will receive a voucher for a new pair of Budgy Smugglers from the Budgy Smuggler shop. To be in the running for Swimmer of the Month, all you have to do is log your swims. The winner is selected randomly from all those who have swum at least once during the month. The more times you swim the more chances you have to win the prize. So start logging now. If you don't know how, just email Ian, [email protected]

 

2021 Summer Badge Ceremony – Sunday 27^th March

You’ve done the hard yards and got your Summer Badge(s), now come and collect your badges with all the pomp and ceremony the B&B can muster.  Bring along $10 for each badge you have earned (correct money appreciated). The ceremony will be held at the Royal Far West’s Centre for Country Kids at 14-18 Wentworth St (opposite Rialto Square) on Sunday 27^th March, straight after the regular swim! Everyone is welcome, family, friends and swimmers alike.

A $5 per person donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, and .... RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (sausage sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food. Book here NOW  https://www.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au/2021-summer-badge-ceremony.html

All 2021 summer badge qualifiers will be presented with their well-earned badge(s), so whether you are getting one personally or you want to enjoy the celebrations of your fellow swimmers, a great morning is guaranteed so come along, soak up the atmosphere and get inspired for the upcoming winter badges...

To find out if you have qualified, go to the Daily View page on the Log-in site and click on the relevant badges. Or Click on the links below:

Summer Badge

Summer Super Swimmer Badge

Triple Badge

6 km Badge

10 km Badge

Lainey xx

 

 

 

 

Monday, 21 March 2022 – Rise and shine!

 

 

One of many topics of conversation this morning was alarm or natural wakeup? 

 

Regardless of what wakes you up, a B&B swim sends a lot of us into the day with the much loved buzz. 

 

Great to see the water is returning to it's beautiful colour and visibility.  

The big news is the ocean is flat and pretty clean with some long smooth rolling waves 

Temperature Guy has a back up alarm 4:50 but wakes up naturally

 

Dedication is always appreciated Guy, especially while we wait for daylight savings to switch! 

 

Capless Dave and Maya wake up naturally and are always here early

 

Peter Anthony wakes up naturally and so does Derek (except some swimming partners like you to be on time. For them he’ll set the alarm!) Bindi wakes up naturally. She bounces out of bed and is always ready to go. 

Bonnie wakes up to the alarm m, lies there thinking and then has to shout at herself to get up. Leanne in background (4:34am) bounced out of bed before alarm today.

Annie G needs the alarm. She sets it and puts it on other side of the room. Annie excited about her first swim back today

Jon (5:30 alarm) needed the alarm today. Anna (5:20) has it as a back up. Dave (5:10) woke up before.

Attracta never sets the alarm. Hasn’t for years!

 

Margaret (aka Maso) is a local legend. She wakes up naturally everyday and comes down for the coffee and good vibes!! 

Peeling back the Onion Skin

North Steyne smells bad. Like smelling salts, really gets up your nose, but instead of waking up, it knocks you cold.

more pipe exposed than usual. Anti corrosive paint that hasn't corroded yet is very slippery.

Peeling back the layers. Lip syncing to your favourite song. A familiar morning routine. But it doesn't flow at the moment.

These here are crazy times. Try keeping heart in mind.

Introducing Mr Poo, our newest BnB member. Ian found him floating at the water's edge. He has a happy face & a sad face. Today's pollution levels has brought a smile. Ian has been swimming since last Tuesday, having seen the storm water 'flush' subside.

Early swimmers heading for a Drinks Express run. 

Drinksy is back, where have you been?

Jon slept in? Rushing to catch up.

I wasn't going in. Until Sergeant Trooper recruited me for a FFF special. 

Line up, chin up. Get ready. Rant. Run, Swim, go

Ladies Rant. Happy birthday Sophie.

At times there was a grabbing at the ankles, hopefully seaweed. It had a toilet paper consistency but I'm sure that was just my imagination.

This here will make you cry. I'm being skinned alive.

When you roll, your skin flies off, and the teardrops flow.

On patrol

For those not keen, there is always a round of Duck Duck Goose.

It's been a disjointed few weeks for many of the BnB. Personally I've managed a couple of swims to Shelley a week without too many problems. Murky is not my favourite colour though. And this week, I've been farting like a donkey, maybe it was something I ate? I'm suspicious of what lies in the bay in wait for me. I scull a can of full strength coke on Stealthie's recommendation. The whisky I'll leave for later.

Thanks for the swim and coffee Team. Remember don't let your true love run cold!

carolinebythebeach and Rusty the Fish

 

 

Wednesday 16th March: some day we’ll all be together once more …

Wednesday 16th March…. 

Some brave souls have started venturing into the water ….  Not me though!    However a cute little penguin has been frolicking in the vicinity of the bower steps ! 

despite laineys eternal optimism and positivity (which we all love!) in posting enticing morning condition reports (sorry lainey..  not quite convincing me yet 🤣) … I’m still not brave enough to risk 🤢🤮…. here’s a useful link if you feel like checking the pollution levels before you swim:

https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beachmapp/Beach/SouthSteyneBeach?fbclid=IwAR0SYxE5ylVsUA0sOYxH3JCJ7noiNiB1jH2Ed68lKwIEepgEbXqOdTVN5A0

For the brave souls contemplating ocean 💩 🤢🤮 roulette, today’s fun facts: 

Water temp 23.1 (thanks so much guy for the daily updates even if we’re not Swimming) 

Air temp 19.1 (at 6:35)

Conditions: dark, murky, sharky, smelly, wobbly  

Vibe: quiet, tentative, hesitant 

swimmers: a few brave souls …. A few more deciding if/when and others enjoying a walk on what’s left of the beach .. 

 

 

..  inspired by a comment on my last blog by B&B swimmer & sailor Dara herlihy … with sincere apologies to Mr P Allen ..

 

 

We’ve not swum at beaches cos they’ve been closed down 

From Bondi to Palmie, 50 shades of gross 🤮 brown 

The tempest has flooded the lands that we roam ,  

But We still call manly beach home 

 

 

Weve been swimming in chlorine, but we still love being free 

Getting our salty fix running or walking next to the sea

But our hearts lie waiting for clean frothy foam 

We still call manly beach home 

 

 

All the bold & beautiful swimming in the pools,

Away from the fishies and friends,

But as the water gets cleaner, and the shark alarms not blaring through the speaker 

It's good to know our pool sessions will end.

 

 

Soon we will all be together once more,

When all of the sh!t has been washed way offshore *(thanks Dara for the inspo) 

And “let’s go” will ring out loudly in JKs dulcet tones,

We still call manly beach home.

 

 

But no matter how far or wide We roam,

The b&b community will come back to manly beach, their spiritual Home! 

stay safe, stay sane, be kind, look out for each other, look after our planet,

 

have a wonderful Wednesday! 

Jocelyn

 

.. and a public service announcement … let’s hope the water clears up for the 10km swim! 

 

10 km Swim

 

We aim to hold the final 10 km swim of the summer on Saturday 19 March at 7 am, conditions permitting. This is your last chance to achieve a badge for the Summer. If the current pollution conditions at Queenscliff have not improved, an alternate route will be used. Please register your interest at the desk on Saturday morning before the swim

 

Budgie Smuggler Swimmer of the Month

The Budgie Smuggler Swimmer of the Month for February is .. (drum troll ...Fiona Johnson. Fiona will receive a voucher for a new pair of Budgy Smugglers from the Budgy Smuggler shop. To be in the running for Swimmer of the Month, all you have to do is log your swims. The winner is selected randomly from all those who have swum at least once during the month. The more times you swim the more chances you have to win the prize. So start logging now. If you don't know how, just email Ian, [email protected]

 

 

Travelling Tuesday, March 15th

I'm heading back from Melbourne this morning so using my reporters on the ground to fill me in.  I did manage a few swims in western port bay which was clean, cool and critterless, a nice change from current conditions in Sydney!

Thanks Lainey for the pics.

Michele riding a wave back to shore. 

First light,  early swimmers. 

Sam and Dan at welcome board.

Louise, Jess and Tilly

 

I hear it's a lovely morning,  22.6 in but viz and water quality not great. 

Have a great day. 

Amanda