Hullo Mollymook aquatic comrades from Craig and Steph over in Perth, the safest city for quarantiners in the apocalypse!

Not too long ago we were in Cape Arid east of Esperance with no one, it was like being in nudie swim heaven. Later we were looking forward to helping out at the Karijini Experience in central WA over Easter. Then the govt. prepared to shut up the regions so we hightailed it to the city!

We moved to our friends’ East Fremantle Airbnb where the Swan river and mile long beaches are 2 minutes away where we can do long swims and kayak, all guaranteed shark free! We have been doing a 40 k ride most days around the river though I do miss decent hills and waves!

John Sarich’s isolation story from outback Charleville, Queensland.

Hi Mollymook Ocean Swimmers. All is very quiet in Charleville. 

Being a bit of a hermit, social distancing is pretty easy for me.There are no tourists in town which is tough as this is peak tourist time. Another shop has just closed down in town.

The weather here is remarkable at this time of year, temp ranges low teens to high twenties and low thirties every day. No clouds, no wind. No more rain until next summer.

I recently went for a drive out into the bush for a brief change of scenery. I came across a dead python. Poor thing, a Woma Python, which is a desert python. These guys eat other pythons. It has wide stripes, like a tiger shark, but its head is a stunning gold and black.

I was going to take my caravan to my new home beach , Agnes Waters. Its only and 800 km drive, but Covid-19 put a halt to that.

Its an awesome spot and I can highly recommend a visit if you haven’t been. Its the last surfable beach heading north on the east coast of Qld. Til next time, all the best , ciao. John

In closing, thanks to Graeme C. a beautiful You Tube video featuring Nana Mouskouri. Click on the link: FREUNDE

Billy Rushtons trauma from the COVID- 19 VIRUS:     The ‘towel changing technique’

“Crikey!” So we’ve been warned about congregating after our morning swim. I hope I didn’t play a part, practising Helen and Neil Gray’s towel changing techniques. I think there may have been a couple of rather lewd moments on my part.

Without further embarrassment to myself and others I took myself  armed with beach towel to a secluded part of the sand hills at Nth Narrawallee for a little more private towel changing practice.

Sitting down on the beach towel, at one with nature, I looked out towards the ocean swell sparkling like diamonds in the morning sunlight. Majestic in perfect formation, as they neared journey’s end crashing in a crescendo of froth and foam at the approaching shoreline.

I sat there in silence gazing up at the cloud formations playfully scudding across a sapphire sky that blends as one into the oceans distant horizon.

Suddenly this serenity came to an abrupt end; I was bitten on the bum by a bloody bull ant.

With a shriek I jumped up, my back went into a full Corona lock-down. Shuffling back to the car half naked wrapped in the damn beach towel I had to be driven by Bianca to an acupuncturist who was the only person that would see me because of the current lock-down laws.

Helen writes: “Having been reminded on so many occasions of you swimming guys changing behind your towels each morning (ever so awkwardly) and now attempting to change in two’s, (Government regulation) I’ve decided to have Neil practice how to do it at home in a gentlemanly manner.

Considering all you morning ocean swimmers changing behind your towels in two’s, I thought if you could do some practice, you would get better at it.

So, I’m challenging you men to follow Neil’s example and do practice at home whilst you have so much time to fill in during the day.

Here is a link that will teach you guys ‘how to change behind your towel’, being creative with your various movements”. 

MUST WATCH: Go to YouTube or simply copy and paste in your browser search area the following:

el increible baile de las toallas mujeres

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Peter’s story from the Nightcliff N.T. Parish

Hello to all you wonderful Mollymook Ocean Swimmers,

I was hoping to come down in July … but alas, who knows if it is possible.

As the church buildings are closed and people aren’t allowed to attend services, we have been live-streaming on YouTube which can be seen later on demand.

So, the church has become an amateur studio and I have become an amateur Tele Evangelist! (photo below)

For the Easter Vigil mass, we attached a battery candle to each chair to represent the parishioners. (photo below).

It’s starting to head into the dry season which is of course the best time of the year.

Its tough up here in Port Stephens

Greetings: Deborah and I are self isolating like the rest up here in Port Stephens. The area has had about 40 cases of coronavirus , fortunately no deaths. Our two main beaches are closed so a few of us have been exercising ( by swimming) at Shoal Bay. The water has been beautifully clean of late.

During the day I labour away (poorly I must add) doing jig saw puzzles. I’ve attempted one of Hawaii ( surf 🏄‍♀️) and another of the Merewether Baths where I learnt to swim, firstly by mastering  the ‘dog paddle’ stroke. 

Stay safe guys, I’ll come down to catch up when this is over.

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Laura shares her story

Here I am bunkered down in Lake Tabourie and after reading the recent swimmers posts I thought to share with you, my isolation activity.

A few weeks ago, I bought a bungy swimming cord so I could keep up my swim training. It’s quite a resistance workout. I swim for about an hour most days in our pool. It’s like swimming against a strong, never ending current.

The water temperature is currently 19 degrees and although it can be physically and mentally challenging swimming on the same spot for a period of time, once I’ve found my rhythm it’s quite meditative.

I’m so glad I managed to get a hold of one of these.

I’m hoping to continue my backyard pool training throughout the coming winter, although I’m not sure how cold it might get. 

Miss you guys, stay safe. Love Laura.

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