Kim’s birthday treat, her favourite Sydney swim – out and around Wedding Cake Island (which she managed to stand on) for her birthday swim.

Mollymook Ocean Swimmers Feedback

John H. 54th birthday today. Tracy made this amazing strawberry flavoured cake to share with the swimmers this morning.

Saturday like Friday, ocean swimming conditions were terrible after having a strong nor easterly wind blow all night. Just Sean and me were the only one’s who swam to ‘Flat Rock’. It was tough going, I noticed Sean swimming with me rather than way out in front. I ask why? Were you keeping an eye on me? He said yes. (Sean is about 20 years younger than me. As Tim commented later,  that’s what it is all about, looking out for one another. I was very touched.)

Darryl wrote: In relation to the two attachments with yesterday’s post:  “Very funny, nice poetry”

Dominic wrote: In relation to the post on ‘The Happiest Man on the Earth’.  “Thanks – great stuff! Best wishes, Dominic”

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Sunrise this morning looking over Blackwater Creek

Is anyone have trouble with their weight during lock-down? This morning I added walking to my early morning routine in addition to ocean swimming for morning exercise. I’m struggling with my weight.

A suggestion: What you could do during ‘Lock-Down’ this weekend.

It’s the weekend, locked down in your home. Maybe a little flat, maybe a little sick of these lock down periods when you must stay in your house other then for approved reasons to leave.

This past week Louise mentioned an inspirational book, titled ‘The Happiest man on earth‘. She had not read anything like it! She was so moved, and to move Louise in the manner she described would be a gigantic task under normal circumstances.

I was intrigued; having been a little ‘flat’ during the previous week with this ongoing ‘lock-down’, so I asked Louise would she mind loaning the book to me, it may help lift my spirits. My verdict, from a person who is not really into reading: like Louise, I couldn’t put it down, I read the entire book in about 3 to 4 hours. Absolutely inspirational? My daughter is now reading the book and my wife has put her name down to read it next. This week I went and bought two books, one for Jo W. and one for myself, as I had passed on Louise’s copy to Don. Its a new release presently available at the Ulladulla Book Shop and I’m sure most other book stores. (If not open due to COVID, you could order and have it delivered. Just ring the local book shop on 4454 4044 (Ulladulla book shop do local area, personalised deliveries)

In these times of uncertainty, this book has my highest recommendation, a MUST READ. (If you can’t get a copy to share with your family then see Louise, Jo or me for a loan copy)

Pic’s following will give you an introduction.

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Heather: an early morning solitary swim for exercise during lock-down. (File pic)

Heather writes: “Thanks for the photos and news updates, I’ve been watching the swimmers from afar 😉 🏊🏻‍♀️ some mornings I swim down in the corner. I’m also doing lots of walking. H”

Mollymook Swimmers, Day 2 in Spring during ‘Lock-Down’

Besides Heather’s words (above), Neil who is holed up in Canberra with wife Helen, wrote yesterday “Like many others, from a distance, I do enjoy the coming and goings of the Mollymook  swimmers …. and hope it’s not too long before Helen and I can share the camaraderie again. In the meantime: vaccination is the way forward ! All the best, Neil.”

And today, Neil gave the following update on his and Helens health issues: “Helen is progressing slowly and each day is a little better. My new knee is also working as it should, although it’s one step forward and 2 back until my arthritis drugs kick back in!!!  All the best to the swimmers ……… remember, save lives, get the jab! Neil”

Following yesterday’s post, Glynis wrote “Many thanks for your kind introduction. Not sure if I can call my movements through the water ‘swimming’ just yet, but lots of room for improvement !! 

Also in relation to yesterday’s post John wrote: “Looks like Ray will make his target of wet suit less swimming through winter eh?  Thanks for keeping us connected. Regards John”

Lisa wrote: “Great pics! I hope you are well. Jules & I are swimming in the morning, see you at dawn. Kind regards, Lisa” 

During last year’s lock-down, we have this MUST WATCH  ‘Blast from the past’; April 23, 2020 provided by Helen: Click on this following link: Helen’s challenge to the men in Isolation

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Mollymook Ocean Swimmers

Destination Mollymook Milton Ulladulla

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Lock-down, Mollymook Beach on the first day of Spring 2021

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Dick arrives at Balmoral Beach on sunrise for his morning exercise. 

We are missing lovely Mollymook but great reading the simmers ‘posts’ to be able to keep up with what’s happening. Photo above – just before I went in for my swim at Balmoral – beautiful and same temperature as Mollymook. I swim about 5 days a week- 2kms and by then I can’t feel my toes and have to get out, get dressed and get home quick for a hot shower to warm up. Our Beach Club is closed so no hot showers there! On a weekday at the time of the picture, the water would have 20 – 50 swimmers all over the bay (in their two’s). Most with wetsuits but some without. I even had one daughter and grandson swim with me this past Sunday at 6.45 am. Very special. Wish all the Mollymook swimmers the best. Cheers. Dick

Update on some of our Mollymook Swimmers afar during ‘Lock-Down’

Some emails filtering in from afar, on how some of our swimmers are handling the ‘lock-down’ in their home area. Dick (above) includes a pic with his news, likewise Fiona and Dave include a pic of their latest swimming hole news (below). Peter the Priest sends his regards and longs for the day he can get back down to Mollymook. Steve is also missing the ocean as too is Ben and Roger.

Roger sent through this update on what he and Ben are doing in lieu of any swimming in Canberra. “Ben’s local swimming area up here had been the Manuka Pool during the warmer months when it was open but since Easter he’s joined the gym at The Realm Hotel in Barton – which of course is now closed so no swimming at all. Fingers crossed, we’ll be out of lockdown soon however not sure what social distancing rules may mean for gyms and pools. In the meantime, lots of walking and bike riding around the lake has to suffice”.

Click on pics to enlarge

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Did you see the lovely rainbow late yesterday (Sunday) afternoon on your exercise walk? 

Is there a paradise to be found during this depressing ‘Lock-Down’?

Andrew thinks there is. Having spent his youth growing up in Scotland, spending time at the beach was not a consideration. After finishing high school and thereafter upon graduation from University he spent time in London and thereafter his work resulted in him moving to various parts of the world viz New Mexico, Canada, Singapore and Australia. In Australia, consumed in his career, he spent time in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney whilst of all things, in his limited spare time, he began to develop an interest in the surf. Then by chance he and his lovely wife Kate stumbled across a place named Mollymook. Buying a house and mixing in with the local ocean swim group resulted in them making so many friends. Then ‘lock-down’ occurs. So the obvious choice for exercise was swimming in the ocean at Mollymook. 

Ed takes an interest, and begins to spend time with Andrew on the surf board and also in honing his body surfing skills. We pick up the story yesterday morning …..

Click on pics to enlarge

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Garry and Lloyd on a collision course. (Lloyd looks the other way, “he is getting a bit close”.) Question: Who has right of way in body surfing? 

Lock down – Exercise in two’s being watched by a couple of birds!

It was Saturday and within the lock down rules the boys did their exercise in two’s.

GOOD BOYS? Well they were suppose to be solely doing their exercise, but when boys know they are being watched by some beautiful birds, they go all out to impress.

(Tim sent a text to say the water temp was 15 this morning)

Click on pics to enlarge

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What’s happening Ed? I thought you were going to show us your body surfing skills. 

OUTCOMES from an extended lockdown

A number of swimmers entered the water this morning in an endeavour to recapture their former surfing skills.

Onlookers became dumbstruck, as they witnessed first hand the devastating effects the lockdown has apparently had, as these former top class athletes, struggled in their exercise routine. 

Click on pics to enlarge

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Night of Nights, the Beatles re-visited.

Wikipedia, give the following explanation in regard to Beatlemania. They say that the name of ‘Beatlemania’ was due the fanaticism surrounding the English rock band the Beatles in the 1960s. The press adopted the term “Beatlemania” to describe the scenes of adulation that attended the band’s concert performances. From the start of 1964, their world tours were characterised by the same levels of hysteria and high-pitched screaming by female fans, both at concerts and during the group’s travels. 

Today, 2021 some 60 years on and we continue to see the female fans loving the ‘Beatles’ regardless of their age. The Beatles revisited event at the Mollymook Surf Club was an enormous success, thanks to Mike turning 64, supported by Ray, Llyod, Gerry, Tim and Dave. What a night, with so many getting into the spirit of the event wearing some amazing costumes and make-up.  

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In Remembrance of the Fallen

Moni captured a lovely pic this morning. Here is a sole beautiful young Mollymook ocean swimmer entering the water at sunrise. 

What thoughts would go through a persons mind, here on the beach? Possibly paying tribute to the fallen at Gallipoli! LEST WE FORGET!

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A special day beginning with a glorious sunrise

Birthday Boy Garry

This special day was ushered in with a glorious sunrise over Mollymook Beach. The swimmers arrived in their droves to share in this special occasion,  Garry achieving the milestone of 65 years of age. (One year shy of the pension)

Despite him having previously completely forgetting his dear partners birthday, the ever so faithful and loving Alexa Jane arrived at the ‘Beach Hut’ café adorned in beautiful large green ear rings AND a ‘Persian Love’ cake, to die for.

What a day, as everyone joined in and sang ‘Happy Birthday’ or was it the old Scottish song ‘auld lang syne’?

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Chris and Sue arrive in Tasmania aboard the Spirit of Tasmania

Sue and Chris give an update on their travel’s

“Tearfully saying goodbye to good friends, and our family in Barwon Heads, we set sail for a far away island aboard the Spirit of Tasmania. A day of smooth sailing thankfully across the sometimes notorious Bass Strait. We’ve been in Tasmania for just over a week now, enjoying warmer weather would you believe than we had in Victoria! It sounds like we also escaped the crazy rain and flooding you guys had ‘back on the mainland’. Our travels have taken us through some lovely places so far, the beaches of the northeast coast, the Tamar Valley, Launceston and Cataract Gorge, and through mountain biking towns down to the delightful St Helens. We have been camped up for four days near Binalong Bay in the Bay of Fires. Chris has enjoyed a daily surf and I have had a couple of beautiful and refreshing swims in the crystal clear water, temperature just under 18 degrees. Just a bit sad swimming on my lonesome…

We are heading to Hobart for Easter to meet up with my middle son Harrison and his wife Liz. Harrison is running in the Hobart Marathon on Easter Sunday… so we are the support crew to provide carb loading the night before and hot showers afterwards haha.

Watch this space for more Tassie Tales. You should all ‘Come down for some air’ as their advertising urges!!!”

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Riding to raise funds to put mental health programmes into rural / remote schools

Updates from Ian and Leonie on this epic ride, the length of the Murray River from NSW all the way to Goolwa, South Australia.

On Sunday Leonie provided an update on Ian’s progress: “Hi from Echuca. Ian has just headed off on day 3 and it is cold. Apart from that he is doing well, today is a 150 km ride, so it’s a big one. Plenty of support in all ways. Leonie”

On Tuesday morning Ian wrote “We are over half way (phew) and the team members are all doing well. Off to Mildura today and hopefully the wind will be at our backside. Average speed is 27.9km/hr”

On Wednesday Ian wrote “we are crossing into South Australia. We have a 180 km ride today, presently at Loxton”. (Pic above is our crossing the border into South Australia)

General Info: The ride is all about raising funds to support / put mental health programmes into rural/remote schools to assist our vulnerable 12 to 18 year old children. If anyone is inclined to make a donation please do it by ‘Bank Transfer’ to: Lockhart Cycle Club BSB 633000 a/c 154780837.

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