Mollymook Senior’s Bus Trip to Shellharbour Ocean Swim
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On a grey overcast morning, the senior citizens from Mollymook gathered at the surf club to be picked up by the local bus and taken for a days outing.
A happy group, they posed for their photo’s to be taken before setting off on their bus trip to Shellharbour to watch the ocean swimmers. They were filled with excitement and anticipation.
Their trip would take them through the village of Wandandian. Whilst Wandandian was only 1/2 hour into their trip, the understanding bus driver (Bruce) knew toilet stops would often be the order of the day. Here they were able to talk to the local residents who explained that the name of their village ‘Wandandian’ meant “home to lost lovers”. The seniors minds went immediately back to their youth. Those halcyon days of seemingly endless sunny days of youth and romance. Their imagination began to run wild as they inquired more about the area. The local’s went on to explain that the ‘Wandandian area’ was not over populated and retained a rural atmosphere with hobby farms and fruit orchards. It was an area that would lend itself nicely to a retirement village. Utopia! This could be the perfect place for our retirement ….
There’s more, continue reading.
After such a long ‘pit’ stop, Bruce told the senior citizens, enough was enough, there would be no more toilet stops until we reached Shellharbour. The carer was concerned for the elderly, as she had baked them all some ‘soft’ banana muffins to enjoy along the way on their outing.
Click on images to enlarge
Driver and young carer
Hard trying to get everyone’s attention at the same time
Bill kept nodding off
Jo so excited, her 1st bus trip – Ali needed her cup of tea
Upon reaching Shellharbour the group were beyond themselves as they quickly made their way down to paddle in the water and look out for the super fit athletes, the ocean swimmers.
And there they were! WOW! They looked at them from the front on view and then they went around the other side for a rear view of the elite athletes bodies.
Later they asked if the elite athletes would pose for a photo, they were very gracious toward their admirers and said yes.
Then to add to there excitement was the start of the race inside the harbour. It was over heard them saying in one voice: “What a spectacle”.
The Elite Athletes
Elite athletes – rear view
Elite Athletes pose for photographers
Harbour start
As the excitement reach ‘fever pitch’ they walked the jetty to watch the progress of the ocean swim. One anxious onlooker was heard asking have you seen John yet? They said no, not yet. Even the beautiful young carer chose to strip down into her swim wear and have a swim. Later on it was recorded that the carer said: “Its all new for me, a bit of a challenge”. (Was she suggesting that the swim was more challenging than caring for the elderly?)
Jackie’s eyes were for John – Where was he ???
Testing weather conditions
Grandstand view
Winners are grinners
Year 2014, Baywatch revisited.
The carer.
Gary 2nd in the over 50
Graeme 1st in the over 60’s
As these amazing events came to a close, the elderly were transported to the village of Shellharbour for their ‘fish and chips’. They then boarded the bus for the long journey home. It had been a delightful days outing enjoyed by all, some nodded off on the journey home arriving back in Mollymook at their bus stop about 5.30pm. They had much to look forward too as next week will be the 2014 Mollymook Ocean Swim Classic.
Acknowledgements: Images, Allie, Ann-Maree and Ken.
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Destination Mollymook Milton Ulladulla