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

Perched on top of the Surf Club’s outside clock welcoming the morning swimmers is none other than a beautiful ‘Welcome Swallow’

Mollymook Ocean Swimmers – Staying Connected

Don turned up this morning after a couple of weeks off with the flu and mentioned how reading the posts helped him to stay connected with the coming’s and going’s of the Mollymook swimmers during lock-down. So I thought what an appropriate title, ‘Staying Connected’.

Sue also turned up this morning, following her accident and declined an opportunity for a photo shoot.

Ian has been busy and along with Megan, Kath and Peter the Priest, each sent email’s yesterday on how they are faring during lock-down, so I’ve included their story below.

And we introduce our newest swimmer Glynis.

(Click on pics to enlarge)

Glynis our newest morning swimmer with Tracy.

Glynis originates from South Africa where the water can be quite warm. Never would she have contemplated swimming in water temperatures down at 13.5c as was the case a couple of weeks ago or even 15c as was the case this morning. Living in the northern suburbs of Sydney for a number of years, retirement beckoned. Along with her husband the many areas up north just didn’t excite them. Having almost giving up on a move elsewhere for retirement, by chance she saw a place advertised for sale at Narrawallee. Had never heard of Narrawallee, but was told that it was close to Mollymook. Hearing Mollymook, that rang a bell, down they came for an inspection some 12 or so months ago and shifted. Her background in nursing resulted in her being very mindful of a healthy life style. For exercise, she began doing classes at ‘TRIBE’ where she met Tracy. When ‘lock-down’ occurred and ‘Tribe’ was shut (along with all other gym’s) she joined Tracy swimming each morning, in two’s to ‘Flat Rock’ and return. And Glynis loves it, so refreshing.

File pic of Megan from May, competing in the Mollymook Ocean Swim.

Megan and husband Dominic Dwyer are regular swimmers in the Mollymook Ocean swims. Their parents actually live here in Mollymook so they come down when able to visit and swim in front of the surf club on their visits around 7.00 am.

Megan’s email yesterday mentioned that she enjoys our ‘Swimmers posts’ and wrote “Thanks so much for your emails and updates. Gives us something to dream about and look forward to from here in Sydney. While it may be close to work, with my husband Dominic Dwyer, still going to Westmead most weekdays, Epping is not close enough to somewhere to swim at present. Even Lake Parramatta (not sure we’d actually swim there right now) is more than the 5 km we’re allowed, as we live in an LGA of concern. So dreaming it is for now … Regards Meg”

Peter the Priest swimming for exercise at Coogee.

Peter wrote: “I love the swimming here at Coogee, it’s definitely keeping me sane. I saw Gwen one morning and said hello to her. On another occasion I was chatting to someone I hadn’t met before, we introduced ourselves and told each other what we did. He was a jockey and I asked him if he was well known. He said fairly well known. Any way he took the photo (above) for me. When I got home I googled him to find out that he, Hugh Bowman rode Winx to about 21 consecutive victories! Yep, in racing circles he’s definitely well known! You can tell I’m too busy praying to be gambling on horses 🙂 God bless, Peter.”

Kath during lock-down doing her early morning exercise at Blacksmiths Beach.

Kath wrote: “Thanks for the emails. I have been in lockdown on Lake Macquarie and have been swimming at a beach nearby called Blacksmith’s. I stopped wearing my wetsuit this week in the hope the water may be warming up a bit! I am really missing all my swimming friends and look forward to seeing you soon🤞🏻 Kath xx”

One of Ian’s jobs completed for wife Leonie.

Having sold their house in the country NSW town of Lockhart, Ian and Leonie can now fully concentrate on their home at Narrawallee. Ian wrote: “The lock downs have seen us build an arbour; (really Greg did!) grow a creeper and see if tulips grow in this part of the world. Let’s hope the lockdowns finish soon so I get a break from all these wonderful Leonie ideas. Finished the fire pit yesterday and looking forward to an EMS’s opening. Take care everybody and get vaccinated. Regards Ian.”