Maree Clark

Only 3 more days to go!

Another stunning almost spring day and it was such a joy to swim in the beautiful clear, calm water today. An eagle ray was hanging around the jetty and I sat on the sand in the sunshine watching the pied oystercatchers hunting in the shallows. Happy days!

Day 14 was a stunner! If I didn't have to adult today, I'd have stayed at the beach all afternoon. Man, it was stunning! The water was calm and clear after the storms and I didn't need to rush to get changed so as to avoid mild hypothermia! Haha! Bring on the weekend!

It wasn't too bad until I got out of the car! Wind was ripping through me today but I still managed a moment of calm in the water which was much needed

10/10 do not recommend swimming in the channel when it's just been opened. It's running pretty hard and it's not very inviting but we got the job done - quickly!

Peaceful Bay was not Peaceful...the storm was bringing a strange swell into the bay which was sucking us out and dumping us back in on the sandbar again - great for body boarding! The kids had a ball, my friend and I didn't get hypothermia - winning all round, I'd say!

I wrote a beautiful update describing in detail the moment the hail storm hit, the grey/turquoise gradient and the magical moments when the sun shone through the moodiness...then didn't hit save and lost it all. Oh well, I came, I saw, I conquered. Peaceful Bay Day 8 done!

Whilst still beautiful, night swimming at the beach has me learning valuable lessons about planning my dips when the sun is actually above the horizon. Wild, I know...

Dipping wasn't high on my priority list on day 6 and as a result I found myself driving home at 8:30pm in the pouring rain questioning how I was going to make it happen. I pulled up at the boat ramp at Coalmine beach, the headlights from my car shining into the water. I tried to convince myself to get in but I just couldn't fathom wading out past the shallows in the dark, dodging sting rays and whatever was chasing the school of tiny bait fish that were breaching the surface in between the rain drops, highlighted by the streams of light beaming down the boat ramp. I jumped back into the car and moved around to the main entrance of Coalmine beach, hoping that the open expanse would somehow negate the questionable choice of location - the low lying fog didn't really sell it to me.I kept driving, trying to decide if at day 6, I'd already reached the point of having to rely on a cold shower to get the job done or if I would be ok with not following through with my promise to myself.I stopped one last time at Frankland River, sitting for a moment in the dark before finally just putting on my big girl panties (in this case, my swimmers) hitting record on my phone for evidence and walking in the mostly dark water. The Queenslander in me was immediately very unhappy with my decision but then I remembered why I do this.My friend commented that I'm dedicated. Then added that she'd also considered that I'd lost my marbles. Then also committed herself to dipping with me at some stage during the month. Funny how most people consider it madness but the water still finds a way to lure us in. I feel a sense of pride today and I have restored my commitment. Every day, no excuses!

Luckily I had my friend Lisa text me to offer her services as my on-beach support person today otherwise I wouldn't have made it!Another post school run sunset session at Peaceful Bay to tick dip number 5 off the list. Complete with a crew of cheerful jetty jumping kids and some very playful puppies. 

What a beautiful day to dip! We did a quick after school run to PB and I had two litter cheerleaders on the beach who eventually couldn't resist and joined me in the water. The initial doubt has subsided and I'm now looking forward to my daily dips ♡

I managed to procrastinate almost the entire day away and found myself at Peaceful Bay at 5pm, full of regret. As always, I came out of the water feeling energetic and grateful. Day 1 down, 30 to go ♡