Thanks to Glen Barton for getting the AED reinstated in a temporary cabinet and looking into the purchase of a new heated cabinet – subject to being able to connect to a power supply. In the current cabinet, there is no key or code required. Once opened, an audible alarm will sound to act as a deterrent to undesirables.
Ms. Ann Smyth has demanded a right of reply to my Ode and herewith same:
I’m sorry Damian you were right
I think your ode is a load of shite 😂😂
So here is one that I have done
I thought it sounded rather fun
Here’s a bit of Cockney rhyming slang
Why don’t you come to Myrtleville to meet the selkie gang?
They’re a team attempting to swim the channel
It would’ve been easier going through the tunnel
Harry is the first one up
He should be as he’s the pup
Second is the one called Laurence
He really can churn up a torrent
Now along comes dear John Kiely
Dare I say it he’s always smiley.
Then comes short arse Smyth
“Hurry up”, “Oh fuck all this”
Now comes stealth bomber Sisk
She won’t take any risks
Oh look who’s coming up the rear
Watson – shit, she’s only one good ear
That’s the team, the Selkie Six
After the channel – we’ll be in bits
Published poet, Ann Smyth, composing and being inspired by fellow Selkie, Brenda Sisk(y) while Smiley Kiely looks on. Frank Hallissey is just photobombing.
Poetry is hard to write. While the Selkies and their non-stop hard work, dedication, abstinence and laser-like focus are undoubtedly poetically inspirational, it’s still fierce hard to rhyme words.
With apologies to everyone involved – especially to anyone who wastes a minute of their life reading this – herewith is my all-new, rhymically-challenged, Ode to the Selkies.
If you meet a Selkie down beside the sea
You may not know which one is which, so just enquir(e)y
You can make a start and ask if the name is Harry
Failing that, move right on and try out Laurence (Larry)
If no is still the answer, keep pressing on
Maybe think outside the box and ask is it Watson
If you still haven’t got it, it might be a Kiely
Check for a ‘tache – and he’s often quite smiley
The fifth chance to try is could it be Ann Smyth
If it as and you ask her she’ll say this ode is shit(h)
You’ll never catch the last one as she’s very, very frisky
It’s very hard to pin her down, that one called Brenda Sisk(y)
I promised Bernard Lynch I wouldn’t disgrace everyone in Myrtleville again after my Ballad of Gordon Adair effort. Sorry about that, Bernard.
One of the many ode-inspiring images of some of the hard working, focused Selkies.
Unfortunately we have to cancel tomorrow’s planned RNLI Myrtleville to Church Bay Swim, due to the bad wind forecast. The revised date is THURSDAY, JULY 13TH AT 7.00 PM.
More details next week on the revised swim.
Great photo from Siobhan Russell and models reminding us what the swim on June 10th is all about.
Hopefully the weather will be kind. Get entered.
A bit of a problem here. I’m seeking input from the educated masses who populate the beach. I can’t seem to find the correct collective noun for Selkies – and their channel relay team of the same name.
Since there will be a lot of talk about this gang/posse/swarm/tiding/totter/ubiquity/quiver over the next few weeks, I need to get it right.
Diligent research has unearthed gems such as “a party of jays”, “a smack (or smuth) of jellyfish”, “an obstinacy of buffalo”, ” a gam of whales” etc.etc. No Selkies.
I even found the correct collective noun for Sandycovers – “a trip of goats” (no, I didn’t make that up). Still, no Selkies.
Any suggestions, please? In the official team picture below, might they be “a rockful of Selkies”? Or would they be categorised by colour – “a Navy of Selkies”?
Myrtleville Selkies English Channel Relay Team
An early suggestion from Denis Condon that it would be “a langerload of Selkies” was discarded. Valid suggestions only to whatsheonaboutnow@myrtlevilleswimmers.com.
The winning entry gets Selkie autographs at the RNLI Myrtleville-Church Bay swim on June 10. Better enter, or you might miss out.
Only ten days to go. Get entered now on Active.
With a lifetime’s thanks to the other Damian O’Neill – http://www.theundertones.com.
If anyone is available to provide RIB or Kayak support on June 10th for the RNLI Swim, please contact Bernard – lynchcrosshaven@centra.ie.
The sea temp is at 14c+ so even committed poolites should be back in the sea and getting prepared for the RNLI Myrtleville to Church Bay swim on June 10th 😁
Get in and get entered on Active.
There has been some debate lately about safety for swimmers. Specifically, there seems to be a question for some people about who is responsible for the safety of swimmers on ad hoc swims. Not official, organised swims like our RNLI swim, but day to day swims organised online, in person or however.
Very simply, the sea is not our natural environment. Every time we go into it, we – as functioning, responsible, adult individuals – need to think about what we’re doing, where we’re going and how and when we’re getting out. Every time – no matter how long or short your swim is going to be. It is each person’s OWN responsibility to make sure they are safe and comfortable at all times in the sea. Nobody else’s.
If you’re new to the sea, talk to more experienced swimmers who know about the wind, tides and risks in the area where you’re swimming. Arrange to swim with other swimmers and watch out for each other, but don’t ever go further or longer than you yourself are comfortable with. If the sea looks a bit too rough for you – even if other people are in the water – DON’T GO IN. The sea will still be there for another day.
Make your own decisions on your own safety. Don’t just rely on others.
Check the weather forecast – yourself. Don’t just rely on others.
Learn about the tides – yourself. Don’t just rely on others.
Acknowledge that you are responsible for your own safety. You and only you.
For all swimmers it’s a good idea to take the time to read these links, written by some very experienced local swimmers on winds, tides, distances etc:
https://myrtlevilleswimmers.com/routes-and-safety/
Sea swimming is a fantastic way to spend time. Just do it in the full knowledge that every swim has some element of risk and we all individually need to take care to minimise that risk for ourselves as individuals. Swim Safe.
Myrtleville Swimmers 