It’s been almost two years since I moved to Wraysbury, a four minute drive from the lake where thousands of trainee diver have come to know and love during their early education of the open water, and their later education as the twin up and move onto gas mixed (I know absolutely nothing about this, you can tell that … huh?)
I saw a thread on YD which was started by Scuttler that there was to be a one off ’special dive’ even though the season had ended
I told Six that I’d be there for 3pm (left the office slightly early), and I was at the lake early! but, could have been there earlier
I thought some greater power did not want me to get their at all
First, I set the alarm, locked the front door, walked down the steps, sat in my car then remembered that I didn’t have a change of clothes. So, I went back in and grabbed a few sweats to put on after
Second, I set the alarm, locked the front door, walked down the steps, sat in my car then thought ‘where’s my phone?’. I went back in and searched the whole house, I rang my mobile off the land line ….. found it
Third, I set the alarm, locked the front door, walked down the steps, sat in my car, drove off, closed both gates and set off down the Wraysbury road
I got within 100 meters of the entrance to the lake ‘damn, I left my dry suit at home!’
I turned round and headed home, opened both gates, walked up the steps, deactivated the alarm ……..
Finally, I got to the lake and met up with Six and Andy
The first dive was in daylightish, Six was fiddling with her strap ;o)
Andy showed us his brand new twins (I didn’t understand this, something about being longer and slimmer, lighter or was it heavier and that he’d welded them together himself. I just nodded and smiled like I knew what they were talking about)
After my last overseas trip in October my latex neck seal was knackered and needed changing big time. There was a clear gap of a few centimeters between my seal and my neck. So, Andy kindly taped me up so I did not get wet
After the second dive my drysuit neck seal has completely ripped
I also had flash light trouble. My main light did not work even though I had just put in brand new batteries. I put different batteries in my back up and they got stuck half way down so that did not work. Six kindly lent me her back up
We walked down the ramp and into 8 degrees of prime Berkshire water …… it was cold
and guess what, MY TYPHOON HEATED VEST DID NOT WORK - AGAIN !!!!
November 24th, 2007
Posted by
scubagirl |
Wraysbury |
no comments
I was doing my usual scan through the ‘available boat spaces’ on yorkshire divers and came across a cancellation space for a three night liveaboard on Pride of Bristol
This 25m former Royal Navy Fleet Tender was our home for the next three nights.
We set of from Bristol on Friday evening for the 10 hour trip to Lundy, I was sea sick again as the journey out to Lundy was a little rough although the weather was very pleasant
Gannett Cove
We had arrived early and the seals were in the water when we arrived. They were very inquisitive as you would expect and fun to be in the water with. They would bit at our fins and give them a tug, I couldn’t believe how strong they are
Knoll Pins
This dive was quite challenging. Descending was interesting dragging myself down on the rock face Once down, the dive was great fun and spectacular.
The ‘pins’ were quite small and narrow but the 10 of us managed to not crash into eachother during the 40 minutes we were down there. The current between the pins was really strong, I don’t think anyone made it through the gap
I saw something that I’d never seen before. Back on the boat I described it to the experts and it turns out that I saw a sunfish …. fabulous!
There were spider crabs laying on the kelp, I don’t understand how they did not fall off
It was a really good dive with spiny starfish, fan worms, anemones, sea squirts and sea fans
October 31st, 2007
Posted by
scubagirl |
Lundy |
no comments
I was doing my usual scan through the ‘available boat spaces’ on yorkshire divers and came across a cancellation space for a three night liveaboard on Maureen of Dart
The boat was booked by Aberdeen Sub Aqua …..
October 31st, 2007
Posted by
scubagirl |
Scillies |
no comments
I was doing my usual scan through the ‘available boat spaces’ on yorkshire divers and came across a cancellation space for a three night liveaboard on MY Faithfull
The boat was booked by Nottingham University ….. not current students, but students who graduated years ago
I got quite a shock when I met them at the jetty
I arrived early and was asked, by the Skipper, to remain on shore until the boat was ready, so I was the first on the boat when I was finally allowed on board
FAITHFUL is a Scottish style converted fishing boat measuring almost 20 meters, it is heavily built of Larch on Oak and is powered by an 8 cylinder Gardner engine with a cruising speed of 8 knots
Below deck the accommodation has 3 cabins, one 6 berth, and two 2 berth, each with a wash basin and hot and cold fresh water. There is also a shower and a serparate toilet (sea head).
Above deck is the galley, toilet and lounge/dining area with colour TV, VCR and DVD and a selection of films. I watched most of the first episode of Big Brother while I was waiting for the others to arrive
October 31st, 2007
Posted by
scubagirl |
Plymouth |
no comments
I was quite lucky in the jobs I’ve had …..
I was invited to the Big Brother house for an after party becaue I worked on the BB programme for a couple of years
My company put us up in the Thistle Hotel after the party and then at 6am I got in the car and headed west ….
October 31st, 2007
Posted by
scubagirl |
Manacles, Cornwall |
no comments