[Martyn Ward]

Hello one and all.

Just a quick one (oo-errr missus!!) to let you know that me 'n Liz are now happily settled in deepest, darkest Dorset, enjoying our jobs for the first time in a long while, and slowly drying out after 5 years of p**s poor weather in Oban!

Didn't have a very good start to our new lives as we lost number 1 dog Jake a couple of days after leaving Oban. As one of the pre-requisites of the job was that it had to be right for the dogs as well as us, (and based in Wareham Forest, it's more than right), it's been hard getting started without a much-loved friend of over 11 years by our side. Still, we have his brother Toby and loads of happy memories to cheer us through the darker moments.

Anyway, life goes on. Haven't been diving yet, in fact we haven't dived since last September to be honest so we're in need of something nice and easy to get us back in the water. Can any kindly soul recommend a suitable site? Is Swanage pier any good? What's it like in Portland harbour?

As a shandy-drinking, warm-water diving virgin, I leave myself in your hands, and at the risk of being labelled a sentimental tw*t, it's good to be back on YD!

Thanks as ever folks.