Arrived at Stan And Lee's place at about 8.30pm (nice digs), Mike (ibbo) arrived about 15 mins later so went to say Hi to Lee then promptly hit the pub where we were soon joined by Daryl (mala) and Lee (Lee C). John (The Ferret) showed up later and a fun night in the pub was had by all.
Day 1
After a fab brekkie (although Mike wasn't too keen), we set off for the harbour for 8.30am (ish), met the skipper, Eddie, and set off for Knivestone and the Abasinya (hmm...dodgy spelling?) wreck.
My buddy was John, although we stayed in a group of 4 (Mike decided to stay on the boat and feed the fish!
). The wreck was quite broken up but it was a lovely dive through gulleys and 'IN' boilers (appropriate signature John - i was ready to tug at those fins!). Good viz and lots of colour from dead mans fingers everywhere, urchins, sunstars, wrasse, crabs, A lobster etc. Mooched around for about 50 mins then decided to send up the SMB's - well the less said about that the better really, except:
Lee - Good idea to attach SMB to reel!
Note to myself - Good idea to put air in SMB
Then the elegant task of getting up the ladder and back on the boat (Divings funniest moments video out soon !!!)
Nice long SI - chill 'n' chat, lovely weather. entertainment provided by Eddie and John
, AND I WENT SNORKELLING WITH THE SEALS
2nd dive was The Pinnacles, a wall dive, hmm...yes, well....Boring really!
Back to land, faffed about trying to get nitrox fills...blahdy blah, Lee went to wash his socks in the toilet, then went for dinner at the pub and had a sensible sober night.
Day 2
Up at 5am (whose bright idea was that!) and on the boat for 6. Lee (Hall) took us to the Somali (cos Eddie had dogs!!!). Lovely weather again. Mike and John buddies up and i buddied with Daryl and Lee. Got round most of the wreck and in the engine room, interesting wreck (and big) and loads to see. Back to the boat, shortly followed by Mike, and mulled over whether to do another dive or go back for brekkie while John did his deco!
. Decided to wait for him then went back for our fry-up and kip
before the afternoon dive, which (much to the delight of skipper Eddie) we had decided was going to be the Somali again at 1.30, so he had met us at the harbour early for nothing - SORRY EDDIE
(nice fella really!)
The viz was better on the Somali on the afternoon dive (around 10m) and the dive was better being a bit more familiar with the wreck. Wont mention the gun!!!. Fantastic Dive but no time for rummaging for us, Mike and John did a bit thought and found some bottles and cream.
Great 2 days diving and good fun, thanks guys, and thanks to Stan, Lee and Eddie - great set up, we'll be back!!!