This is like speaking at an AA meeting .....

[Finless]

Hello. My name is Finless and I have a problem ............... I post far too many entries on YD and they are frequently bugger all to do with diving ......

I go by the name of Finless on YD (and other forums) in order that my true identity be protected and that I may not be recognised whilst striking a manly diver pose for any watching ladies to admire.

I am now 49 and I think my first dive was in 1984 when I was 16? I only "think" this because I remember Y Viva Espana being played everywhere on that holiday and that was the year it was released.

I did not receive any formal training nor do any more diving until I went to Gozo in my late 20s or early 30s. Life was much more fun then and we only used to have one regulator attached to our 1st stages and I got down to nearly 30 mtrs before I'd got my OW ......... oh those were the days. There was space to breathe and freedom to be had and my liver and kidneys and stomach still worked properly and ............. oh how I wish................

Now I'm up to a PADI RD and TDI Adv EANx and Deco and don't collect badges anymore. Should I wish it I could fork out and add PADI Master Scuba Diver but what's the point. The only courses I still have half an inkling to do are trimix and CCR.

I live in Sussex and am a reasonably regular diver on charters from Eastbourne now usually around 35 mtrs to 40 mtrs. The deepest I have dived is 60 mtrs on air in Tenerife and could see the surface as clear as anything ............. wow!!! I have done Scapa once. I'm not a brilliant diver and I have survived the "I nearly killed myself through my stupidity bit" so I suppose I'm ........ average.

I also talk a load of bollocks most of the time and can be relied upon to introduce a 'knob gag' in the most inappropriate places. I also appear to have a very boring life and obviously help alleviate some of this boredom by infesting YD. I have seen MANY come and go from YD and have just heard a warning on the radio to watch out for an army of invading terrapins! You have been warned.

I suppose that covers it.

[howellsn]

Originally Posted by finless

we only used to have one regulator attached to our 1st stages

Back in the heady days of the 207 bar valves eh fin ....

Aqualung Aquarius or Nemrod Snark?

Much simpler in them days - no kn0bs to fiddle with.

[StephenTh]

"I am now 49 and I think my first dive was in 1984 when I was 16?"
"I also talk a load of bollocks most of the time..."

True enough -

2006 minus 49 = 1957, so in 1984 you were 26 or 27 so either long exposure to elevated oxygen levels has rotted your brain cells, or you went on holiday to somewhere like Bulgaria where the radio was ten years behind the times!

However, despite this signs of incipient senility, I have to say I do find your comments fun and interesting!

(PS Don't think too deeply about how I knew straight away that if you're 49 now you couldn't have started diving at 16 in 1984 - ah, 5mm wetsuits at St. Abbs at Easter, snow on the tent - can't beat it!)

[Finless]

Originally Posted by howellsn

Back in the heady days of the 207 bar valves eh fin ....

Aqualung Aquarius or Nemrod Snark?

Much simpler in them days - no kn0bs to fiddle with.

Erm ..... I don't really remember ................. although I'm sure it was 220 bar ................ My 1st/2nd stages were Mares (bought from Calypso Diving on Gozo).

My memory is so poor these days that I actually wonder if my life was anything like the few bits I remember ........

[Finless]

Originally Posted by StephenTh

"I am now 49 and I think my first dive was in 1984 when I was 16?"
"I also talk a load of bollocks most of the time..."

True enough -

2006 minus 49 = 1957, so in 1984 you were 26 or 27 so either long exposure to elevated oxygen levels has rotted your brain cells, or you went on holiday to somewhere like Bulgaria where the radio was ten years behind the times!

However, despite this signs of incipient senility, I have to say I do find your comments fun and interesting!

(PS Don't think too deeply about how I knew straight away that if you're 49 now you couldn't have started diving at 16 in 1984 - ah, 5mm wetsuits at St. Abbs at Easter, snow on the tent - can't beat it!)

That was a deliberate mistake. Well done that person. I wondered if anyone would notice.


1974
Y Viva Espana by Sylvia There had been holiday hits before, but this was the first record expressly designed to appeal to holidaymakers, painting a preposterously idealised view of Spain far removed from your average Costa Brava package deal. Sylvia had one more minor hit - the appropriately named Hasta La Vista - and then vanished into obscurity, setting another precedent.

[purple vonny]

medication time.....................

[Stesh]

And re-welcome Finless

[Woz]

I've still got my Snark somewhere. Used it about 4 months ago so spray my new greenhouse with wood preserver. With an adapter and stuff.

[StephenTh]

Kingfisher regulator - swivel at the second stage, hose goes under your arm. Nice wide exhaust tee. It still looks quite modern and smart - I used it at a try dive a couple of months ago ( I didn't dump it on an unsuspecting newbie, I used it myself) and it still worked fine.
"They don't make 'em like they used to" mutter mutter.

[purple vonny]

here we go, it's turning into a grandads' reminiscing post. Yes, in the war,,, black bullets, and you couldn't get oranges, no, and children had respect and bring back national service. Eeeee, it's not like it used to be. Whose clothes am I wearing? Nurse! I've wet the bed....