Wraysbury - Wednesday evenings

[big_si]

Originally Posted by deveugle

As I need to try out my new wing+BP for the first time, watching paint dry sounds about right for me, so I'l be happy to buddy up and plod around while you lay line. The only problem might be negotiating my way through London strikes. Don't know what it will look like tomorrow, but yesterday I had a lot problems with the bus I normally take (will take train down to Wraysbury). Perhaps pm here or on another board to exchange cell phone numbers ?

That's excellent Peter! Thank you!

It's a nice toasty 19 degrees in there at the moment too
Sounds like we're going to have the most exciting dive ever!!!

What time do you think you might be able to get there? I'll be there from about 430/5 ish. Will PM you my mobile number.

Originally Posted by deveugle

Oh, in case you want to know about my "dive career": Currently finishing BSAC DL to get on with my instructor training over the winter. Been PADI RD for about two years, done about 250 dives over the last three years, 120 or so logged. Because of logistical and financial limitations no regular twin set diving in the near future, but seeking to eventually go deeper/wreckier, probably with a probe inserted. As work has me moving around a lot, I dove in a couple of weird places. About 50% in warm waters, 50% in UK temperatures.

Groovy. I've done about 130 dives (about 115 in UK waters), 2/3 of those on twins, TDI adv. nitrox and deco is where I'm at right now... Need to get this line laying stuff nailed to finish off my TDI Adv. Wreck...

See you tomorrow! I'll be in a Blue Citroen Berlingo.

Simon

[big_si]

Nice evening tonight at Wrayspuddle! Veeeeeeeeeeeery quiet! Were only about 8 - 10 people diving!!!

The YD contingent consisted of Me, deveugle (Peter) and Sixsquid providing surface cover / key looking after services / attempting to pick up her leaky twins.... :-/ And borrowing my 'spare' 12's for her weekend away. Si saves the day!

Peter and I had a couple of aims for our dive.
I wanted to practice line laying around the bus to try to get my skills close enough to the required level for my Adv. Wreck.
Peter wanted to give his new harness, backplate and single tank wing combo a try.

After a surface swim to the buoy that I was 'certain' that dropped down to the bus we descended the line.... to find a container, not the bus! Feck! Wasn't sure what direction the bus was so made it up Out in the wilderness we found some cables and followed them and hit the bus

When we got there I tied off and entered the door of the bus (and ignored the 'do not enter' signs... and the pike lounging around looking miffed that I was invading his space! I laid line along one side of the bus, across the back and back up the other side. When I got to the front again I removed my mask and reeled in back to my starting point. I did this three times before an hour was up and we came out.

The first attempt went alright. My technique still felt awkward laying the line but I did with with minimal disturbance of silt.

The second attempt was better. use of reel was more fluid and started to feel more natural. Especially when reeling back in with no mask on. Buoyancy was ok... A few bumps against the roof :-/ Vis was still ok at the end of the dive and putting mask on.

Third dive the whole technique felt better still. Whilst laying line spotted a big eel about 1.5m long! Didn't know there were any in there! Was also surprised how quickly the improvements seemed to develop. I was still feeling my 150m KT ratchet reel was a bit cumbersome though :-/

After losing my main mask on the way back, reaching the end and putting my backup mask on and finding the vis was now crap, searching the bottom of the bus and finding my mask, we headed back to the out ramp.

A great dive and I think satisfactory development in my line laying skills. A bit more practice and I'll be ready for another 'date' with Mr Powell

Peter was a great dive buddy who kept an eye on my progress through the bus (especially when maskless.) Had a nice drink and chat afterwards.


Hopefully will see some more folks down there next time!

Simon

[Letz]

Originally Posted by big_si

Nice evening tonight at Wrayspuddle! Veeeeeeeeeeeery quiet! Were only about 8 - 10 people diving!!!

It was sooooooo quiet. I was amazed. Shame I wasn't diving, the vis should have been great

After a surface swim to the buoy that I was 'certain' that dropped down to the bus we descended the line.... to find a container, not the bus! Feck! Wasn't sure what direction the bus was so made it up Out in the wilderness we found some cables and followed them and hit the bus

When we got there I tied off and entered the door of the bus (and ignored the 'do not enter' signs... and the pike lounging around looking miffed that I was invading his space! I laid line along one side of the bus, across the back and back up the other side. When I got to the front again I removed my mask and reeled in back to my starting point. I did this three times before an hour was up and we came out.

The first attempt went alright. My technique still felt awkward laying the line but I did with with minimal disturbance of silt.

The second attempt was better. use of reel was more fluid and started to feel more natural. Especially when reeling back in with no mask on. Buoyancy was ok... A few bumps against the roof :-/ Vis was still ok at the end of the dive and putting mask on.

Third dive the whole technique felt better still. Whilst laying line spotted a big eel about 1.5m long! Didn't know there were any in there! Was also surprised how quickly the improvements seemed to develop. I was still feeling my 150m KT ratchet reel was a bit cumbersome though

After losing my main mask on the way back, reaching the end and putting my backup mask on and finding the vis was now crap, searching the bottom of the bus and finding my mask, we headed back to the out ramp.

A great dive and I think satisfactory development in my line laying skills. A bit more practice and I'll be ready for another 'date' with Mr Powell

Sounds like some excellent diving to me and well done. Are you sure that was an eel and not some Wraybury cable

Hopefully will see some more folks down there next time!

Simon

Great to meet Deveugle and wonderful to see you again Si. Thank you so much for the twins loan. All being well I'll have mine back today but I feel much better knowing I have a contigency plan Top chap

Strangley enough I really missed the Dude, my Disco companion

[deveugle]

I'll second Si's report and add that those who weren't there, were wrong. The vis was indeed quite incredible and there was plenty of life around. This was the first time I saw a free-swimming eel in fresh water, not even sure if they are supposed to be there.

As Si wrote, I was testing out my shiny new singletank wing+bp setup and it felt great. Also, trying to keep level with the windows of the bus while Si was feeling his way around it, proved to be quite an interesting buoyancy exercise. Some "pike-swapping" thrown in (the big guy really didn't like his territory being invaded by that other big guy with all those tanks) definitely added to the fun.

I will be well up for repeating this. Can't think of a better way to spend a Wednesday evening than to swim around underwater to the come up to a beer and a hamburger.

Nice meeting you, sixsquid and Big_Si !

Peter

[annatrnr]

1. annatrnr - anyone fancy joining me?

[ShinyD]

Ohhhhh....it's tempting...

[big_si]

1. annatrnr - anyone fancy joining me?
2. Big_Si (I'll be there doing at least one dive with Mark Powell for my Adv. Wreck course. Happy to buddy up after that!)
3. Mark Powell

[MJH]

1. annatrnr - anyone fancy joining me?
2. Big_Si (I'll be there doing at least one dive with Mark Powell for my Adv. Wreck course. Happy to buddy up after that!)
3. Mark Powell
4. MJH - not sure if I will dive. May just drink beer.

[PeeBee]

1. annatrnr - anyone fancy joining me?
2. Big_Si (I'll be there doing at least one dive with Mark Powell for my Adv. Wreck course. Happy to buddy up after that!)
3. Mark Powell
4. MJH - not sure if I will dive. May just drink beer.
5. peebee, beer drinking!

[MJH]

1. annatrnr - anyone fancy joining me?
2. Big_Si (I'll be there doing at least one dive with Mark Powell for my Adv. Wreck course. Happy to buddy up after that!)
3. Mark Powell
4. peebee, beer drinking!


Sorry Pete you will have to buy your own beer

Not sure I can make tomorrow