21/22 September

[John Holmes]

Hi Guys,

Does anyone have anything planned for this weekend or want to meet up at a site, either for a day or for the weekend?
I'd like to get wet this weekend and am happy to travel

Please reply on boards or e-mail at holmej@aol.com
Mobile no 07802 530115

Cheers
John

[Davey Willo]

Where are you thinking of John?

[Ben Harris]

Reckon Ill be doing something somewhere John. Give us the heads up on any plans or ideas you have as i`m Manchester based myself.

[John Holmes]

I was thinking maybe Anglesey or perhaps Bridlington/Scarborough at the place listed on the boards last week by Peter (was it Primrose Valley?) - it sounded good. I know a lot will depend on weather conditions but I'd rather do that than go to the quarries (see entry on boards for Stoney last weekend). I'll be happy to go anywhere basically, apart from Site X just at the moment - I think that'll be favourite for next year!!
Over to you folks!!
Cheers
John

[John Holmes]

Dave,
In another post you mentioned your pain and grief at not being invited out to the Farne Islands - what is the diving like there - it's a possibility for this weekend! Some info please?! I know Ben is looking for somewhere to dive this weekend - maybe we could sort something out.
Cheers
John

[Ben Harris]

Sea Diving sounds like an ace plan.
If your planning anything, try not to make it to hard core.
Havent dived off the coast yet - only inland but I am desperate to try it!!!

Definitely count me in.

[Davey Willo]

John,
To do the Farne Islands you need a boat and a good skipper who knows the sites the currents and the changing tides. Some of the angriest waters you'll ever see is around some of those islands when the tides change.

On a visit there, the skipper pulled into a lee between some islands as the tide changed.. The water was like nothing I'd seen before, it litterally bubbled and boiled with loads of whirpools that looked like they would suck a diver down.
Mark turned to me, wearing the most serious and concerned face I've ever seen him wear, he looked me straight in the eyes and said.. "Kid, there's no f***ing way I'm getting in that" I laughed so hard I though I was gonna follow through... Wiping away tears of laughter I told him that we were just waiting for the tides to change, and sure enough half an hour later the water was like glass... Its a wierd but wonderful place.

Ben
I wouldn't suggest the Farnes as the venue for some of your first open water excursions, although there are novice dives there, things can become very unpredictable and people have been swept out if they've ventured too far around an isle and gotten caught up in a current, some of which can be very severe, also its then very difficult for the boat to see you if your floating away with an island between you and the boat.

We reached the corner of an island on a dive but didn't dare turn it because the current was raging past, so Mark jammed himself into some rocks so that he was secure, we then tied ourselves together with a buddy line and he fed me out into the current like a kite on the end of some string, I just hung there laughing my socks off.... dunno what I would of done if he'd let me go mind, but it was great fun at the time.

But don't be put off though, at the right times and in slack water its great diving, and the amount of seals there will freak you out.

[Andy Winterburn]

Just got back from the Farnes about an hour ago. Seals made the trip worth while (up at 4.30am) and were very co-operative at both dive sites. Although I still don't belive the skipper who told us they NEVER bite :biggrin:
We were the only 5 divers there to-day, so mid week is the best bet.

[Davey Willo]

C'mon Andy

knock up a good dive report mate... Would love to read it, which parts did you dive, where did you park up for your SI, Did you see many seals underwater as they have been very illusive for me..... You can see that as I didn't get wet at the weekend I'm needing a fix, as I expect others are,  even if its just reading about a dive it'll do. ;)

[John Holmes]

:yelclap: :amazed:
Hi Guys!
Well I just came off the Site x link which I hadn't seen before and I am well impressed. It seems that at even down to 18m there is plenty to do and see and it would seem that the prospect of being able to spend two days diving there would be well worth the drive up. I stand converted - is there anyone else fancies it for this weekend in addition to Timing??
Pse post your ideas on the boards and we can maybe get something sorted out!!
Cheers
John
:bang: