St Abbs - October 2004 (2 boats, 22 players, 1 Uber-Gig!)

[Ben Harris]

<font color='#8D38C9'>Bloody hell bren, Ive seen some forward planning but........
Im sure you can twist my arm into it,

[Helen F H]

If people want to kip at my house (brave the cat etc) they are welcome. &nbsp;I live about 45mins from st abbs though, and if no-one wants to stay here, i will come up there to be with you lot.

[Ben Harris]

<font color='#8D38C9'>theres an offer!!

Bloody hell has billy had a new web site made. ive seen the future......

Bearing in mind next octobers miles away. If anyone fancies a mid week winter bimble up to abbs this month,(weather permitting) give us a shout.

[john]

book another place for st abbs then

cheers john

[Mr T.]

Whoosh! Last minute rush! This is coming together VERY nicely....

Dates for this Troop Gig: Sat 08th and Sun 09th October 2004
Current Gig List:

Deffos:

* 1. Bren Tierney
* 2. Davey Willo
* 3. Jules ('Tiggy-Winkles', a fine pair of........ears...') C
* 4. Nick
* 5. Peter Kelly
* 6. Stevie Walker
* 7. Drifty
* 8. John 'Wad' Holmes
* 9. Andy 'Wetlettuce' Carrol
* 10. Howard 'Diving Dude'
* 11. Rebecca 'Dudess'
* 12. Helen 'Porg'
* 13. Wee Ben
* 14. John Mitchell

Total = 14

** Billy's boat takes 12, so come all, come plenty. Billy will do mutliple trips out in the same day, so if we fill this boat, we can catch the dive on the next trip about an hour and a half later.

** NB: all five single beds in the Cottage now taken - Please see Billy's website below to book your own accommodation. Boat already booked for five, to which we can add as you add your names to this list.

http://www.divecentrestabbs.com/

The Cottage sleeps 5 bodies; check Billy's website, but I think the bunk-house sleeps 8 in 2 x 4-bed rooms. So book early people, Billy's gaff is tripping-up distance from the boat/jetty/harbour-wall, so it doesn't get much better than that!

There's a stella Chinese for scoff and pubs in tabbing/taxi-ing distance in the village. Let's be having yer!

[Mr T.]

Top to see all you guys getting in amongst it and booking to join the gang for a YD-Troop Styleee Gig.

I also hope you're remembering to contact Billy and book your accommodation!??

Contact Billy HERE

Please make sure you do, it's obscenely reasonably priced and the facilities are excellent (kitchen, bathroom, sluce and drying room for washing you kit post dive, and his wife, Allison, make superb 'Brekkie on a Bun' either before you dive or between dives! Outstanding.

We could be looking at booking another TWO trips if we get the numbers. I'll speak to Billy and see how he's set and report back here.

[John Holmes]

Howard!! you still singing about havin no bananas??!! Make sure you bring some with you, I need to see how you feed the Morays!!
Cheers

[Mr T.]

Here's the email I've just sent to Billy and Allison regarding the boat and the accom of this gig:

&quot;Hi Billy and Allison,

Hope you are both well. Just to confirm the details of the above trip with you both so we don't 'fall between the cracks'.

We currently have 14 divers per day for the weekend in question, so unless Billy's willing to take all of us on the same two daily trips on the boat (as I understand the boat will take 12 divers per trip?), it looks like we'll have to do two trips for two smaller groups, with the overspill going on later/earlier dives both days. Is this OK with you guys, or can you accommodate us all 14 divers on the same dive-trips?

Also, I need to check that we're OK for accommodation: I know I booked the cottage for the Friday (07th Oct) and Saturday (08th Oct) nights for 5 and asked the rest of the troop to contact you guys directly to book their own accommodation; how have the bookings for the bunk-house been going? Have you managed to fit us all in? Please advise.

Thanks in advance.

Bren Tierney
Yorkshire Divers&quot;

[And]

<font color='#000080'>Hi

Billy was fully booked for accomodation so I shall check out my usual B&amp;B which is only a few steps away.

Ok I have booked myself in Jeanies little cottage which has two bedrooms and sleeps 6 people. She has space on that weekend. She does great breakfasts and does not stay in the cottage herself and so there are no worries about waking people up. It is a stones throw from Billy's cottage.

The number is 01890 771377 and ask for Jeanie. Tell her you are booking with Andy and be nice cos she is a very nice lady and treats us well.

In case of overflow on this trip they also have a hard boat which may be an option. It's Donny's boat if anyone knows it and he is a good, friendly, and helpful skipper. He has capacity for 12 but likes to limit to 10 as there is more room. The boat has a small platform at the back for exit/entry and is the boat we always use when we dive St Abbs. I haven't booked the boat as that will be up to Bren depending on numbers.

The usual procedure in St Abbs is that the boats go out and return after each dive as the dive sites are not far from the harbour. That way it is reasonable for two groups of 6 -8 divers rather than trying to get 14 divers on a boat. One other option is the excellent shore diving available which of course is free . One other thing to remember or note is that the harbour has steep walls and we will most likely at some point have to hoist cylinders/kit up and down this wall. I dive twins and prefer to climb the steps/ladders fully kitted as I don't like my kit being dragged up/down a wall.

One final point is that there is no nitrox available within reasonable distance at St Abbs. Air fills are available at Scoutscroft campsite with a self service compressor which you need to buy a key for. I have a key and will bring mine if anyone needs to get fills. If you insist on nitrox (as I do) then take plenty of gas with you.

Andy

PS Can we dive the Glanmire ?

[Diving Dude]

l,ve now booked my daughter and l into Jeanies cottage as well.
Didn't know if it was a good idea to mention you Andy.