YD - "Wrecking the North Isles" - 2008 - 22nd - 27th June

[gwilson]

Originally Posted by SilvaFish

I'm sure that there is a bookies or pub with wide screen that we can leave you in on Saturday evening!

I'm more bothered about being able to use plastic to pay for stuff, rather than drawing out huge amounts of cash, bank thinks 'ayeup' and freezes my account! If you are at all worried about lack of deisel (not jeans!), then go make friends with your nearest chippy!

Ive actually got a chippy next door to me.

there must be cash machines up there i know its scotland but its not that far behind England and the rest of the world

[Hickdive]

Originally Posted by SilvaFish

Thanks, I got told less than that, but £35 still reasonable. I hope they take credit card for payment, and wonder if Hazel takes plastic for gas bills, etc? I just don't feel comfortable carrying a huge amount of cash!

I'm pretty certain that the bloke in the hut doesn't take plastic for payment(I'm also pretty certain that he stitched me up like a kipper last time!)

I've never been on a Scapa boat that took plastic (mind you, I've never been on a Scapa boat that had a lift either) so I wouldn't bank(!) on Hazel taking cards but there's a couple of cash machines in Stromness only a minute or two's walk from the dock and the Co-op will do you you cashback at the till.

Originally Posted by gwilson

Well im kinda packed just a few problems
1: The Ironing shop couldnt get my ironing back in time.
2: Do they have televisions that far north, as we are mid euro 2008 and Holland are playing Saturday evening.
3: There is a lack of fuel not petrol but the other less refined stuff starting with a D that i cant spell, and obviously being organised ive less than 1/4 of a tank.

Ironing? I thought you had folk in Nigeria to do all that for you? Anyway it’s not a cruise so no-one will be bothered if you’ve wrinkled your chinos

Yes, they have telly and I’m sure the Chemist will do you a pot of starters too. No big screen bookies but I reckon the Ferry Inn or one of the other pubs will have the footy on.

Diesel? What, has the Jet bloke run out again? Plenty at Tesco or Asda in Scumbernauld, I’ll give you some cash tomorrow towards it.

[gwilson]

Originally Posted by Hickdive

I'm pretty certain that the bloke in the hut doesn't take plastic for payment(I'm also pretty certain that he stitched me up like a kipper last time!)

I've never been on a Scapa boat that took plastic (mind you, I've never been on a Scapa boat that had a lift either) so I wouldn't bank(!) on Hazel taking cards but there's a couple of cash machines in Stromness only a minute or two's walk from the dock and the Co-op will do you you cashback at the till.



Ironing? I thought you had folk in Nigeria to do all that for you? Anyway it’s not a cruise so no-one will be bothered if you’ve wrinkled your chinos

Yes, they have telly and I’m sure the Chemist will do you a pot of starters too. No big screen bookies but I reckon the Ferry Inn or one of the other pubs will have the footy on.

Diesel? What, has the Jet bloke run out again? Plenty at Tesco or Asda in Scumbernauld, I’ll give you some cash tomorrow towards it.

Yes I have a maid there for the ironing but as im at home the shop round the corner is far more handy.

Im lost????????

No matter what anyone says your a gent, I owe you ferry fare dont forget.

[Hickdive]

Well, looking at the various forecasts I think I can confidently predict that we have zero chance of getting out of the flow and there's a significant risk of losing dives within the flow itself Anyone for bowling in Kirkwall?

Just have to make the best of it but I'm fair scunnered already.

Anyway, I expect a lot of the southerners are on their way north by now so see y'all tomorrow, we're on the 13.15 sailing.

[Helen F H]

Well, its Orkney, and as the saying goes - if you dont like the weather then just wait a minute....

In all seriousness, please do not put your faith in long range forecasts at all. We are a BIG boat, we dived in a force 8 today with no issues at all....hell two days ago we took a 50 degree roll picking people up outside the flow and no-one was sick, no massive disasters other than the fridge door coming open and some stuff falling on the floor...oh and i got a wet foot

All you need to do is trust Hazel to make the best decisions regarding where we go and what we dive

Drive safely guys, and see you tomorrow

[Hickdive]

Originally Posted by Helen F H

Well, its Orkney, and as the saying goes - if you dont like the weather then just wait a minute....

Yeah, I once stood on deck in a horizontal sleet storm sorting my kit for a dive in the flow in the morning and then later on the same day got sunburn having my lunch on the terrace in the wee cafe next to Argo's bakery.

But I'm a natural pessimist, we're seldom disappointed plus I've only ever lost a dive before on a YD trip.

Ah well, I'm not driving tomorrow , back to the sauvignon blanc.

[scubaclogger]

Well thats it, the end of an excellent trip, now just sat in the Ferry Inn chilling out. Thank to H and H for the great diving and great food.

[Hickdive]

I'm not sure where to put this so this thread will do.

As people on the trip will be aware, my mum was taken ill last Tuesday afternoon. Shetland Coastguard contacted me onboard Valkyrie late on Tuesday evening and arrangements were made to get me back home as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, my mum died at around 9.30 on Wednesday morning, before I could reach her bedside in Dumfries.

Just now there's a bit of a hiatus as all the necessary arrangements have now been made for her funeral next Wednesday so I thought I would take this opportunity to thank all those YDers, divers, ex-divers and friends who went out of their way to help me get home.

Thank-you very much, I appreciate everything that was done.

Best wishes

Steve

[gwilson]

Sorry to hear of your loss Steve.

Thanks to Hazel and Helen for a great weeks diving. Highlights for me were borrowing Robs video Scooter on the F2 and Barge dive (must resist buying one) and my last dive of the week on the James Barrie. Cant wait to get back up there again sooner rather than later.

Good to meet you all.

[Letz]

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss Steve

I'm sure I speak for many when I say our thoughts are with you