19-20 October

[Lou]

Blimey...this thread is long...

Right, Horsea Island is near Portmouth.  It reaches a massive 9m at one end and about 5m at the other.  So no deep air junkies, okay?

It is a Navy base where they train their divers and it oopens up at the weekends Fri-Sun for the general public.  it is an old torpedo testing facility so about 1km long, by about <100m wide!  The nice thing is that it is salt water so no fannying with weights for us "sea" fans.  The bottom os decorated with the finest military surplus including shells, mines, a Wessex, Land Rover, ambulance, boat......and lots of blennies/guppies/things with claws...oh and jellyfish.

It does have free hot showers and a burger van though!

It really is ideal for trying out new kit etc, or those early season warm-up dives.

So, won't see you there, but catch you at Stoney some time.  Other dives darn sarf have all been in the sea, I'm afraid so no gen on any other inland sites.  I will be trying Dosthill next month when I do my Rescue diver course....been there anyone?

Anyway - will be up for the M2 when you fancy it!  Catch you later..

[Ben Harris]

Sounds a great place.  Almost worth the 7 hour drive. Is it diveable all year round???

[Lou]

Yep.  I believe it has some kind of  lock gate at the sea end that they open a couple of times a year to refresh the water(which is when various fish enter). But other than that it is completely closed off, so no waves or wind to worry about.

It is about 2 hours away for me, but then almost everything is so I don't worry about the drive too mcuh.  You boys are spoilt up there!

If you are ever down this way and fancy expeiencing it's unique delights then post up and let me know!

I will expect a tour of Wastwater in return when I next come up to visit my parents in Cumbria....

[Ben Harris]

Deal.

[PaulC]

Yo. Lou, I did my Rescue Diver in Dosthill. It's cold (probably not too bad this time of year though), a friendly 'club' style quarry. Get there early or the parking will be gone. All the parking.
The loos are supposed to be dire. i never braved them but this is Midlands dive legend.
The hot sandwich van is most egregious. Well recommended.
If you're doing the RD with Dive In then someone will try to nick the victim's kit in the final exercise. Just thought I'd warn you...

Ben, I fancy Wast. I've not dived there but hope to pick up some tips from this board or another before going. The viz is supposed to be good there and I hear it's a bit w*nk at Capernwray. however i'm easy so if you need to meet up with Ingers then maybe we'll just have to live with the 20cm viz.

Give me a call/text 07815 754903 (text might be better as I'm in meetings most days the rest of this week groan).

Later,

Paul

[Davey Willo]

Paul the viz in Cape can be great and even when its bad its still more than acceptable.. just keep off the bottom and keep away from the training areas and you'll be fine.

If you make the effort of a longish surface swim over to the new helicopter or even better the Orca then I'll guarantee decent viz.

The ONLY problem with Caperwray is once you've done it a couple of times.. well you've done it......

BTW are you on for this TDI Nitrox and Advanced with the boys in November.. will include two dives in Hodge and two in Wast... Mmmmmmmmm Waaaaaaast.......

[PaulC]

Job done, thanks for the advice. Ben I believe that considering I'm going to need air etc how about Capernwray at about 10 am Saturday (brothers don't tell me I need to be there at crack of dawn 'cos frankly it's not going to happen... :biggrin:
Oh Dave Wast is calling but so is the Divemaster course this November...soon, though, soon.
Good luck with the 60m dive stuff, hope the weather holds.

[Ben Harris]

Saturday, Capernwray, 10am. Sorted...
I need air, etc so its probably a good idea.

Paul, Email me your number etc.

Tim, if you start before 10am and need the weight belt let me know and I can nip up a bit early.

[Ben Harris]

Actually, Paul can you do Sunday Instead. Sat is Okay but Sunday might be better, let me know!!!!

[Dr Stevil]

</span>

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ].
Have you dived Wast Water before??? I havent. Is it any good.

<span =''>

Errr....its The Lakes: rock, mud, occasional dead body (maybes Malcolm Campbell, maybe's someones unfaithful spouse) the very very occasional fish...
Personally, when I;m diving in the,lakes I always feel a bit like one of the Apollo astronauts, all that &quot;Magnificent Desolation&quot;
Regards
steve W
PS
Once dived in Lake Bassenthwaite, ho..ho...ho...never again.

(Edited by Steve W at 11:05 am on Oct. 17, 2002)