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We came, we saw, and we truely froze our bits off! Up at an almost respectable 6.00am this morning in preparation for Mattbin's promised arrival time of 6.30. Sure enough the mobile goes at 6.29 asking for instructions on how to navigate the remaining 500 yards.
Hellos are whispered, car is packed, and away we go.
Some chit chat in the car on the way up, and we eventually arrive at Stoney at about 8.10am. As we round the corner, we look over the wall into the top car park, wow, looks like its empty. Surely we can't roll up past 8.00am and still get in the bottom car park. We go through the gates, pay our dues, and sure enough get sent to the right down to the waters edge. Result.
We go for a wander and meet Mark Davies, Tim Ingmire, Lou and Caroline, Dave Crampton, Alun (Fishfinger) Conor and some others who I'm afraid I can't remember. After 1/2 hour of introductions, kit faffing, and a fair amount of piss taking, Matt and I started to discuss our objectives for the dive. I hadn't been in since July so I just wanted to get wet again, I had a new GF torch which I wanted to try, and most of all just not make an arse of myself on my first YD gig. I have also been to Stoney about 5 times, and never seen a pike, so that was on my list as well.
Matt had a new SS BP that he was babysitting for Recurve, which he wanted to have a go with, and he was fairly keen to try out his compass reading skills, as he went round the car park asking various people how it worked
Got kitted up, agreed that if either of us messed up we'd keep it secret, and not post it all over the internet, then Matt jumped in without his mask on(just kidding!)
The dive itself was pretty uneventful, we descended to the 6m ledge, then off down the road, round the edge of the pit at about 22m. Found the Cessna, then back the way we came at about 13m, here the sunbeams were dancing in the water, we could just about see the surface, and there was a shoal of persh above us lazing in the sun. Then went up onto the ledge by the APC for the safety stop, where we were greeted by 3 huge pike. Then up the ladder and out. Just as we were exiting my GForce turned itself off, I'm hoping that it was just it reaching the end of its 60 min burn time rather than a flood (it's recharging now).
As we got out we both really struggled getting our fins of, as the 5 degree water had taken its toll and our fingers were totally numb.
RT about 53 mins, 5 degrees, average depth somewhere about 17m I guess.
Back by the car, that great feeling of elation from a successful dive started to kick in, and that made the temperature a little easier to bear. Although we both agreed that it was far too cold to go in again.
So all our objectives were met. I got wet, for the most part my trim was okay, although I did tend to go feet down occasionally. The GForce was brilliant, although a longer burn time would be preferable, and I saw 3 big pike. Matt had his trim sorted (I'd never tell him to his face, but it's actually very good), and neither of us had a 'mare. Job done. The only thing is, that it's taken 7 hours for my fingers to thaw sufficiently to type this.
Well done to Helen for arranging the raffle, I hope you raised loads money for Chris, and it was great to meet so many of you, and put faces to YD names.
Last, but not least, thanks to Matt for being a good buddy, and making my first dive in about 7 months so enjoyable, may it be the first of many.
Sorry to have bored you!
Cheers
Darren
EDIT: Just checked computer, it says the ave temp was 3 degrees
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Originally Posted by Darren A 
A new mask.....
