Testing out my KT reel modification at the Farnes.

[Buoyant Babe]

A very civilised ropes off at 10am saw me and Aaran (Eeyore) arrive at Seahouses by 9.30 to find jorawley, Alun, Gram43, Colin Marriott, Ali and his gang already there. We were diving Glad Tidings again with William Shields. The boat has bags of space and a lift (not forgetting that all-important loo, ladies) so it’s a pleasure to dive for the day.

It was a bit overcast and the wind had picked up by the time we reached North Knifestone, so we waited a while for it to calm and William brewed up for us all.

I finally got in the water just before 12 noon, and found loads of wreckage straight away – there was enough metal here to keep even Jo happy, so Aaran and I had a good old mooch around. There were also loads of sunstars, dead mens fingers, plumrose anemones and sponges so the dive was really colourful. It was blooming cold though!

It has taken me ages to get the weighting right for my twin 7s, but I finally think I’ve cracked it so I was far happier at deploying the blob than I have been before. I was mindful of others’ good advice on here about ascending until there was slack on the line and reeling it in, rather than hanging off the line itself and winching myself in. I found this much easier than I had anticipated and was quite chuffed with myself . I have had an extra ‘knob’ added to my Kent Tooling ratchet reel to make winding easier and although I didn’t use my reel modification in the way I thought I would, it was considerably easier to wind in using my fingers with the additional knob.

Dive Data

Max Depth: 24.9m
Ave Depth: 18.1m
Time: 44 min
Water Temp: 6.9 degrees
Viz: 2/3m

After a surface interval of 1 hour and 20 minutes (no dolphins this time I’m afraid) we went round the other side of Kinfestone and dropped in on the Abessinia. Again, there was loads of wreckage here but apart from the metal I saw a lovely colourful sea slug and a couple of huge lobsters.

This was a really pretty dive and towards the end the current picked up a bit so we had a nice drift. There were also a lot of white semi-translucent seaslug-type things about an inch long and I’m not sure what these were – perhaps juvenile sea slugs? - but I’m guessing and probably talking pants. If anyone has any idea what these might be please feel free to shout. Again I deployed the blob and had no problem reeling in, a combination of much better buoyancy and my reel modification.

As we completed the stop we knew it was getting choppy on the surface, as we kept getting bounced between 3-7m. It was so choppy that as I got on the lift and it started bringing me up I lost my grip and fell off backwards . Luckily no one was behind me but I must admit I swore a bit, which anyone who knows me will tell you is really out of character

Dive Data

Max Depth: 22.5m
Ave Depth: 12.9m
Time: 55 min
Water Temp: 7.0 degrees
Viz: 3/4m

Both dives were a bit like night-dives at their deepest, but my the second day out for my new Salvo made diving an absolute pleasure.

The journey back was an adventure, a bit like a sea-going Hollywood B-movie with someone standing off-camera throwing buckets of water over you. I was almost going to log it as another dive as I had to leave my hood and mask on – Aaran even had his snorkel on it was that bad.

All in all a great day, it was good to meet friends and other YDers again, as well as some new YD faces. Thanks to Graham for organising the boat - can't wait 'til the next time guys!

Love Helen xxx

Graham (Gram43) Kitting Up


Colin (left), with Ali and Co (right) and William in the Wheelhouse


Aaran


Jo and Alun


The Ministry of Silly Hats

[Gram43]

The journey back was an adventure, a bit like a sea-going Hollywood B-movie with someone standing off-camera throwing buckets of water over you. I was almost going to log it as another dive as I had to leave my hood and mask on – Aaran even had his snorkel on it was that bad.

And you forgot to log it as your 3rd dive!!

Great to see everyone and glad I wasn't the only one if a daft hat.

Till next time.

Graham

[DIVE BUDDHA]

great pics of u lot !! and u was diving with will sheil again a good choice !!

not be long b 4 im heading north i can taste the salty water already lol!!

[Ali]

Cheers Guy's we had a good day.
The trip back in was one to remember, Jo must have been frozen

The others with me were.
Middy
Paul-gte
and FOOW.

Also for anyone who hasn't met me yet Ali is short for Alastair, so far about 90% of YDers have expected me to be Female

In the past Gloc thought I was called Alison and Alan must have thought I had a really deep voice for a lass

I look forward to future trips.


Ali

[Ali]

Oops forgot to mention.
I like you reel Helen! Alot!

Ali

[Buoyant Babe]

Originally Posted by Ali

Oops forgot to mention.
I like you reel Helen! Alot!

Ali

[Colin Marriott]

Thanks Gram43 for buddying me on 1 1/2 dives , Jo and Alun for organising the trip, Helen, Aaran and Ali's crew for joining us on the trip.

Ta to William for skippering us as well.

A nice day out


ColinM

[jorawley]

Alun, Graham & Aaron

[Buoyant Babe]

Aaran seems to have lost his coffee

[jorawley]

Jo Rawley & Helen (BB)