Imported post
Ok, it finally happened. A small, but representative "Southern" contingent got their arses into gear and dived in the same place at the same time!!
Seeing as no-one else has so far volunteered a quick summary here goes....
The culprits were Lou & Caroline, Matt & son Adam, Andy P, Mark Chase and a threesome headed by Paul Steele (Steelemonkey on D-Net).
Myself and Caroline comprised the advance party, arriving at Stoney at a creditable 7.45am to bag a place in the queue for the bottom carpark. And thus Camp Delilah was set up. The Volvo parked with boot open became base camp for all the lazy gits who turned up an hour and a half later to find they were up in the top park. Amazing how many bags and stuff she could fit in (if you own the weight that was left in her then message me and we can arrange a return...somehow), plus damp divers perched on her tailgate - her bum is now the only clean part of her thanks to all that lovely Stoney water!
Mark Chase was the last to arrive and hence missed the first dive. Split into two teams with Matt & Adam doing some drysuit practise ont he 6m ledge, and myself, Caroline and Andy off to the 20m ledge. Andy wanted to play with his camera (the results of which he has promised to post here) so he kindly offered to follow me. Cheers. So, no pressure at all then....there is poor little me having to lead not only buddy, but Andy (who is way more experienced) around, on our 6th ever drysuit dive, on our 3rd visit to Stoney and in what turned out to be not the best viz. I opted for the "safe" navigation option which is landmark based and involves visiting almost everthing on the 6 & 20m shelves! A bit of right to the viscount, down the cliff, that-ish way to the edge and then left to the coach etc etc etc. Did find everything though - I was quite chuffed! Quick swimthrough on the Stanegarth and Andy "Lord Lichfield" P giving it some with his camera, and then up nice amd slowly for a swimming safety stop and an exit. The stress and cold meant I went through my air about twice as quickly as usual - apologies Andy - but my hands were feeling a bit cold by then anyway.
Out and found a 3hr wait for fills as one compressor had gone down and the other was on trickle - bollocks - never mind, good company to pass the time with so we got the bottles in the queue and Andy went off the find Mark.
Mark found and Andy and he buddied for the second dive. Over the long SI it was discovered that Adam's moans at being cold were not down to teenage sulkiness - he was carrying about 20 litres of Stoney in his drysuit boots and legs - he had one heck of a leak in in suit and had been sat for about an hour without realising the liquid nature of his socks! Bless him, and all credit to him, he dried off best he could and went for a second dip! All respect and title of Hero of the Day!
Mark & Andy appeared back from their second dive before the rest of us got in so they were given the onerous task of bagging a table in the bar and sorting out Andy's photies on his laptop so we could reap the instant gratification of the digital age.
This they did very well and we all gathered for a post dive SHANDY - no, really, I was driving, I did have a shandy. Andy made us all sick as parrots with his talk of the trip he is planning for Truk & Bikini, we viewed the slide show and generally rounded off what was a very nice pootle.
It was great to meet some of the guys, we both enjoyed the day immensely and look forward to many future dives with the YD gang. Thanks to all who came for making the day, and see you sometime soon (Matt- we might be there on Saturday so keep an eye open!)
Ok, it finally happened. A small, but representative "Southern" contingent got their arses into gear and dived in the same place at the same time!!
Seeing as no-one else has so far volunteered a quick summary here goes....
The culprits were Lou & Caroline, Matt & son Adam, Andy P, Mark Chase and a threesome headed by Paul Steele (Steelemonkey on D-Net).
Myself and Caroline comprised the advance party, arriving at Stoney at a creditable 7.45am to bag a place in the queue for the bottom carpark. And thus Camp Delilah was set up. The Volvo parked with boot open became base camp for all the lazy gits who turned up an hour and a half later to find they were up in the top park. Amazing how many bags and stuff she could fit in (if you own the weight that was left in her then message me and we can arrange a return...somehow), plus damp divers perched on her tailgate - her bum is now the only clean part of her thanks to all that lovely Stoney water!
Mark Chase was the last to arrive and hence missed the first dive. Split into two teams with Matt & Adam doing some drysuit practise ont he 6m ledge, and myself, Caroline and Andy off to the 20m ledge. Andy wanted to play with his camera (the results of which he has promised to post here) so he kindly offered to follow me. Cheers. So, no pressure at all then....there is poor little me having to lead not only buddy, but Andy (who is way more experienced) around, on our 6th ever drysuit dive, on our 3rd visit to Stoney and in what turned out to be not the best viz. I opted for the "safe" navigation option which is landmark based and involves visiting almost everthing on the 6 & 20m shelves! A bit of right to the viscount, down the cliff, that-ish way to the edge and then left to the coach etc etc etc. Did find everything though - I was quite chuffed! Quick swimthrough on the Stanegarth and Andy "Lord Lichfield" P giving it some with his camera, and then up nice amd slowly for a swimming safety stop and an exit. The stress and cold meant I went through my air about twice as quickly as usual - apologies Andy - but my hands were feeling a bit cold by then anyway.
Out and found a 3hr wait for fills as one compressor had gone down and the other was on trickle - bollocks - never mind, good company to pass the time with so we got the bottles in the queue and Andy went off the find Mark.
Mark found and Andy and he buddied for the second dive. Over the long SI it was discovered that Adam's moans at being cold were not down to teenage sulkiness - he was carrying about 20 litres of Stoney in his drysuit boots and legs - he had one heck of a leak in in suit and had been sat for about an hour without realising the liquid nature of his socks! Bless him, and all credit to him, he dried off best he could and went for a second dip! All respect and title of Hero of the Day!
Mark & Andy appeared back from their second dive before the rest of us got in so they were given the onerous task of bagging a table in the bar and sorting out Andy's photies on his laptop so we could reap the instant gratification of the digital age.
This they did very well and we all gathered for a post dive SHANDY - no, really, I was driving, I did have a shandy. Andy made us all sick as parrots with his talk of the trip he is planning for Truk & Bikini, we viewed the slide show and generally rounded off what was a very nice pootle.
It was great to meet some of the guys, we both enjoyed the day immensely and look forward to many future dives with the YD gang. Thanks to all who came for making the day, and see you sometime soon (Matt- we might be there on Saturday so keep an eye open!)
The ones of Davey Willo tied to the 'Felching Stool' are only just this side of pornography, but I think the censors will allow them.
