[ratcliffe]

I know this is a bit of a weird post, but here goes....

I came back to diving almost 2 years ago, after an 8 year absence. (I thought I had escaped the financial pit that is diving, but no... )

I had no buddies to dive with, and wasn't a member of any club, so having done a refresher course at a local school, I happenned across this site, and started to post.
Literally within a few days I managed to hook up with another YDer to do a dive in Stoney Cove, my first open water dive for 8 years...

Since recommencing my diving, I have done (I was just counting up after updating my online logbook thingy) 106 dives, and 100 of them have either been on YD gigs, or as a result of meeting up with divers through YD. That to me is one HELL of a thumbs up for this site, and how it all works. So todays second dive in the Farnes on Knox Reef, was my 100th YD dive, if you like.

I guess the real reason for me posting is this:

If you are new to YD, or a lurker who wants extra dives, then you only have to ask. Thats what I did, and you can see what happenned. I was a Rescue Diver with 33 dives, and now I have 139 dives, and I'm having a great time. And thats without all the banter, social fun and stuff that I have learnt by being here. I've also had 2 superb foreign holidays with groups of people from this site, that definitely would never have happened...

Seriously, thanks to everyone who has taken the trouble to offer advice, whether it be in the water or in the pub, and again thanks to everyone who has dived with me over the past two years.

Cheers :beer:
Derek

 

[Lou]

I feel all warm inside

Well done, Ratty, on your 100th YD dive. And well done YD for making it all happen.

Ahhhhh.

 

[Diving Dude]

l feel sick....

:teeth:

 

[Steve Summers]

l feel sick....

:teeth:

Stop watching BB then Ratty your story is a shining example of what YD is, should be and why it is so much more than an internet forum.

Good luck for your next 100.

Safe diving,
Steve

 

[Gav]

Great post Derek. As you say, shows what YD is all about! :teeth:

 

[Prometheus]

Of course the downside of this is you might end up diving with Ratty

By the way , did Spacehopper contact you from the peoples republic of China.

 

[Buoyant Babe]

Can't add anything to that Derek! Top thread :thumbsup:

Love Hxxx

 

[672]

always a pleasure derek !as you well know !

very nice words too !

best wishes leigh :teeth:

 

[ratcliffe]

Of course the downside of this is you might end up diving with Ratty

Oi

By the way , did Spacehopper contact you from the peoples republic of China.

he did, but unfortunately I didn't hear the phone over the radio so didn't speak to him. I'm expecting him to turn up on Skype sometime soon

 

[Conor]

Good post Ratty, been a pleasure posting and diving with you.

Conor

 

[Letz]

and you haven't even dived with me yet

Top post Ratty :thumbsup: and many congrats :teeth:

 

[Spacehopper]

Well done Derek, at a rough count we've done about 40 dives together and not had a bad one. Looking forward to adding to that number when I get back to the UK

he did, but unfortunately I didn't hear the phone over the radio so didn't speak to him. I'm expecting him to turn up on Skype sometime soon

Normal Skype service will be resumed when I manage to get hold of a decent set of 'phones and mic. The old ones fell apart, probably from overuse

Gareth