Back to work (oh joy) after a fantastic weekend away in St Abbs.

The drive up, alone (Billy no mates!) on Friday evening after work was a poor start, but I soon felt better after a couple of glasses of wine, drunk outside, at 10 O’clock, in the UK without a coat!

The next morning we were shown Paul’s new boat, Tiger Lilly III, complete with diver lift. I had been expecting to have to haul my not inconsiderable bulk plus wet kit out of  the rolling waves but this was not going to be necessary, and anyway there were no waves.

 

Kitting up was no fun though as we had hit the hottest weekend of the year (so far?). By the time we were ready to go I was absolutely sweltered. Fortunately the trip out to the dive site was only a few minutes and soon it was time for my first sea dive. Martin had kindly [been] volunteered to take me in and I thank him for his patience. The dive went really well. I was amazed  how much life there was on the rocks - my only previous experience to prepare me had been rock-pooling with my kids which was no comparison at all. I had expected the water to be colder than it was, I think 8 Acres, and the likes, must have prepared me well.

Our second dive, after lunch, was good but cut short due to Roy, who had joined Martin and myself, having a problem with his dry suit and heading off for the surface unexpectedly. One minute he was with us, the next he was gone - with Martin chasing after him - leaving me to come to the surface rather more slowly. This was yet another new experience for me, having to think for myself and use my computer for the safety stop.

On Saturday evening we had a curry together, again al fresco. This was the best curry I have had for years, mind you this might have been due to the beer that Andy made me drink in the afternoon.

The next morning I dived with Mark which was great. After lunch he managed to persuade Mike that I would be Ok to dive Tyes Tunnel, which was where most of the others were going. Thanks Mark for persuading him, and thanks Mike for being persuaded, because that dive was awesome, and yes I know awesome is an over used word - but it was!

And that, unfortunately, was that. I would have loved to have stayed longer and done more dives. I can’t wait to go back to St Abbs and do it again.

Well done Andy and Ruth who were signed off and are now Ocean Divers. And  my deepest sympathies to Laura, who couldn’t come because of a family bereavement.

Thanks to Mike for organising such a great trip and thanks again to all the Excalibur instructors for their help and patience over the last few months.

 

For more pictures from this trip, please visit the gallery here.