Not posted anything for quite some time (slapped wrist - no committment!). We are now fully into the diving season and there is probably quite a lot that I could put in here. However, that would be too much and would use up all the blog space.
I think I should just look at what has just been and a little at what is coming up.
The weekend of August 21/22 saw some of us making a long journey over to Pembrokeshire. We were diving from a RHIB (Big Bertha) and hoping to see loads of flora and fauna in the National Park area there. Unfortunately on the first day, the vis was not good and I think most of the sea life were in hiding. The second day was better and we had a great dive on the wreck 'The Lucy'.
After this dive we had some discussions about the maxim 'Plan the Dive and Dive the Plan'. My buddy and I had agreed that as he was on twin 12s and I was 15/3, we would do 20 mins or 100bar whichever came first. Well 20 mins came first and I was still on 110bar . We had racked up about 7 mins deco time. But I was enjoying the dive, the wreck etc so much, I didn't want to come up. I signalled to my buddy '3 more mins!', with the intention that we could add another 3 mins deco and I would still be ok for air (wish the filling station had had nitrox). He understood and agreed. So we went to 11 mins deco when I had to give in and go - more because it was going to be boring hanging around for so long at 5 metres. I still came out with just under 80bar and the pony. But the lesson here is that although we adjusted the plan, we both agreed the adjustment. Had my buddy been unhappy with that adjustment then, we would have stuck to the plan. We both knew that we could make that adjustment and still keep within safe limits.

Then when we got back onto the boat, we saw DOLPHINS! Loads of them. It was difficult to know how many there were as they were hunting and there were some far out, circling and herding the fish in and then those in the middle that were actually feeding. The Skipper was great and managed to get us right in so that we had them coming up right by the boat. We could see white flashes on the underbelly, which identified them as Common Dolphins.
They were magnificent.
Hopefully we will post some photos and maybe some video soon.

The second wave of divers unfortunately did not get to see the dolphins but they did get to see a Sun Fish. Again, I hope we have more photos of this to put on the gallery.

Things coming up:

• Monday 6th September Diver Leader course participants. Please be at the leisure centre for 19:30. We need to look at what still needs to be done to complete the course. Bring log books and student qualification books to check what you have attended and what dives can be signed off.
• We will also do the Biggest Loser weigh in, on Monday 6th Setember, probably just after 8pm
• 13th September at 19:30 - EGM re the boat and plans going forward. Please ensure you read the motions sent out by Sandy, think about them and if you wish to have your input, ensure you attend the meeting.

I think thats enough for now. Look forward to seeing all of you at the club on the 6th (remember no meeting on the Bank Holiday)

Lots of Bubbles, Val