Welcome to the November 2004 edition of the Newsletter

The time has come to dig out your diaries and start pencilling in the dates for the festive season and next years trips and courses.


Christmas Club Meeting.

As always the Christmas club meeting is a fun packed affair with news, raffles prizes, splendid buffet and anything else that pops into my head on the night, which should not be missed by anyone who enjoys diving or a drink.

The location is the now familiar Unicorn Pub off Trumpington Road, where all of the club meetings have been held this year, and so as not to confuse anyone, it is, of course, on the first Wednesday of the month- 1st December 2004.

Club Christmas Meal

Due to its success last year, we have booked the Navigator Pub in Little Shelford, for the Club Christmas Thai meal, on Friday 10th December

Places once again are limited to 30 people and if last year was anything to go by, I’m sure the places will disappear very quickly, so check your calendar and get in touch ASAP.

To confirm your place we need a £5 deposit and the menus will be available at the November Club meeting.

FEATURE ARTICLES BY CLUB MEMBERS

Scapa Flow 2004. By Richard Allway

The long awaited trip to the Orkney Isles finally got underway on Friday 24th September 2004 and what a trip it was.

The day started with everyone meeting at the Dive Centre bright and early ready for the first leg of the trip up to Pitlochery in Scotland. After a quick drink of Bucks Fizz (donated by cliff after a small success in his local’s raffle the night before) it was time to squeeze into the minibus and the van to head off into the bright sunlight. Everything went according to plan and as the vehicles left Cambridge, everyone was smiling and joking with the excitement of the prospect of some great diving and maybe a couple of beers along the way. However by the time we made the first scheduled pit stop in South Yorkshire, the realisation that space in a minibus is at best described as being of a premium and at worst a f****** ridiculous was starting to take it’s toll.

Things carried on in much the same way until we got on the A66 towards Penrith when the weight in the back of the Transit finally took over proceedings and blew the rear tyre right off the rim. Thankfully onboard the two vehicles were some very resourceful people and it didn’t take long to direct the traffic away from the budding mechanics who had already off loaded some of the kit and got the back of the van jacked high into the air with the spare in hand. We had also managed to break down near the only slip road with a tyre service station within 2 miles and while some of us went and replaced the tyre, the rest made the most of the stop by having a late lunch.

The rest of the journey to Pitlochery went off without incident and by early evening we had arrived at the various B+B’s, unpacked and made our way to the pub for the first of many beers that weekend.

The evening was rounded off, as a good evening should be, with a curry and a disco at the local bar.

The next morning we all woke with sore heads and tender stomachs, but after a full breakfast we were ready to continue the journey to Scabster, where we were catching the ferry later that day. It’s worth remembering however that the landlady of the B+B that Paul T was staying in said thank you for waking her up at 2.30am to find his room. She still can’t work out why you were in your underpants though.

Finally we arrived at the ferry terminal and after a quick visit to the local seaman’s mission for our desperately needed fix of, hair of the dog, we boarded and sailed to the diving Mecca of SCAPA FLOW.

After unloading the kit onto the boat and a short briefing from our skipper, we decided that we didn’t want to miss out on the annual blues festival that rolls into town and continues for 3 days, with all of the pubs staying open until the wee hours. The first place we came across looked full to the rafters so we sent in an advanced party to decide. No more than 2 mins later, Barry came back out looking a bit shocked and explained that a 7ft local with one eye and cow s**t all over his face had asked if he was in the band, Barry took this to be some kind of mating ritual and ran for his life. It seems strange now looking back but as the week passed, Barry became more and more concerned that he hadn’t seen the guy again. The word was he’d changed his mind about the amorous approach, but that’s an issue for Barry to deal with on his own.

After a good night sleep aboard the MV Sunrise and everyone taking an interest in the rather basic waste disposal unit (last nights excesses straight out a pipe into the harbour) it was time to turn the boat out to sea and look for the wrecks we had travelled all this way to find. Thankfully our galley slave, or Mike Hoy as we normally refer to him, had managed to find the bacon and eggs we bought the day before and he set about making a full English in weather that can only be described as rough. Well done that man.

After diving on the wrecks of the light cruiser Karlsruhe and the F2, where you can really start to appreciate why we had all made the long journey north, it was time to head back to port. However while we had been diving the wind had really started to get up and we ended up crossing the Flow in, a good 9, as the skipper described it whist hanging on to the wheel. I’ve since had this translated into landlubber language and it means kin rough. (Apparently the other boat with our guys on was in permanent contact with the coast guard, but you know how Paul H likes to exaggerate.) - Bloody Cheek, check the photos. Ed. Luckily our resident galley slave was capable of bringing out Tea and Birthday cake to celebrate Dallas’s 30th birthday regardless of the weather and to be honest, even the skipper was impressed by this.
That night we were all dragged out (not much dragging to be honest) to celebrate the Big Man’s birthday, again, and after Cliff had taken on a respectable amount of cheap Spanish Brandy (he thought it was expensive French) it was time for a sing song to mark the end of another great Orkadian Blues festival, well that’s what they called it, I seem to remember that we described it some what less flatteringly.

The evening ended with Cliff buying things from a young girl (you’ll have to ask him to explain) and Dallas complaining in a language best described as slaughtered, that 1 am was too early to go back to the boat, this however was disproved first thing Monday moaning, when it became obvious that Dallas needed a lot more fresh air than the rest of us.

The week continued along the same lines, with names such as Brummer, Kronprinz Wilhelm, Tabarka and James Barrie being written about in log books on the way back to port every afternoon and talk of the abundance of marine life on every dive, Except the ones where Cliff plundered the seabed and brought up Crabs and Scallops to cook on the way back. Nice snack though.

The middle of the week saw most of us taking the day off to visit the sites that the Isles of Orkney have to offer, which to be honest, was mostly a different pub and a few old bones (not in the pub, but the Tomb of the Eagles). Then finished with a short walk around some spectacular cliff tops before returning to the boat for a home cooked meal prepared by our Italian chef, Vinnie and his able bodied assistant, Mush. Some say Mush was only helping because the Red Wine was kept in the Galley, but personally I think that’s a bit harsh. But then again…….

After the day off it was soon time for everyone to get excited about diving the deep wreck, James Barrie and with all the extra training and equipment that had been put into place for the trip, it was a real pleasure to see the group plan a dive below 40m with accelerated decompression and stick to the plan methodically. We’ve really got some accomplished divers in the club who will hopefully want to do plenty more challenging trips.      

The week came to an end far too quickly and before you knew where you were it was time to get back on the ferry and return to the mainland. This year we had decided to stop on the return journey to Pitlochery and break the trip up a bit, which proved to be a good idea, especially for the 5 deserters who decided to catch a cheap flight back home from Inverness, Wimps! However, it was definitely a much quieter and more knackered group than the one that had arrived 8 day’s earlier. 

Eventually we arrived back at the Dive Centre late afternoon on Sunday and most people collected their kit and returned home ready for the working week to start on Monday.

Finally though, I would like to say how much I enjoyed this trip and remind people that club trips are made good by great diving and great by good company and this trip was certainly great.

Thank you.

More photos from the trip are now on the pictures page on the web site for all to look at and download if wanted.



The story behind the Photograph. By John Belchamber

Recognise this recently turned 40 member of the Instructor team?  It’s Buzz of course!  But how did this shot come about?

Earlier this year, a group of us suffered the ignominy of body searches and numerous luggage checks in order to reach a small island off the coast of Venezuela called Roatan for 2 weeks diving.

After several days diving along the calmer south coast, we decided, as hardy UK divers, we wanted something a bit more remote and seldom or never dived before.

After the usual last-minute hitch, Chris Benson succeeded in chartering a larger boat from some local Americans to go to the north side of the island for the day. Geared up and travelling a lot faster than we had been previously used to, we passed round the end of the island and into a fairly heavy swell and for the next 20 minutes we were buffeted and shaken as we made our way along the coast.

Only after having the film developed when I got home did I realise that I’d forgotten to switch the camera off, and had exposed nearly 10 shots of the inside of the dunk tank!

As you can see, it’s not always the shots in diving magazines that capture the true moment and pleasure to be had from diving with a group of friends.  Mistakes can sometimes result in an unusual perspective on diving - it would have been even more interesting (?) had he been wearing one of his ‘thongs’ that day!  ….has anybody else got a photo with a story?

Buzzes Party

Yes, Buzz is now 40 and if you didn't manage to make it to his surprise party then you missed a great time. Everybody from the club that did go took heed of Jo's warning and went in fancy dress. For those that weren't there, click here for some snaps.

Up-coming Courses

Equipment Speciality Course

We have had a couple of people who would like to do the Equipment Speciality Course over the Winter months as it’s dry and warm in the tech bay and it’s a good course to do if you want to understand how everything works and make repairs to your own kit if needed. Please get in touch with me at the club meeting in November if you would like to take part.

One Day at a cost of £75

Divemaster Course

We are running the last Divemaster course of 2004 over the weekends of 27th/28th November – 4th/5th December and anyone wanting to join should get in touch with Richard or Cliff ASAP.

The course is open to Rescue Divers who would like to get involved with the professional side to diving or anyone who wants to further their knowledge and experience. The first weekend is completed in the classroom and swimming pool and involves both the theoretical and physical side of diving and although the course is demanding mentally and physically it is one of the most rewarding on offer.

The second weekend you will go to the open water to learn how to deal with simulated problems in the real world and put into practice all that you have learnt over the last few days.

We also only use Divemasters that we have trained, all of which would be happy to talk to anyone who wants at the club meetings, so if you want to become more involved with diving call us at the shop.

Good Second Hand Equipment for sale

As our commitment to the club we are now offering any good second hand equipment that we buy in, to club members first. With this in mind the following items that have recently come in are available.

SPIRO ARTIC REGULATORS                               £220

Comes complete with first stage, primary, octopus and twin gauges.

Serviced 12/10/04

SHERWOOD CLASSIC II REGULATORS                   £220

Comes complete with first stage, primary, octopus and twin gauges.

Serviced 12/10/04

2 SMALL BCD’S (one scubapro, one beaver) £110 each

We do have a lot of other second hand equipment for sale so feel free to come in and take a look.                           

Planned Club Trips for 2004

Egypt Trip 12th – 19th December

For those who want a last trip away in 2004 we are running another trip to Sharm El Sheik in December.

The dates are Sunday 12th – Sunday 19th December and the price includes 5 days boat diving, B+B in a 4 star hotel, all flights and transfers. We only have a limited number of places left, so if your serious about going, give us a call at the shop with your deposit and we’ll do our best to get you on.

Cost    £549

Stoney Cove Christmas Dive - 30th December 2004

Yes the brave and the good will once again be venturing to Stoney between Christmas and New Year for the last club trip of the year, so break out the thermos flask and come along - no 3mm shorties allowed ! (it was snowing last year - see pics).

Cost - absolutely free (except for entrance fee, transport, food, coffee, more coffee......)

End of Year Thanks

As this is the last newsletter of 2004, we would like to take the chance to thank a few people who help make the Dive Club and the Dive Centre work.

Our excellent team of Instructors, Assistant Instructors and Divemasters:

Gwyneth, Buzz, Clive, Paul, Graham, Barry, Dallas, Mike, Simon, Amanda and Claire Sleator.

Newsletter Editor / Website & Email Support 

Paul Hart

Chief Journalist/ Dive God/ Father of the Year/ Husband of the Year/ Role Model/ Employee of the Month (96 months in succession)/ Bloody Nice Chap.

Richard     

His Business Partner

Cliff

And finally ....

Thanks to all those club members who supported the Club Trips and the Dive Centre (without equipment sales we wouldn’t be here) especially at the time of year when the Dive Show rolls into town and threatens to end the life of small independent Dive Centres up and down the country.

Thank you all very much.



Old Newsletters

September 04

April 04

December 03

October 03

April 03

Feburary 03

Newsletter Email

If you would like to
receive an email to
remind you of where
to find the latest
newsletter each month then just email
Paul Hart and he'll drop you a line each time a new newsletter is posted
on the web.