West Wales - 25th/26th October

[rainbowannie]

Well XL have put paid to my plans for a trip to Dahab so I have decided to indulge myself in a few days diving - camera firmly in hand - in my beautiful west wales instead so I wondered if anyone would like to come along. I can arrange boat hire for a maximum of 8 people at £35 per day if anyone is interested. I'm thinking of the weekend 25/26th October.

We have had some great dives this year, ok I know the weather hasn't been that kind to us but I am convinced that we will have a good autumn !?! I've spent most of this year guiding for other people so I've been very lucky and seen far more of the local dive sites than ever before but now it's time to dive purely for myself and finally get the camera wet. It would be great if a few of you that were supposed to come down earlier in the year could make it this time.

There is something for everyone out of Abercastle, wrecks, reefs, drifts and walls and depths suitable for all levels of experience. If you are interested I would like to suggest boat diving only as we stand a far better chance of finding a site regardless of the wind (unless it is really horrific as it was on Thursday with 19mph winds and a 3.1m swell) We went out the other week in a 2.5m swell and had some great dives - ok it wasn't that comfortable in the boat but we stuck to dive sites not too far away. Vis has generally been kind to us at around 3m so there has been loads to see. I'm in the middle of a Seasearch weekend right now and we spotted so much yesterday, it was amazing. Especially as we were expecting poor conditions after the last few days. I've had brillliant drifts over brittlestar beds with Dahlia anemones dotted everywhere, found Tompots lurking in crevices and watched vevet crabs fighting. A few weeks ago we even found a new reef, never before explored so Maurice even has his own reef now!!

Let me know if you are interested so I can find out B&B and camping details.

You would need two cylinders a day but they can be hired at £5 per day and fills are £3. I would also need a £10 deposit per person per day but the balance would be payable on the weekend. To get the best out of the weekend it will be a maximum of 8 people.

It would be really great if some of you can come....it has to be better than June!!!

[Polly]

Would love to come Annie but it's my birthday on the Sunday so I will probably have plans with my mates here...unless I can get a last minute deal to Dahab.

Don't rule me out completely, I'm not sure what I'm doing yet, but there's still a chance I might be able to pop over and see you during the following week as it's half term

xx

[Maurice]

Ann,

Sorry that XL have put pay to your trip to Egypt , unfortunately I won’t be able to make the Saturday but if there is room on the Sunday count me in, it will probable the last time this year that I will be brave enough to dive in a wet suit (Farther Christmas if you read this I need a dry suit).

Maurice

[rainbowannie]

Polly, let me know when you can come down, I'm sure we can work something out. I can make myself flexible during the week. Alternatively, of course you could persuade them to come down here and we can turn the whole weekend into Polly's Birthday bash!!!!! I know you will love some of these sites, there are several good drifts in case you are still hankering over Bali. ( You won't notice the difference in temperature if you are wearing your drysuit!!)

Maurice, unless we happen to end up with both boats totally full because everyone wants a full weekend, just the Sunday will be fine. I hadn't actually got as far as checking if that was your free weekend, I just had to go by Bruce's bookings.

BTW, sorry you missed out this weekend but the seasearch diving was really interesting and very rewarding. I was expecting to make an idiot of myself with lack of knowledge compared to everyone else but I know a lot more species now than I realised. I think you would really enjoy it....

[Stix]

Annie,

Aleia and I may be interested... Its the travel that may kill it as it's approx a 4 1/2 hour run for us. I need to check with the powers that be!

[rainbowannie]

Simon, it would be great if you and Aleia can make it - I know it can be a long drive for a lot of people, but our visitors usually seem to think it is worth it. I know the more I dive the area the more I fall in love with it.

Several guys this weekend had travelled miles for the Seasearch diving, one buddy pair was even 7 hours!! There are also some fantastic walks around the coast path for any non divers.

[Angry Dan]

I was supposed to be on holiday over that period but work is messing me around so I will try to get some drysuit training organised as I am still to dive in the UK (losing patience with Crab run diving club at work).

[rainbowannie]

Dan, do you already have your own drysuit? It may be possible to organise something here for you for the saturday or if you wanted an extra day you could get down for the Friday - would you like me to find out for you?

[Angry Dan]

I have bought a drysuit but I have no idea if it is the right size it seems big to me! I bought it from Ebay and it was advertised for my height and weight so I bought it. I have since bought an undersuit to go with it but having never used a drysuit (or really seen one used)before I have no reference point. I have 32 days holiday left this year so time off is not a problem.

[PeteStewart]

Hi Annie,

Book me in as a provisional, will depend on what happens over the next few week regarding work - I need some desperately.