Malcolm's Chepstow Trip Report 29th/30th October
October 29th, 2011It all began early Saturday– a twisting and turning journey through the streets of London with Dave and Andreas. Soon we were tanking westwards along the motorway, arriving in the dive centre at more or less the right time. Some were already there the others soon arrived. The flooded quarry far below look simultaneously inviting and exciting – the real action was just about to begin.
Gildenburgh Mini Trip Report II (Richard) 13th October 2011
October 13th, 2011Thursday saw me, Sylvie, Anne, Steve and Malcolm heading off to Gildenburgh Water for some mid-week training. We were lucky with the weather and it was a glorious sunny day. The first dive was Steve, Malcolm and me practicing compass work. Unfortunately, the visibility was not all it might be. Or rather the visibility was good until we swam reciprocal bearings (as part of the exercise) and found ourselves swimming back in a "pea-souper" of our own making. Remember, careless finning costs viz.
Cat and Missy's Swanage Trip Report 3rd/4th September 2011
September 3rd, 2011So Friday evening a very excited Cat and Missy hit the M25 to make our way to Swanage and our first ever open water dive – eek!
After checking into the local YHA and choosing which drawer to sleep in (you’ll understand if you’ve ever stayed there!), we meet up with Caron, Richard, Georgia & Sylvie for a nightcap and the chance to discuss the weekend ahead. We are now even more excited!
Day 1 - Swanage Pier and the hunt for treasure!
Weather: Sunny
After the rest of the divers arrive - Brian, Preeda, David, Malcolm & Lindy.
Stoney Cove mini trip report (Richard) 11th August 2011
August 11th, 201111th August found Tom and me organising a mid-week training trip to lovely Stoney Cove... probably the UK's most famous inland diving site. Because of the horrendous early start (leaving London at 6:30am) we were there bright and early and obviously raring to get in the water. After one late drop out due to illness we were down to only three trainees but quality makes up for quantity.
Michele's Plymouth Trip report 6th-7th August 2011
August 6th, 2011Leaving London behind on Friday morning we headed off for Plymouth stopping for a wander at Stonehenge and to go shopping. Having arrived in one piece, collected keys and breakfast instructions we moved into the faded glory that was our B&B and finished the night with a couple of pints of the local nectar.
Gildenburgh Mini Trip Report (Richard)
July 27th, 2011After a few blown out and cancelled dives, Simon, Sylvie and I decided to make a sneaky midweek jaunt to Gildenburgh Water to get in the water and keep ourselves in practice. For those who've never experienced Gildenburgh, it's a small site, maximum depth 22m without the grand luxury of such places as Stoney Cove. A former quarry, the edges are almost entirely covered with bricks, making landing people quite a challenge (as shall be seen later).
Claus' Dover Trip report (Sunday 3rd July 2011)
July 3rd, 2011After a bit more than an hour’s drive from East London arrived at Dover Marina to deposit a month’s worth of small change into the greedy carpark meters. Met up with the hardcore crowd and traversed the wobbly staircase down to Neptune and Skipper Dave Batchelor patiently waiting for their cargo.
Brian's Pembrokeshire Trip Report part one (22-26/6/11)
June 26th, 2011After a journey of around 5 hours the advance party of 3 arrived in bright sunshine at Martins Haven, Pebrokeshire, soon followed by the other half of the group.
We settled into our lovely situated Youth Hostel (HSAC is now a member of the YHA), and set off to find air fills. We decided to split up, but failed to find the air fill station, or each other.
After one group was delayed by a rib unfortunately falling onto a very unlucky dog (I cannot go into any details, as it was too upsetting), we all met up at a pub to eat.
Garry's Pembrokeshire trip report (part two) (24-26/6/11)
June 24th, 2011Part one by Brian is at http://www.hackneydiving.org/node/210.
24/6/11 - After a good days diving at Skomer it was off to Fishguard to start our next part of the trip.
We arrived at Celtic Diving Base, overlooking Fishguard harbour, unpacked and had a short walk in the rain to the Ferry Boat Inn for dinner, which was well worth arriving like drowned rats for.
25/6/11 - All up after a much needed sleep because of the 5am start the day before, we had breakfast and met Mark the skipper of the Wandrin' Star which was to be our dive boat for the next two days.
Chepstow Trip report 16th April 2011 (Marshel)
April 16th, 2011Report by Marshel.
Location: Chepstow
Date: Saturday 16th April 2011
Divers: Marshel, Georgia, Bryan, Claus, Liz and Tom
Visibility: Very good, 4-6m (approx)
Dive trip to Chepstow was the first of the new dive season so most of the time was spent brushing up on buoyancy control and getting a good feel for the basic skills.