Four and a half go to Vobster

dlegros · March 20th, 2006, 08:48 PM

With muggins being the half!

Well, following an Invite from Marianne, I bimbled down for my first experience of Vobster yesterday.

After an unnecessarily early start (the AA web route planner added an hour to the journey, so I got there at 7), I sat at second in the queue until I saw Gledders wandering down the line of cars (presumably tipped off by Marianne that I was in the line).

As Howard and Marianne arrived we stood around generally talking bo**ocks and I presented Marianne with a pint of Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Therapy ice cream, which seemed to get a Homer Simpsonesque response from Clare

As the gates were opened I lost my space in the line rescuing said ice cream from the bonnet of Clare's car (she offered to look after it, yeah right! Clare alone with chocolate

)

After getting my shiny new 15 filled with lovely 32% I tried to help my brother-in-law to be with a leaking second stage, to be rescued by Howard's very kind offer to borrow one off of his stage reg (cheers Howard, owe you a

)

The aim of the dive was to sort out waiting for the new cylinder, and field test my new Apex TX50s courtesy of the Nacker's Yard. So far so good, until I wrecked my shoulder whilst kitting up and was out of the water all day!

So no diving for me, just the most expensive 32% fill in history (200 miles worth of diesel plus site entry!

)

However, it was still a useful time as Clare and David (Martin) very kindly sorted my harness out to a more appropriate starting point (the shoulders were too short as was the crotch strap), with David suggesting changes and Clare putting them into action - I am still having flashbacks of Clare's hand repeatedly appearing from between my legs

, I think it might have Hob Nob poisoning!

It was great to see some familiar faces and meet a new one and at least stand around and talk more bo**ocks for a few hours.

Next time I might actually dive

Big thumbs up to Howard for the loan of the reg

Mucho thanks to Clare and David for patiently working on my harness

Dom

**Howard Payne** · March 21st, 2006, 11:11 AM

Good to meet you fella - PITA about your shoulder - but getting the harness to fit properly meant the day wasn't wasted and David's generous help gave me a few pointers - so mine fits a lot better now n'all.

You know you're getting old when the the GUE Instructor Interns starting looking young....

Shame I was diving like a Korean housewife - but you have your good days and your bad days...

See you soon

Hx

GLOC · March 21st, 2006, 11:15 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Howard Payne)

Shame I was diving like a Korean housewife - but you have your good days and your bad days...

And this was...

**Howard Payne** · March 21st, 2006, 11:22 AM

Still trying to get to grips with the new twinset and wing. Lousy trim, underweighted, apart from that I was great

GLOC · March 21st, 2006, 11:29 AM

LOL, I had a feeling you meant it was a bad day as I have no idea what a Korean housewife dives like but I didnt think it would be good

MJH · March 21st, 2006, 03:01 PM

After getting up at 4.30 to keep Clare happy, the plan being to arrive at Vobster by 8am and stressing over the M3 being shut (according to the very helpful sign on the M25 – which it turns out was wrong) Howard and I were fashionably late; only to find Clare and Dom waiting in the queue for the gates to open. No need to get there quite so early then!

Being greeted by Ben and Jerry’s Ice-cream which Dom had somehow managed to keep frozen all the way from Birmingham and new shiny stuff from Phil was a very pleasant start to the day. And things only got better.

On the first dive (25.6m/35 minutes) it was a nasty shock to suddenly realise that I was diving as a three with Clare (Gledders) and David Martin – not at all intimidating and as a result I dived like a muppet. However, it was great to see Clare struggling (but only on the surface) with her new twin 18’s and to watch them both dive and practice skills together.

The second dive (21.3m/43 minutes) we were joined by Howard. After doing the tour if the usual Vobster stuff I settled over a platform whilst they practised S- Drills. Once again an uneventful but highly educational dive. Clare gave me some very useful tips on horizontal ascents and not relying on my computer too much.

On the third dive (20.4m/15 minutes) Clare and I lost the boys (which was definitely their fault – all they had to do was follow us!) and surfaced after 15 mins only to find them right next to us at the surface. The others descended again whilst I wimped out – far too cold for me!

Howard, Dom and I had planned to meet up with Clare and David to practise skills and get used to our new toys and that’s exactly what we did. Thank you all for your help and advice and giving up your time to dive with me– I really appreciate it. Green Blobs will be issued later.

So a productive days diving (for everyone but Dom – but he got heaps of kit advice from Clare and David) only spoilt by a rock solid baked potato – that will teach me to go to a Little Chef on the way home!

*Clare Gledhill* · March 22nd, 2006, 09:01 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by MJH)

Green Blobs will be issued later.

So why did I get a red one...

I didn't eat your Ben and Jerry's ice cream... but I will next time

MJH · March 22nd, 2006, 10:49 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Gledders)

So why did I get a red one...

I didn't eat your Ben and Jerry's ice cream... but I will next time

you serious? sorry sorry sorry

I really stuffed up there

can anyone retract it?

**Howard Payne** · March 23rd, 2006, 08:44 PM

She gave me a red n'all. I dunno - you goirls and technology eh?

MJH · March 24th, 2006, 01:01 AM

Oops - very sorry!

How do I correct my mistake?

Clare you are admin do you know?

March 20th, 2006, 08:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
dlegros(Offline) 20% Ninja 80% Rebel Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Birmingham Posts: 245	Four and a half go to Vobster With muggins being the half! Well, following an Invite from Marianne, I bimbled down for my first experience of Vobster yesterday. After an unnecessarily early start (the AA web route planner added an hour to the journey, so I got there at 7), I sat at second in the queue until I saw Gledders wandering down the line of cars (presumably tipped off by Marianne that I was in the line). As Howard and Marianne arrived we stood around generally talking boocks and I presented Marianne with a pint of Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Therapy ice cream, which seemed to get a Homer Simpsonesque response from Clare As the gates were opened I lost my space in the line rescuing said ice cream from the bonnet of Clare's car (she offered to look after it, yeah right! Clare alone with chocolate ) After getting my shiny new 15 filled with lovely 32% I tried to help my brother-in-law to be with a leaking second stage, to be rescued by Howard's very kind offer to borrow one off of his stage reg (cheers Howard, owe you a ) The aim of the dive was to sort out waiting for the new cylinder, and field test my new Apex TX50s courtesy of the Nacker's Yard. So far so good, until I wrecked my shoulder whilst kitting up and was out of the water all day! So no diving for me, just the most expensive 32% fill in history (200 miles worth of diesel plus site entry! ) However, it was still a useful time as Clare and David (Martin) very kindly sorted my harness out to a more appropriate starting point (the shoulders were too short as was the crotch strap), with David suggesting changes and Clare putting them into action - I am still having flashbacks of Clare's hand repeatedly appearing from between my legs , I think it might have Hob Nob poisoning! It was great to see some familiar faces and meet a new one and at least stand around and talk more boocks for a few hours. Next time I might actually dive Big thumbs up to Howard for the loan of the reg Mucho thanks to Clare and David for patiently working on my harness Dom __________________ Dom I reject your reality and substitute my own DIR-RA

March 21st, 2006, 11:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
Howard Payne(Offline) Strokey Dokily Doo Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London Posts: 1,202	Good to meet you fella - PITA about your shoulder - but getting the harness to fit properly meant the day wasn't wasted and David's generous help gave me a few pointers - so mine fits a lot better now n'all. You know you're getting old when the the GUE Instructor Interns starting looking young.... Shame I was diving like a Korean housewife - but you have your good days and your bad days... See you soon Hx __________________ The Foxturd Chimp

March 21st, 2006, 11:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
Howard Payne(Offline) Strokey Dokily Doo Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London Posts: 1,202	Still trying to get to grips with the new twinset and wing. Lousy trim, underweighted, apart from that I was great __________________ The Foxturd Chimp

March 21st, 2006, 03:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
MJH(Offline) Mask? Oh yes, I thought it was cold.... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Orpington, Kent Posts: 389	and some of us dived! After getting up at 4.30 to keep Clare happy, the plan being to arrive at Vobster by 8am and stressing over the M3 being shut (according to the very helpful sign on the M25 – which it turns out was wrong) Howard and I were fashionably late; only to find Clare and Dom waiting in the queue for the gates to open. No need to get there quite so early then! Being greeted by Ben and Jerry’s Ice-cream which Dom had somehow managed to keep frozen all the way from Birmingham and new shiny stuff from Phil was a very pleasant start to the day. And things only got better. On the first dive (25.6m/35 minutes) it was a nasty shock to suddenly realise that I was diving as a three with Clare (Gledders) and David Martin – not at all intimidating and as a result I dived like a muppet. However, it was great to see Clare struggling (but only on the surface) with her new twin 18’s and to watch them both dive and practice skills together. The second dive (21.3m/43 minutes) we were joined by Howard. After doing the tour if the usual Vobster stuff I settled over a platform whilst they practised S- Drills. Once again an uneventful but highly educational dive. Clare gave me some very useful tips on horizontal ascents and not relying on my computer too much. On the third dive (20.4m/15 minutes) Clare and I lost the boys (which was definitely their fault – all they had to do was follow us!) and surfaced after 15 mins only to find them right next to us at the surface. The others descended again whilst I wimped out – far too cold for me! Howard, Dom and I had planned to meet up with Clare and David to practise skills and get used to our new toys and that’s exactly what we did. Thank you all for your help and advice and giving up your time to dive with me– I really appreciate it. Green Blobs will be issued later. So a productive days diving (for everyone but Dom – but he got heaps of kit advice from Clare and David) only spoilt by a rock solid baked potato – that will teach me to go to a Little Chef on the way home! Last edited by MJH; March 21st, 2006 at 08:01 PM.

March 22nd, 2006, 09:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
Clare Gledhill(Offline) GUE Instructor Site Admin Pacman Champion! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,541	Quote: (Originally Posted by MJH) Green Blobs will be issued later. So why did I get a red one... I didn't eat your Ben and Jerry's ice cream... but I will next time __________________ Clare . "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions....Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too can become great." Interested in DIR dive training? Always happy to chat/answer questions so get in touch via PM or visit www.dirdiver.co.uk

March 21st, 2006, 11:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
GLOC (Online) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fleet, Hants Posts: 1,964	Quote: (Originally Posted by Howard Payne) Shame I was diving like a Korean housewife - but you have your good days and your bad days... And this was...

March 21st, 2006, 11:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
GLOC (Online) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fleet, Hants Posts: 1,964	LOL, I had a feeling you meant it was a bad day as I have no idea what a Korean housewife dives like but I didnt think it would be good

March 22nd, 2006, 10:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
MJH(Offline) Mask? Oh yes, I thought it was cold.... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Orpington, Kent Posts: 389	Quote: (Originally Posted by Gledders) So why did I get a red one... I didn't eat your Ben and Jerry's ice cream... but I will next time you serious? sorry sorry sorry I really stuffed up there can anyone retract it?

March 23rd, 2006, 08:44 PM	#9 (permalink)
Howard Payne(Offline) Strokey Dokily Doo Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London Posts: 1,202	She gave me a red n'all. I dunno - you goirls and technology eh? __________________ The Foxturd Chimp

March 24th, 2006, 01:01 AM	#10 (permalink)
MJH(Offline) Mask? Oh yes, I thought it was cold.... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Orpington, Kent Posts: 389	Oops - very sorry! How do I correct my mistake? Clare you are admin do you know?