Marianne's 7th May Brighton bash

SoB · May 8th, 2006, 11:48 PM

I don't often do this - write a post that is. Marianne promises that if I don't get my version in first she'll tell (fibs to) Clare so here goes

.

Trip report 7th May- Brighton

Well I did originally suggest picking M up but as I was out partying Saturday night (40th wedding party/75th regular party celebration) I bowed out - good job really - though I did keep the drinking under control.

So M drives around the M25 to me and two happy campers with sundry scrap metal and a couple of light sabers trek down to Brighton. For anyone else going in May - the Brighton Festival started 6th May and finishes 28th and whilst getting in is easy - getting out around 5-6pm is NOT fun.

I have only done 4 dives this year, 2 in Vobster where I got frost-nip and ended up in the Chamber as a precaution (symptoms the same) plus 2 off Paul’s boat two weeks prior to this trip. This left me feeling somewhat rusty but not enough to worry about - until I start chatting to M and seeing how much effort she has put into the last year. I think there is a new breed of Super-Woman of the Gledders mould coming through... and frankly it scares the bejeezers out of me!

1st dive is planned to be the Pentrych -- I have no information on this and if anyone does then I'd be interested. I only know that it is about 20m. this turned into a wreck hunt with viz being <1 m vis due to plankton bloom but the two Salvo's cooked a path through - my buoyancy on ascent was abysmal and I spent as much time going down as up - couldn’t locate the rear rear dump effectively so that didn't help - Marianne deployed the SMB and I ran the ascent (by prior agreement) - but of course going down as much as up you could have called me a yoyo. At one point I lost contact with Marianne but she managed to keep an eye on me!!!!

Still we managed the ascent with 1@9 2@6 6@3 on 50%, switch at 9m (for practice as we didn't really need to switch).

2nd dive - drift on a ledge called South West Rocks. We agreed that I would deploy the DSMB as it's probably October last year since I did that! In we go (Marianne successfully locating water on both entries). Marianne starts to deploy but I stop her as I need the practice!

Out comes the SMB, out comes the reel - easy when the temperature is 10-12C (and not 4C as per Vobster in January). I attach reel to smb put double ender onto line, use reg to inflate SMB slightly - don't get enough in first time. I'm not fussed and not worried but the 2nd time get a bit too much in and AWAY it goes - taking the spool out of my very weak girly grip (did I say that ) ....ordinarily this would not be a major issue - but in < 1m vis it is.

"Bye-bye". A few sniggers from M and "DOH!" gestures from me and we move to deploy M's SMB. We take the precaution that I hold the spool and M fills the blob.

When we get picked up we find that the SMB actually came up right under the stern of the boat - after Paul had just dropped divers. He engaged the gears and heard a knocking so disengaged. Checking with a non-diver on the boat he was told "Oh..yes...one of those red blobby things was came up right behind the boat"....Paul was not happy...SMB, line and spool were very very unhappy - little shreds all over the place.

I can now be given a proper signature instead of "new member" ...at least I know that the name on my SMB will be Sinjit after last years BBQ attempt to burn my head off!!!

Point of interest for DIR and especially Clare. I read with interest all the stuff about filing off the catches on double-enders and dismissed the entanglement hazard as sheer bunkum (note all the technical terms coming into play).

During the drift I found that my right hand was attached to the other end of the double-ender on my primary reg - I still have no idea how this happened but it looks like the velcro wrap-around fastener on the gloves had managed to get around that catch somehow - I managed to clear it and all without M noticing (is that good or bad) - I hasten to point out that I could have pulled it clear with some violence but I wanted to free things up without breaking/ripping anything.

...I will be off to get the Bremmel at the weekend

Okay - good day, good diving (even with dreadful visibility). Paul (skipper) is a great guy, very relaxed and a spot on brief for both dives (so much so that even my compass navigation got us to the "reef").

I haven't told M about knee-capping Howard yet but as she'll probably inherit the mini-Gavin I don't suppose she'll mind having a replacement buddy

For all those who fret about DIR-Fundies - M's attitude is a good one, she is concentrating on the practical diving with lots of DIR divers and picking up one or two comments from each. She has, in my opinion (which amounts for a hill of beans) no major issues and could relax and enjoy the experience. It was nice, per DIR, to just jump in with a diver and no what they were going to do.

I look forward to diving with her, Howard and Wilbo on Friday.

Simon - keep that blob away from me!

*Clare Gledhill* · May 9th, 2006, 09:46 AM

Quote:

promises that if I don't get my version in first she'll tell (fibs to) Clare so here goes

She didn't - well not yet anyway - we are having lunch together today I think

Like your new tag line?

*JohnKendall* · May 9th, 2006, 11:55 AM

Thanks for the writeup. How were the dive sites? Did you see anything?

Quote: (Originally Posted by SoB)

Point of interest for DIR and especially Clare. I read with interest all the stuff about filing off the catches on double-enders and dismissed the entanglement hazard as sheer bunkum (note all the technical terms coming into play).

Um, Double Ender? On the primary Reg? Are you sure?

J

**Howard Payne** · May 9th, 2006, 12:05 PM

She's rather a good diver (for a girl) doncha think?

Hasn't killed me once yet....

SoB · May 10th, 2006, 09:12 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by JohnKendall)

Thanks for the writeup. How were the dive sites? Did you see anything?

Um, Double Ender? On the primary Reg? Are you sure?

J

Did we see anything? NO. lots of green, lots of plankton, thought about thumbing the dive on the wreck and the drift as it's not exactly the most exciting type of diving but, hey, it is still diving.

You're correct it is not a double ender. It's a wadayacallout single ender but it still got snagged. I've tried since then to replicate it with said glove and said "-ender" but not yet managed it.

Jonathan · May 10th, 2006, 05:14 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by SoB)

It's a wadayacallout single ender

I think the word you're looking for is a, how you say, "boltsnap". Although I think your own creation is quite catchy!

May 8th, 2006, 11:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
SoB(Offline) Be nice or the SMB gets it.... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Caterham (province of Thailand) Posts: 48	Marianne's 7th May Brighton bash I don't often do this - write a post that is. Marianne promises that if I don't get my version in first she'll tell (fibs to) Clare so here goes . Trip report 7th May- Brighton Well I did originally suggest picking M up but as I was out partying Saturday night (40th wedding party/75th regular party celebration) I bowed out - good job really - though I did keep the drinking under control. So M drives around the M25 to me and two happy campers with sundry scrap metal and a couple of light sabers trek down to Brighton. For anyone else going in May - the Brighton Festival started 6th May and finishes 28th and whilst getting in is easy - getting out around 5-6pm is NOT fun. I have only done 4 dives this year, 2 in Vobster where I got frost-nip and ended up in the Chamber as a precaution (symptoms the same) plus 2 off Paul’s boat two weeks prior to this trip. This left me feeling somewhat rusty but not enough to worry about - until I start chatting to M and seeing how much effort she has put into the last year. I think there is a new breed of Super-Woman of the Gledders mould coming through... and frankly it scares the bejeezers out of me! 1st dive is planned to be the Pentrych -- I have no information on this and if anyone does then I'd be interested. I only know that it is about 20m. this turned into a wreck hunt with viz being <1 m vis due to plankton bloom but the two Salvo's cooked a path through - my buoyancy on ascent was abysmal and I spent as much time going down as up - couldn’t locate the rear rear dump effectively so that didn't help - Marianne deployed the SMB and I ran the ascent (by prior agreement) - but of course going down as much as up you could have called me a yoyo. At one point I lost contact with Marianne but she managed to keep an eye on me!!!! Still we managed the ascent with 1@9 2@6 6@3 on 50%, switch at 9m (for practice as we didn't really need to switch). 2nd dive - drift on a ledge called South West Rocks. We agreed that I would deploy the DSMB as it's probably October last year since I did that! In we go (Marianne successfully locating water on both entries). Marianne starts to deploy but I stop her as I need the practice! Out comes the SMB, out comes the reel - easy when the temperature is 10-12C (and not 4C as per Vobster in January). I attach reel to smb put double ender onto line, use reg to inflate SMB slightly - don't get enough in first time. I'm not fussed and not worried but the 2nd time get a bit too much in and AWAY it goes - taking the spool out of my very weak girly grip (did I say that ) ....ordinarily this would not be a major issue - but in < 1m vis it is. "Bye-bye". A few sniggers from M and "DOH!" gestures from me and we move to deploy M's SMB. We take the precaution that I hold the spool and M fills the blob. When we get picked up we find that the SMB actually came up right under the stern of the boat - after Paul had just dropped divers. He engaged the gears and heard a knocking so disengaged. Checking with a non-diver on the boat he was told "Oh..yes...one of those red blobby things was came up right behind the boat"....Paul was not happy...SMB, line and spool were very very unhappy - little shreds all over the place. I can now be given a proper signature instead of "new member" ...at least I know that the name on my SMB will be Sinjit after last years BBQ attempt to burn my head off!!! Point of interest for DIR and especially Clare. I read with interest all the stuff about filing off the catches on double-enders and dismissed the entanglement hazard as sheer bunkum (note all the technical terms coming into play). During the drift I found that my right hand was attached to the other end of the double-ender on my primary reg - I still have no idea how this happened but it looks like the velcro wrap-around fastener on the gloves had managed to get around that catch somehow - I managed to clear it and all without M noticing (is that good or bad) - I hasten to point out that I could have pulled it clear with some violence but I wanted to free things up without breaking/ripping anything. ...I will be off to get the Bremmel at the weekend Okay - good day, good diving (even with dreadful visibility). Paul (skipper) is a great guy, very relaxed and a spot on brief for both dives (so much so that even my compass navigation got us to the "reef"). I haven't told M about knee-capping Howard yet but as she'll probably inherit the mini-Gavin I don't suppose she'll mind having a replacement buddy For all those who fret about DIR-Fundies - M's attitude is a good one, she is concentrating on the practical diving with lots of DIR divers and picking up one or two comments from each. She has, in my opinion (which amounts for a hill of beans) no major issues and could relax and enjoy the experience. It was nice, per DIR, to just jump in with a diver and no what they were going to do. I look forward to diving with her, Howard and Wilbo on Friday. Simon - keep that blob away from me! Last edited by SoB; May 9th, 2006 at 01:52 AM. Reason: Marianne can't abide my spelling!

May 9th, 2006, 09:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
Clare Gledhill(Offline) GUE Instructor Site Admin Pacman Champion! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,541	Quote: promises that if I don't get my version in first she'll tell (fibs to) Clare so here goes She didn't - well not yet anyway - we are having lunch together today I think Like your new tag line? __________________ 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

May 9th, 2006, 11:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
JohnKendall(Offline) GUE Instructor/DIRX Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 1,100	Thanks for the writeup. How were the dive sites? Did you see anything? Quote: (Originally Posted by SoB) Point of interest for DIR and especially Clare. I read with interest all the stuff about filing off the catches on double-enders and dismissed the entanglement hazard as sheer bunkum (note all the technical terms coming into play). Um, Double Ender? On the primary Reg? Are you sure? J __________________ John Kendall http://www.guetraining.com/ GUE Instruction, Santi and Halcyon Equipment NEW - Online Santi Shop

May 9th, 2006, 12:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
Howard Payne(Offline) Strokey Dokily Doo Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London Posts: 1,202	She's rather a good diver (for a girl) doncha think? Hasn't killed me once yet.... __________________ The Foxturd Chimp

May 10th, 2006, 09:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
SoB(Offline) Be nice or the SMB gets it.... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Caterham (province of Thailand) Posts: 48	the wadayacallit Quote: (Originally Posted by JohnKendall) Thanks for the writeup. How were the dive sites? Did you see anything? Um, Double Ender? On the primary Reg? Are you sure? J Did we see anything? NO. lots of green, lots of plankton, thought about thumbing the dive on the wreck and the drift as it's not exactly the most exciting type of diving but, hey, it is still diving. You're correct it is not a double ender. It's a wadayacallout single ender but it still got snagged. I've tried since then to replicate it with said glove and said "-ender" but not yet managed it.

May 10th, 2006, 05:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jonathan(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 215	Quote: (Originally Posted by SoB) It's a wadayacallout single ender I think the word you're looking for is a, how you say, "boltsnap". Although I think your own creation is quite catchy!