Knackers to Ginnie

Divingniknaks · December 13th, 2005, 12:14 AM

Well I did it folks !

On my trip over to see the famous Mr Miller last week I actually got wet :D

What a way to do it as well, Barry took me down to Ginnie Springs for my first taste of a Cavern.

First I want to say a HUGE thanks to Barry for giving up valuable time to take me in.

We go through the formalities in the shop which I have to say were very thorough, which is reassuring given that the area has seen it's share of tragedies.

Kitting up area would definately put UK sites to shame, covered area picnic tables, kit benches and fastidiously clean.

We get kitted up and walk down the "carpeted" steps to the water, as I reach down to pull on my fins, I get that gorgeous sensation of water as warm as a bath on my hands. Quite surprising really as the water looks as though it should be be chilly, must be the colour I think, lovely clear blue. And clear I mean clear, it's like diving in Gin.

I was in a borrowed wing and steel 80's, so that's my excuse for being less than ideal in the water (I'm sticking to that version anway :D)

Anyway we drop into the entrance to the cavern, at this point I have a definate attack of jitters and I'm really not happy. Common sense kicks in though as I realise just whose company I'm in, so off we go.

The inside of Ginnie Cavern is not spectacular by any means, no stalagtites etc. Now having said that it's still a strange and interesting place to be, being surrounded by rock is a definately odd experience.

I get my first lesson in caves as Barry glides seemingly effortlessly up to the grille, as I finning like h*ll can't get anywhere, eventually I haul myself up to the grille, with some definate Rule 6 violations I'm sure. It's quite surpising the force of the water coming out of that cave system. I get the "trick" explained to me when we finally get out of the water.

As we turn around Barry signals to me to cover my light, and as I do you get 2 sensations, one is just how bloody dark it goes and the other is the view up to the cavern entrance and the cool blue light framed by rock. A sight I will always remember.

As we come out of the cavern and head off down towards the river, passing dozens and dozens of turtles on the way. All too soon we see the brown turbid water of the river ahead and Barry signals to turn round. A gentle fin back up in 1.5m of water to the cavern entrance and over to the steps.

My first dive in Ginnie is over

, I leave the water with the sense of wanting to go back and do it again NOW. A feeling I'm sure a lot of people have had before me.

Am I glad I went, you betcha I am. Will I be back ? Of course I will.

I'll be taking the reflective patches off my suit though :D

Tricky · December 13th, 2005, 12:17 AM

Great report, you jammy b*st*rd :p

[EDIT]
Going to be catching up on some PMs?

Divingniknaks · December 13th, 2005, 12:20 AM

Haven't got any from you mate, should I have ?

tell you what PM me :D

.

Tricky · December 13th, 2005, 12:27 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Divingniknaks)

tell you what PM me :D

Done :D

Phil O · December 13th, 2005, 12:27 AM

Glad you had a good time in Ginnie ... something I must plan for in the future.

Phil O · December 13th, 2005, 12:29 AM

Just checked out the photo of you and Barry again - he looks so much more manly than you did. You need to work on that Phil.

Divingniknaks · December 13th, 2005, 12:31 AM

I need to work on a lot of stuff :D

mstroeck · December 13th, 2005, 01:01 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Divingniknaks)

... I get the "trick" explained to me when we finally get out of the water. ...

So what's the trick :D?

Spectre · December 13th, 2005, 01:28 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Divingniknaks)

Kitting up area would definately put UK sites to shame, covered area picnic tables, kit benches and fastidiously clean.

Have him take you over to Telford

I ment to take a picture last weekend of all the trash strewn around the empty dumpster.

Good to meet you last week. Nice to hear you've got yourself a taste of the bug

MKDVR · December 13th, 2005, 02:48 AM

Warm, my ass. You cold water people make me sick.:p

December 13th, 2005, 12:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
Divingniknaks(Offline) Resident purveyor of shiney kit.... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midlands UK Posts: 1,038	Knackers to Ginnie Well I did it folks ! On my trip over to see the famous Mr Miller last week I actually got wet :D What a way to do it as well, Barry took me down to Ginnie Springs for my first taste of a Cavern. First I want to say a HUGE thanks to Barry for giving up valuable time to take me in. We go through the formalities in the shop which I have to say were very thorough, which is reassuring given that the area has seen it's share of tragedies. Kitting up area would definately put UK sites to shame, covered area picnic tables, kit benches and fastidiously clean. We get kitted up and walk down the "carpeted" steps to the water, as I reach down to pull on my fins, I get that gorgeous sensation of water as warm as a bath on my hands. Quite surprising really as the water looks as though it should be be chilly, must be the colour I think, lovely clear blue. And clear I mean clear, it's like diving in Gin. I was in a borrowed wing and steel 80's, so that's my excuse for being less than ideal in the water (I'm sticking to that version anway :D) Anyway we drop into the entrance to the cavern, at this point I have a definate attack of jitters and I'm really not happy. Common sense kicks in though as I realise just whose company I'm in, so off we go. The inside of Ginnie Cavern is not spectacular by any means, no stalagtites etc. Now having said that it's still a strange and interesting place to be, being surrounded by rock is a definately odd experience. I get my first lesson in caves as Barry glides seemingly effortlessly up to the grille, as I finning like h*ll can't get anywhere, eventually I haul myself up to the grille, with some definate Rule 6 violations I'm sure. It's quite surpising the force of the water coming out of that cave system. I get the "trick" explained to me when we finally get out of the water. As we turn around Barry signals to me to cover my light, and as I do you get 2 sensations, one is just how bloody dark it goes and the other is the view up to the cavern entrance and the cool blue light framed by rock. A sight I will always remember. As we come out of the cavern and head off down towards the river, passing dozens and dozens of turtles on the way. All too soon we see the brown turbid water of the river ahead and Barry signals to turn round. A gentle fin back up in 1.5m of water to the cavern entrance and over to the steps. My first dive in Ginnie is over , I leave the water with the sense of wanting to go back and do it again NOW. A feeling I'm sure a lot of people have had before me. Am I glad I went, you betcha I am. Will I be back ? Of course I will. I'll be taking the reflective patches off my suit though :D __________________ Phill ----------------------------- Salvo Lights, DirZone Gear , Frog Wings Dive ? http://www.divingniknaks.com

December 13th, 2005, 12:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tricky(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Reading, Berkshire Posts: 555	Great report, you jammy bstrd :p [EDIT] Going to be catching up on some PMs? __________________ "I know that you believe that you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realise that what you heard is not what I meant." "Make me one with everything" said the Mystic to the Hamburger vendor. UK Diving Forum Sryth: A Free Online Text RPG Join the Adventure! Fallen Sword: Free online RPG

December 13th, 2005, 12:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
Divingniknaks(Offline) Resident purveyor of shiney kit.... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midlands UK Posts: 1,038	Haven't got any from you mate, should I have ? tell you what PM me :D . __________________ Phill ----------------------------- Salvo Lights, DirZone Gear , Frog Wings Dive ? http://www.divingniknaks.com

December 13th, 2005, 12:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tricky(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Reading, Berkshire Posts: 555	Quote: (Originally Posted by Divingniknaks) tell you what PM me :D Done :D __________________ "I know that you believe that you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realise that what you heard is not what I meant." "Make me one with everything" said the Mystic to the Hamburger vendor. UK Diving Forum Sryth: A Free Online Text RPG Join the Adventure! Fallen Sword: Free online RPG

December 13th, 2005, 12:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
Phil O(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 340	Glad you had a good time in Ginnie ... something I must plan for in the future. __________________ Phil

December 13th, 2005, 12:29 AM	#6 (permalink)
Phil O(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 340	Just checked out the photo of you and Barry again - he looks so much more manly than you did. You need to work on that Phil. __________________ Phil

December 13th, 2005, 12:31 AM	#7 (permalink)
Divingniknaks(Offline) Resident purveyor of shiney kit.... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midlands UK Posts: 1,038	I need to work on a lot of stuff :D __________________ Phill ----------------------------- Salvo Lights, DirZone Gear , Frog Wings Dive ? http://www.divingniknaks.com

December 13th, 2005, 01:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
mstroeck(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 156	Quote: (Originally Posted by Divingniknaks) ... I get the "trick" explained to me when we finally get out of the water. ... So what's the trick :D?

December 13th, 2005, 01:28 AM	#9 (permalink)
Spectre(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Florida Panhandle Posts: 38	Quote: (Originally Posted by Divingniknaks) Kitting up area would definately put UK sites to shame, covered area picnic tables, kit benches and fastidiously clean. Have him take you over to Telford I ment to take a picture last weekend of all the trash strewn around the empty dumpster. Good to meet you last week. Nice to hear you've got yourself a taste of the bug

December 13th, 2005, 02:48 AM	#10 (permalink)
MKDVR(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 29	Warm, my ass. You cold water people make me sick.:p