Stoney Cove for the weekend?

It seems some time since I have ventured to Stoney Cove and I am pleased to say that not a lot has changed. Reserved parking has made things a touch more bearable and at least it means a little longer in bed without the urgency to arrive quite so early. The water is still cold and the tea and bacon cobs are still very welcome. Over the weekend we had Dry Suit Specialty and Rescue Diver courses to complete and I took the opportunity to take the new camera housing to record proceedings.

So here is Gill, Divemaster in training descending down the line into the murky cold depths; how different from Marsa Alam earlier in the week.

Saturday got off to a fine start in terms of the diving with Steve doing a sterling job as surface cover while the remainder of family learnt how to dive in a dry suit. All went extremely well and the only leaking dry suit belonged to Kirstie which is not bad for an Instructor. Interspersed with Dry Suit instruction we got on with the nerve wracking task of rescue scenarios though it has to be said that Heidi with her veterinary experience stayed professional cool with all that was thrown her way.

On Sunday the pace was much calmer for the Orca team though Stoney Cove was as busy as I have seen it in ages and in the water it was a veritable diver soup. Still we managed to get out to see the tug, navigate to the bus and most impressive of all just beyond the block house where the visibility was reasonable we found two very impressive Pike. One of them allowed me to approach from the front and push away some of the weed to get a clear photograph. I think you will agree he is a handsome fellow though he was looking the wrong way as just behind him were a host of small bite size fish looking like very suitable Pike snacks.

As much as I prefer the warmth of Egypt this was a very enjoyable weekend in good company and well deserved congratulations to all those earning certifications and to Gill who has also started on the Dive Master course with a very impressive stamina tired diver tow. Finally a note of praise for Kirstie for running the weekend with precision and professionalism.