The Orca weekend trip to Plymouth officially began as people started to arrive on Friday evening after a long trek from Essex. Some initial rooming issues arose in the guest house but once sorted we headed out to the Barbican for an evening drink and a bite to eat. Eleven divers made the trip. The brief from me was to be at Aquanauts from 8:30am.
All looked promising for the weekend though the weather was freshening already on Friday night. I should also make an apology at this stage as due to technical difficulties with my camera there will be an absence of photo's until I get some from the various people that took them during the trip.
As it turned out we had most people at the quayside in plenty of time and while we could have met later it did mean that we were ready and there were no frantic last minute panics. By this time the weather was fine on land but there was sufficient wind to suggest that it may be a bit choppy out at sea.
On board it all felt quite cramped with twelve compared to last year when there were only eight of us. Nevertheless Dougie gave his normal safety briefing reminding me of why I rate him so highly and off we set.
As expected the conditions were not ideal and very quickly several of the team were suffering the effects. This did mean that we were on the slow side getting ready and getting on the line for the Scylla became challenging. Notably Graham and Colin were amongst the quickest to get ready but my real attention was with Rebecca who was making her first UK dive. Paul also ended up joining us as his twin set gave him problems and he had to sort things out before getting in the water.
Not feeling brilliant and having to do a weight check in big swells is a challenge for anybody but Rebecca coped well and thankfully listened when I told her it would all calm down at 5 metres. With an additional 2kgs addded we managed to descend and I saw her visibly relax a tad.
Visibility was at 4-5 metres which meant we had a reasonably enjoyable dive exploring topside and along the hull. We also took some time to show how to use the line and reel. We didn't penetrate because of Rebecca's experience though she has already told me that she wants to come back and do it again.
Over the last year the Scylla does look to have blossomed with more life. Pollock also seemed to be everywhere. With a bottom time of 28 minutes we surfaced and it was pretty obvious that although conditions were hard Rebecca had enjoyed the experience.
Back on board the boat continued to pitch and yaw and the sickness casualties continued to mount with degrees of severity from a quick chuck to unfortunate Amanda who assumed a praying to Mecca position on the gunwale. All seemed happy with the dive just not the weather conditions.
For our second dive it was a quick shift of positions to get onto the James Egan Layne. A couple of people chose to sit the second dive out so there was some quick changes in buddy teams. For Hiedi there was also a quick change of dry suit too as she had been soaked on the first dive. Gillian's O'three was called into action as she sat out and there was some hope that Heidi would now get a dry dive. She buddied up with James and all was set.
Kelly set off with Paul and Darren our welsh guest for the day to make up the twelve.
The James Egan Layne is a wonderful dive and there was no disappointment despite the challenging conditions. Still sticking to Instructional duties and staying with the least experienced diver I set off once again with Rebecca and this time it was much easier making the descent. Somebody had got the message about it being much better once you get to 5 metres.
We all went down the line to the bows and even in lower visibility than last year the sight is very impressive. I do so love this wreck and as we sculled around slowly I very quickly noticed that my buddy did too. Rebecca wanted to dart this way and that and I have to say it is so rewarding to see the excitement and interest.
Unlike the first dive we managed to bump into most of the team underwater at some stage or another with most people staying on the bow section to look about. Somehow I managed to miss out on the Congers that Kelly reported seeing but we nevertheless had a glorious dive.
Back in port we had a few beers in the bar next door where we were treated to some good live music and I have to confess to getting the old vocal chords going. Agreeing to meet for supper at eight we all went our separate ways to relax and find our land legs. Kelly went off to see his parents, I took my guitar onto the Hoe but was drowned out by a band playing Irish folk.
Meeting at eight the vote was for a Thai and after a bit of negotiating assisted by noisy comments from the team we somehow managed to get a table for all of us. Great food, good company and laughter followed. As always Graham and Colin were on superb form even though they ended up sat apart.
With a slightly later start on Sunday a night cap was called for but I have to acknowledge the sense of Phil, Gilland Amanada who called it a day. Now to be fair most of us only had a quick one before singing and dancing our way back to the hotels. For those of walking and singing the imagine of Graham dancing down the street back to his room will doubtless by one that stays with us for years.
Rough conditions at sea it may have been but I have to say what a cracking day and what fantastic company.
I love diving, I think I could easily get into it.
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