Showing posts with label Muddy Puddles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Muddy Puddles. Show all posts
08 January 2009
Soup Dragon Dive
Hey all, was just wondering if the 'Soup Dragon Dive' (where I am apparently going to meet some / all of the clangers) is going to take place? One weekend in January was mentioned and soup was apparently on offer!- come on Tad bring on the merryment! When? When? When? Speak up! Hope you have all had a great new year so far xx
30 November 2008
29 November 2008
Stoney Cove Adventures for Meridian and Ocean View Divers
Its been nearly 20 years since I first visited Stoney Cove and since then this iconic inland site has transformed from a rough and ready ex quarry filled with cold fresh water into a well set up and run diving facility which is visited by thousands of divers from across the UK regularly. The site in Leicestershire was probably the first of its kind in the UK and love it or hate it many people still travel hundreds of miles to train ,play or test kit in its clear dark depths.
Over the years the site has placed many in water attractions at various points and depths to keep the visiting divers interested and being an ex quarry there is still evidence of the machinery and buildings that supported the working of the quarry before it was abandoned and allowed to fill with water.
So on Thursday 4 divers from Meridian divers and Ocean View trekked the 150 miles to have a midweek adventure within the coves clear green waters.
After a very early start I met up with Simon at Three Bridges and travelled up in his car we had arranged to meet Gary and Terry from Ocean View on site so with much reluctance we stopped on the M40 to fuel up our finely honed physiques with a cooked breakfast which would help keep us warm during the coming dives.
A clear run saw us at Stoney around 10 am with Garry and Terry already there and in the water. With the car park nearly empty parking close to an entry /exit point wasn't a problem.
With a stiff cold wind blowing I felt the enthusiasm starting to drain but we forced ourselves to kit up and get down to the waters edge. The OV boys were on their way back up after completing their first dives and with a brief exchange of whats it like how cold is it etc etc We jumped in and surface swam to the buoy marking the Stanegarth.
The vis was at least 10m and with the water temp a tepid 10.c conditions were very comfortable. We whizzed down the shot and explored the Stanegarth both inside and out then followed a compass bearing back towards the bottom of the drop off and the wrecks of the VW van and the Westland Helicopter. We then ascended the quarry wall to the Nautilus mock up and swam underneath the pub. We then worked our way back across to the Viscount cockpit before watching a huge shoal of roach meander across the quarry floor.
51 minutes later we surfaced and met up the G&T for a quick chat and coffee and warm up in the refurbished changing rooms.
The 2nd Dive saw all 4 of us diving together which took us to the submerged block house and back. Having done the most the inwater attractions on the first dive Simon and I had seen all we needed to see after 30 mins and decided to call it a day leaving G&T to carry on.
Now it may seem a bit daft to travel on round trip of 300 miles just to dive an inland site but diving is diving and although diving in the sea can never be replaced Stoney is a pretty good alternative when you need a midwinter scuba fix.
With G&T deciding on whether to share a shower or spend another 20p on separate ones, we said our goodbyes and headed back down South.
Stoney Cove has been accussed of being dangerous, as with all underwater enviroments there is always an element of risk. Proper risk management ,training , correct equipment and taking in enviromental considerations when planning a dive, help reduce those risks.
In the case of Stoney Cove, the biggest risk probably comes from the very cold water in the site during the winter months and the fact that the site is used by thousands of divers each year means that there will always be incidents.
The company that runs the facilty definately puts the safety of its customers as the highest priority, its down to you to respect the rules and dive within your own limits and the limits of your training.
Thanks to Simon for driving and Gary and Terry
Video Highlights to follows shortly
Tad
Over the years the site has placed many in water attractions at various points and depths to keep the visiting divers interested and being an ex quarry there is still evidence of the machinery and buildings that supported the working of the quarry before it was abandoned and allowed to fill with water.
So on Thursday 4 divers from Meridian divers and Ocean View trekked the 150 miles to have a midweek adventure within the coves clear green waters.
After a very early start I met up with Simon at Three Bridges and travelled up in his car we had arranged to meet Gary and Terry from Ocean View on site so with much reluctance we stopped on the M40 to fuel up our finely honed physiques with a cooked breakfast which would help keep us warm during the coming dives.
A clear run saw us at Stoney around 10 am with Garry and Terry already there and in the water. With the car park nearly empty parking close to an entry /exit point wasn't a problem.
With a stiff cold wind blowing I felt the enthusiasm starting to drain but we forced ourselves to kit up and get down to the waters edge. The OV boys were on their way back up after completing their first dives and with a brief exchange of whats it like how cold is it etc etc We jumped in and surface swam to the buoy marking the Stanegarth.
The vis was at least 10m and with the water temp a tepid 10.c conditions were very comfortable. We whizzed down the shot and explored the Stanegarth both inside and out then followed a compass bearing back towards the bottom of the drop off and the wrecks of the VW van and the Westland Helicopter. We then ascended the quarry wall to the Nautilus mock up and swam underneath the pub. We then worked our way back across to the Viscount cockpit before watching a huge shoal of roach meander across the quarry floor.
51 minutes later we surfaced and met up the G&T for a quick chat and coffee and warm up in the refurbished changing rooms.
The 2nd Dive saw all 4 of us diving together which took us to the submerged block house and back. Having done the most the inwater attractions on the first dive Simon and I had seen all we needed to see after 30 mins and decided to call it a day leaving G&T to carry on.
Now it may seem a bit daft to travel on round trip of 300 miles just to dive an inland site but diving is diving and although diving in the sea can never be replaced Stoney is a pretty good alternative when you need a midwinter scuba fix.
With G&T deciding on whether to share a shower or spend another 20p on separate ones, we said our goodbyes and headed back down South.
Stoney Cove has been accussed of being dangerous, as with all underwater enviroments there is always an element of risk. Proper risk management ,training , correct equipment and taking in enviromental considerations when planning a dive, help reduce those risks.
In the case of Stoney Cove, the biggest risk probably comes from the very cold water in the site during the winter months and the fact that the site is used by thousands of divers each year means that there will always be incidents.
The company that runs the facilty definately puts the safety of its customers as the highest priority, its down to you to respect the rules and dive within your own limits and the limits of your training.
Thanks to Simon for driving and Gary and Terry
Video Highlights to follows shortly
Tad
27 November 2008
Vobster
Hi all, just to let you know, about 8 Ocean View divers will be bimbling their way over to Vobster on Sunday morning, for- yes you've guessed it another early morning start! If any of you are free then come on down we'll be the bleary eyed yet keen ones that are eager to get into the brrr and burny face water!! Hope to see you there
25 November 2008
Stoney Cove ~ To Go or Not To Go??
Unfortunately, due to various reasons, Sean, Matt, Anna and I are no longer able to make it this Thursday (promise you all valid reasons and nothing to do with Mr Frost greeting us each morning!)
We have thought about re-arranging but I have just spoken to Tad and he and Simon are still going. As Tad is bit out on a limb where he lives, car sharing would not be easy but you could still meet up. Please either contact Tad direct or add comment to blog.
Sorry guys, will try & set something else up soon - still Tad's Soup Dragon Dive to look forward to.
Look forward to your report guys
We have thought about re-arranging but I have just spoken to Tad and he and Simon are still going. As Tad is bit out on a limb where he lives, car sharing would not be easy but you could still meet up. Please either contact Tad direct or add comment to blog.
Sorry guys, will try & set something else up soon - still Tad's Soup Dragon Dive to look forward to.
Look forward to your report guys
20 November 2008
Stoney Cove - 27 Novembrrrrrrrrr!
Hi all nutters
A few of us got together last night and after a number of hours deliberation, it has been decided that we will aim to meet at Stoney around 10-10.30 (dependant on traffic!)
For those who wish to drive up in convey, Matt & co are meeting me & co at the 6.45am (must be mad) at the BP garage at bottom of A23 (where it meets (A27)
It does seem that MD/OV divers will be storming in and taking over Stoney that day but what the hell - come and join us- the more the merrier!
See you there
A few of us got together last night and after a number of hours deliberation, it has been decided that we will aim to meet at Stoney around 10-10.30 (dependant on traffic!)
For those who wish to drive up in convey, Matt & co are meeting me & co at the 6.45am (must be mad) at the BP garage at bottom of A23 (where it meets (A27)
It does seem that MD/OV divers will be storming in and taking over Stoney that day but what the hell - come and join us- the more the merrier!
See you there
10 November 2008
Soup Dragon Dive
For those of you who are young enough to remember the Clangers on TV and the friendly Soup Dragon that inhabited their small round planet, I am putting together a dive in their honour.
The dive will consist of a dip in one of the inland sites in Kent and then when your cold enough its all back to my place for Hot bowls of my home made Clanger soup and fresh crusty clanger bread and for those that like a beer or ten ,there will be some of that too.
Why? I hear you all asking and I reply why not.
I am looking at one weekend in January and all are welcome, in fact the more the merrier. If we choose a saturday then there is enough room if anyone wishes to stay over.
If you are interested in the clangers just type Clangers in Youtube and see for yourselves
Tad
03 November 2008
Stoney Cove (or should that be Stoney Cold!)
Ok all you intrepid divers, this is where we sort the boys from the men as they say! A fantastic day out at good ol' Stoney (of course it'll be fantastic - have you seen who's going!!??!!) Looking at Thursday 27th November 2008. Those that are interested, add to blog or email me and we'll finalise details in couple weeks.
13 August 2008
Vobster Quay ~ Saturday 13th September
As august has now been declared April how`s about some guaranteed diving ? I`m thinking of going on Sat the 13th Sept get there early, 08.00am, spending the day there try to fit in 3 dives.
This is a nice place to dive. If you have never been have a look at the link below and see what you think. The site is under new management (a local couple who dive) so they say and they expect to sort out the site a bit better and start serving food rather than the crap currently being dished up, doesn`t matter as THE SWAN down the road serves excellent food!!
If you would like to come along please add your name,this dive is not weather dependant
http://www.vobsterquay.co.uk/
This is a nice place to dive. If you have never been have a look at the link below and see what you think. The site is under new management (a local couple who dive) so they say and they expect to sort out the site a bit better and start serving food rather than the crap currently being dished up, doesn`t matter as THE SWAN down the road serves excellent food!!
If you would like to come along please add your name,this dive is not weather dependant
http://www.vobsterquay.co.uk/
29 July 2008
New Inland Dive Site
According to the YD forum there is a new inland Dive site just off J13 M25. With Depths up to 14m and Viz around 4-5m could be a good reasonably local alternative for those desperate to get wet when the sea is too rough. Looks like its not far from Wraysbury. Facilities are limited though.
Check out http://www.the-dive-shop.co.uk/
Tad
Check out http://www.the-dive-shop.co.uk/
Tad
03 July 2008
R.I.P Horsea Island
Well as we are getting over the binned weekend in Looe some of you may be thinking to go for a inland site just to get wet, well you won`t be going to Horsea again EVER it seems.
Yes, its finally been closed after much campaigning as of 30/06/08 no civillian entry is permitted, although the the memories of my open water course nil vis,f reezing cold, mask flooding at this site seemed like hell on earth at the time I think we`ve lost a good training and kit testing site
Yes, its finally been closed after much campaigning as of 30/06/08 no civillian entry is permitted, although the the memories of my open water course nil vis,f reezing cold, mask flooding at this site seemed like hell on earth at the time I think we`ve lost a good training and kit testing site
18 May 2008
Vobster Quay , Somerset ~ 10th May
Nine divers attended the Vobster day out and a good day was had by all. We managed a grand total of 3 dives at this well maintained dive site. The purpose of the visit was mainly for a check out dive for the guy`s that had new kit, ie ponies, dry suit`s, new reg`s and others that had recently passed their open water. The vis was very good at the start of the day[10m+] and to be fair still wasn`t bad at the end of the day after the hoardes of training divers had finished. We managed to get round all the submerged attraction`s.
The new air fill station was flat out all day with no probs giving very quick turn around, the shop was well stocked with essentials one diver bought a brand new set of fins £25 bargin! Food OK not brill, better to take own food and stop for a bite on the way home. On the whole a very enjoyable day`s diving.
The new air fill station was flat out all day with no probs giving very quick turn around, the shop was well stocked with essentials one diver bought a brand new set of fins £25 bargin! Food OK not brill, better to take own food and stop for a bite on the way home. On the whole a very enjoyable day`s diving.
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