It was a fine day when we left Winsford at about 1.30pm but as soon as we crossed the border into that little micro climate that is Wales, the heavens opened! Poor Sue Dewhirst who had come as shore cover and looking forward to a nice clear night would now experience a wetter evening than her rowing duties that morning!
Whilst it was still light we did an orientation dive and I was pleasantly surprised with the vis. Considering the time of day and the amount of rain (and I mean serious rain!) I thought it would be pretty poor but no, the quarry was very clear, maybe 10m vis?
We started by honing our buoyancy by going along the 6m wire, then we descended to the bottom and had a little reccie. Chester SAC had already started laying a route – chemiluminesence sticks adorned the bottom providing a colourful pathway, almost like Hansel and Gretel’s bread trail, but there was no gingerbread house at the end. Once we were happy and got our money’s worth, we curtailed the dive in anticipation of the main event.
The rain was so heavy that inbetween dives we sat in our cars, frantically trying to stop shivering as we ate our sandwiches! Plenty of other divers were about and they all dressed the part – skeleton bone costumes, witches hats, devil horns and then there was Ernie, Alan and me!
The dive proper – at just past 7.30 the gang of three entered the water. A large spotlight had been erected at the waters edge, without which it was pitch black. I always find Vivian a bit gloomy at the best of times as it surrounded by high slate walls. Our descent was illuminated by a LED rope light, which had a mystical quality to it, provided by Chester SAC - when Chester do a night dive, they do it in style!
We followed what we’d done on the orientation dive. Along the 6m wire, then descending to the bottom. There was a very peaceful and calming atmosphere in the gloom which our torches brightly lit up and provided a warm glow. I imagined this was very like cave diving must be like. I found the orientation dive very helpful even though I had dived Vivian a gazillion times before as it served as a reminder and also gave an indication of what the conditions would be like.
Alan was first to spot an eel – he was lucky enough to see it full length. I only glimpsed its head as it shot into the leaf mould. Still counts nonetheless! We headed back to our point of entry, past the mystical rope light then to the far end where we could hear the generator going – surges in the power as the more sensible amongst us were in the warmth watching Strictly! All too soon, we reached 50bar and thus we started to ascend. Hold on a moment, why’s it gone dark – the mystical rope light had mysteriously vanished! On surfacing, the only light visible was the glow of Sue’s iphone! Chester had taken all their lights! Luckily we had our torches to guide us back to the car park where Chester were tucking into a well earned barbeque. As I said, they do night dives in style! A lovely couple of dives were had providing something a little different from the norm which I would highly recommend for expanding experience. Any takers for next year?
Wendy Northway
