Loch Long - Line Dancing in Wellington Boots!

The van left Winsford on a rainy Friday afternoon heading north for a late visit to Loch Long. VRSAC usually go up early in the year when the air is crisp and the mountain peaks white. October was no different – the rain was wet and the glens snowy! We seemed to go through a time warp as we arrived at our accommodation to find the1970s were alive and kicking with line dancing as the bar entertainment. Goldilocks Northway explored the chambers to find a suitable bed for the night as the boys tapped their feet to the C&W.

Saturday morning we rose early and set off for the caves. I had never done this dive before but heard about the entry. There have been outlandish tales as to the severity of access to this site which I would love to share but I took the blood brothers pact to never, on pain of death, divulge the nature of Steve’s Assault Course SDC. Suffice to say with a hop, skip and a jump, we all made it down the fairy glen. Mark provided shore cover as he felt a sniffle coming on. The dive was stunning. Not so much caves but large boulders plastered with delicate sea loch anemones, topped with plumose anemones on the ridges. Squat lobsters hid in fissures flanked by leopard spotted gobies. As it can be imagined, this was a popular spot with fishermen and there was plenty of monofilament present. Ariel had to free an edible crab which was tied up. As he freed the poor creature, it tried to take a swipe at his saviour – so much for gratitude! Getting cold – water temperature around about the 10ºC so a quick scramble out and back to the warmth of the Pit Stop Diner for a hot chocolate and a plate of chips.

The afternoon dive was a choice of Conger Alley, an old favourite, which despite its name, there are no congers (do you see a pattern emerging here?) or a reccie on a different spot. Ernie had a few thoughts and we opted for a new site – let’s just call it Ammo Alley in order to protect the individuals involved! A very easy entry was afforded and the terrain much the same as this morning, shallow mussel beds giving way to a gentle gravel slope reaching down to larger boulders with a thin covering of pink encrusting algae and keel worms. Common starfish and dog whelks grazed the turf whilst gold sinney and ballan wrasse swam around –again this was a popular fishing spot, evident by the discarded fishing line and the tinnies. Once more the cold curtailed the dive and this is where we put into practice the second half of Steve’s Assault Course SDC as we scrambled back up the bank. Loading the van which was parked next to a puddle, the lads weren’t laughing at my ’choice’ of footwear now – wellies which were the only comfy footwear I could don after a minor procedure on my toe.

A very pleasant evening was had at the Village Inn for some warming comestibles and refreshing beer then retiring back to the Hotel for some more diddly-eye music before hitting the hay.

Sunday morning and a lie in (breakfast served at 9am!). Eventually DaveG got his fayre and after scraping the windscreen we were off to the A frames. Our party had expanded to 10 as we were joined by the Farnworth clan who had the delights of their first UK open water dive. The site was busy with many divers but we were able to get in without any problems. Lesley expertly navigated out over a gravelly seabed. Tiny gobies darted beneath us and small spider crabs hopped over the sugar kelp. Finally we found the A frames, or a selection of them at least. More dog whelks, oaten pipe hydroids and squirts adorned the section. Massive hermit crabs inhabited old whelk shells as 2 spot gobies flitted here and there. We also spied a magnificent feather star reclining over an empty shell. Again cold got to us and Lesley once again followed the lodestone bearing back to base.

Dave and Ernie finished the 3 dive expo with a fourth dive then we all piled in the van and headed off to Helensburgh for a well deserved hot chocolate and cheese toastie before heading back to Winsford. Lovely company and some good diving was had. Music choices by some of the drivers left a bit to be desired but I think I’ll put my name down for next year! Wendy

Capernwray Oct 2010 - Harold and Hilda go diving!

An extra expedition was squeezed into the dive calendar as Ariel wanted to test his brand spanking new suit, a suit that I was very lucky to win earlier this year. Why didn’t I get the suit you may ask, because I had won one the year before! So in matching suits Wendy and Ariel AKA Harold and Hilda took to the waters.

First dive, Team Compass, Wendy and Dave Humphries circumnavigated the quarry with only a compass to guide them, successfully finding most of the set points, and finding the remainder with pilotage (allowed in my books!). A very successful exercise was carried out, which included air checks and contingency routes if air consumption was greater than anticipated. However with Dave’s increasing confidence now as a qualified Sports Diver, these weren’t needed but it always good to go through these calculations!

The other pair, Team Visibility, Paul and Ariel had a novel objective – to estimate visibility in the quarry. Taking a leaded line, this was attached to an object – say the helicopter container and then unwound as the pair swam away from the object. They would then turn when it was out of sight and reel in until just in view. The pair estimated what they thought the vis to be then proceeded to reel in whilst measuring the line with length of string that had been marked at 0.5, 1 and 2 metre increments. This was done at 2 different locations and the results were quite amazing. Both divers had under estimated the vis – first estimate Ariel reckoned 12m, Paul reckoned only 10m. When the distance was measured they were both stunned by an incredible 16m! Second site having the experience of the first they were less conservative. Ariel guessed 8-9m whereas Paul surmised 12m. Actual distance 12.5m! Top marks to newly qualified Ocean Diver Paul!

However the question on everyone’s lips was – did Ariel enjoy a dry dive? Answer was a resounding YES! Well apart from the dry gloves bit, just need to RTFM to get to grips with the proper attachment. Oh and I have to add, because the suit is a neoprene as oppose to his old membrane, he needed to do a weight check. An amazing extra 6kg was required. No more lifting that weight belt with 1 hand!

After a quick bite to eat and keeping the same pairings, we then swapped objectives. Dave and Wendy did the visibility check with very similar results as Ariel and Paul, although we were more conservative with our estimates. Both of us were astounded with the actual readings. Ariel and Paul went on a compass mission. Both teams returned, remarking how the objects under water seemed to move around!



Diving over for the day, we headed up to the café for a coffee and a bowl of chips. The weather was unusually warm for the time of year and the water a pleasant 16ºC. The quarry was a bit like diver soup at times, seems a large number of trainees were undergoing open water drills. Home for a DVD, pizza and bottle of wine – perfect ending for a perfect day. Thanks to all who made it so.

Wendy Northway