Setting off from Cardiff everything looked good, the sun was almost shining and Jason and I got the pleasure of joining G and Amanda in the surf which meant and extra 10 minutes in bed result!!! After catching the mini bus up, the convoy made its way to the wonderful English countryside, where Vobster awaited. Of course there was queue upon arrival which went quicker than expected but then it wouldn't be Vobster without one.
Once the site briefing had been given and the bus was unloaded it was time to go diving, but of course something goes wrong and Sophie decided to get a puncture on the way (you're meant to drive on the road!!). Having just lost my car key myself I politely told Sophie not to have both her car keys on the same key ring for obvious reasons, say no more! The sun was now out and the quarry looked warm, kitting up took a while for some people, not mentioning any names but G did not look happy, a brilliant start to the training. Just as everyone had kitted up, Sophie comes over looking very upset, informing us that she had just locked her car keys in the boot! Could your day get any worse? You were warned!
Kieran and I managed to get in the water first by some miracle and actually managed to finish the dry suit SDC! Third times charm! The water was a mild 5 degrees almost warm enough to break into a sweat, but not quite. The novices then took the plunge into the warm water to start their ocean diver assessments, by this time Sophie had calmed down and managed to get the spare key for the car and was smiling again. After getting out the water it was time for food and lots of it! Emily had made another cake, this time lemon drizzle, which I think everyone agreed was awesome.
Then came the rain and then hail as if it wasn't cold enough as it was (not snow Jason, snow doesn't hurt!). Anyway time for a second dive and surprisingly everyone went in, which was brave or stupid I'm not sure which. Kieran and I managed to learn how to use a compass after 30 minutes at the surface, but I apparently don't know what a plane looks like, after being told to navigate to it, I just swam straight passed! After spending over an hour in the water it was time to ascend, learning how to use a DSMB, we proceeded to 6m for a safety stop, at which point Kieran decided he wouldn't bother and surface for some more lemon drizzle cake! By which time all the novices had completed their second assessment and where ready to go home, leaving us last yet again! Packing up quickly it was time to go home, ending the day on a high with everyone completing their assessments as planned!
Check out the photos in the gallery.
