Pembroke August 2007 Dive Trip Report

Location Pembrokeshire – around Skomer Island

August 24 – 27th 2007

In attendance:

Sam Griffiths

Steve Armitage

Chris Pirie

Cherry Alviani

Paul McCloghrie

Luke Sanders

Chris Stevens

Kerrie Arnot

Mark and Wendy Bushall

Simon Millings

Blair Lindsay

Rachel Locklin

Helen Knowles

The worst thing about Bank holidays is the Bank Holiday traffic, and journeys to South Wales which vary from 5 to 8 hours, although the keener members of the party had flown in from New York especially, or so I’d like to think. Either way everyone was accounted for by 9:30 and after a few drinks and introductions to the newest and youngest members of the diving fraternity Finley and Isabelle (both adorable) most people retired for the night.

Saturday morning was bright sunshine and clear sky’s, which lasted right up until we reached Dale and discovered Sea Fog which sadly persisted for the rest of the day. Our skipper was Andy Truelove of the Volsung and it was a nice enough boat with plenty of hot drinks and a big cabin for those who like to stay out of the sun. Luckily surface conditions and tides were in our favour so after a lugging our kit aboard we headed off to the Lucy for our first dive (25-40m). Unfortunately the shot was missing but after discussion Andy was persuaded to shot it for us and Paul was sent down to check accuracy. Luckily he didn’t return so everyone followed suit to find the shot wrapped around the mast - yay.

Those who didn’t feel up to (down to?) the Lucy went off to nearby Rye rocks which was an extremely scenic dive and probably my favourite of the weekend. All aboard and we headed off to the north wall of Skomer, sadly without the sun shinning it was a bit gloomy but still a quiet ridiculous number of lobsters, crabs and crawfish.

The evening’s entertainment was a BBQ and good old catch-up at Steve’s caravan, thanks to Blair for organising the food and Luke and Steve for cooking. Although the best offering had to be the chocolate filled bananas which went down a storm thanks to Chris S and Kerrie.

Sunday was hot, sunny and a glorious day to be out on a boat. First dive of the day was Stack rocks which is outside the reserve and full of gullies and crevices to explore. Sadly it was a bit shallow for the depth junkies but the scenic pootlers weren’t complaining about 15m of wall to investigate. Two lobsters were collected and duely christened, although I’m not sure if I should be flattered or concerned!

The second dive was a reef on the south side of Skomer, sheltered, teeming with life, Tompot blennies, prawns, lobsters and crawfish a plenty. Although, the high light was definitely the inquisitive seal who came to join us for a safety stop, and for a playful chew on my fins. Helen and Simon win the prize for the only octopus sighting of the weekend.

Back at the campsight the idea of finding a pub was quickly abandoned for take aways and finishing the rest of the booze. We will not mention the horror that befell the two BBQ’d lobsters (from outside the no take zone) the smell does not bear repetition. After the sun went down went down it became a bit cold, so on went the undersuits which made us look like wombles according to Amanda.

Monday: After a late start, thanks to West Wales Divers not filling my tank, we headed over to the Wick on the South West end of Skomer. Having been promised 40m the Twinsetters all disappeared over the side with aim of finding depth. Unfortunately at low water they needed a spade to find 35m, oh well. The rest of us enjoyed a rather spectacular wall of jewel anenomies and plenty of lobsters and crabs, unfortunately the visibility was only around 5-6m so we didn’t get the full effect of the wall but under optimum conditions this would be an amazing dive.

Chirs P’s drysuit magically acquired a split which occupied a good half hour of discussion on new and novel ways to bodge it together for the final dive, ending with Chris bobbing gracelessly in the water - no we don’t know why.

The second dive was a drift over a reef, although by the end there wasn’t much of a current to be had. That said, everyone saw dog fish, and egg cases were spotted, so we know what they’d been up to! With the wind getting up and the sky turning grey we headed home, fought our way through the Dale crowds and I hope that everyone one was well into the Bank Holiday traffic by 5pm. Prize for the longest journey goes to Paul who did Wales to Oxford to Reading to London, and home for 1:30.a.m!

Which leaves me just to say thank you again to everyone for an enjoyable Trip and I’m already looking forward to the next one.

See you soon

Sam