During the Xmas holidays a dive trip that was planned between Andrew H, Andy C and myself had been spoiled by the weather so I was keen to get some action.

From the UKRS News group it was apparent that a get together was planned for Stoney Cove on January 6th.

Finding Andy H at Strensham Services was not a problem as there are not a lot of people there at 5:15 am. So it was on to Stoney, me following “Red Leader”. First mistake as I found out that navigation was not his strong point.

Incidentally he did improve once he got underwater.

Once we contacted Andy C on his mobile we were introduced to rest of the UKRS crowd, and everyone paired up for the forthcoming dives, me I got Andy H with his inbuilt and infallible sense of direction?????

Prior to the dives it was noticed that I was the only one wearing a semi dry suit and various comments about my sanity were passed, especially as the water temp was 7 degrees. I decided to accept Andy C’s offer of an additional waistcoat to give extra insulation.

The first dive involved a surface swim to the site of the Stanegarth and then a decent along the line. Following some time in this area we ascended to the 7m ledge, as I had used most of my air, and spent a while looking a the various fish.

The second dive, and Andy’s navigation finally comes good as he finds the BOP, the bus, and the Wessex, he missed the Viscount cockpit though, but we will let him off for that one.

The third dive, by which time my dry suited buddy was feeling the cold, albeit slightly. He decided to don a thick polar neck sweater, bad mistake. Fifteen minutes into the dive his neck seal decided to allow the contents of Stoney Cove to enter his dry suit and we had to abort the dive. Of course we all had sympathy with his unfortunate predicament????

Looking back I think that the highlight of the day must be Andy H doing his James Bond impression. Unfortunately I would have preferred my coffee to have been simply stirred, as that way some of it would have remained in the cup.

That guy really knows how to shiver.

For more pics that were taken see Andy’s dive report.