Here it is the long over-due “Doing It …” report from September, so firstly apologies for that, but hey you have to forgive him. Forgive Mark that is, because “yes” it actually happened, we saw him in UK waters !! So we’re pretty sure it took him this long to get over the shock of how good it really was, and get his notes down on paper.

But enough of that and on to the review of this months dive site: Porth Ysgaden

The sheltered bay at Porth Ysgaden was a really well protected little dive site, with absolutely loads of life, and certainly one of our best sites during 2006, the only problem we did have was trying to find it. So as we all zig-zag’d across each other, nipping up and down little Welsh country lanes, and in and out of farmers fields, I’m pretty sure we managed to amuse more than a few of the local sheep. Of course all that pales into insignificance compared to the sheer “brilliance” of the local guy who was insistent that the bay we wanted was along the road and on the “left”, oooh ar yes along and on the “left”. No major problems though, other than we could clearly see the sea on our right, oh and that he was in actual fact pointing “right” !

Anyway sometime later we all managed to arrive in the same car park, park up and admire the view. The first priority of course being to determine the location of the “gents”, after some debate it was decided it was in actual fact the 3^rd boulder on the left, not the 4^th one (that was of course the “ladies”, as it was uphill !). Once the Scuba + Outdoor Team, of Mark; Phil and Martin had assembled and gathered al the happy “Doing It’ers” together our day began.

A comprehensive briefing, determined that our best course of attack was to aim for a dive either side of high tide. We agreed to enter the bay, head across the far wall, descend down and then head out along it. This plan would then allow us to nip through one of the numerous gullies, out of the bay to open sea. So after we had all buddied up; kitted up and logged ourselves in with Phil we headed off to explore. The more experienced divers, including Paul; Nick; Graham; David; Simon and Rainey all headed off to see what they could discover. This allowed Mark and Martin to take their time escorting the remainder of the “Doing It’ers” in on their first salty-sea dive.

As the groups progressed along the inner-side of the wall there were plenty of sightings of Wrasse; Crabs and Flatties. It was a bit of a learning curve for some of the group, as this was their first sea dive, but by the end of the dive everyone was looking really good down there. With almost military specific navigation, every pair and group swam almost perfectly back to the entry / exit point (wow, were good !).

After a short surface interval, a watch of the seals taunting us out in the bay and another use of the 3^rd boulder on the left, we got ready for a second dive. The groups all determined their own plans this time, with a number of us opting to send up our SMB’s and explore the sandy centre of the bay. Now this really would be a test of Marks navigation, so understandably Keith and Eddie were looking a little apprehensive, but anyway at least they were there to look after him (he he he !). However credit were its due, their SMB did indeed head a direct course to the bay’s central marker buoy, turn left and return back along the main wall – so we’re pretty sure it was Keith or Eddie navigating not Mark.

Once again with clockwork precision every single group returned to the slip-way, within good time, and most importantly with big smiles. The whole group then de-kitted, waved goodbye to the seals, that were taunting us yet again, and headed off for an assortment of burgers; sarnies and chips – Mmmmmmm !