Capernwray

This is Capernwray Dive Centre near Lancaster, first time I have ever been and it was brilliant! Its about a 3 hour journey from Northamptonshire up the M6 but it was totally worth it.

We went up on Friday night so that I could be there for 9am.

I was finishing my Drysuit speciality course off that I started on March 13th last year but had to abandon due to a faulty valve and some seriously bad vis at Stoney Cove!

Today though none of those problems, my bouancy felt really good I can really see the difference and how beneficial the week in Egypt was in February. I had no issues with the valve although I have short arms and when I'm underwater i'm struggling to reach the dump valve on my left arm. Still I had two good dives with things to take away from each one, mainly confidence and niggly issues that will sort themselves out when I have my own drysuit and with everything the more I wear a drysuit the more I will feel happier. The problem with hiring one from the club is that they rarely fit right and with the suit I was wearing today the boots were too big by several sizes causing cramp in my calf and trapped air in the feet. I need to resolve this soon, so I have been trawling the scuba diving sites looking at different ones and next weekend I am heading to Portland in Dorset so will go in and talk to the guys at O'Three and see what they have to say and look at their suits.

One thing I do know is that I much prefer using my BCD to control my bouancy rather than the drysuit. It felt totally out of my comfort zone which is not a bad thing its good to stretch yourself but I still prefer using my BCD! As someone said it is almost like learning to dive again.

A good day though and I have my ticket now! More diving in the UK to be done as I can extend my season by being able to use a drysuit!

Thanks for your messages the other day on my blip day and a very special occasion.

Edit... I have just seen my one year ago thumbnail... can't believe its a year ago that we were getting ready to leave Ghana heading for home... we had to say goodbye to those lovely lovely people in that blip... we miss you all!!