St Abbs and Eyemouth, 2005 Administrative Stuff

For those of you who come on this trip, I'd like to point out the following:

1. I'm not organising a trip in the sense that your club or dive shop organises a trip.  I'm simply trying to get a group of like minded divers together for the weekend to dive, take photos, fly kites, drink beer, have barbeques.

2. I'm not going to organise the diving.  There is a shed load of diving available on this stretch of coastline, have a look at the related links, buy the "Dive St Abbs and Eyemouth" book, have a google.  What I and others more experienced in the area will be doing is trying to suggest dive sites suitable for the conditions on any particular day.  You choose your dive, you dive your dive, we all have a laugh. The chances are, though, that the next day's diving will be decided over a beer and a sausage on the evening previous.

3. No one is going to tell you how or where to dive.  That is your responsibility, you plan the dive, you dive your plan, you are responsible for your own practise and safety.  However, generally there will be surface cover as it is good to stagger the diving, the gullies get a bit tight with too many divers in the water.

4. I'm not going to be responsible for anything, at all, nothing, nada, zilch.  So if your tent gets eaten by rampaging elephants, your kit gets nicked, you get lost and end up in Norway, you drive all the way from Kent and we're blown out all weekend - tough.  As it says up there, I'm only bringing the people, it's your weekend, your diving, your problem.

5. The boat.  I have booked the boat.  11 of you (plus me) are booked on board, I have received cash from you all - you know who you are, if you don't know whether you are on the boat or not, then its "not" I'm afraid. If you are a "not" and want to go out on a boat, let me know - there are lots of them in the area and spaces should be easy to get in advance. At least one pair intend to do very little or no shore dives - something could be arranged here.

6. The boat divesites.  I have suggested to the skipper that we would like to dive "The Glanmire", the afternoon dive should have slack on the wreck however this will mean a reverse profile for the day. I'm not bothered about this, recent research suggests that there is no problem so long as the diving isn't too aggressive - it won't be.

7. If you are confirmed on the boat and then cannot make it, let me know yesterday or sooner.  I have loads of people interested and have my club and Gordon M's lot to flog spaces to, to cover costs, however if I can't fill it you won't get your money back.  If you just don't turn up, don't expect your money back.  Also, don't try to send someone else in your place, they won't get on the boat and we will enjoy the extra room.

8. Book your own accommodation.  I'm not taking responsibility for that, there are so many options for accommodation and peoples expectations vary wildly - I'm staying in the hostel, if you're not, I'll see you in the pub.  That said I have booked the Hostel and paid up front.  If you haven't paid me - please do so now.

8. We will be diving in the St Abbs and Eyemouth marine reserve, leave your podgers, lobster hooks and spearguns in the garage.

9. The last word on everything is, once again, "you are responsible for everything except booking the boat (and now the hostel)".  If you are not comfortable with being responsible for everything to do with your diving (including but not limited to planning, gas planning, navigation, underwear, equipment, rescue, travel, accommodation, environmental awareness etc the you know what to do.

10. Nearer the time I will send everyone my contact details so we can all arrange to be in the same place at the same time.

Things you should bring:

1. You - pretty pointless sending someone else.

2. Camera - this place is stunning, both above and below the water, bring cameras for both.

3. Dive gear - it is a diving weekend after all.

4. Kite - bring one if you have one, deltas, foils, single liners anything - superb fun in the surface intervals.

5. Beer money - and beer in portable containers.

6. Air Fill money - there is a compressor on the campsite which had perfectly nice air, also Aquastars in Eyemouth and there are others too.

Things you should do if you are coming:

1. Confirm to me which days you are coming so we can arrange to meet.

2. Book accommodation.

3. Send me money for the boat and hostel.

4. Let me know if there are specific divesites you want to visit.