tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85107592069213953742024-03-05T13:17:46.827+00:00Royal RamblingsThe musings of a Scottish PrincessScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-11780597564659808902018-02-27T20:26:00.000+00:002018-03-04T13:08:06.369+00:00A Plastic-free Planet - Pie in the Sky or Achievable Dream?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been a while since you heard from me. I didn't feel like I had anything new to say so I kept quiet. That all changed last week.<br />
<br />
There has been a lot of coverage in the media recently about plastic, particularly plastic that ends up in the oceans and travels thousands of miles around the globe, polluting the oceans and harming corals and other aquatic life. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgufuSHAKA6pcudkG8RHUTim8BAeCOGW6h-uGI2OG7mxQEj4wuszzOGnkYWyrsOBF4Luijmpl59tUqL2C0b-RvTwkW0tHaHob9ggq56O8J070oqs68oe-mkj_qBMN6gr6tPwql7plyuoSZ/s1600/bear+cone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="513" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgufuSHAKA6pcudkG8RHUTim8BAeCOGW6h-uGI2OG7mxQEj4wuszzOGnkYWyrsOBF4Luijmpl59tUqL2C0b-RvTwkW0tHaHob9ggq56O8J070oqs68oe-mkj_qBMN6gr6tPwql7plyuoSZ/s320/bear+cone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
David Attenborough has also shown us in <a href="http://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-03-02/blue-planet-2-plastic-waste-final-episode/" target="_blank">Blue Planet II</a> the extent of the
damage it causes as it is not biodegradable and moves around causing
trouble for years. My husband and I both enjoy scuba diving and we have seen first hand some of the plastic at the bottom of the ocean.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPI9VYoDCnRPduT4_io3kabuze4UQEn_JRsD60ZOC_skOgGp04RscchV9FBemF22l7e562N-cWusffse7XGAYA_8YkxlakZZ4BY2RO_GddppEP9LtdL5WQFsNqXNDyqexvaT1Mfu77z0V/s1600/Water+pollution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="453" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPI9VYoDCnRPduT4_io3kabuze4UQEn_JRsD60ZOC_skOgGp04RscchV9FBemF22l7e562N-cWusffse7XGAYA_8YkxlakZZ4BY2RO_GddppEP9LtdL5WQFsNqXNDyqexvaT1Mfu77z0V/s320/Water+pollution.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This (see link below) is why we need to start finding alternatives to plastic. Please read the points that the writer, Richard Horner, makes and watch the video. If this deosn't make you want to ditch plastic, I don't know what will.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/cheeseandjamsandwich/posts/10155748003183183" target="_blank">VIDEO _ Ocean plastic invasion in Bali</a><br />
<br />
In the Bali video you can see jellyfish swimming past the diver. The plastic bags look very similar to them. Is it any wonder marine animals that normally feed on jelllyfish end up eating plastic and dying?<br />
<br />
We have the #refusethestraw campaign going on just now because apparently plastic straws are one of the most frequent finds in beach cleanups. The Scottish Government is currently taking steps to introduce a deposit scheme to encourage people to return plastic bottles for re-use or recycling, although I'm hoping it will include cans, like a similar scheme in Finland. However, none of this seems enough to solve the plastic problem. It's a lot more than straws and bottles. Here's one piece of non-biodegradable junk we found off the east coast of Scotland:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22aEDkEeKcuggl-dtYe7coCjdmLsniPpygLaJKJhfw6wr_lVXC6FMs6-wk_EuSvehOjZUYv_H7WlvEFqeDXG5dD2vswILCXZGQCPjiXWSvMMb2cHbKrWnmW7YsjVbjGmW768dxz97LZO3/s1600/TV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22aEDkEeKcuggl-dtYe7coCjdmLsniPpygLaJKJhfw6wr_lVXC6FMs6-wk_EuSvehOjZUYv_H7WlvEFqeDXG5dD2vswILCXZGQCPjiXWSvMMb2cHbKrWnmW7YsjVbjGmW768dxz97LZO3/s320/TV.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I remember when the stem on cotton buds used to be made from paper as were straws, and bottles were all glass. The milk man would leave bottles of milk on the front step every morning. We'd use the milk, rinse the bottles and put them back on the front step for the milk man to collect while he was dropping off fresh bottles. Some of the milk floats were ahead of their time as well. You could hear the humming of their electirc motors as they moved
along the street delivering milk. My milk now comes from Tesco or
Morrisons in plastic bottles. Is "milk man" even a job any more?
Probably not.<br />
<br />
When I was at primary school I used to walk a mile or so to school every morning. I used to pass The Creamery on my way - a big building set back off the road that usually had metal milk churns and crates of glass bottles sitting outside and little rivers of spilt milk running across the tarmac in front of it. (Yes I am that old.) That's where the milk bottles came from and went back to every day. As kids it used to fascinate us. Sadly, it was demolished a long time ago and replaced with bungalows and all that's left of it is its name.<br />
<br />
Why do ready made pizzas always seem to have a polystyrene base (which is not generally recyclable) these days? There must be other options. Our recycling bins are full to overflowing every fortnight when I put them out for emptying but not everyone is as zealous about recycling. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXAoeVBCtJ4ompMXob8x0oyYpWT0_ks0MNBgyLzQvwomPyWdkNfLTi9wbCVRNEGkXwnU13PMmfGgXaR2Wy9iwLMyiwMMtjLK1I5cHin0dSaxKSbSBX1CGfLovRiJHeY9wkyjrUbSyxXJy/s1600/Pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1483" data-original-width="1600" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXAoeVBCtJ4ompMXob8x0oyYpWT0_ks0MNBgyLzQvwomPyWdkNfLTi9wbCVRNEGkXwnU13PMmfGgXaR2Wy9iwLMyiwMMtjLK1I5cHin0dSaxKSbSBX1CGfLovRiJHeY9wkyjrUbSyxXJy/s320/Pizza.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
If we can transport eggs around in moulded cardboard boxes without too many breakages why do we have to package so many electrical goods in massive blocks of polystyrene for protection? My biggest gripe is about blister packs though. Why can't this toothbrush be packed in a cardboard box with a product photo on the outside? Why does it need an evil blister pack?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvevoaqzy9wtSAiQq5qublNyXx9Q8UH97qpeAZqTYPfCbx1uTbOUJcJdoWqKxxUgYKi2sSHqQYKeX5U9hDID593k59deWKJiyDdTQpvwE43WO7OEqs8rNXJLSWt6wz5qxZI251EhoMElR/s1600/Blister.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="256" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvevoaqzy9wtSAiQq5qublNyXx9Q8UH97qpeAZqTYPfCbx1uTbOUJcJdoWqKxxUgYKi2sSHqQYKeX5U9hDID593k59deWKJiyDdTQpvwE43WO7OEqs8rNXJLSWt6wz5qxZI251EhoMElR/s320/Blister.png" width="140" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I have drawn blood multiple times trying to open pointless blister packs. I could go on and on..... but I won't.<br />
<br />
Something that we all buy is food, whether raw ingredients, cooked meats or ready meals. From what I can see, the vast majority of food products nowadays are packaged in plastic, usually a moulded plastic tray with a film lid and a cardboard sleeve, not all of them recyclable. Fruit and vegetables are usually in a plastic bag when paper would probably do. Potatoes used to come in string bags when I was young. Some suppliers of ready meals do at least provide a recyclable packaging option, such as an aluminium tray for oven-cooked ready meals or a re-usable glass dish for cold desserts. <br />
<br />
In my house we don't tend to buy many ready meals as we like to cook everything from scratch. However, now and then, when you're tired, short of time, or don't have the right ingredients in the cuboards, a ready meal can hit the spot. A few weeks ago, we saw a new ready meal brand in our local Tesco called <a href="https://www.bighams.com/" target="_blank">Charlie Bigham's</a>. The meals looked a bit different from the rest of the brands around them in the fridges so we checked them out. I paid absolutely no attention to the packaging at the time but really enjoyed the meal.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q0Wovq7XjtfJ-JHaL5Q8iNORp9FHLHBBLdkoGownMwVHCjvv-9fMO8aDNpsWp38a6zLhJjte8PidLrVcK_vcrmLvaGuW0OSWbAIjCISaDFh336k0Vs3kbygllirlMuY5x9vChEWJZHEL/s1600/Shelf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="600" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q0Wovq7XjtfJ-JHaL5Q8iNORp9FHLHBBLdkoGownMwVHCjvv-9fMO8aDNpsWp38a6zLhJjte8PidLrVcK_vcrmLvaGuW0OSWbAIjCISaDFh336k0Vs3kbygllirlMuY5x9vChEWJZHEL/s320/Shelf.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
A few meals later I started to appreciate the packaging as well. Most of the ready meals come in a thin wooden tray that is lined with paper that's a bit like a giant cupcake case. The wooden tray can be used in the oven. The first ready meal we bought was Thai red curry with rice. (yes I know it's lasagne in the photo - I liked the photo.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGptwoeakBAlWIX496E0njuDFAZmMGDrbmEb08P0-qmiNg_i1rCDclQmSbHdi9mkktDw8htVOkIKTtBS0Cns0zXXilwsagVjUFDIe1_ksVr-UlAnpNom2mGp_E35qW2i0f5AUL7WnLwrnT/s1600/Lasagne2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="208" data-original-width="471" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGptwoeakBAlWIX496E0njuDFAZmMGDrbmEb08P0-qmiNg_i1rCDclQmSbHdi9mkktDw8htVOkIKTtBS0Cns0zXXilwsagVjUFDIe1_ksVr-UlAnpNom2mGp_E35qW2i0f5AUL7WnLwrnT/s320/Lasagne2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The rice and the curry both came in separate wooden trays in a carboard sleeve, with a little piece of aluminium foil in between, just the right size to cover the rice tray in the oven. It's not 100% plastic free as it's all held together with a small piece of recyclable plastic film.<br />
<br />
Last week I was ill and my husband went out and bought Bigham's chicken and mushroom pies.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KP-1fgBwO3oA2R3G8hpNqPZclwzh7l_KIZtRt35tdDaVZXI0z0CWovaaDohqILciMSmMUjIC9esPgRsZjJcleHxg-IQrMOIaiS_N8hvDk2OMtG5hrPfWEEW2qdWcFmAx2iy_f47Ewmnh/s1600/PieBox.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="483" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KP-1fgBwO3oA2R3G8hpNqPZclwzh7l_KIZtRt35tdDaVZXI0z0CWovaaDohqILciMSmMUjIC9esPgRsZjJcleHxg-IQrMOIaiS_N8hvDk2OMtG5hrPfWEEW2qdWcFmAx2iy_f47Ewmnh/s320/PieBox.png" width="280" /></a></div>
<br />
When he served them up I noticed that they were in re-usable ceramic dishes. They came wrapped in tissue paper, inside a cardboard box.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgB6HC3FOpj4rIPMVwHRGv9n7fN17kCMzU_bfu_pvQISxlQbGuvD0DX_96PvHzv2v2aVFLFafsSUhm4H-1B1H-HzJybBay0Qx91EPOLRT9_gdfphS1d-KZ5h_zx8Q0CyCsaq2i6HDqU63/s1600/PieDish.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="597" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgB6HC3FOpj4rIPMVwHRGv9n7fN17kCMzU_bfu_pvQISxlQbGuvD0DX_96PvHzv2v2aVFLFafsSUhm4H-1B1H-HzJybBay0Qx91EPOLRT9_gdfphS1d-KZ5h_zx8Q0CyCsaq2i6HDqU63/s320/PieDish.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Charlie suggests that,if you don't need any more ceramic dishes, you should consider donating them to a charity shop rather than throwing them out so that the charity can benefit from a small amount of income from the dishes. It was the ceramic dishes that made me stop and think. The wooden trays are biodegradable but have other uses too. Keen gardeners could use them as seed trays, for example, instead of shop bought plastic trays. <br />
<br />
This is a relatively small company in the grand scheme of things but they have done their research and have managed to reduce the amount of plastic in their packing to almost nothing. They are probably not unique so, if you have encountered another company that goes out of it's way to exclude plastics from their brand then please let me know in the comments. Let's promote these brave, pioneering companies and try to encourage everyone else to follow suit.<br />
<br />
I will be writing to the major supermarkets to ask them to consider changing their packaging and I would encourage any like minded readers of this blog to do likewise. I probably also need to write to manufacturers of electrical products to ask why they continue to shroud their products in masses of un-recyclable polystyrene or blister packs.<br />
<br />
Some supermarkets are already starting to make a difference like the one at the link below, in the Netherlands:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/28/worlds-first-plastic-free-aisle-opens-in-netherlands-supermarket" target="_blank">Worlds first plastic-free aisle opens in Netherlands supermarket</a><br />
<br />
There's even a petition in progress if you would like to add your name (not my doing but I've signed it):<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.change.org/p/urge-uk-supermarkets-to-stop-using-plastic-packaging?recruiter=51058531&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial.nafta_milestone_share_ask_victory.control&utm_term=autopublish" target="_blank">Petition - uk-supermarkets-to-stop-using-plastic-packaging</a><br />
<br />
This could keep me busy for the rest of my life.<br />
<br />
If you are like-minded feel free to share this blog and the petition far and wide. </div>
ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-12987994013999598612013-12-21T19:06:00.001+00:002013-12-24T18:18:03.701+00:00The Wonders Of The Red Sea and Finding Nemo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After three years of scuba diving mainly in Scotland, The Boy and I decided it was time to treat ourselves to a diving holiday in warmer water where we didn't need to wear a drysuit. In November, we had the opportunity to go diving in the Red Sea on the <a href="http://www.flowersofsinai.com/tiger.htm" target="_blank">Tiger Lily</a> live-aboard boat. The trip was organised by Martin at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/acediversscotland/" target="_blank">Ace Divers</a> (web site <a href="http://acedivers.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://acedivers.co.uk/</a>) through <a href="http://www.flowersofsinai.com/" target="_blank">Flowers of Sinai</a>. We flew to Sharm El Sheikh and had a short mini-bus ride from there to the harbour where the Tiger Lily was waiting for us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0u-t5wMJq9MpD5J2ZCXsqd4jMGFxue4Lr_MZ15Z2BCEjMgTd7EIu1LKzkD_Z1JBxSIMsQFXv7y2filfeWyKH3RhazfZZDeVmniQLn9sIMjmzR7h9TORHcDa96N3fYsH3Aq2airYci2Xu/s1600/PICT0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0u-t5wMJq9MpD5J2ZCXsqd4jMGFxue4Lr_MZ15Z2BCEjMgTd7EIu1LKzkD_Z1JBxSIMsQFXv7y2filfeWyKH3RhazfZZDeVmniQLn9sIMjmzR7h9TORHcDa96N3fYsH3Aq2airYci2Xu/s640/PICT0004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We were scheduled to do four dives each day: one before breakfast, two during the day and a night dive. The first thing I noticed was that, diving in a wetsuit, I felt almost liberated - no drysuit, no thermals, no drysuit hose, no hood, no gloves. I felt like I had forgotten something when I was kitted up, waiting to do my giant stride into the water, but I had everything I needed. The second thing I noticed was the almost endless visibility. It felt like I could see for miles in clear, blue, warm ocean. Bliss!<br />
<br />
Tiger Lily visited a few sites in the vicinity of Sharm El Sheikh (in the red box around Sharm below):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mm0U0RHtrSFZFsV7pstjf_yLJY_zfbDZClK1IyYRVO9-yDUYIlWSCAlaiJSF8Evjco2cOC7O3RSvbb6Jd5VQLKBOv2DEONWOfClVj3DtMxLIHiGLvSIIe2XogdZeWbM0jo7KVVWoLRZS/s1600/sinai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mm0U0RHtrSFZFsV7pstjf_yLJY_zfbDZClK1IyYRVO9-yDUYIlWSCAlaiJSF8Evjco2cOC7O3RSvbb6Jd5VQLKBOv2DEONWOfClVj3DtMxLIHiGLvSIIe2XogdZeWbM0jo7KVVWoLRZS/s640/sinai.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
We started at a couple of dive sites near Sharm El Sheikh, namely <a href="http://www.diveafricasharm.com/redsea/katymap.html" target="_blank">Ras Katy</a> and <a href="http://www.wernerlau.com/en/diving/egypt/sharm-el-sheikh/dive-site-ras-umm-sid-2_b200p13r4.html" target="_blank">Ras Umm Sid</a>, then headed towards the Gulf of Aqaba and dived the four reefs - Jackson, Gordon, Thomas and Woodhouse - in the <a href="http://www.redseacollege.com/sharm-el-sheikh-diving/sharm-el-sheikh-dive-sites/straits-tiran/" target="_blank">Strait of Tiran</a>.<br />
<br />
There was an incredible amount to see. The aquatic life was phenomenal - rays, giant moray eels, puffer fish, squid, cuttlefish, lionfish (which freaked me out on night dives as they are attracted by the light from your torch) and all sorts of other fish from the tiniest Anthea fish to huge Groupers and Barracuda.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIISlPdZ-afsMyRnFvIEyPoYelpo76F1JF9sDViOxrPkXqbsh2J1kl_BfqTG1L6GbRrUXMdxZaO-kfrRtvz3a3oVRHRfPeExNDkJbuzWMMweIus28lzSB73PGuRLCwfSwi7u-9keJZxNw/s1600/PICT0254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIISlPdZ-afsMyRnFvIEyPoYelpo76F1JF9sDViOxrPkXqbsh2J1kl_BfqTG1L6GbRrUXMdxZaO-kfrRtvz3a3oVRHRfPeExNDkJbuzWMMweIus28lzSB73PGuRLCwfSwi7u-9keJZxNw/s640/PICT0254.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here's giant Moray eel coming out of it's hiding place for a look around: <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLjwsLQbr55kCYeMTvOWOH38HTfhNTOTFHUs2KXhYty8fsQEQjYHrneh0ofxNrhZXwM0Z3v4apbCkv-HRTXULpvXYEtpGQS4hbirEmwXOYiT3A8KkG3LsdqLbdsv-gwDmYkQxMuQebyZ2/s1600/PICT0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLjwsLQbr55kCYeMTvOWOH38HTfhNTOTFHUs2KXhYty8fsQEQjYHrneh0ofxNrhZXwM0Z3v4apbCkv-HRTXULpvXYEtpGQS4hbirEmwXOYiT3A8KkG3LsdqLbdsv-gwDmYkQxMuQebyZ2/s640/PICT0113.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbkyX1OoTdu4saVO1ANKHBmyObAevBh4F8HQdyV7MBlFjp1quXArznBF5uWu1cDr9-P8fprRFIVqCwcHE-2atjQkdIBdi1det_h6q2jxpIROLQ0ZlV_0ab98OAXjlZV7qX4rArjbknx7C/s1600/PICT0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbkyX1OoTdu4saVO1ANKHBmyObAevBh4F8HQdyV7MBlFjp1quXArznBF5uWu1cDr9-P8fprRFIVqCwcHE-2atjQkdIBdi1det_h6q2jxpIROLQ0ZlV_0ab98OAXjlZV7qX4rArjbknx7C/s640/PICT0135.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I was delighted to find that Nemo and his relatives (aka Anemone Fish or Clown Fish) are alive and well and thriving in the Red Sea. We first encountered them on Jackson Reef:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9femgdm8tYZRQe1-l-0Oio50_luop33ZE7e0l4UgKzVKbhOcrYdN0i98w7xAGsQNsu6E5blxc4-vymDMjYLa94c2AN7knZwA97g62fIQSyhGlbuFlOoEMqHZkSC0h5bo_Fj3HH0V68f2/s1600/PICT0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9femgdm8tYZRQe1-l-0Oio50_luop33ZE7e0l4UgKzVKbhOcrYdN0i98w7xAGsQNsu6E5blxc4-vymDMjYLa94c2AN7knZwA97g62fIQSyhGlbuFlOoEMqHZkSC0h5bo_Fj3HH0V68f2/s640/PICT0190.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WejGSsFUnVcaA03OQ2yjg5QgG2Zj4eHrk1SAHIoHmLoH_y2TPElmp4QLDFnWlXSj60_HJb2zssyCYcaWLWt6sZxp5FOXKFsPHLV1L3i5aYti_MOS3E4NFA9K4Q_PQ-DN8uHMfxifKMZk/s1600/PICT0547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WejGSsFUnVcaA03OQ2yjg5QgG2Zj4eHrk1SAHIoHmLoH_y2TPElmp4QLDFnWlXSj60_HJb2zssyCYcaWLWt6sZxp5FOXKFsPHLV1L3i5aYti_MOS3E4NFA9K4Q_PQ-DN8uHMfxifKMZk/s640/PICT0547.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After the reefs in the Strait of Tiran we headed back towards Sharm to reach the Ras Mohammed National Park, stopping at Temple for a night dive on the way. We met our first cuttlefish there. We started the next day with a dive around Shark and Yolanda reefs which have some ship wreckage scattered around them. That marked the start of our wreck dives.<br />
<br />
<br />
The first wreck was the <a href="http://www.ssthistlegorm.com/dunraven" target="_blank">Dunraven</a> where The Boy managed to drop his GoPro. Thankfully he managed to find it again so no harm done. Next we dived the <a href="http://www.aquatours.com/wrecks/marcus.htm" target="_blank">Marcus</a> which has a cargo of Italian tiles. We finished the day with a night dive around Sha'ab Abu Nuhas reef. It was The Boy's 300th dive and a little squid made it memorable by panicking and taking off like a rocket, inking all the way.<br />
<br />
We had a full day of wrecks the following day - the <a href="http://www.diveafricasharm.com/redsea/carnatic.html" target="_blank">Carnatic</a>, the <a href="http://www.diveafricasharm.com/redsea/ghiannisdmap.html" target="_blank">Ghiannis D</a>, the <a href="http://www.aquatours.com/wrecks/ulysses.htm" target="_blank">Ulysses</a> and the <a href="http://www.aquatours.com/wrecks/barge-in-the-bay.htm" target="_blank">Barge</a> at Gobal Island for our night dive. We had our first distant sighting of dophins at Gobal Island. Some of the wrecks were absolutely full of fish. Believe it or not, The Boy is at the other side of this wall of Glassfish. If you look hard you can just see part of his mask:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSL5Q0VvpXrWKYE7bt9i-vTkrAWw48rX9sz8wigpzqZKTnF7sHj7XOuiuQ4nI0-6gKPFmVxrGJwRXGSrNJEqOeKi4CQcSgUnfR1VNUO-8Hem6behKCBE0AVuwjEItSdRbQc8m7p10ELMPj/s1600/PICT0326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSL5Q0VvpXrWKYE7bt9i-vTkrAWw48rX9sz8wigpzqZKTnF7sHj7XOuiuQ4nI0-6gKPFmVxrGJwRXGSrNJEqOeKi4CQcSgUnfR1VNUO-8Hem6behKCBE0AVuwjEItSdRbQc8m7p10ELMPj/s640/PICT0326.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The wall opens up and there he is: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5TwDvviTY273W7_fT_TmIj-XrgsERaRaILilDc3nw7a2QLzaoL6HsbKvNhcSZOCTA8Vb1l4_KaIenUyWFj9cKc2Nsf4fhm6b65Rqoqk7W_73G4zBgoHJblTJ9jS20PJfUovySj3kGjUF/s1600/PICT0328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5TwDvviTY273W7_fT_TmIj-XrgsERaRaILilDc3nw7a2QLzaoL6HsbKvNhcSZOCTA8Vb1l4_KaIenUyWFj9cKc2Nsf4fhm6b65Rqoqk7W_73G4zBgoHJblTJ9jS20PJfUovySj3kGjUF/s640/PICT0328.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
The next morning, our pre-breakfast dive was around Bluff Point. We were taking our time, waking up gently when, all of a sudden, something big started to appear in the distance...... and we all got excited when we realised it was a pod of dolphins:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSbiPvp6mh9DFLIV-chfZ4RyByVIAotAuZkjSV49cgShhMRQK1CcNZjb_kSqhToUt9aG6Z6pCql51p2EqHmmMrO-0QrcF1e9xKa5HBOyO0rP533hYFm_ykyW29-VAmwiAADChdc0JfEUG/s1600/PICT0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSbiPvp6mh9DFLIV-chfZ4RyByVIAotAuZkjSV49cgShhMRQK1CcNZjb_kSqhToUt9aG6Z6pCql51p2EqHmmMrO-0QrcF1e9xKa5HBOyO0rP533hYFm_ykyW29-VAmwiAADChdc0JfEUG/s640/PICT0276.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I was too excited to get decent photos but The Boy managed to film them. They appeared from nowhere, swam around us for a couple of minutes then vanished into the blue. Amazing! That's me with the bright pink fins in the video.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/oebAg-SQUHQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Below is the view we had from the rib on our way back to Tiger Lily from a late afternoon dive with the sun setting on the <a href="http://www.aquatours.com/wrecks/loullia.htm" target="_blank">Loullia</a> wreck. We had been diving at the opposite side of Gordon Reef.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0qfb9zDq6sP6jmASV9t1Ih6WF9nICfv5pDm_a3M1rae6XdOP7Qa4KbHvicHxS_Swqprf0aCOqjdbut9PbDKeEJrDTncTFJgLh7Xjpe99KRLbRQS6vkOUgWuSwbD-2xwYvdFmVbQBJSHW/s1600/PICT0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0qfb9zDq6sP6jmASV9t1Ih6WF9nICfv5pDm_a3M1rae6XdOP7Qa4KbHvicHxS_Swqprf0aCOqjdbut9PbDKeEJrDTncTFJgLh7Xjpe99KRLbRQS6vkOUgWuSwbD-2xwYvdFmVbQBJSHW/s640/PICT0053.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We dived the wrecks of the <a href="http://www.aquatours.com/wrecks/kingston.htm" target="_blank">Kingston</a> and the <a href="http://www.ssthistlegorm.com/" target="_blank">Thistlegorm</a> on our way back to Sharm. The Thistlegorm is a very big wreck and we did three dives on her as there is so much to see. Our very last dive was at <a href="http://egypt.greatestdivesites.com/ras_mohammed/small_passage_small_crack" target="_blank">Small Crack</a>, for which we discarded out wetsuits for a team photo (which I will add when I find it). We said goodbye to all our new friends, including this ray:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXtWXf9y_fkUs9shWY6Ju6PGlADmKxTpA-P781yUJFeo17WTfxEDAw-k5yaAVcP1DkYHUhy8TAsbK3CBnJNUP3kkxTfWYAw448GjOdUwJmfZR4oFMPq2oYOdcCcEz5SClaPSztSlGiViK/s1600/PICT0520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXtWXf9y_fkUs9shWY6Ju6PGlADmKxTpA-P781yUJFeo17WTfxEDAw-k5yaAVcP1DkYHUhy8TAsbK3CBnJNUP3kkxTfWYAw448GjOdUwJmfZR4oFMPq2oYOdcCcEz5SClaPSztSlGiViK/s640/PICT0520.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
All in all, a wonderful holiday and an awesome experience. The crew on Tiger Lily were fantastic and looked after us all really well, especially Kareem, our scuba diving guide for the week. Thanks for a great time.<br />
<br />
As a wee p.s., I read a book for the second time after my trip to the Red Sea, not something I do often but it had a lot more meaning for me after visiting the Red Sea. The Boy reminded me about it on the flight home. It used to only be available in Kindle format but is now available in print for those who prefer it. It's an enlightening read. It's called <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=lost+wife+saw+barracuda&tag=googhydr-21&index=digital-text&hvadid=24514902654&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15784084921104309638&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_8h7fwpadon_b" target="_blank">Lost Wife, Saw Barracuda</a> by John Kean.</div>
ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-85933673560864229212013-01-04T15:38:00.001+00:002016-05-19T07:58:58.841+01:00A Ring For Jackie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here is my first blog of 2013. I was kind of busy at the end of 2012. I had a request to make a ring so I set about it just before Christmas. The first thing to do was to size it correctly so I measured Jackie's finger and determined he was a size G. That was the easy part. I was making the ring from metal clay, which shrinks by 8-9% when it is fired in a kiln so the ring has to be made bigger to allow for shrinkage. I keep a log of everything I make so that I can learn from experience. As you can see from my calculations below, a size K was about the perfect size to shrink to a G.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8fRSht7B5fghYiK_BrNpiXqq-Z2Ou4w57fD8a3vX316j31LZUjUrtu6zAk9r8ulRk4N66maUA19V7_ZlrYWOHugTccU-lmos6ymGTbiT93bRL40vpzVzy-y5qbTzA2QlbDMyZt46gK8X/s1600/KilnLog6101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8fRSht7B5fghYiK_BrNpiXqq-Z2Ou4w57fD8a3vX316j31LZUjUrtu6zAk9r8ulRk4N66maUA19V7_ZlrYWOHugTccU-lmos6ymGTbiT93bRL40vpzVzy-y5qbTzA2QlbDMyZt46gK8X/s640/KilnLog6101.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And here is the 'before' photo. This is the piece of silver clay that I used to make the ring. it doesn't look like much does it? It looks more like a piece of chewing gum than anything related to silver but this will be transformed into a Fine Silver (99.9% silver) ring.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHCpgJO4DZyLJKZmZaGLQNQ744aL1OlzUX34cZTsyCHToybCzXaScU8RX5-6kolrYtgBbBJeNEaIz-MR6FgCfLvA25ZUTumaf77txBR2dagAw0PHV4GytaCHC_fk2fHMcahdFxc9HQdZT/s1600/The+Beginning_0139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHCpgJO4DZyLJKZmZaGLQNQ744aL1OlzUX34cZTsyCHToybCzXaScU8RX5-6kolrYtgBbBJeNEaIz-MR6FgCfLvA25ZUTumaf77txBR2dagAw0PHV4GytaCHC_fk2fHMcahdFxc9HQdZT/s400/The+Beginning_0139.JPG" width="398" /></a></div>
<br />
First the clay has to be kneaded and softened, taking care not to dry it out in the process. Even the heat from your hands can be enough to dry it out so it's usually kneaded inside a piece of cling film. Once it was softened it was time to shape it. For a textured ring, I would roll it out with a tiny plastic roller and use a texture mat to give it a pattern. This time I wanted a smooth ring with a groove so I decided to use a mould. I used plastic moulding material that is softened by hot water and a bamboo knitting needle to create a rounded ring mould then let it cool down to harden.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihrCuQG2mowUb0g07599AcrTTK7FnKSNJigw9BFGEdwsMTjRBoEyarICGJ-LuKtz_WdlldjJp2Q_SDpFhMekBKPYkylGYZY99RXR7MNRALLdi_Mj2SEY8ZSldbmjQI-dYEdD3wTDbEW4q/s1600/The+Mould_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihrCuQG2mowUb0g07599AcrTTK7FnKSNJigw9BFGEdwsMTjRBoEyarICGJ-LuKtz_WdlldjJp2Q_SDpFhMekBKPYkylGYZY99RXR7MNRALLdi_Mj2SEY8ZSldbmjQI-dYEdD3wTDbEW4q/s640/The+Mould_0142.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
When the mould had hardened I removed the knitting needle then coated the surface lightly with olive oil to prevent the clay from sticking. I rolled the clay into a snake shape and pressed it firmly into the mould. After a couple of minutes, I carefully prised it out of the mould and laid it carefully on my cutting tile where I used a very sharp blade to carefully cut off any excess clay. Next, I wrapped a ring paper around my ring mandrel and marked it where it was size K. The next step is the tricky one. This is where I had to drape my tiny clay snake round the ring paper and carefully turn the mandrel until the two ends overlapped then cut through the two layers where I wanted the ends of the ring to join. I got there in the end and carefully removed the ring, still on the paper, so that it could dry.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPE324af_YLNf8iEfWmACX7PQMKh6o_6q6P3VhAmE73SvrDmjb1gIls81q14jFYahkSDAhtkuIlXNFbD8LTfa1VdbShcKlsNv64ljE92QH_qd-OWVpEl1PX07kRuxm-j8hIXGPF9Xhh7X/s1600/Assembled_6097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPE324af_YLNf8iEfWmACX7PQMKh6o_6q6P3VhAmE73SvrDmjb1gIls81q14jFYahkSDAhtkuIlXNFbD8LTfa1VdbShcKlsNv64ljE92QH_qd-OWVpEl1PX07kRuxm-j8hIXGPF9Xhh7X/s640/Assembled_6097.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Next is the time consuming part - waiting for it to dry then sanding and shaping it, inspecting for dents, cracks, etc. and fixing them, waiting for it to dry again and then repeating the process until it looks the way it should. The clay is very delicate in this state so great care has to be taken not to break it or it's back to the drawing board. After a few days of this routine it was almost ready to fire in the kiln but there was one more thing I needed to do. The ring was supposed to have a groove all the way round so I carefully marked the location of the groove with a pencil. I used a very fine, sharp sculpting tool to start off the groove then made it wider and deeper with a diamond file. I fetched my kiln, set it up put the ring on a piece of firing blanket on the shelf and switched it on. Silver clay needs to be fired at a minimum temperature of 650 degrees centigrade for 30 minutes so I'd to wait just over 20 minutes for the kiln to reach temperature then start timing it. Here is the 'cooked' ring.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_f85QQPP9FnNXxRzIx9ZRwhnzfTfxIkKDL3ugt9oGoxZQN40ZXlCji3qk9hue9rla_VPz8yogGE6wNWNL4fEI7eHwPHIxqz2OP6Lh4CtLeFH2BX1TWrmjzB6RPgFIDDy_7-iEZFFfxwjP/s1600/Cooked_0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_f85QQPP9FnNXxRzIx9ZRwhnzfTfxIkKDL3ugt9oGoxZQN40ZXlCji3qk9hue9rla_VPz8yogGE6wNWNL4fEI7eHwPHIxqz2OP6Lh4CtLeFH2BX1TWrmjzB6RPgFIDDy_7-iEZFFfxwjP/s640/Cooked_0255.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Yes, I know. It doesn't look a whole lot different from the uncooked version you saw a couple of paragraphs ago. To begin the transformation it needs to be brushed first with a brass wire brush. This results in a matt / satin silver finish. I gave the inside of the ring a gentle rub with some very fine sandpaper then checked it with the ring guage. Size G - perfect! I started to polish it inside and out using a metal burnisher to bring it to a glossy shine and here is the finished article:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BG2LrPTLRee4pzn3JpSeL88O1r75GF-2G5KZSTmjDxc5ThEWk_jNyj7sZ61s-I0EQCfFDw1-d6G5QTKm7mmGp6P1DHxuHYQq43JI2U6ynQRuFajG8bOt9x4MW72RcYGymU9VZwrcI4Ad/s1600/Finished_6104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BG2LrPTLRee4pzn3JpSeL88O1r75GF-2G5KZSTmjDxc5ThEWk_jNyj7sZ61s-I0EQCfFDw1-d6G5QTKm7mmGp6P1DHxuHYQq43JI2U6ynQRuFajG8bOt9x4MW72RcYGymU9VZwrcI4Ad/s640/Finished_6104.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-69189563358540746322012-09-16T20:48:00.001+01:002012-09-16T21:45:06.284+01:00Fantastic Farnes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last year <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/acediversscotland/" target="_blank">Ace Divers</a> arranged a trip to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farne_Islands" target="_blank">Farne Islands</a> and I was gutted that the trip was full before I could get my name on the list. Fortunately, another trip was arranged for this year and my name was first on the list. The Boy started a new job this month and for a few days it looked like he might not be able to go so I was preparing myself for having to go without him. In the end it all worked out and we were both able to go.<br />
<br />
We headed off early on Friday morning to the harbour in <a href="http://www.seahouses.org/" target="_blank">Seahouses</a>, Northumberland in search of the "big white cat" that turned out to be the <a href="http://farneislandstours.co.uk/farneislands.html" target="_blank">Serenity II</a>, a lovely dive boat with a diver lift - heaven! We passed <a href="http://www.bamburghcastle.com/" target="_blank">Bamburgh Castle</a> on the way. It looked like it could give Edinburgh Castle a run for it's money. Awesome! Must go back and explore it some time. When we arrived at the harbour we paid our £4 for a day's parking, assembled our scuba gear and carried it all on to the Serenity. There was a bit more room that I'm used to on a dive boat. I'm used to boats that are fully loaded with 12 divers but the Serenity took 15 of us and still had space for more.<br />
<br />
As we headed out towards the Longstone / Outer Farne lighthouse one of the crew gave me a bit of the background and history of the area. There are a lot of sea birds in the area but, for divers, it's probably most famous for it's seal population. We could see the odd seal popping it's head above the water on the journey. It didn't take too long to reach our destination and soon we were all kitted up and ready to jump in. I was in a buddy team with The Boy and Niall so the three of us did our deep water entries off the lift for our first dive. Niall was so busy protecting his camera that he forgot to hold his mask. I got to the bottom and realised I'd left my dive computer on the boat. On any other dive that could have been a big problem but we knew that to see the seals we had to stay shallow so it was just annoying not having it. Ironically Niall's camera housing flooded as soon as he got to the bottom so no photos for him.<br />
<br />
It didn't take long for the first seals to appear. I think there were maybe 3 or 4 of them, but they were very playful and interactive.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbg5zcmN63kv0U1OTc_7oU7Rj_5IL0Bf_tQbK8oFC9W7vHl1p_I9eaOFG815WIHQX2he7vqG1RTi8xZw7kZaM0gJf6AtOT8KO8q2KrzE0TapT3Tni3uAKYk750U8RndLDRSpHpTKIQfi8/s1600/PICT0158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbg5zcmN63kv0U1OTc_7oU7Rj_5IL0Bf_tQbK8oFC9W7vHl1p_I9eaOFG815WIHQX2he7vqG1RTi8xZw7kZaM0gJf6AtOT8KO8q2KrzE0TapT3Tni3uAKYk750U8RndLDRSpHpTKIQfi8/s640/PICT0158.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
That's me in the bottom left corner: <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgxT4nL2UdKvBChMIfdOsvu5oiQdEJqASsgtcm6jMLBJK0MMd-QyHWlQonPjrO_QFkd14YOFG_MG6SR0hWtTvaioOCpnJPR_EhbnvPG8I6SsB7HErNIRls6Pa0JOcBEv2q0482YemSM4F/s1600/PICT0160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgxT4nL2UdKvBChMIfdOsvu5oiQdEJqASsgtcm6jMLBJK0MMd-QyHWlQonPjrO_QFkd14YOFG_MG6SR0hWtTvaioOCpnJPR_EhbnvPG8I6SsB7HErNIRls6Pa0JOcBEv2q0482YemSM4F/s640/PICT0160.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTG84G6b_YWHb-Y7iernAoWOskYn0B9KNN5N1zlKsPnbB8xTWWj3ISDSqwlR9NKkdwozlHRU2smX8mfJQDL5RX1B_UtEhyphenhyphenlOG03RuPlJbI74MKy6C9bNpukw8Q4dxiAmmrK4685OLnhGAb/s1600/PICT0177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
They loved The Boy's white Seawings:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTiCDzzOP05hDkKsGYV1PHXqIllUwOX2xGzAE1B9dBjqxkypFJNxVy2Pf3kWIrkCWqe_UdAk5-8nTVVVBam3MLddnHw0e1e8tTANtg8rSXHaUpcUWKhUCIFmaCawyZYAppXzkrDGkTvyD/s1600/PICT0162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTiCDzzOP05hDkKsGYV1PHXqIllUwOX2xGzAE1B9dBjqxkypFJNxVy2Pf3kWIrkCWqe_UdAk5-8nTVVVBam3MLddnHw0e1e8tTANtg8rSXHaUpcUWKhUCIFmaCawyZYAppXzkrDGkTvyD/s640/PICT0162.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTG84G6b_YWHb-Y7iernAoWOskYn0B9KNN5N1zlKsPnbB8xTWWj3ISDSqwlR9NKkdwozlHRU2smX8mfJQDL5RX1B_UtEhyphenhyphenlOG03RuPlJbI74MKy6C9bNpukw8Q4dxiAmmrK4685OLnhGAb/s1600/PICT0177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTG84G6b_YWHb-Y7iernAoWOskYn0B9KNN5N1zlKsPnbB8xTWWj3ISDSqwlR9NKkdwozlHRU2smX8mfJQDL5RX1B_UtEhyphenhyphenlOG03RuPlJbI74MKy6C9bNpukw8Q4dxiAmmrK4685OLnhGAb/s640/PICT0177.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
They were all juvenile seals and, like any human baby, they explore by having a nibble. You swim along looking for seals and suddenly you feel like you're kicking something with your fin. You turn round to look and find there's a seal attached to one of your fins.<br />
<br />
Black Seawings were nearly as popular as white. Niall having his fins nibbled:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLRUsaOu5O3lJthye6ybEJ1euJ_M_sUNAjczbPepIPiQPKftFJVw_4zOKuVHh2p8xSikqq0u3oDQKj8j1CNvmKoDavMYcQw6FIucistKYTMAo8_fFiSB43G9kIA9nH_JtiS3ByFdyu-cb/s1600/PICT0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLRUsaOu5O3lJthye6ybEJ1euJ_M_sUNAjczbPepIPiQPKftFJVw_4zOKuVHh2p8xSikqq0u3oDQKj8j1CNvmKoDavMYcQw6FIucistKYTMAo8_fFiSB43G9kIA9nH_JtiS3ByFdyu-cb/s640/PICT0175.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_4nmNkUk2DoxalUkUmE29O85UbdjET08FAKnrtaLuP89bPU-rbFeGhJDOINdULnF23HcPF8I-nEwqpTAvPMq_24aeezS_oSpugQEHdpz9K9sl3J6IEafrJpuTyOK1bUOmOSwIDy41ZDr/s1600/PICT0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_4nmNkUk2DoxalUkUmE29O85UbdjET08FAKnrtaLuP89bPU-rbFeGhJDOINdULnF23HcPF8I-nEwqpTAvPMq_24aeezS_oSpugQEHdpz9K9sl3J6IEafrJpuTyOK1bUOmOSwIDy41ZDr/s640/PICT0176.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This one was heading for me:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdIqNZzHvMBggT48noEygtFGZYIvC1n9oDTuyxo9g2h5NdG4Hl-c87x7ja0ie9fX8qSeCKnnlxq4pvY-v5r8Db5n35xCSctqE_Z2OARgg7RVuw1vfoAPxFu0_lDc-EePvYvnIlDHhE4jK/s1600/PICT0164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdIqNZzHvMBggT48noEygtFGZYIvC1n9oDTuyxo9g2h5NdG4Hl-c87x7ja0ie9fX8qSeCKnnlxq4pvY-v5r8Db5n35xCSctqE_Z2OARgg7RVuw1vfoAPxFu0_lDc-EePvYvnIlDHhE4jK/s640/PICT0164.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I couldn't work out what it was doing but apparently it was nibbling my hood. I think it liked the white logo:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHbcJxecZENUmh1Odq2pXWi1gitMm35UoNOr18SxHukND7_gl8CxqL05teI7x-gVz64LkBjvfNxz6tREwoPvTqHVA0JRT9RfYhUa9KdVOJFFsnHahTSag91HORbj8UEkHq01lMggh23se/s1600/PICT0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHbcJxecZENUmh1Odq2pXWi1gitMm35UoNOr18SxHukND7_gl8CxqL05teI7x-gVz64LkBjvfNxz6tREwoPvTqHVA0JRT9RfYhUa9KdVOJFFsnHahTSag91HORbj8UEkHq01lMggh23se/s640/PICT0165.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The Boy managed to coax them in quite close:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVKCSjmhAP_9ImlnPbO9tJJ8jX92XFfcWdXCRy3oOKLg2SJB94mtY4QZw4cxHsdeuk3l1t0XlCVAmuBo8vhRa1qQ6zFZwz8SQNTH3j6k_U6C03Ph2piLe-2Cl-XJO9odThYyTBL6-ecXn/s1600/PICT0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVKCSjmhAP_9ImlnPbO9tJJ8jX92XFfcWdXCRy3oOKLg2SJB94mtY4QZw4cxHsdeuk3l1t0XlCVAmuBo8vhRa1qQ6zFZwz8SQNTH3j6k_U6C03Ph2piLe-2Cl-XJO9odThYyTBL6-ecXn/s640/PICT0168.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQE4sf4-KC6CZblrPJk1w6l4dV8Acg-woJpt8KIcJZpaB3OLPmJQFlb_Z_-REY_8IJmSgM0GVlJgZccr8Esx3FdcqmysJ2ms370rA0mpk2ugky0YHkqtk5ozsZkcTrFSTx__uduumhhg6P/s1600/PICT0191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
At one point Niall and I had to try and hold The Boy down and manhandle his integral weights back into place after they tried to part company with him. Thankfully we managed to avoid a rapid ascent. Eventually we made a deliberate ascent to get back on board the cat. The skipper tied up on one of the islands while we had lunch in a calm little bay and the crew made us tea and coffee.<br />
<br />
After a reasonable surface interval, we got kitted up for dive number
2. I made sure I took my dive computer this time. The tide was coming
in so the skipper dropped us in the shelter of some rocks and told us to
stay behind them out of the current. We were also advised to drop down
straight away rather than waiting for the whole buddy team to get into
the water before descending. That dive was a bit of a weird
experience. Most of the dive took place at a depth of between 3 and 5
metres, so almost the whole dive was a safety stop. What was weird was
the washing machine effect of the current.We could all feel ourselves
being moved back and forth in the surge but we were in the middle of a
kelp forest which was also moving in the surge. Unfortunately, the kelp wasn't moving
the same way as we were so the whole effect felt extremely odd and, for
the first time, I felt sea sick under the water. The cause of the sea-sickness:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzMs2FWu6YXu6bhUCf3oKNs2viffilmPAWSF3K1sUnWWTCduwrBCYmSCHyZ-7qD9XnkPdCjqPRl4L3MAu10Hg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
There were a lot more seals this time but they weren't as interactive as the ones we saw on the first dive. We would come across each other swimming through the kelp:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYj2wlNzWM06veUdBfgryojYOXhlUR8NqY0WSdww5x3kLxI6V6UEfHhEKS7ubkreDNGfqt3GB8gU660C7bMZbL8P8IJzEbZsvrV2bQ_rRDum-8YzrCyhF9-4d2oBWDQX3gjvv3t9GzpaN/s1600/PICT0188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYj2wlNzWM06veUdBfgryojYOXhlUR8NqY0WSdww5x3kLxI6V6UEfHhEKS7ubkreDNGfqt3GB8gU660C7bMZbL8P8IJzEbZsvrV2bQ_rRDum-8YzrCyhF9-4d2oBWDQX3gjvv3t9GzpaN/s640/PICT0188.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lzQHQ_7v6oQ6ZEUTdKcHVBQiXveLLNkhHMRgjvuMUU_sAG4bVYFXxkCc9OdWim8-Laj63zmWZGKc5R6UovD6vwp1rS9abEkf-aM5Y1WM6sMH6QEIMDiMDIWpJb0tp4jIVQWFFbAI85QD/s1600/PICT0189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lzQHQ_7v6oQ6ZEUTdKcHVBQiXveLLNkhHMRgjvuMUU_sAG4bVYFXxkCc9OdWim8-Laj63zmWZGKc5R6UovD6vwp1rS9abEkf-aM5Y1WM6sMH6QEIMDiMDIWpJb0tp4jIVQWFFbAI85QD/s640/PICT0189.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The seals in action:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx24Ry-iYxjBsMC_jDSThJATvn0t3hjjIp7-a-Nt3Hc3Vwnbe8XC_8q1UUTZXuOVS1K-S9uVUbrc5vQ7Mxp9A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
This one was vertical in the water, nose to lens with the camera housing:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQE4sf4-KC6CZblrPJk1w6l4dV8Acg-woJpt8KIcJZpaB3OLPmJQFlb_Z_-REY_8IJmSgM0GVlJgZccr8Esx3FdcqmysJ2ms370rA0mpk2ugky0YHkqtk5ozsZkcTrFSTx__uduumhhg6P/s1600/PICT0191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQE4sf4-KC6CZblrPJk1w6l4dV8Acg-woJpt8KIcJZpaB3OLPmJQFlb_Z_-REY_8IJmSgM0GVlJgZccr8Esx3FdcqmysJ2ms370rA0mpk2ugky0YHkqtk5ozsZkcTrFSTx__uduumhhg6P/s640/PICT0191.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Eventually we called it a day and decided to surface. The Boy inflated his <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_marker_buoy" target="_blank">SMB</a> to show the boat where we were and we started to ascend. Then he turned round and showed me a reel with a broken line and no SMB attached. Fortunately I had my own SMB and reel so I inflated my SMB and we ascended to the surface. The Boy was not amused at losing his SMB. The boat picked us up and we scanned the sea for something bright orange and horizontal (as an SMB with a diver attached below it would be vertical) and ..... we found it! The skipper took the boat round and picked up the escaped SMB so The Boy could smile again. At least now he only needs to buy a new line, not an SMB and line.<br />
<br />
We counted heads on the boat, decided we were still a few divers short, and went in search of SMBs again. There were a few dive boats in the area, not to mention quite a few curious seals on the surface, so it was a bit of a challenge deciding from a distance which heads belonged to divers rather than seals and which ones were our divers. Happily, we found everyone fairly quickly and got them all back on board.<br />
<br />
We all had a great day. Thank you to Martin for another fantastic diving trip.</div>
ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-37699583802893867842012-08-19T21:06:00.001+01:002012-08-19T21:18:33.236+01:00Basking Shark Safari in the Sound of Mull<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Slightly later than planned, here is the story of my latest adventure. I've been waiting almost a year for this one. After last year's trip to the Sound of Mull to do some wreck diving, Martin at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/acediversscotland/" target="_blank">Ace Divers</a> organised another trip to find <a href="http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/basking-shark" target="_blank">basking sharks</a> and to do some more wreck diving. I was really excited about the thought of actually being able to see some of these fantastic creatures in the wild and in the flesh. For the uninitiated, basking sharks only eat plankton, unlike their kin folk who get all the (unfair) bad press. Martin was checking up all of the news on marine wildlife sightings in the area and it was looking hopeful for being able to see basking sharks.<br />
<br />
The plan was to drive up to Lochaline on Friday via the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corran_Ferry" target="_blank">Corran Ferry</a> crossing and dive off the West Pier at Lochaline in the afternoon. We'd then stay the night at <a href="http://www.morverndivelodge.com/" target="_blank">Morvern Dive Lodge</a> in Lochaline and board the <a href="http://www.lochaline-boats.co.uk/" target="_blank">Peregrine</a> on Saturday morning to search for basking sharks. We'd be staying overnight on Tiree then diving on the wreck of the <a href="http://www.divernetxtra.com/wrecks/wtour630504.shtml" target="_blank">Tapti</a> and any other wrecks whose locations fitted in with the tides on Sunday. <br />
<br />
Here is a view of the quaint little lighthouse at Corran from the ferry.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9mOX-nseRE-V5W7oU7GXFZ7Gvz2TkAu86U69IXaT2nS6-qeNHZXkBPpnJU4ch0atB7SUgUGyt23K1Y71iO6ZhK6TD2fQgRbiFHtrPgbcCr4v0Lp0UjHLeRawcSHpYtAeEophcBoKDtcj/s1600/DSCF5434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9mOX-nseRE-V5W7oU7GXFZ7Gvz2TkAu86U69IXaT2nS6-qeNHZXkBPpnJU4ch0atB7SUgUGyt23K1Y71iO6ZhK6TD2fQgRbiFHtrPgbcCr4v0Lp0UjHLeRawcSHpYtAeEophcBoKDtcj/s640/DSCF5434.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We arrived as planned, found the dive lodge after a slight detour, and headed down to the West Pier to dive along the wall there. There were shoals of tiny fish there as well as the usual shell-clad suspects and plant life. The Boy tried to scare me by messing about with the valves on his newly acquired twinset and unexpectedly slipping down a few metres. Thankfully he came back up none the worse for wear. Exiting the water at West Pier:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdC3slDyg0rBXBxOP9CzH3k3ZZr7GY1hMiKEHCoGCAnKpbTseRGd3Mda3tzao5E61oNgFxMX39s1l43ecf2FeEEkLlyplNakl8iwMZnrrVS1EFhFRuHbVwyyX4ar3xgt2ZxfWiyNKZCSv/s1600/DSCF5447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdC3slDyg0rBXBxOP9CzH3k3ZZr7GY1hMiKEHCoGCAnKpbTseRGd3Mda3tzao5E61oNgFxMX39s1l43ecf2FeEEkLlyplNakl8iwMZnrrVS1EFhFRuHbVwyyX4ar3xgt2ZxfWiyNKZCSv/s640/DSCF5447.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Just after we came out of the water someone spotted two porpoises not far from the shore so Martin and I grabbed fins, snorkels and masks and ran back into the water but we were too late. The porpoises were more interested in following the ferry than playing with us. A seal popped up as well, too far away for us to reach. We all went to the <a href="http://www.lochalinehotel.co.uk/" target="_blank">Lochaline Hotel</a> afterwards and I had a lovely meal of local produce : Cullen Skink followed by seared scallops and finished off with Cranachan topped with fresh raspberries (like I really needed a dessert).<br />
<br />
The next morning we were all down at the harbour by 9:00 to load our gear on the <a href="http://www.lochaline-boats.co.uk/" target="_blank">Peregrine</a>. Malcolm, the skipper welcomed us on board and set off for Tiree and Coll. We passed the <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Rubha Nan Gall lighthouse on the way out of the Sound of Mull:</span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEfz74Jt9fv80HOyC81JivBjp3FEJwreP8ZKIjsv1R-gdHXhA9A8ZJCWG733ryFfU3Y-nRQynVfDPf4ycVI5nmBuiXXFci297b9uCdCKRjgJRkLKHjdLi08hZSw0eb4rbh68QTVxK8EAK/s1600/DSCF5466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEfz74Jt9fv80HOyC81JivBjp3FEJwreP8ZKIjsv1R-gdHXhA9A8ZJCWG733ryFfU3Y-nRQynVfDPf4ycVI5nmBuiXXFci297b9uCdCKRjgJRkLKHjdLi08hZSw0eb4rbh68QTVxK8EAK/s640/DSCF5466.JPG" width="482" /></a></div>
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span>
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">That's when the spotters got the binoculars out and started their vigil. Martin got a bit excited when he spotted ......... a big clump of of floating seaweed. The cormorants floating amongst the waves caused a fair few false alarms as well. They did a fairly good impression of a fin in the water. The spotters:</span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDDZl1euKvT5EJNNfRB4kSsOQPgXEo5VkD-j7fLIHKTdjvHdxmjMtqc2kuDeByrdqLrp0B33dlBsu91yYMbmmXPpRqudyc9le57xbXpGYWrwGN_PeUR6nylJs2N3n6jNi1-YD6-jEUWse/s1600/DSCF5476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDDZl1euKvT5EJNNfRB4kSsOQPgXEo5VkD-j7fLIHKTdjvHdxmjMtqc2kuDeByrdqLrp0B33dlBsu91yYMbmmXPpRqudyc9le57xbXpGYWrwGN_PeUR6nylJs2N3n6jNi1-YD6-jEUWse/s320/DSCF5476.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPulcncPh9bqNl8mJ3Jd76WoLwEfee6WVEnUOYgDoHxKR2feg3e8LGqA54C9CL_eNMIzldzO6YEc5oCY3o6G3uWfDbIkQWZOoi13Rw1HOxvTuXCgBxrt8pEao94BUy4FZGDgz-1COhyG-/s1600/DSCF5477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPulcncPh9bqNl8mJ3Jd76WoLwEfee6WVEnUOYgDoHxKR2feg3e8LGqA54C9CL_eNMIzldzO6YEc5oCY3o6G3uWfDbIkQWZOoi13Rw1HOxvTuXCgBxrt8pEao94BUy4FZGDgz-1COhyG-/s320/DSCF5477.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">After four hours of false alarms we were getting less excited about stuff in the water and I think we were all beginning to believe we'd never find a basking shark. And then..... we saw this:</span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsr8kG0FecDpCwYL-nF7UYKM5eP7wxXEy9CDAQZdZerJiPxHdTYDJ30mLJ5u-pEARrT0n0sDmE9K-SmFyOe9Jymqrlh1Zt3U11q08fkdYXyk-9eW-lNjB_D4kK152AYXGlZKOkZP8B1f4/s1600/DSCF5483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsr8kG0FecDpCwYL-nF7UYKM5eP7wxXEy9CDAQZdZerJiPxHdTYDJ30mLJ5u-pEARrT0n0sDmE9K-SmFyOe9Jymqrlh1Zt3U11q08fkdYXyk-9eW-lNjB_D4kK152AYXGlZKOkZP8B1f4/s640/DSCF5483.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">This photo tested the zoom on my slightly ancient camera to its limit. Thankfully this was only the first of many. Everyone rushed to one side of the boat to try and catch a glimpse and a photo. Almost as soon as we spotted a shark it would change direction or submerge so photographing them was a real challenge. In the end, I came home with lots of photos of water, a few photos of shark fins and no photos of actual sharks. For such big creatures they move surprisingly fast. Fin:</span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3Nz2rEA2CC90I_RIrmzFRCm4RUbgeF36cPzWHkc8_6xIq-CDlaita3bB7Wo0RJ72xf4zz3TvHgZX2hRGvSZuGi1dzi2sv3R4Ky6hmK1tlBfbe_3pwYAv4GHYQZRmhRpj_IEm5_20Bn6O/s1600/DSCF5526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3Nz2rEA2CC90I_RIrmzFRCm4RUbgeF36cPzWHkc8_6xIq-CDlaita3bB7Wo0RJ72xf4zz3TvHgZX2hRGvSZuGi1dzi2sv3R4Ky6hmK1tlBfbe_3pwYAv4GHYQZRmhRpj_IEm5_20Bn6O/s640/DSCF5526.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">If you look REALLY hard you can just see the mottled pattern on the shark's body through the water. Sadly, the plankton bloom that brings the sharks to the surface to feed makes it kind of hard to see them in the water. Allegedly, while I was paying attention to sharks, a Minke whale breached a little distance away from the boat. And I missed it. I also missed it the second time it breached because I was on the other side of the boat taking a photo of the Cairns of Coll lighthouse:</span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGufwMouItyaSQArFM88nNj5I4JC-O9D-B6ULkw0nZ2jRDXpxwYVTxrEW_14KysRHWIbQqfuULHtzTym99nnKVzmVgzR2TpLz1skHTZuwNidHhmOtw2i-nihFJMPEIfedb625HSUIrV2XD/s1600/DSCF5540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGufwMouItyaSQArFM88nNj5I4JC-O9D-B6ULkw0nZ2jRDXpxwYVTxrEW_14KysRHWIbQqfuULHtzTym99nnKVzmVgzR2TpLz1skHTZuwNidHhmOtw2i-nihFJMPEIfedb625HSUIrV2XD/s640/DSCF5540.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span>
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">There was a lone basking shark swimming near the lighthouse and he was a big 'un so we stopped to watch him for a while:</span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFQB0TLKH7N5cTHRF2e6GxD-pxBAudP1W_VUn_yMlb3LWAsB6C8BgA1P2YQ2qMbATjn0oYpBafSapp0LtRT0JRWqRbKlr21vSCKA3Dl6tRAkpJ6XkF1QkSBnFYlaW7oawuWyMdq_LcC4C/s1600/DSCF5547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFQB0TLKH7N5cTHRF2e6GxD-pxBAudP1W_VUn_yMlb3LWAsB6C8BgA1P2YQ2qMbATjn0oYpBafSapp0LtRT0JRWqRbKlr21vSCKA3Dl6tRAkpJ6XkF1QkSBnFYlaW7oawuWyMdq_LcC4C/s640/DSCF5547.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span>
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">This is the only video footage that The Boy managed to get before he started drowning when his snorkel fell apart in the water. :) All I saw when I got into the water was his fins in the distance and the occasional bubble.</span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwUhZoS29AUl69z1BljksijyG5hPaGQ4CBx5-YzMcoZarjaNY3rDBX-1hD088eflYdfrVg53v3PGKFkRwbKAg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"></span><br />
<br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">By the time we'd finished basking shark spotting it had become clear that we weren't going to be able to land on Tiree to stay the night thanks to a south-easterly wind. So it was a four hour sail back to Lochaline and back the Lochaline Hotel for another lovely meal. As a result we weren't able to dive on the Tapti. Never mind, there's always next year, but I got to see basking sharks! We also passed the <a href="http://www.nlb.org.uk/LighthouseLibrary/Lighthouse/Ardnamurchan/" target="_blank">Ardnamurchan</a> lighthouse on the way back to the Sound of Mull. The scenery in that part of the world is stunning.</span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span>
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">On Sunday we were back at Lochaline Harbour ready to board the Peregrine again for a days diving. Kit all ready and waiting:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTjUt155j56oFxO5_xPuMxnjzF1YIugQqhFuDMmb-Rp0II8t1Zkv-OSqM3T0hiQppB-snz1c9z4FBFoTq0KSaYQi7TlZiwrIY2kkLa2qV6t5jKqngnxYlI6UAI1qUMUPvn8UCIL-qlJRv/s1600/DSCF5575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTjUt155j56oFxO5_xPuMxnjzF1YIugQqhFuDMmb-Rp0II8t1Zkv-OSqM3T0hiQppB-snz1c9z4FBFoTq0KSaYQi7TlZiwrIY2kkLa2qV6t5jKqngnxYlI6UAI1qUMUPvn8UCIL-qlJRv/s640/DSCF5575.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span>
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">We didn't travel so far this time. We started off by diving the wreck of the <a href="http://www.divernet.com/Wrecks/wreck_tours/159453/wreck_tour_25_the_thesis.html" target="_blank">Thesis</a>. Next was the <a href="http://www.divernet.com/Wrecks/wreck_tours/159476/wreck_tour_2_the_hispania.html" target="_blank">Hispania</a>. The Hispania is the very first wreck I ever dived on and it's amazing. We had to wait 45 minutes or so for a slack tide before we could get into the water and we found we were in competition with the Sound Diver which also had a a full load of eager divers. There was a bit of light hearted banter going back and forth between the two skippers while we waited. In the end, our wee Peregrine was in the right place at the right time so we were able to dive first. This time I was 70 dives more experienced and felt a whole lot more comfortable and relaxed than the last time. The skipper offered to take us to the wreck of the <a href="http://www.divernet.com/Wrecks/wreck_tours/159443/wreck_tour_35_the_rondo.html" target="_blank">Rondo</a> for a final dive but with the prospect of a three hour drive home we reluctantly decided to call it a day.</span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span>
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">All in all we had a great weekend. Thank you to Martin at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/acediversscotland/" target="_blank">Ace Divers</a> for arranging it all. Our names will be on the list again for next year.</span></div>
ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-88996136844530470522012-06-18T14:58:00.000+01:002012-06-18T15:05:52.002+01:00A day at the races<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's probably not the kind of races you were thinking of. The Boy spent Friday an Saturday at Innerleithen pracitising for the IXS World Cup. That means downhill mountain biking. We had torrential rain both days so The Boy phoned on Saturday to suggest that I might want to try and buy myself a pair of wellies for coming to watch him in Sunday's race. I managed to find these ones, specially chosen for their extra wide legs, so that I could tuck my trousers into them:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3as6NKymEOt85dbiPTqQEoVWhHSSJhGd_byU3W_NmPXpzBooQLn0JJBjTojrJn05Ag7WV9zXXnDCKly3QsDuqBZRFE8pSg1sFT3DG4A5rwgh8-YQenP2YOaC0bQa9NmBA50Q_pdiznS4O/s1600/IMG_0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3as6NKymEOt85dbiPTqQEoVWhHSSJhGd_byU3W_NmPXpzBooQLn0JJBjTojrJn05Ag7WV9zXXnDCKly3QsDuqBZRFE8pSg1sFT3DG4A5rwgh8-YQenP2YOaC0bQa9NmBA50Q_pdiznS4O/s640/IMG_0168.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
On Sunday we got up early and drove to Innerleithen. The normal car park was closed and competitors were being directed to a field down the road. This is what the car like after driving 200 metres across the field to park:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZ2ZpMtbjsVhXBo9DHqUVEWpy3Ow0uX-QLAQdbhV7DXVZnLvBsQXeAASGrp9ACZgoC8N3NDiGFyWCOUbnS8TKKPxPWGp5XlhlPWnk_ws44Cw-aVnLhiaRDIVG726ww7PNvDO0IinbRDCS/s1600/DSCF5219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZ2ZpMtbjsVhXBo9DHqUVEWpy3Ow0uX-QLAQdbhV7DXVZnLvBsQXeAASGrp9ACZgoC8N3NDiGFyWCOUbnS8TKKPxPWGp5XlhlPWnk_ws44Cw-aVnLhiaRDIVG726ww7PNvDO0IinbRDCS/s400/DSCF5219.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There were more practice runs in the morning so The Boy prepared his bike and got kitted up ready for the practice. I got my shiny, clean, new wellies on ready to go and watch. The Boy, ready to go:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWEu4ydrestTCys84Nov4IPKI-JcMscOWp0To3gxNSxzcJYoYwtBeeZkB-_hacI92Q9P0vv4bsYamoc_es9fE0CxiNE3XsSjRePZ0p6LM0T8_wbhV4YAj0cDTNT-6RdBPt9BODBfyQROL/s1600/DSCF5221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWEu4ydrestTCys84Nov4IPKI-JcMscOWp0To3gxNSxzcJYoYwtBeeZkB-_hacI92Q9P0vv4bsYamoc_es9fE0CxiNE3XsSjRePZ0p6LM0T8_wbhV4YAj0cDTNT-6RdBPt9BODBfyQROL/s640/DSCF5221.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I teamed up with his friend's girlfriend, and the beasts - Z'ed, Odin and Sura to go in search of a place to watch the boys practicing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-C9JUQqH9NBejGzVuufT9Iiv-nv-AsoIsqcW0WXd0jhmCl8PFmxu7BI0vRac0CVv3bhZHuJ14qS9KA9csB_Adzq83Q6oJ_6Mmj-TMDKm84FYlePEuFrqeUjTGYPXV8bHIgcz1EhR4ivlR/s1600/DSCF5224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-C9JUQqH9NBejGzVuufT9Iiv-nv-AsoIsqcW0WXd0jhmCl8PFmxu7BI0vRac0CVv3bhZHuJ14qS9KA9csB_Adzq83Q6oJ_6Mmj-TMDKm84FYlePEuFrqeUjTGYPXV8bHIgcz1EhR4ivlR/s640/DSCF5224.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Short dog hair was definitely the best option as the mud didn't stick to it in quite same way as it did to the long hair. I didn't envy their owner the job of cleaning them afterwards. We took a walk past the other car park and headed up the hill. Eventually the path was blocked with coloured tape, a sure sign we'd reached part of the race track, so we stopped to watch for a while. Just next to where we stopped was a stream that had to be crossed by the racers, with a very muddy, slippery looking bank at the other side. A few poor riders came acropper there, one poor soul landing upside down in the water, still attached to his bike. Eventually, we moved further up the hill to a spot next to a corner and a steep drop-off. I think we managed to miss the boys while we were changing our viewing position. When we were sure we'd missed them, we headed down towards the finishing line and ploughed through the ankle deep mud at the entrance to the field. We found the boys jet-washing their bikes. I noticed The Boy had a graze on his cheek. It turned out he'd misjudged the jump at the end of the track, just before the finish line and this happened:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYZBeaScPaDCLnQFCPbQ9eUAKQCuozrYEA0yDEk7QCHu5ZaMqALLxnEOTKTFQStIeZ8481iA6x5lmfQRVnqio0Sr4Z2OYGr9gEjFkvEhkGwZ68ojWA8YQECgDGWv2Obq02o4NWr_ZD7CQ/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYZBeaScPaDCLnQFCPbQ9eUAKQCuozrYEA0yDEk7QCHu5ZaMqALLxnEOTKTFQStIeZ8481iA6x5lmfQRVnqio0Sr4Z2OYGr9gEjFkvEhkGwZ68ojWA8YQECgDGWv2Obq02o4NWr_ZD7CQ/s640/DSC_0031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I missed it, of course, but a lovely Swedish lady who was photographing the Swedish downhill team caught it. Apparently the handlebars hit him in the face at some point during this tumble. Here's the cleaned up version of the wound:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVDsG28mdJ2PZ4DfFvz7D7oNTgjUvP5T9lTTfdfgt-RbZOm79MBxOn0M0Dw7o_jyVJeZ9upq8wIUfuVsd4uYjPrUADi8P7gboEWb5DvXyGZWD1PjxhTB4XeGv65uWVfjNiQNKOZdvWuvK/s1600/DSCF5230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVDsG28mdJ2PZ4DfFvz7D7oNTgjUvP5T9lTTfdfgt-RbZOm79MBxOn0M0Dw7o_jyVJeZ9upq8wIUfuVsd4uYjPrUADi8P7gboEWb5DvXyGZWD1PjxhTB4XeGv65uWVfjNiQNKOZdvWuvK/s640/DSCF5230.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Yes, that is his face after cleaning it. Somehow he seems to have avoided a full-on black eye. He had a puncture to repair before the actual race so he busied himself with that and checked his bike over before the main event:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdFzzttwb8j0SHhPjvOGzY-VEoDo7VJk8Yaqpj_xh4dPeET0KnRB2Gl9TI3b2SQ_yZzhJD-aOuNeavsFAA3uBcJUnVQTEFRHfGGh_ETdgwp5tz2pcLvH72owDDrY8fnBl9GF-8z9cg3l1/s1600/DSCF5233.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdFzzttwb8j0SHhPjvOGzY-VEoDo7VJk8Yaqpj_xh4dPeET0KnRB2Gl9TI3b2SQ_yZzhJD-aOuNeavsFAA3uBcJUnVQTEFRHfGGh_ETdgwp5tz2pcLvH72owDDrY8fnBl9GF-8z9cg3l1/s640/DSCF5233.JPG" width="482" /></a></div>
<br />
My wellies were faring slightly better than The Boy's clothes at this point, but only just:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbLTJPOadibZNAQ0v01Q7ZMsy0p4-LACr0IanAbWFFnybzSgp8pQLvNT2uQV0YoWPhQHYpC4-nq5V1lQIoTdWyJ6t75E3_6r_xaZDd65-8-DgHgmJxuV01ZDqyW4iHemds9chDEV5yBBJ/s1600/IMG_0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbLTJPOadibZNAQ0v01Q7ZMsy0p4-LACr0IanAbWFFnybzSgp8pQLvNT2uQV0YoWPhQHYpC4-nq5V1lQIoTdWyJ6t75E3_6r_xaZDd65-8-DgHgmJxuV01ZDqyW4iHemds9chDEV5yBBJ/s640/IMG_0169.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
While we waited for the main event to start, the dogs got bored. That's when Odin managed to roll in one of the plentiful cow pats and got unmentionable stuff all over that lovely long hair. Z'ed decided to walk through the cow pats then jump up on me. Thank goodness for waterproof trousers and baby wipes.<br />
<br />
We ploughed through the ankle deep mud again to find a decent vantage point to watch the boys racing. A marshall suggested a good place to watch it from and gave us directions to get there. Unfortunately he neglected to mention that the route involved negotiating a very steep hill that seemed to go on forever. Tiny Z'ed was extremely enthusiastic and did his best to haul me up the hill. It was still hard work though. I thought my face was going to explode with the effort. Eventually we got there, just in time to see The Boy fly past. I hadn't quite got to grips with how to set 'Action Mode' on my camera so that I could just press the button and the shutter would keep on taking photos. So this is my feeble attempt at catching him in action:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmocOTBkCfpJXteuXj38mCYC5WRxJdfWgqXyOf_GztGLvIpGekqCtpcNWhk1I8wh-c3q3D3YkPIQbvGVltWZFEQ4nKsHv-fuqe8JwV_HtoQ0ZazALrLMSEdV08M0pd8ZEA05zv08FZL71/s1600/DSCF5246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmocOTBkCfpJXteuXj38mCYC5WRxJdfWgqXyOf_GztGLvIpGekqCtpcNWhk1I8wh-c3q3D3YkPIQbvGVltWZFEQ4nKsHv-fuqe8JwV_HtoQ0ZazALrLMSEdV08M0pd8ZEA05zv08FZL71/s640/DSCF5246.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Yes, his shoulder and elbow were all I caught before he disappeared out of view, down the hill. At least they were in focus. I played with my camera a bit more, got no shots that were worth the effort and went back to the finish line to find the boys again. We 'walked' back down the Gold Run. Anyone who has been to Innerleithen will know what that is. It's a very steep, narrow trail with lots of roots and bumps and was a challenge for someone as clumsy as me, especially with a very enthusiastic Z'ed on the end of his leash bounding down in front of me. We all made it in one piece and, eventually, found the boys. My washing machine is going to be hard at work trying to clean all the clothes. Look at the state my wellies and I were in by the end of the day:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01ja3-3x0spTsWm2LRzLYWswWUbVRerhMlGqz_G2O5RCl1aIqPOJFZuSQzusmRnDt0OlXm1IuISz9XcGHooCArmd7dXIhb2P-Iq2g9vLY2z-WbeYH0eg4iY7ZXCbTJDojXEFV2Qe3cycR/s1600/DSCF5301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01ja3-3x0spTsWm2LRzLYWswWUbVRerhMlGqz_G2O5RCl1aIqPOJFZuSQzusmRnDt0OlXm1IuISz9XcGHooCArmd7dXIhb2P-Iq2g9vLY2z-WbeYH0eg4iY7ZXCbTJDojXEFV2Qe3cycR/s640/DSCF5301.JPG" width="482" /></a></div>
<br />
Now I'm off to take advantage of the sunshine and get the clothes hung out to dry.</div>ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-37357854715996046952012-06-12T20:01:00.002+01:002016-12-18T10:26:21.937+00:00Regal Community Theatre Open Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I can't believe it's more than two months since I did my last blog post. I've been a busy girl. Anyway, I thought I'd tell you about my wee trip to the <a href="http://www.bathgateregal.org/" target="_blank">Regal Community Theatre</a> Open Day at the weekend:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6m2niriX8FXXKhesSPp6BuOxByOy3zZtdSQOFE8tq4-EZvBnjeIK-rJMw_jLt33LIEtgcwrWVbWXhbbWojr1WaU-Q3jjjqVqFt1Z_ElVBFRSs05zExb-FjP64CJJNaWt14ZApr9pfHpE/s1600/Rediscover+Leaflet.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6m2niriX8FXXKhesSPp6BuOxByOy3zZtdSQOFE8tq4-EZvBnjeIK-rJMw_jLt33LIEtgcwrWVbWXhbbWojr1WaU-Q3jjjqVqFt1Z_ElVBFRSs05zExb-FjP64CJJNaWt14ZApr9pfHpE/s640/Rediscover+Leaflet.png" width="532" /></a></div>
<br />
When I was a little girl, The Regal was the only cinema in the town that was still open as a cinema rather than a bingo hall. I saw Bambi there and Snow White and The Sword in the Stone and loads of other films there when I was growing up. The last film it showed before it closed was The Tales Of Beatrix Potter. For the first time ever, my dad paid for seats in the balcony and we sat in the front row to watch that last film. It was a sad day when it closed. The Regal cinema in Armadale (a couple of miles away) also closed and was eventually demolished. I was expecting our local Regal to suffer the same fate but it has re-opened and closed a few times in different guises since then. It's changed a bit from it's original format and now has a bar, amongst other things, and it's now a community theatre. It still shows films now and then and also hosts concerts and shows and has it's own resident stage school.<br />
<br />
I was contacted a few weeks ago by the organiser of the open day and asked if I would like to rent a table. Naturally, I said yes...... and then panicked. Why did I panic? Because I'd taken only recently a load of jewellery down to <a href="http://kidzeco.net/" target="_blank">Kidzeco</a> to put on display and didn't have a whole lot of stuff left to fill a 6 foot table. I also had nothing to display jewellery on so I was afraid my table would look a wee bit sad. So I set to work making some new things to take along with me:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqIQoo6CxW0eH7mwVTvqLE682wToRZbKrD4FkDsrve8_FMwJhoQulI0J6VAV-QaZepy5JGokgjPc26DEIZdf-72jOTMhv3PJbmT1VgnN9iQgccAcmEjcyBuq1JxfGM_XPoVlbUthKO78Y/s1600/DSCF5093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflZC_3IW94ll6PnDjyFcsddKAmriceQBESllbenJnIJfcdkYF0Mi5_pTGxk6JdYkmrfKjX4kWOEmmY-pgviFzJp07pU8vSpwz1dXlX5YuOM7XOKIGMoagkrLIeuuAFwwpRCzBk4nB5Yjl/s1600/Bracelets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflZC_3IW94ll6PnDjyFcsddKAmriceQBESllbenJnIJfcdkYF0Mi5_pTGxk6JdYkmrfKjX4kWOEmmY-pgviFzJp07pU8vSpwz1dXlX5YuOM7XOKIGMoagkrLIeuuAFwwpRCzBk4nB5Yjl/s640/Bracelets.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-6ebcCU0CXGdP4To7yrrswKJX4pOwge-ysKeLYdoVB7c9gD0Ogjd-suSUCMQcKkvIhLPvDemxAAR5fM6vTMyho6AEigO3UKRrusMYc8r48ycmk9_C4DDkubcs4iZU6NM8O7q_KAwqjsN/s1600/Necklaces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-6ebcCU0CXGdP4To7yrrswKJX4pOwge-ysKeLYdoVB7c9gD0Ogjd-suSUCMQcKkvIhLPvDemxAAR5fM6vTMyho6AEigO3UKRrusMYc8r48ycmk9_C4DDkubcs4iZU6NM8O7q_KAwqjsN/s640/Necklaces.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I also splashed out on some displays:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8tdH_zk-QIYWAs8L0hbrwwGG_Q43i5Z1pYebgeYxwJGxwLwcd9n2SlHuhZRG4XBSMZZUuiqCWRitlNzRDhgaqdUMeG9fZ2QJkvgDqpAJEbRPbq98QL0uLj0V5cDN_8q2QKwybp-KOUAZ/s1600/busts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8tdH_zk-QIYWAs8L0hbrwwGG_Q43i5Z1pYebgeYxwJGxwLwcd9n2SlHuhZRG4XBSMZZUuiqCWRitlNzRDhgaqdUMeG9fZ2QJkvgDqpAJEbRPbq98QL0uLj0V5cDN_8q2QKwybp-KOUAZ/s400/busts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So, on the day, I made a reasonable job of setting out my table:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuURCWdVo72LA0gu5ARXYLSJuVBEX_nxgc25qSVyniQdQQXDmRVRmC3cdlhQyxpytMOrUFi8cgsD7gqMwJh6-N0XE-J1f-WevxuOVSrEyHEBu809jNThxC6Qg789iNHPq7663VJI6y_Fd/s1600/Regal1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuURCWdVo72LA0gu5ARXYLSJuVBEX_nxgc25qSVyniQdQQXDmRVRmC3cdlhQyxpytMOrUFi8cgsD7gqMwJh6-N0XE-J1f-WevxuOVSrEyHEBu809jNThxC6Qg789iNHPq7663VJI6y_Fd/s640/Regal1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
My stuff needed two huge, wheeled suitcases to transport it, between jewellery and displays. We had an hour to set up and it took me the WHOLE hour. I have learned some lessons, like don't attach the price tag to the organza bag that is going to be left in a box because it's extremely fiddly and time consuming to remove them. I also need to make some labels to explain what the dreadlock cuffs and phone/bag charms are and make a sign with my shop name on. Doh! In the end, I had too much stuff with me to fit on the table.<br />
<br />
My daughter, aka Missbaah, was able to transport her wares in a small bag. She was a total smarty pants and was set up in no time:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eIVApH2QVTZxcUgt59hUrmn55ne5p3_5sxBzEFmjz5uQ2SX6QA2uAWZP3GV9wgmCl-Ny9s-MhlDljKoJ98K_wQEXCkepETG-LPQ9ZeHYPbiOj75aDL029PSJSQ-8xXXoq-9XTCm-Op1O/s1600/Regal2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eIVApH2QVTZxcUgt59hUrmn55ne5p3_5sxBzEFmjz5uQ2SX6QA2uAWZP3GV9wgmCl-Ny9s-MhlDljKoJ98K_wQEXCkepETG-LPQ9ZeHYPbiOj75aDL029PSJSQ-8xXXoq-9XTCm-Op1O/s640/Regal2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
There were all sorts of events on during the day and customers seemed to arrive in clusters. I think some may have come in to shelter from the rain rather than to buy but it was still nice to see them. I think Missbaah and I had a reasonably successful day. Not a bad experience for my first craft fair.</div>
ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-80500995665104907082012-04-10T20:30:00.006+01:002012-08-03T09:22:26.405+01:00Save The Whale (and other marine mammals)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've always been fascinated by wildlife but have never really had the opportunity to interact with many animals apart from the usual household pets. Scuba diving has given me the chance to see all sorts of varieties of of marine wildlife at close quarters but nothing very big (unless you include sharks at <a href="http://www.sharkdives.deepseaworld.com/default.asp?css=1" target="_blank">Deep Sea World</a>). I would love to get up close with dolphins and whales but, so far I've not even come close to seeing any while diving. The opportunity came up to do a Marine Mammal Medic training course with <a href="http://www.bdmlr.org.uk/" target="_blank">BDMLR</a> (British Divers Marine Life Rescue) so I jumped at the chance. Thank you to Zan for arranging it and to Debbie for roping the divers in as well. Thanks also to Rhona for the photos.<br />
<br />
Saturday 7th April was the date and I'd to be at <a href="http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/largs/largs/index.html" target="_blank">Largs</a> in time to catch the 8:15 ferry to Millport on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Cumbrae" target="_blank">Cumbrae.</a> To say that was a challenge for me was a total understatement. Anyone who knows me knows that I really don't do mornings and, as I live on the wrong side of the country, I had to get up at 4:30am to be sure of getting there on time. The gallant Allan had offered to drive so, at 5:15am, I set off to drive to his house where we met up with Sam and then picked Angela up on the way to Largs.<br />
<br />
We arrived at the <a href="http://www.gla.ac.uk/centres/marinestation/" target="_blank">University Marine Biological Station</a> in Millport in plenty of time and headed up to the classroom. The class was more or less a 50-50 split of scuba divers and Glasgow University students studying a subject related to animals. The course is aimed at members of the public so there is no need to have any prior knowledge of marine animals. The morning consisted of a video about BDMLR and its work then a lecture on cetaceans by Alistair (Ali) Jack and one on seals by Jamie Dyer. After lunch we all donned our drysuits and headed to the bay in front of the town for the practical session. Thankfully the weather was kind to us considering it was a bank holiday weekend, so we weren't being battered by wind and rain. It didn't look too different from this except there was more sand and less water. The amount of water vs sand was significant once we started the practical session.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOqhP-OJQTnEsO1r1b_yzFyd6RQlSu3ewQJt9BEfufSXix1mmT7yBpCO4pSi4Ko6h53nGIF5uA2_mxLsB0g3oSIow1Dz4OMx7LEC4pGvqID6RYCWRBSvpmpWmLz-JJD3u_IVCb6V_EzcJ/s1600/Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOqhP-OJQTnEsO1r1b_yzFyd6RQlSu3ewQJt9BEfufSXix1mmT7yBpCO4pSi4Ko6h53nGIF5uA2_mxLsB0g3oSIow1Dz4OMx7LEC4pGvqID6RYCWRBSvpmpWmLz-JJD3u_IVCb6V_EzcJ/s1600/Beach.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Some wee boys on the beach were having a debate about whether the whale was real or not. Obviously they missed Angela standing in the water holding a pump while Ali filled our replica victims with sea water before we started. They investigated all of our practical sessions, acting like we didn't know they were there as they discussed what was going on. Maybe they thought they were wearing Harry Potter's cloak of invisibility. The pump:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptvZvFOtZTaWEw8VU0FrrWParfH_ACLnZzTOySQJWPvvt25dD3SqJyO247ycy068vvhpXrB8-fj1-uAfbQoiLtPh4Djt8QkUvxTjx0k746otV9BtPw6ZrBQKhr3Lygf8JZ3UtRyfHYswN/s1600/pump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptvZvFOtZTaWEw8VU0FrrWParfH_ACLnZzTOySQJWPvvt25dD3SqJyO247ycy068vvhpXrB8-fj1-uAfbQoiLtPh4Djt8QkUvxTjx0k746otV9BtPw6ZrBQKhr3Lygf8JZ3UtRyfHYswN/s640/pump.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And the semi-filled whale. You can just see our wee seal pup in the bottom right:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM79bXPOpGz0tYs-E9jHgJagH9ifQ8RkqJJ_PwIkTwXlsvBpPHhG_jYXyQ0DpaOEADMYyBF9xUvd__a27f6RgFpe7QDLtfAf4iIBQiv8ZPGaAeI83_z6XLzMaeC8kYtBRF9wKiRJx-2FDP/s1600/whale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM79bXPOpGz0tYs-E9jHgJagH9ifQ8RkqJJ_PwIkTwXlsvBpPHhG_jYXyQ0DpaOEADMYyBF9xUvd__a27f6RgFpe7QDLtfAf4iIBQiv8ZPGaAeI83_z6XLzMaeC8kYtBRF9wKiRJx-2FDP/s640/whale.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
First job was to learn how to refloat a stranded whale - in this case a water-filled replica Pilot whale weighing over a ton. We all gathered round Ali and the whale on the beach while he demonstrated how to fit the inflatable pontoon around the whale and inflate it. Then we were split into two teams of 9 to practice what we'd just learned, one team leader and 8 medics. Team 1 (my team, not that I'm boasting) executed a textbook pontooning (is that a word?). Sadly, the tide was on it's way out and there was no way we could wait until it came back in to float our pontoon. That meant we'd to work as a team to move the pontoon down the beach and into the water. It was hard work but we did it. It takes an awful long time to get into water much deeper than your ankles at Millport when the tide is out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbzlzvhSRItq7OKR8Wo_00olVTHmZM5sCr9reoyFLYc9KnWM50XgNP2f58Qi5LJi_MnN5AkyTR6faOcdKawNHmQFtIhmb5FF8W-DfJD6WcWuPqmfUHvmG2jsrVMVAKknumnTuSjOJE-S0/s1600/group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbzlzvhSRItq7OKR8Wo_00olVTHmZM5sCr9reoyFLYc9KnWM50XgNP2f58Qi5LJi_MnN5AkyTR6faOcdKawNHmQFtIhmb5FF8W-DfJD6WcWuPqmfUHvmG2jsrVMVAKknumnTuSjOJE-S0/s640/group.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Team 2 had a go and then went on to learn how to refloat a dolphin while Team 1 went along the beach to see Jamie and learn how to deal with a seal pup. We gathered round the very cute looking, water-filled replica pup while Jamie explained how to assess the health of a pup and demonstrated how to get in close enough to examine it and remove it to a place where it can be cared for, if necessary. Seal pups have teeth and, like any other animal that is injured and scared, it might try to bite a rescuer so it's good to know how to approach it without risking a bite.<br />
<br />
Last task of the day for Team 1 was to learn how to assess a dolphin, then use a tarpaulin to transport it back into the sea and refloat it. Ali explained the procedures and we set about placing our tarpaulin under our water-filled Common Dolphin. The receding tide and lack of handles on the tarpaulin added a bit of a challenge to the transportation but we still got to the water faster than Team 2, not that I'm boasting. :) Then we spent some time re-establishing it's equilibrium before letting it go. Afterwards Ali told us that BDMLR do have dolphin stretchers with handles but at least we know that if we don't have access to one a tarpaulin will do the job just fine. Our stranded dolphin:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEPZxOi_9riCGHZPdrn3Gm5oAOp_M14IZ3OaIu3HdgMxMRVCgjjAtbCVd4_ubxJY7M9BijMDC2qB4_SVEuc5C6va1S-Wv_ojX0OnvnUmUeHZsw6yfl2oFxA_n3xlJM0srRbeL2P9jdclE/s1600/Dolphin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEPZxOi_9riCGHZPdrn3Gm5oAOp_M14IZ3OaIu3HdgMxMRVCgjjAtbCVd4_ubxJY7M9BijMDC2qB4_SVEuc5C6va1S-Wv_ojX0OnvnUmUeHZsw6yfl2oFxA_n3xlJM0srRbeL2P9jdclE/s640/Dolphin.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4XZnDXM0b8vcIWEB_h6mlr53oDNSUQXij1pOY4PgIf5foaRos8Ytpt2IrELkGILMPsGTl8Rl_zzi21jfX-gUMB9BmFDTn-UDdTwL-YJSlFWmoRlzWggFWk0B61uulWTSQm896V9Y0AY8/s1600/Dolphin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>
<br />
We headed back to the Marine Biological Station to sum up and receive our medic packs that included an ID card, a Marine Mammal Medic Handbook and this rather nifty badge: <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4RejBFYI7fN1fSPCdL0PiTFcnP2D6bEy8x6HZ-ui9-xUyhrL0o9hmtg4o0Nt1kniaAlKcvY5ZZbgf7z3wPoM-GmcSTHnFOreTAllUkvDUx_FYdty5qkihyhk-nBikOObG_jTn32cYnP8/s1600/MMMBadge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4RejBFYI7fN1fSPCdL0PiTFcnP2D6bEy8x6HZ-ui9-xUyhrL0o9hmtg4o0Nt1kniaAlKcvY5ZZbgf7z3wPoM-GmcSTHnFOreTAllUkvDUx_FYdty5qkihyhk-nBikOObG_jTn32cYnP8/s320/MMMBadge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We are now, apparently, the West Of Scotland Marine Mammal Medic team and are waiting for our first call-out to go and put our new skills into practice. Look out stranded marine mammals, we're coming to save you.:)</div>ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com2Millport, North Ayrshire KA28, UK55.753161 -4.929214999999999230.33549 -64.69484 81.17083199999999 54.83641tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-74973610933703278412012-01-21T22:26:00.010+00:002012-04-06T18:28:01.952+01:00Getting to know Tinkerbell<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I was sitting earlier this evening looking through photos on my Facebook page and I came across a whole album from 1st April 2011 that I'd kind of forgotten about. I hadn't forgotten the event, only the photos. It was an event arranged by Martin at <a href="http://acedivers.co.uk/" target="_blank">Ace Divers</a>.<br />
<br />
1st April. April Fools Day. The significance of the date didn't escape me as I contemplated what I was going to be doing that day. I can't deny I was looking forward to it but there was a small, terrified voice in the back of my mind that surfaced occasionally to ask me what on Earth I was doing. What I was going to be doing was going to <a href="http://www.sharkdives.deepseaworld.com/default.asp?css=1">Deep Sea World</a> to dive with Tinkerbell and her friends. Tinkerbell is a Sand Tiger Shark who is over 3 metres long. Admittedly I'd not heard any horror stories about customers being eaten but I tend to be a bit behind with the news so that meant nothing.<br />
<br />
On the day, we arrived with our scuba gear which was swallowed by a huge dumb waiter and transported down a couple of floors below the car park. We were allowed to bring a couple of guests so we brought Alan and Lomai and thanks to Lomai bringing her camera we have plenty of photos to remember it by. We were taken into a presentation room and given a briefing about the dive, what to expect, the dos and don'ts, the most important don't being "don't touch the sharks". As if I needed to be told! We were then split into groups of 4 for the dive and The Boy and I (or was it just The Boy?) volunteered to be in group 1. The good thing about that was that we didn't have time to stand in the tunnel and watch the sharks before we got into the tank beside them, so I was spared this view until after I came out:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihw8bwi0ihNrHLiySfYHnhU4BOejrdvi6drtmhO2vrEoA9KjncBXdYSlBzyPWhN2FdzUCxz414-V-Q6kQ4PDwDxWWsNwWeKyVXQVNO-GkuDQhjEAUmVH0rt3U9GFtUIvEgDCA3AFzbWhyb/s1600/IMG_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihw8bwi0ihNrHLiySfYHnhU4BOejrdvi6drtmhO2vrEoA9KjncBXdYSlBzyPWhN2FdzUCxz414-V-Q6kQ4PDwDxWWsNwWeKyVXQVNO-GkuDQhjEAUmVH0rt3U9GFtUIvEgDCA3AFzbWhyb/s640/IMG_0012.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
I'm not sure whether that's Tink or one of her buddies. We went to get changed while the other groups went off to the tunnel to watch us. We didn't need to wear fins as the water is only 3 metres deep in the shark tank so we would be (moon)walking along the bottom rather than swimming. We jumped into a shallow tank in the quarantine area, did our weight checks then ducked through to the platform we would descend from:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppsixzsEwx9Edo5mTtPNZCLKYL4-lytg9R30nGjE4lJ8X8RR1-n9-1L4EjlfRRi3S3x_fiTE1bOT64iTYNWeDs6w06FWIV-XNxTtWeCjyGaNT52Sm0Xr_8GZvTuRESWFXEL-evEzM8KcU/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppsixzsEwx9Edo5mTtPNZCLKYL4-lytg9R30nGjE4lJ8X8RR1-n9-1L4EjlfRRi3S3x_fiTE1bOT64iTYNWeDs6w06FWIV-XNxTtWeCjyGaNT52Sm0Xr_8GZvTuRESWFXEL-evEzM8KcU/s640/IMG_0015.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
Some of the smaller fish swim around you while you're on the platform and there's a rope to guide you down to the sandy bottom.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihB6wPSCD_FBScuh9ZJzZygmPn7cmT-T74jo8u0GWRP23rD_OuFW1iYHSXuqqrAcbtY3mlyfLGAsCbL2geE-YaIyEkaIsZuLlIjfnBnKo9uhkYhYfTpkzNMroxTxhVU2FWELskzIbUrttF/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihB6wPSCD_FBScuh9ZJzZygmPn7cmT-T74jo8u0GWRP23rD_OuFW1iYHSXuqqrAcbtY3mlyfLGAsCbL2geE-YaIyEkaIsZuLlIjfnBnKo9uhkYhYfTpkzNMroxTxhVU2FWELskzIbUrttF/s640/IMG_0018.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
Once you get in there you look like a munchkin through the thick, curved glass of the tunnel. The munchkin in the pink mask is me. You don't really appreciate how much smaller everything looks from the tunnel until you've seen it all from inside the tank.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uqP__tlhaAYLSSgVALcBCIiJXV1aZiw8NdW9-cFMjYh9I_dCXCq9LcjlHfqoNNTeKB2fdzMntS1oTMv6yfx7yELYxc_PvqwdnYxNbmOzG2NQamSDM_8V-2t6p42u9DYl9saKdOokyxZa/s1600/IMG_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uqP__tlhaAYLSSgVALcBCIiJXV1aZiw8NdW9-cFMjYh9I_dCXCq9LcjlHfqoNNTeKB2fdzMntS1oTMv6yfx7yELYxc_PvqwdnYxNbmOzG2NQamSDM_8V-2t6p42u9DYl9saKdOokyxZa/s640/IMG_0024.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
As you walk along the sandy bottom you have to keep your eyes open as there are flat fish and rays lying, hiding in the sand & I don't think they'd be too impressed at being stood on. There were also two Angel sharks when we were there. Since then, the female has given birth to almost 20 babies so there will be a whole lot more of them to look out for once they're all in the big tank. There are photos of the babies here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150385860087605.364674.246307797604&type=3">Baby Angel Sharks</a><br />
<br />
You can see a fish half buried in the sand in this photo in front of me & The Boy:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcgvE91LPp1oGVPyWaFp5Ycho_NYOABzjJpblL5dAJqeLz2y7DgCuXy_ffI54e6PmVxm2jxKbSTMrilDHKOBRX7Z87FewUn1EXTmY9VkfyD-2QwwxZ9jEnGeWJYhCkXt3yL8WYN5RJhPm/s1600/IMG_0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcgvE91LPp1oGVPyWaFp5Ycho_NYOABzjJpblL5dAJqeLz2y7DgCuXy_ffI54e6PmVxm2jxKbSTMrilDHKOBRX7Z87FewUn1EXTmY9VkfyD-2QwwxZ9jEnGeWJYhCkXt3yL8WYN5RJhPm/s640/IMG_0033.jpg" width="484px" /></a></div><br />
As you can see, we were both kneeling down in the last photo. That means there must have been a shark nearby. The Deep Sea World guides who were in the tank with us kept a look out and signalled to us all to kneel if a shark was near. Like the one below. It's behind you!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYbIsRGVof6K63Czz2Yk1ncgdn-vJHL0JUpzQC7l1ACJviJeEMc9hBUShmAzYEMJBUZwR5N5zZjhS2r0eMcTkGYAjdQi7FNFOskPZZwQIzARKr4yTO65jwxa4qlmgK20vS630rfm_nSjv/s1600/IMG_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYbIsRGVof6K63Czz2Yk1ncgdn-vJHL0JUpzQC7l1ACJviJeEMc9hBUShmAzYEMJBUZwR5N5zZjhS2r0eMcTkGYAjdQi7FNFOskPZZwQIzARKr4yTO65jwxa4qlmgK20vS630rfm_nSjv/s640/IMG_0037.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
Or, in this case, it's above you!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIebb769-jk73QgynXW0hFyv_fRBYNTSumrXHEygsxFp2WIxk8V_ZYuGQvV3Xk9JIa_BAyGAVBZvz39Munao-wTCzqflIIOYC5dFwg8A-8CZcabSSif9PXbcWajOMSSXgPESnGhrhh6FMt/s1600/IMG_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIebb769-jk73QgynXW0hFyv_fRBYNTSumrXHEygsxFp2WIxk8V_ZYuGQvV3Xk9JIa_BAyGAVBZvz39Munao-wTCzqflIIOYC5dFwg8A-8CZcabSSif9PXbcWajOMSSXgPESnGhrhh6FMt/s640/IMG_0041.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
I did find the view of Tinkerbell's teeth a little worrying when she was directly overhead but she was perfectly well behaved while we were visiting. The Boy had our camera and was trying to get a few up close, candid shots:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd08KGBU2r4BV2_eQ3Srwmi4etj8ekyHMdSQOys6lIyn_CF8yF2SbrjMJ_tBUyueCAd9M9Ipetq8PId9cjbDTw7BWGQ_Up1nNXyFND3-upuZ7eHxDg5f-fxwqrWH_bYMqdcMhfgtYi9DbH/s1600/IMG_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd08KGBU2r4BV2_eQ3Srwmi4etj8ekyHMdSQOys6lIyn_CF8yF2SbrjMJ_tBUyueCAd9M9Ipetq8PId9cjbDTw7BWGQ_Up1nNXyFND3-upuZ7eHxDg5f-fxwqrWH_bYMqdcMhfgtYi9DbH/s640/IMG_0048.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHaA5tNXgGzVqJgsz6YQwQBKeTpFD5gJoxGNpSyZYju21vWmtJmy930G03atfYf2UaLONs_sHMpuMZp1y1MYH-EeFjt0LCRIfU-hX97K1yatYqS6bQRvrP5jdejt9IlN_fhaA0WAQuQ8u5/s1600/IMG_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHaA5tNXgGzVqJgsz6YQwQBKeTpFD5gJoxGNpSyZYju21vWmtJmy930G03atfYf2UaLONs_sHMpuMZp1y1MYH-EeFjt0LCRIfU-hX97K1yatYqS6bQRvrP5jdejt9IlN_fhaA0WAQuQ8u5/s640/IMG_0058.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
For a wee bit of authentic atmosphere, check out these videos The Boy took from inside the tank:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyeESTxG9d0VpB9MffgpTEHG1WJG4GDo0VNE6isHga8I9vV1Qtk27JxX6xBBxYCnFtWLm-juvgyk4SF1FXpkw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
And then there's this one:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwqrZktU3Vs6OINLWVNPh46oxjwbUEERnRsNGP9_8NHTl90VPSc1oJZq4iyQ1sf0oalHX3yRN4b45H0mlNdvg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<br />
We had a tour of the shark pool and all it's wee nooks and crannies. That meant jumping over the tunnel a couple of times. Once again, the Deep Sea World guides made sure that our way was clear for jumping so that we didn't head butt a shark on the way over the top. Here's me being ably assisted by Tina:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsxxm1jeohAUx4EAxxzl3xxGAWKE_sq9MbIZ64tTbdNSn9n_DqT1HqacHdzmP01sH-d3-xH1rdr59RFg28YFeoHR8YJWrEiQMr67U-RgX5V-kF5zzVUWKtYx-f6PZrUqYn1LGt9ltsMyU/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsxxm1jeohAUx4EAxxzl3xxGAWKE_sq9MbIZ64tTbdNSn9n_DqT1HqacHdzmP01sH-d3-xH1rdr59RFg28YFeoHR8YJWrEiQMr67U-RgX5V-kF5zzVUWKtYx-f6PZrUqYn1LGt9ltsMyU/s640/IMG_0064.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
And here's the live action version:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzMtQK9ER9Yb-9RVoYwuDfeqYPKOtWHmlBPkfQe1ENPy-RiFBwFmhLekpxpokr5h2Z6kMa2fa3bBuYNCOT72Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
Oops! I uploaded the wrong video, LOL. Try this one:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzcQfAdFbJgoxMHmt_6dUoSIvvtb0p2RTvyn-9YK3LNBfNbXP5fm1725uyGS1MOW5C2yBHSsobKjNzgMo5K4w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<br />
Then it was The Boy's turn. He managed to avoid the flat fish on top of the tunnel:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAkt9ihPPOK1bDvULd7m__ZvuE6pp7K5ZDAeM21m6_oRVqBqH4FwbJPx40Egr-u2j7g750Vzxs2fIezAd8dHSl4zUj-I22C38TMs33qzQp0K5dOq_Ha5irMX2qAy8vBi5XrxoIqujUxgw/s1600/IMG_0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAkt9ihPPOK1bDvULd7m__ZvuE6pp7K5ZDAeM21m6_oRVqBqH4FwbJPx40Egr-u2j7g750Vzxs2fIezAd8dHSl4zUj-I22C38TMs33qzQp0K5dOq_Ha5irMX2qAy8vBi5XrxoIqujUxgw/s640/IMG_0068.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
Naturally, The Boy couldn't resist messing about, he never can, so he posed for a few photos minus an air supply:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0a5tfopfwt79cCKSoRgq5nUs0uREog2C0hyftZadnxdfPCx1aXL5kYqPax6mthPAobwYE5yp4CmVMxV3rUxCrtteM8VAJQCCKitakaOFDmiPutMuEzjRzsk9pAiNWkzaOH76-uwOob8r2/s1600/IMG_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0a5tfopfwt79cCKSoRgq5nUs0uREog2C0hyftZadnxdfPCx1aXL5kYqPax6mthPAobwYE5yp4CmVMxV3rUxCrtteM8VAJQCCKitakaOFDmiPutMuEzjRzsk9pAiNWkzaOH76-uwOob8r2/s640/IMG_0066.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
Eventually we went full circle and ended up back where we started so we ascended the rope to get back to the platform and out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOIStfcoiGOFAfEbSeT9j-u5_ols5rf9mEZfZR-RnfgVFRhuuGCCUtW01v4ObyFdq50dT8X2SPTm4K9zz_sauwJfQO0UsxE8u3aEczb8x5GF8EhVFtrX5LzgVtdpqLmOAlpZt2ci8VV5G/s1600/IMG_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOIStfcoiGOFAfEbSeT9j-u5_ols5rf9mEZfZR-RnfgVFRhuuGCCUtW01v4ObyFdq50dT8X2SPTm4K9zz_sauwJfQO0UsxE8u3aEczb8x5GF8EhVFtrX5LzgVtdpqLmOAlpZt2ci8VV5G/s640/IMG_0073.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
We enjoyed the experience so much we went back and did it all again in September. The staff at Deep Sea World looked after us extremely well both times (Tina in April and Suzie in September) and the sharks are totally awesome, especially Tinkerbell. I cant wait to see the baby Angel Sharks in the flesh. I've only seen photos so far.<br />
<br />
Check out their Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Deep-Sea-World/246307797604">Deep-Sea-World on Facebook</a></div>ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com1Deep Sea World, Forthside Terrace, Inverkeithing, Fife KY11 1JR, UK56.009159 -3.391514000000029230.737659999999998 -63.157139000000029 81.280657999999988 56.374110999999971tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-27832297718629920822012-01-03T20:49:00.005+00:002012-08-03T09:21:37.864+01:00First dive of 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Apologies for my lack of communication. It's been almost 3 months. Having a real job again has put paid to an awful lot of my leisure time. So, what have I been up to since October? This and that. Apart from gifts for friends and family my jewellery making has mostly had to take a back seat for now, although I have had time to make a few new things. The weather has been too awful for cycling and I don't have time to go to the gym any more. I have still been diving - yes, at this time of year, in Scotland. During November and December I was working towards my <a href="https://www.padi.com/scuba/padi-courses/diver-level-courses/view-all-padi-courses/rescue-diver/default.aspx">PADI Rescue diver certification</a>. As a result of achieving that and several other PADI specialities and having logged more than 50 dives I am also now a<a href="https://www.padi.com/scuba/padi-courses/diver-level-courses/view-all-padi-courses/master-scuba-diver-rating/default.aspx"> PADI Master Scuba Diver</a>. Woohoo! Go me!<br />
<br />
Don't think that because it's now officially winter the diving has stopped. The Boy and I are still managing to dive every week or two. We made sure we had enough full air cylinders to be able to dive throughout Christmas and New Year while we were on holiday. On 2nd January eight of us had our first dive(s) of 2012. The plan was to drive to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballachulish">The Slates at Ballachulish</a> in the west of Scotland. It's a former slate quarry and a pretty good <a href="http://finstrokes.com/dive-guides/75-the-slates.html">dive site</a>. Even I can get in & out of the water there without too much trouble.<br />
<br />
Sadly, the weather forecast was for snow at Ballachulish which meant the 3 hour drive could turn out to be impassible. We had a bit of a confab and decided to try for <a href="http://www.allanderdivers.org.uk/sites/stcats.php">St Catherine's</a> on Loch Fyne instead. It's almost as long a drive but as long as we could get past the <a href="http://www.armin-grewe.com/holiday/scotland2003easter/restandbethankful.htm">Rest and Be Thankful</a> the road is more accessible.<br />
<br />
When we set off it was cool, verging on cold, and damp. It seemed no worse by the time we reached <a href="http://www.arrochar.org.uk/">Arrochar</a> so we carried on. As we approached the Rest and Be Thankful pass the weather took a turn for the worse and the road started to look like this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8N41dZBKw2LwrLGjCEwFiWn07hyHduSL1A2IhE45Aq6HLM-V_9IRz2ANK4s_1E9x5t6mbA_DGoKP2QNU8cR8RY9CtfvZTtpAy1-WoOK6MGRkgvJvN8v9bac3fh4pszlK724QhL7HZlIau/s1600/PICT0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8N41dZBKw2LwrLGjCEwFiWn07hyHduSL1A2IhE45Aq6HLM-V_9IRz2ANK4s_1E9x5t6mbA_DGoKP2QNU8cR8RY9CtfvZTtpAy1-WoOK6MGRkgvJvN8v9bac3fh4pszlK724QhL7HZlIau/s640/PICT0026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Thankfully, once we reached the other end of the pass the snow turned to rain and the journey was less of a white knuckle ride. We drove through the village of St Catherine's and turned off on to the old road that serves as a parking area for the dive site. As we were getting ready for our first dive the wind really started to get up and there were waves on Loch Fyne that looked more suited to surfing that scuba diving. Here we are getting into the water:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3Xx-mIMfQ__-Eep3jy3SEyZBLFeOeT-neyQzJjXwKduqqMf-7k0T7TguhpU7BUp_kpU6uWLgYpjdhmJ5n_Zg8RwnO1ULo27MYqFSRfmZ-dnChT8rWRwgC9xOXF-KiUf3343sab50iCgS/s1600/PICT0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3Xx-mIMfQ__-Eep3jy3SEyZBLFeOeT-neyQzJjXwKduqqMf-7k0T7TguhpU7BUp_kpU6uWLgYpjdhmJ5n_Zg8RwnO1ULo27MYqFSRfmZ-dnChT8rWRwgC9xOXF-KiUf3343sab50iCgS/s640/PICT0029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This little video taken by The Boy might give you a feel for the surf:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzNTDrxYSRqSUDlC8gg_aQtpVGYZQoA2XCm3LLFEJ1IfnxfsbHQPxvch1q6LT3nHFxmtD9V5KkfU7hTAzv9gA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Once we descended into the loch it was a great dive. We even went back in for a second dive. There was a surprising amount of aquatic life to be seen. There were the usual Squat Lobsters, from the teeny to huge ones. This was quite a big one:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbq_LZ8XUgxnKYzdC3mIkpt8PsILR3esYEhA2dE58BMsk6UM_EPI-fONlfWxMjNheg5wApSWK_ibKG_eDK4GBTp3bBaxjsxz-dQWMQ1JkmkwoSzzElMoeHdI1h10cFxP7UsxeNyZ2CRbyc/s1600/PICT0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbq_LZ8XUgxnKYzdC3mIkpt8PsILR3esYEhA2dE58BMsk6UM_EPI-fONlfWxMjNheg5wApSWK_ibKG_eDK4GBTp3bBaxjsxz-dQWMQ1JkmkwoSzzElMoeHdI1h10cFxP7UsxeNyZ2CRbyc/s640/PICT0037.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There were Velvet crabs, Harbour crabs, Spider crabs, Hermit crabs in all shapes and sizes. There were loads of fish, a lot more than I've seen in ages including this Ballan Wrasse:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBF4Jdq_Ipiouu3SEAQd27U_0bC0nDZjCHbY6KV9C7XcapgU0WesWE8iLooL8M6Ogx6xmg51ilxGkvVfgMxnpnrhRgtJDabStfgXYxQ72biEquXsk7L8LYBa7dP9G3aZ2Rp1SmdpgP4V7a/s1600/PICT0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBF4Jdq_Ipiouu3SEAQd27U_0bC0nDZjCHbY6KV9C7XcapgU0WesWE8iLooL8M6Ogx6xmg51ilxGkvVfgMxnpnrhRgtJDabStfgXYxQ72biEquXsk7L8LYBa7dP9G3aZ2Rp1SmdpgP4V7a/s640/PICT0033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
and this Butter Fish that looks like it was posing for the photo: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55NZ-zNC0Av8wou-ZTjsKZuAXuCAJc5mN0bKhkB-mHCIZTlP0CzvbrLxI_fGf6uSznmJsQwYniAsOMwAu1dpRYhyphenhyphenQ_0KMstcDuTXR5L6hLRuIqVCu5tFwLVom1orRvtcbBHtIG6qzpNV-/s1600/PICT0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55NZ-zNC0Av8wou-ZTjsKZuAXuCAJc5mN0bKhkB-mHCIZTlP0CzvbrLxI_fGf6uSznmJsQwYniAsOMwAu1dpRYhyphenhyphenQ_0KMstcDuTXR5L6hLRuIqVCu5tFwLVom1orRvtcbBHtIG6qzpNV-/s640/PICT0039.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Then, on our way back to the surface at the end of our second dive we found a shoal of silvery fish, the first time I've seen more than a handful of fish in one place in Loch Fyne. Apologies for the lighting in the video, I tried to provide light with my torch while The Boy filmed but, as usual, we weren't always looking in the same direction:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyND3pzJuFc0lSJlxtCtfin_tTVHjF2wxW3Bib0PoK4R7UYCHLO0YH0fOIFgH3LVbOns3j0B8e-DTIbUaCA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
The water was a toasty 10 degrees centigrade compared with the barely above freezing temperature on the shore. We didn't hang about getting changed. In fact, I packed away my drysuit, kept my thermals on and finally changed into real clothes in the car on the way to pub to fill in our log books. The Rest and Be Thankful pass was at least being consistent on the way home:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrAl8lzdEEePz7_Du68tiyj8Q_W4cwJn1wVcmlisjQ4ZKlRriqDHYJ9PG69WJReqqRTrYMTGhuoT7JFmrvHYs8tyKX-a4fMQTRAFg1MLTK6Kg9uifNQcCB0c8mmnSSRY2V_I56AI5UTZ1/s1600/IMG_0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrAl8lzdEEePz7_Du68tiyj8Q_W4cwJn1wVcmlisjQ4ZKlRriqDHYJ9PG69WJReqqRTrYMTGhuoT7JFmrvHYs8tyKX-a4fMQTRAFg1MLTK6Kg9uifNQcCB0c8mmnSSRY2V_I56AI5UTZ1/s640/IMG_0112.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Let's hope this is the start to a fantastic year's diving.</div>ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-91801132133156026062011-10-12T21:12:00.011+01:002012-04-21T13:16:02.823+01:00Diving Loch Creran Marine Conservation Area<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A couple of weekends ago The Boy was scheduled to perform <a href="https://www.padi.com/scuba/">PADI</a> Dive Master duties for the <a href="http://www.aquatron.co.uk/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi?page=divertraining.html&cart_id=8541392_28555">Aquatron Diving School</a>. As they were going to be diving in<a href="http://www.argyllmarinesac.org/DS_lochcreran.htm"> Loch Creran</a>, which is a conservation area, I decided I'd tag along. Loch Creran is a bit of a trek for us and would normally mean getting up at 5:30am to arrive in time for a 9:00am dive. This time, The Boy suggested a nice, leisurely drive up on Saturday, a night dive and a stay in a B&B so that we could stay in bed longer on Sunday morning. I couldn't begin to describe how happy I was at the thought of someone else cooking breakfast and making packed lunches for a change. The Boy found <a href="http://www.lochcreranview.co.uk/">The Loch Creran View B&B</a> and I booked us a room.<br />
<br />
On Saturday we drove to Glasgow to fill our air tanks at Aquatron's shop then we headed up the road to Loch Creran. The sat nav took us straight to the door of the B&B even though it was pretty much in the middle of nowhere overlooking the Loch. I was well impressed at how clean and fresh everything was, especially the en-suite. We got ourselves settled into the room then changed into our thermals and headed off to the dive site.<br />
<br />
It was starting to get dark when we arrived and the tide was out so we had a slightly longer walk than normal to reach the water. Look how calm it was:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXOkXt-0hUFZwZWtuhesC2Xk6VsrNhXLFf1wRrs4hQ8K2ea7YC_ANIjOk3wZGe6eFRnsEnpMjMJ25hCCoN7vPppmRKOFGfTTNz2tEDfsIA2J1pH-Fcw2kgKsrlNii53ZctDnYzyxc3f4E/s1600/PICT0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXOkXt-0hUFZwZWtuhesC2Xk6VsrNhXLFf1wRrs4hQ8K2ea7YC_ANIjOk3wZGe6eFRnsEnpMjMJ25hCCoN7vPppmRKOFGfTTNz2tEDfsIA2J1pH-Fcw2kgKsrlNii53ZctDnYzyxc3f4E/s640/PICT0092.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The water was perfectly clear once we got in and, unsurprisingly, we had the place to ourselves. Loch Creran isn't too deep so we had a nice, long, fluffy dive taking photos of the assortment of aquatic life along the wall next to the shore. As usual The Boy kept possession of the camera so the credit for any decent photos on here is his and his alone.<br />
<br />
First we came across this pretty normal looking harbour crab sitting on the bottom. I couldn't say whether it was responsible for all the shells around it being empty or not: <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOui7ekjtsY4fZk5dipGBiIFsiMblwYSDTKp3S4BjZUo6e49PXbRVuzpWyvxyZu97XfQK-NUKqr8UEz3gcsiAEbMPNbpBuDcg4T3TQXACqrmqDS1oqGKtzdghOc2iYy_SqgeDEGFHnk6mr/s1600/PICT0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOui7ekjtsY4fZk5dipGBiIFsiMblwYSDTKp3S4BjZUo6e49PXbRVuzpWyvxyZu97XfQK-NUKqr8UEz3gcsiAEbMPNbpBuDcg4T3TQXACqrmqDS1oqGKtzdghOc2iYy_SqgeDEGFHnk6mr/s640/PICT0094.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A little further on we met this velvet crab sporting what looks like a pretty, pink fascinator:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuBPClVtYbfiawCBhE0idxGYMBqjNqZuVYA5xi84Wx6f7QgE3J-iUA-l-1YUgjBc93tbisLdpsSLLkQFmw0mNUAV1PLwhu5SSdpV2upxFf5NoM-KYuQscacntwvFDmoifEmKMtfVlrRkj/s1600/PICT0097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuBPClVtYbfiawCBhE0idxGYMBqjNqZuVYA5xi84Wx6f7QgE3J-iUA-l-1YUgjBc93tbisLdpsSLLkQFmw0mNUAV1PLwhu5SSdpV2upxFf5NoM-KYuQscacntwvFDmoifEmKMtfVlrRkj/s640/PICT0097.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The wall was alive with Leachs Spider Crabs from teeny ones to fairly big ones. Some of them were very hard to see until you got up close with a torch. Here are a few:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlV8sGHS6Qa8SdbuZm8gtJsQgeymC4yxAZrt07Ma2Xgvi10HqdRW0ZHYZiLQy2u4YqRn69xLZsl1FzXy3ZUZv6bjbFTobip3Y8TgfFzK6Mzl_oaf1s08ja3CNV_NK0VDtgtOeUFt5wA14/s1600/PICT0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlV8sGHS6Qa8SdbuZm8gtJsQgeymC4yxAZrt07Ma2Xgvi10HqdRW0ZHYZiLQy2u4YqRn69xLZsl1FzXy3ZUZv6bjbFTobip3Y8TgfFzK6Mzl_oaf1s08ja3CNV_NK0VDtgtOeUFt5wA14/s640/PICT0102.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
You can see how they can blend in with the plant life, the way they are covered in pieces of sponge, etc....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXylgYbm4vXsylijh15Un1LJsHJ9ssvwUVlTGNHIngQcwvp46ztDh1pDbKCjPZzJs1nbabsDdQuFoROJlG7YqpebBJhf32TjjQHz56yH5Z8eeGtZZkxYDT5CwcxPHui0eLaOG9ORsw1SLj/s1600/PICT0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXylgYbm4vXsylijh15Un1LJsHJ9ssvwUVlTGNHIngQcwvp46ztDh1pDbKCjPZzJs1nbabsDdQuFoROJlG7YqpebBJhf32TjjQHz56yH5Z8eeGtZZkxYDT5CwcxPHui0eLaOG9ORsw1SLj/s640/PICT0106.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOphHVLhfs_bCsIrawVpMLGjdD3wJRZtwt1lsR9YtfwkkzoIy8V-MOEQrcATmFZ-2RMR3B2JBhgIiNa7KZFW72FAieu5MZ-Iyb0KwW6aWRYM0CXxBA3-0l7aGaEiKUypGdNsbdkplddge/s1600/PICT0124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOphHVLhfs_bCsIrawVpMLGjdD3wJRZtwt1lsR9YtfwkkzoIy8V-MOEQrcATmFZ-2RMR3B2JBhgIiNa7KZFW72FAieu5MZ-Iyb0KwW6aWRYM0CXxBA3-0l7aGaEiKUypGdNsbdkplddge/s640/PICT0124.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Then there were gorgeous Sealoch Anemones like these ones:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrMLjCM0vC82YyvFhqFHd-IF798JQjw7M13uztrJS87t57u4X0rXK71Z672kxfsDUl9IYga8cY8fBQf4UmLMOrJJ_Owr-gABPYxt_p7GQS1rMEGvXKC723fcrVdOtUAdHUEBw0j-DHu-i/s1600/PICT0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrMLjCM0vC82YyvFhqFHd-IF798JQjw7M13uztrJS87t57u4X0rXK71Z672kxfsDUl9IYga8cY8fBQf4UmLMOrJJ_Owr-gABPYxt_p7GQS1rMEGvXKC723fcrVdOtUAdHUEBw0j-DHu-i/s640/PICT0108.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Not sure if this humpty looking harbour crab, covered in barnacles is The Bad or The Ugly. What do you think?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbX80oRV0Wh_dPIN-3v5KTmRhIcU9dlLf_kK_ksfONAykLbB5oX-AwZ-unXTM5YgcMC9UvJ0MSPOVefhC2TuxowFtIhQPgwH2fO8oGA2aWu1u0Kj5oeL3EBrmMgr4zHhF4N2vGuC-UadQ/s1600/PICT0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbX80oRV0Wh_dPIN-3v5KTmRhIcU9dlLf_kK_ksfONAykLbB5oX-AwZ-unXTM5YgcMC9UvJ0MSPOVefhC2TuxowFtIhQPgwH2fO8oGA2aWu1u0Kj5oeL3EBrmMgr4zHhF4N2vGuC-UadQ/s640/PICT0112.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We were amazed to see a couple of these worms. Normally, at the slightest hint of movement they suck all their flower-like tentacles into the tube below and hide so we must have been doing something right:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk7FLeUMbQvXoaP7brgfBPV8M4LAJeu6WTW_1rfL_XtIw1c1h2I4o_q2g_0b3cCSOs30zY-lYDwthCCHD2RttKdsp72m6T6fQVVlQPAvW8nsvK0yK0OMaeD0M8-pkwN8fwnh_oF5mOH1w/s1600/PICT0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk7FLeUMbQvXoaP7brgfBPV8M4LAJeu6WTW_1rfL_XtIw1c1h2I4o_q2g_0b3cCSOs30zY-lYDwthCCHD2RttKdsp72m6T6fQVVlQPAvW8nsvK0yK0OMaeD0M8-pkwN8fwnh_oF5mOH1w/s640/PICT0116.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Ok, so if the barnacled harbour crab was The Ugly (I think it was) then these must be The Bad - a pair of moody looking, double decker crabs perched next to a Sea Orange. The mood was provided by uplighting from The Boy's torch:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjE6zww3PJVo-DEZbJ9RgjgpqWPwi8LrTen1HshGN66V-ergTdNyVz49ficfKyDXmm_FGmN5Z1frQ8_xF-4kY2hdU_Xhq1rLoC0OX4zYWMoj52YLWEfwJmhrDnJDVZ7lopLkX4CHm3ONrb/s1600/PICT0117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjE6zww3PJVo-DEZbJ9RgjgpqWPwi8LrTen1HshGN66V-ergTdNyVz49ficfKyDXmm_FGmN5Z1frQ8_xF-4kY2hdU_Xhq1rLoC0OX4zYWMoj52YLWEfwJmhrDnJDVZ7lopLkX4CHm3ONrb/s640/PICT0117.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And here is a Long-Legged Spider Crab sitting above a Sealoch Anemone:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-95OG77kKfn4ssI2TQOC5-I9pkaiic0BUX_9V7omHAcB2TWNiLNqBK57TXFn5ShxcCXjILMZ5C_asbpRTI0V1t219KMTi9TrIPDSh8EDVVfsaW10Dw0IdcAFAmv_3iMyeaXlQMdaW4Wkv/s1600/PICT0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-95OG77kKfn4ssI2TQOC5-I9pkaiic0BUX_9V7omHAcB2TWNiLNqBK57TXFn5ShxcCXjILMZ5C_asbpRTI0V1t219KMTi9TrIPDSh8EDVVfsaW10Dw0IdcAFAmv_3iMyeaXlQMdaW4Wkv/s640/PICT0123.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This little bloke here (a Spiny Squat Lobster) looked like he had furry legs and claws through my mask. Isn't he a colourful wee chap?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zzY84162uFgskBwzSdT-OMtjrD2vuuMu5LDiPEOpsL7tr3GMY1iM3Z1dtqmN1NBMqoE5jHAfpbBC-xkFG8QyPyZ0DzXmGFZ8bLwWsb0oYop9yx1ffHpdNzGasNDxTsxI5iMktynnq64t/s1600/PICT0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zzY84162uFgskBwzSdT-OMtjrD2vuuMu5LDiPEOpsL7tr3GMY1iM3Z1dtqmN1NBMqoE5jHAfpbBC-xkFG8QyPyZ0DzXmGFZ8bLwWsb0oYop9yx1ffHpdNzGasNDxTsxI5iMktynnq64t/s640/PICT0131.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
There were also tons of scallops skipping about, opening and closing like wind-up false teeth and lots of little fish, ordinary squat lobsters, hermit crabs and Scampi. I haven't mentioned all of the sea squirts and other marine life we saw as well.<br />
<br />
After 45 minutes of diving we ended the dive with loads of air left and headed back to the Loch Creran View. We changed back into our clothes and drove to the <a href="http://www.benderloch.com/stay_benderloch/hawthorn/hawthorn_self_cater.PDF">Hawthorn Restaurant in Benderloch</a>, as recommended by our host, where we had a lovely evening meal to round off the night.<br />
<br />
In the morning, we had the luxury of sleeping in until 7:30 (I used to think that was the middle of the night). Our hostess, Edith, made us a full cooked breakfast and a huge packed lunch then we headed off to the loch again to dive with the school and experience more of the same stuff as the night before.<br />
<br />
Towards the end of the day, these two swans appeared and came up to see what was going on. I finally had control of the camera but, sadly, this was the only photo I managed to take before the batteries in the camera died.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEWBByN_W8lWMvMm6mYP2plrVueGiZQWtgs8ngwp10NuYSAk8nry9WR0Qz9LGXhfu1PJxA-ElmvegkQQSa1PTd6dy5FyCC1IzQXeixlIRHQXjUwBtJc-fmwtJ-pPsamJuyZ1jmgVUauVs/s1600/PICT0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEWBByN_W8lWMvMm6mYP2plrVueGiZQWtgs8ngwp10NuYSAk8nry9WR0Qz9LGXhfu1PJxA-ElmvegkQQSa1PTd6dy5FyCC1IzQXeixlIRHQXjUwBtJc-fmwtJ-pPsamJuyZ1jmgVUauVs/s640/PICT0142.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Oh, I nearly forgot. On the way back to shore after his last school dive (without a camera to record it because I was using it to photograph swans) a Thornback Ray swam underneath The Boy and his buddies. Everyone except me seems to manage to see Thornback Rays. One of these days.....<br />
<br />
We had a great weekend, bliss for me as it involved no cooking whatsoever. Will we be back? Yes I think so.</div>ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com1Loch Creran, Argyll and Bute, UK56.5282884 -5.342991799999936156.501672400000004 -5.433160299999936 56.5549044 -5.2528232999999362tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-37314748619901664892011-08-27T23:02:00.017+01:002012-04-06T18:33:26.162+01:00Visiting sad old ladies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Firstly, I have to apologise for not being around much lately. I started a new job a couple of weeks ago and I've hardly had time to draw breath since between one thing and another. One of those things being a diving weekend in the Sound of Mull organised by Martin at <a href="http://acedivers.co.uk/" target="_blank">Ace Divers</a>. "So what does that have to do with sad old ladies?" I hear you ask. Everything because most of our dives were exploring ship wrecks on the bottom of The Sound. I had never dived a wreck before and what an introduction it was!<br />
<br />
It took us around 3 hours to drive from central Scotland to the <a href="http://www.lochalinedivecentre.co.uk/">Lochaline Dive Centre</a> and that included our ferry crossing and 20-odd miles driving up a single track road. The <a href="http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/corran/corranferry/index.html">Corran ferry</a> must be the shortest ferry crossing ever. You barely get parked on deck and turn off the engine before it's time to drive off again.<br />
<br />
We were meeting friends and staying in the bunk house at the <a href="http://www.lochalinedivecentre.co.uk/">Lochaline Dive Centre</a>. I had never stayed in a bunk house before so I was expecting something pretty basic, maybe just a step up from a tent. I was pleasantly surprised when I stepped into our compact but bijou room. It was very small but looked as if it had been freshly decorated and was very comfortable with it's tiled floor (with under floor heating), two bunks and en-suite toilet / shower room.<br />
<br />
We arranged with the owner to have dinner later and headed out for a night dive at the <a href="http://www.finstrokes.com/dive-guides/143-lochaline-pier.html">West Pier</a>. The customers in the Lochaline Hotel were probably traumatised at the sight of a bunch of divers stripping off and getting kitted up outside their windows.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJ7pW3SS_JQGuIQrzmOZqw-2OlczUTvTxg-BAVOQNxJH87I2DHKYtLpLeTFrE0lx30jdwPNGIK2dl9XevNxgnsYdB7n0SA_M_pVrV7PNq6ss8ircqjCPkli0CXFUEsYVFY9jyIuFyT_0M/s1600/MagsWestPier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJ7pW3SS_JQGuIQrzmOZqw-2OlczUTvTxg-BAVOQNxJH87I2DHKYtLpLeTFrE0lx30jdwPNGIK2dl9XevNxgnsYdB7n0SA_M_pVrV7PNq6ss8ircqjCPkli0CXFUEsYVFY9jyIuFyT_0M/s640/MagsWestPier.jpg" width="475" /></a></div><br />
<br />
As you can see we had typical Scottish weather. We had a nice, leisurely swim along a wall covered with all sorts of aquatic life then headed back to the bunk house. I think we all expected burger & chips for dinner but we were treated to chicken breast stuffed with smoked bacon followed by cheese cake for dessert. It wouldn't have been out of place in a high class restaurant.<br />
<br />
The next morning we drove down to the harbour and loaded all our gear on board the <a href="http://www.lochaline-boats.co.uk/BoatDetails.html">Brendan</a>, a dive boat that takes 12 divers. David, the skipper, took us out to visit our first sad old lady, the <a href="http://www.rod-macdonald.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47:ss-hispania&catid=11:scottish-wrecks&Itemid=22">SS Hispania</a>, who was launched in 1912 and met her end in the Sound of Mull in December 1954. She is thought to be the best Scottish wreck for diving outside of Scapa Flow. We all changed into our drysuits and connected up our scuba gear then sat around the back of the boat until we arrived at the site. It took a little longer than expected and we ended up doing a few Mexican waves with our fins while we waited. More challenging than it sounds when you understand how little room there is to move once we're all kitted up. The Hispania should only be dived on a slack tide to avoid the strong currents that can be present around her. David, our skipper got the timing just perfect. As The Boy and I were doing our <a href="http://www.padi.com/scuba/">PADI</a> wreck diving speciality over the weekend the others let us go into the water first before anyone kicked up any silt. We descended the line from the marker buoy and the first old lady came into view, much clearer and more spectacular than I had imagined. A huge, green and yellow body started appear out of nowhere and seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see, covered in over half a century's aquatic life. This is me following The Boy around the wreck (he had control of the camera , as usual):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqON6vnR-Qbs3TUdymbT_klmuJXke6MOSJtYmhykmlRaMrBhleUV2dNKXeU2D2w7bwxuNJjR0rvc0QaPF1NpvJhbkvN1AfhAZapEWKN9jqYStgQMKb1ACou7Txy-zTHff7bjv0ZWRe21Yx/s1600/MagsHispania.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqON6vnR-Qbs3TUdymbT_klmuJXke6MOSJtYmhykmlRaMrBhleUV2dNKXeU2D2w7bwxuNJjR0rvc0QaPF1NpvJhbkvN1AfhAZapEWKN9jqYStgQMKb1ACou7Txy-zTHff7bjv0ZWRe21Yx/s400/MagsHispania.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The PADI skills for the first dive weren't too complicated - swim around the wreck identifying potential hazards, maintain neutral buoyancy, navigate back to the ascent point, avoid touching the bottom.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioz_RxAGuIL7mkfiI9dUFgVAXADRnLtcW96lcu_SUMBwTDZzZeNviuIhXLb_WTGqP91RzYYITN52rvRa2R8D6THc_fDw_qrmv5lEjJ3DYbaGMMl4D0e-aGjMklLZFqknGz8yosuFti2z4I/s1600/PICT0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioz_RxAGuIL7mkfiI9dUFgVAXADRnLtcW96lcu_SUMBwTDZzZeNviuIhXLb_WTGqP91RzYYITN52rvRa2R8D6THc_fDw_qrmv5lEjJ3DYbaGMMl4D0e-aGjMklLZFqknGz8yosuFti2z4I/s640/PICT0008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>We met a few Ballan Wrasse like the one in the photo. They are very curious and will usually come up close for a good look at divers. When I got home I read up on the Hispania. The author described what happened to him when he got the tides wrong. When he exited the wreck the current nearly ripped his mask off his face and he had to grip the funnel and shimmy up it to reach the ascent line to prevent himself from being swept away. Thank goodness our skipper read the tides perfectly.<br />
<br />
David had the kettle on by the time we were all back on board and while we had lunch he set off to find our next sad, old lady, the <a href="http://www.rod-macdonald.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57:ss-shuna&catid=11:scottish-wrecks&Itemid=22">SS Shuna</a>. She was built in 1909 so it wasn't long until she met her demise in May 1913 after hitting rocks in a storm. It was looking a little overcast by the time we started our visit:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FzaHxybIU7WBz1RIzX9ljSWpKofIUJnomjJEiuXDefbs8z2TheKvdE3z8Iy-MjDD4hU08jhF01J3DwOHxOtVxBCyL7XQbXr9mSmLbzL27KV1K1UdmtbK_8W_lAcHo544SGHfP_1SDoyp/s1600/PICT0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FzaHxybIU7WBz1RIzX9ljSWpKofIUJnomjJEiuXDefbs8z2TheKvdE3z8Iy-MjDD4hU08jhF01J3DwOHxOtVxBCyL7XQbXr9mSmLbzL27KV1K1UdmtbK_8W_lAcHo544SGHfP_1SDoyp/s640/PICT0017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Things soon brightened up below the surface when we came across some of the old lady's friends, local wildlife:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqF0l_8eqKYUJ0D4NyYN2WSnrYIUuz0kaMn6m6xMTTXPK4g2R__d6ReGFv4XbsJQb7BnbONfMqELGFRRkBRcNnpjw-Ov7DJp43U3EVXwZdMwVlJEsFUqI_1uGergaAyo4OPd6s1eICoEls/s1600/PICT0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqF0l_8eqKYUJ0D4NyYN2WSnrYIUuz0kaMn6m6xMTTXPK4g2R__d6ReGFv4XbsJQb7BnbONfMqELGFRRkBRcNnpjw-Ov7DJp43U3EVXwZdMwVlJEsFUqI_1uGergaAyo4OPd6s1eICoEls/s640/PICT0024.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7PLdoxW3bdScSJeVTcGadPFp-2YqPIAUptln9CF08Ixc5_yRkkPITODJsNMW-vOzu4vAxYrwlmSK04oKwvDh8_rbjbsaZMyWlDor9lUzdVMXgrpawZLUzhOE7qkoJwsKKmH-IncfuW87/s1600/PICT0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7PLdoxW3bdScSJeVTcGadPFp-2YqPIAUptln9CF08Ixc5_yRkkPITODJsNMW-vOzu4vAxYrwlmSK04oKwvDh8_rbjbsaZMyWlDor9lUzdVMXgrpawZLUzhOE7qkoJwsKKmH-IncfuW87/s640/PICT0026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
That crab was huge - about a foot across (30cm in new money).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfLPyj7af_jz52HW9zKVTkEnEjgDK-ElPyiniFFG_meXsXQOreOF9Gai8YVjndh5yksFIO_O_KjYu8luABGeIvLnrP2H2R2gCZ0KZLxwateoDVAyqXa3EoOZNjk4B81YQae5xVbffGe94/s1600/PICT0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfLPyj7af_jz52HW9zKVTkEnEjgDK-ElPyiniFFG_meXsXQOreOF9Gai8YVjndh5yksFIO_O_KjYu8luABGeIvLnrP2H2R2gCZ0KZLxwateoDVAyqXa3EoOZNjk4B81YQae5xVbffGe94/s640/PICT0021.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>Ok, so the last photo is not so local wildlife. Guess who? :o) That looks like Martin's white mask below my arm. I hadn't appreciated how much I look like an ad for ScubaPro. :D<br />
<br />
PADI skills this time included swimming around the outside of the wreck identifying and avoiding potential hazards, mapping a wreck and marking points of interest, surveying a wreck for a penetration dive and evaluating possible entrances then navigating back to the ascent point. David had the kettle on for us again when we reached the boat.<br />
<br />
For our last dive of the day we had a nice, 'fluffy' dive along the wall at <a href="http://www.explore-isle-of-mull.co.uk/islands-of-mull.htm">Calve Island</a>. We saw a couple of seals swimming along the shore as the boat approached the drop-off point but they hid from us once we were in the water. This was my 50th dive so it was nice just to have a gentle, relaxing dive without having to demonstrate any skills. There was long wall with lots of crevices hiding aquatic wildlife. I did feel a little bit like a sheep dog by the end of the dive as we had been in buddy teams of 3 people all day and my 2 buddies (The Boy and Martin) both had cameras and kept wandering off trying to catch 'the' photo. Thankfully The Boy is quite hard to lose as he has white fins that glow underwater. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrSh0oXOf1cWgPBSE2qodK6g_jwe2E5fIdy6pCG6vwa_-BS7suPq9HHUw9tHugB1UIj8p7jWDnMUiTqA2z7G9CW_uUwlvwWHh5Uphe8dQjijgOT8CaGcNO-YFkSSkaT31O4xO8NQbAwRB/s1600/PICT0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrSh0oXOf1cWgPBSE2qodK6g_jwe2E5fIdy6pCG6vwa_-BS7suPq9HHUw9tHugB1UIj8p7jWDnMUiTqA2z7G9CW_uUwlvwWHh5Uphe8dQjijgOT8CaGcNO-YFkSSkaT31O4xO8NQbAwRB/s640/PICT0027.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
After our last dive we headed to Tobermory where we were booked to stay the night:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WsYMydQRvj9NGgxjEufLlN4RzzWI3I4jbFyoLsB-seIHcGjXf2zZMM9nqXol3QCFE1E1w0KLzjd_NWNjbI45r0h_z1tvU2ZbNTNFsp1eEYJouziX4Pi-8faoAwo3u-w4rnxyknaUYeFL/s1600/PICT0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WsYMydQRvj9NGgxjEufLlN4RzzWI3I4jbFyoLsB-seIHcGjXf2zZMM9nqXol3QCFE1E1w0KLzjd_NWNjbI45r0h_z1tvU2ZbNTNFsp1eEYJouziX4Pi-8faoAwo3u-w4rnxyknaUYeFL/s640/PICT0029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
After a good night's sleep and a decent breakfast it was back down to the harbour to board the Brendan again. Our first dive of the day was a visit to the third old lady, the <a href="http://www.rod-macdonald.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78:rondo&catid=11:scottish-wrecks&Itemid=22">SS Rondo</a>. She started life in 1917 as the War Wonder (1), was renamed the Lithopolis, then the Laurie and in 1934 became the SS Rondo. Ironically, in 1935, she grounded on a lighthouse rock in the Sound of Mull then eventually slithered off the edge to land almost vertically in the water. I was slightly worried about my encounter with her as the lowest part of her bodywork is at a depth of 50 metres, 20 metres deeper than I'm allowed to dive but I was worrying for nothing as she was extremely kind to us. As dive number 3 in our PADI Wreck Speciality The Boy and I had skills to demonstrate - deployment & retrieval of a penetration line, for practice, on the outside of the wreck, swim along the penetration line without kicking up silt using a dive light and maintaining contact with the line, navigate back to the ascent point. We also did a short 'swim through' in a gap between the vertical hull of the old lady and the rock face to practice following a penetration line. If you look closely you can just see the penetration line on the right. The air cylinder apparently wearing a fishnet stocking is mine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyhwCLU3V32kx1HpI5nSltsdbIbE3E2P1F7-fhq4k0stUcfNDOFluCKtXeH8-h8_xsR7e24w3J9GEVotanVjA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<br />
Because of her vertical position in the water the Rondo is a very easy wreck to explore. After we surfaced, David took us to a quiet bay while the air cylinders were refilled. The sun was out and we did a spot of fishing and caught half a dozen mackerel. We had lunch (not mackerel I hasten to add) and enjoyed the stunning scenery for a while then headed off to visit our last old lady, the <a href="http://www.rod-macdonald.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55:ss-thesis&catid=11:scottish-wrecks&Itemid=22">SS Thesis</a>.<br />
<br />
The Thesis was launched in 1887 and a short time afterwards, in October 1889, she ran aground. There is a section of the ship where the outer plating has been removed and the 'ribs' are exposed. An ideal place to practice our last set of PADI skills, planning and performing a wreck penetration, laying and following the line without disturbing the silt and using a dive light.<br />
<br />
After we'd done our skills I followed Martin out of the wreck and up a slope. When I looked up to see where he was I was amazed to see a huge shoal of fish (probably saithe) swimming past right above us. That was my first encounter with more than a handful of fish at one time. As we explored the rest of the wreck, The Boy found a couple of Sea Hares and a conger eel poking it's head out of a pipe. To the untrained eye, ie, mine, the Sea Hares look like little pieces of curled up, red seaweed. They are also tiny,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXePLwExBdbS97itFGfTTr_SfczspHDRIEdCPGH11TVOS8YbHdo7W0mfBYU8sLTBFYg-m360SJWtk1uc7nlkaYYqhDQgZbBsxOC5dTdtsWbepqKc3ngpwOhSRUxL3IIeSgTmaWwqRuUII/s1600/PICT0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXePLwExBdbS97itFGfTTr_SfczspHDRIEdCPGH11TVOS8YbHdo7W0mfBYU8sLTBFYg-m360SJWtk1uc7nlkaYYqhDQgZbBsxOC5dTdtsWbepqKc3ngpwOhSRUxL3IIeSgTmaWwqRuUII/s640/PICT0044.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-Spj2Mvpug2AQl9TZEfDBx5PANdcpb07MOL0x3jIqui4tFn-rzVh1sWVY93JqXktfjGt3TIQr6O8xgBva1-0C7zNfqxg0CJQBiWx_vASLVj7BEOFMenvfc6kj-TDBpm9lHivr5Tkh8ls/s1600/PICT0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-Spj2Mvpug2AQl9TZEfDBx5PANdcpb07MOL0x3jIqui4tFn-rzVh1sWVY93JqXktfjGt3TIQr6O8xgBva1-0C7zNfqxg0CJQBiWx_vASLVj7BEOFMenvfc6kj-TDBpm9lHivr5Tkh8ls/s640/PICT0046.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QHGVc6NIpONiUNHx2owGdixLFvH_YEB6vEAyKLTxU-Qt94B04c20MEF_Vism_MIHfJafxZn0obnoPrCc0SXbioZlQG09nuiMmAJZ8CPsC0orO_PWaR6j7zrpxTczJfWe_Hc6MRwb9sfO/s1600/PICT0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QHGVc6NIpONiUNHx2owGdixLFvH_YEB6vEAyKLTxU-Qt94B04c20MEF_Vism_MIHfJafxZn0obnoPrCc0SXbioZlQG09nuiMmAJZ8CPsC0orO_PWaR6j7zrpxTczJfWe_Hc6MRwb9sfO/s640/PICT0062.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
While we were photographing the Sea Hares a Ballan Wrasse came over to see what we were up to and hung around for a while having a good old look. Here I am apparently doing a little underwater ballet:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihw9eYhkDB1UzgPfBkDgonKsW1Us3D6asX5R9Zh1pXl3Y4jSTPOj11blcQZckXEmHwcHPJKtDbNjZds7Y23jxFKCoWezRoOeGNStF0FyosiXGYK3wlbUfDSpL0q8cOzZqbeS_CK-VgQBiT/s1600/MagsThesis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihw9eYhkDB1UzgPfBkDgonKsW1Us3D6asX5R9Zh1pXl3Y4jSTPOj11blcQZckXEmHwcHPJKtDbNjZds7Y23jxFKCoWezRoOeGNStF0FyosiXGYK3wlbUfDSpL0q8cOzZqbeS_CK-VgQBiT/s640/MagsThesis.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
We said goodbye to the Thesis and ascended the line to the boat. That was our last dive of the weekend and were all tired, happy bunnies. We had a slight detour on the way back to shore thanks to Nicola (aka The Dancing Queen and the only other female on the trip). During her attempts to remove Lion's Mane jellyfish tentacles from her diving boots she dropped one overboard. To his credit, David turned the boat round and went straight to the stray boot so it was reunited with its owner.<br />
<br />
Afterwards David dropped us off at the pier in Lochaline so that we could pick up our cars and start the 3 hour drive back home.<br />
<br />
Don't ever let anyone tell you it's not worth diving in Scotland. Yes, there are times when the visibility can be bad but that can happen anywhere. And, yes you need to wear a full drysuit due to the water temperature but if I can cope with that anyone can. I am in awe of what I see every time I dive. When you're standing on the shore it's hard to imagine how much is going on under the surface of the water.</div>ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-64088075996422728232011-07-02T14:18:00.004+01:002016-12-18T10:26:21.948+00:00Busy, busy, busy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I had really intended to make new designs to add to my shops but it didn't quite work out. I have been busy making things though, just none of them are for sale.<br />
<br />
First I realized I'm going to a wedding on 9th July. I didn't have time to go dress shopping so I decided to wear a dress I wore to another wedding a while back Totally different set of guests so who'll notice? As you can see it's a bit <span style="color: red;">RED</span>!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyXQNnAwP1ethXvdxgDsSAMieek3ryj8Om5fg0M9bdjCC70EAatF_stTq2CE1xpVy9J1JaskeDTOxpLeQ_Ty6GtXiAjYisAWx6Ig2yDacsfNRk5G127dTNIMdQcU1XKomhUqiUU3-1C9O/s1600/Mags.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyXQNnAwP1ethXvdxgDsSAMieek3ryj8Om5fg0M9bdjCC70EAatF_stTq2CE1xpVy9J1JaskeDTOxpLeQ_Ty6GtXiAjYisAWx6Ig2yDacsfNRk5G127dTNIMdQcU1XKomhUqiUU3-1C9O/s320/Mags.JPG" width="101" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I still have to try the shoes on to make sure they still fit since I broke my foot. Better get a move on with that. I realized that I broke the necklace I was wearing with it that day, which is a shame as I really liked it. My mum bought it for me a few years ago. My first job was to make jewellery to match the frock so here it is - a necklace, bracelet and earrings made using the new Chinese crystals I bought:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHC5n1_bykzbVz7cvaTYVCyzTkEht492BaAMrNQbZfEOJOypqordKSYt7ttcMrcU-Onhbyaz40zayuVeGKvqNeHh36G6vdXYpnLyMdE24TvWOMpVhnStzKmKXOIWRPEJUpZrMi1y5qvCDQ/s1600/OwnRedB1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHC5n1_bykzbVz7cvaTYVCyzTkEht492BaAMrNQbZfEOJOypqordKSYt7ttcMrcU-Onhbyaz40zayuVeGKvqNeHh36G6vdXYpnLyMdE24TvWOMpVhnStzKmKXOIWRPEJUpZrMi1y5qvCDQ/s320/OwnRedB1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZFOiuYkXjz2wBoIbX_m75zcYsgzbYjMa2vE0hUYEcCCywIgXyxkW557QR_L3Y83QMSxksf-XlFCRmYXtklg5Mb8wSzgoK4hsT2GCUxVaEsngdP2OKxmDIltZp_8L9S5i9Lt9mbQn_wUf/s1600/OwnRedE1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZFOiuYkXjz2wBoIbX_m75zcYsgzbYjMa2vE0hUYEcCCywIgXyxkW557QR_L3Y83QMSxksf-XlFCRmYXtklg5Mb8wSzgoK4hsT2GCUxVaEsngdP2OKxmDIltZp_8L9S5i9Lt9mbQn_wUf/s320/OwnRedE1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOLuHTsqbVKnaIviCntHz3Fshqrc98zcP0Gf18Bog7NsSgQghWRI7fDxvUXXrkdOsPxZAUkBjP_bk4Oe-pMaxrD0IXZTnlDYYBx2VQGPAAaBs1ZW9SGyNJDnUx8yWSmBORd0F36mdL_ys/s1600/OwnRedN1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOLuHTsqbVKnaIviCntHz3Fshqrc98zcP0Gf18Bog7NsSgQghWRI7fDxvUXXrkdOsPxZAUkBjP_bk4Oe-pMaxrD0IXZTnlDYYBx2VQGPAAaBs1ZW9SGyNJDnUx8yWSmBORd0F36mdL_ys/s320/OwnRedN1.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
Next it was my friend Mo's birthday. She likes green and it just so happens I have a whole lot of green sparkly things. I also have some pretty gold coloured chain so I thought I'd break from my usual tradition and use gold chain instead of silver. This is the finished article, made with more Chinese crystals mixed in with Czech rondelles. I actually like it better than the one I just made for myself.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSE57K5qgMv3XzrwedGMiFYt5X5HGHVTMe_0cGCpYnd-mAq5PIbiFLLs6JA0SpNVpFwXkNoJYfp8LRJqPsnaSmoPpqHD0T-OLpeN9HYeAsGf-jdm6rd7zJz9VXBduvZSwicrIZM4wO9Fg/s1600/MoNecklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSE57K5qgMv3XzrwedGMiFYt5X5HGHVTMe_0cGCpYnd-mAq5PIbiFLLs6JA0SpNVpFwXkNoJYfp8LRJqPsnaSmoPpqHD0T-OLpeN9HYeAsGf-jdm6rd7zJz9VXBduvZSwicrIZM4wO9Fg/s640/MoNecklace.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
What next? Oh yes, it was my daughter's birthday as well (<a href="http://missbaah.blogspot.com/">missbaah</a>). Now very often she's pink and frilly (with Doc Martens of course) but she's equally likely to be spotty, stripey and multi-coloured. Her wedding dress was black and white and I noticed she had another black and white outfit so I thought I'd be less predictable than usual and go for monochrome, which is apparently "in" at the moment.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ft6lHROVmuQTvDjjiHZ2FwOlh1XKfnEAzq0uvCOrvm8R-JEiZzmvNet57k8e3FIR95my0Dz__e_lXpmW7JUvz5Qagy-yJUoKqUR30DzgTBPmu9e4i2cKKb8OXENMLvcyteLDLI6kp7qx/s1600/ElspethNecklaceEarrings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ft6lHROVmuQTvDjjiHZ2FwOlh1XKfnEAzq0uvCOrvm8R-JEiZzmvNet57k8e3FIR95my0Dz__e_lXpmW7JUvz5Qagy-yJUoKqUR30DzgTBPmu9e4i2cKKb8OXENMLvcyteLDLI6kp7qx/s640/ElspethNecklaceEarrings.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Her husband hates dangly earrings so I suspect these ones won't too popular with him but I'm certain it won't stop her from wearing them.<br />
<br />
After all that I started thinking about the wedding again. Now I'm not the kind of girl who tends to wear hats or hair decorations but weddings are a bit special so I decided to make something to tart my hair up a little. This morning I finally got round to making myself a sparkly hair band. I decided to keep it simple and used more of my new Chinese crystals. Here it is:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYKFpY4sOi4_VvSgkBHyqlk_ZwmKvk0cDeWtzw5e0S5lwHn_ePtGx-lQ7CMCtmAjorKE7kumSCRY694vkv5ohN3cDZ_qj76CVu_SoAGW3HvtNukAEOIeXvUjIOnG7eDJDgrSCIu05Q3Ye/s1600/OwnRedHB1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYKFpY4sOi4_VvSgkBHyqlk_ZwmKvk0cDeWtzw5e0S5lwHn_ePtGx-lQ7CMCtmAjorKE7kumSCRY694vkv5ohN3cDZ_qj76CVu_SoAGW3HvtNukAEOIeXvUjIOnG7eDJDgrSCIu05Q3Ye/s640/OwnRedHB1.jpg" width="546" /></a></div><br />
That's me all set to go now. Birthdays done & dusted. Maybe now I can actually make some jewellery to sell. Or..... maybe I should make something as a competition prize for <a href="http://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/">WowThankYou</a>? I'm off to see if I can find some inspiration.</div>ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-51147489203307721792011-06-02T15:56:00.002+01:002011-11-29T22:44:12.779+00:00Drift diving at St Abbs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">A little later than intended I'm finally updating my blog. Where did the time go?<br />
<br />
Anyway, the awful, torrential rain finally cleared up a bit just in time for Bank Holiday Monday at the end of May. That was good news for The Boy and me because we had arranged to go scuba diving at <a href="http://www.divestabbs.info/">St Abbs</a> on the south east coast of Scotland. We arrived early and watched the boats taking other divers out for their own adventures:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewbwxbNgiTH37u9SNOkqG25IWKfxYgGlzjd6zULmeJNLjZvOgGcjso9xYoTrTOBxYnAF-cMyklqtxrJ_b2d0nBCs_B9jWPqKcd3BkIof_PYD5GHXSa2Z4ATOm2gzAt3bK3A1mvmr1s1c-/s1600/IMG_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewbwxbNgiTH37u9SNOkqG25IWKfxYgGlzjd6zULmeJNLjZvOgGcjso9xYoTrTOBxYnAF-cMyklqtxrJ_b2d0nBCs_B9jWPqKcd3BkIof_PYD5GHXSa2Z4ATOm2gzAt3bK3A1mvmr1s1c-/s640/IMG_0056.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
We had decided to do our <a href="https://www.padi.com/scuba/">PADI</a> Drift Diving Speciality as part of the trip so there was some studying to do the week before. We had a couple of trips booked on the <a href="http://www.divestabbs.info/">Tiger Lily</a> out of St Abbs harbour. We'd been out on her before so we knew it would be a good day out. St Abbs is also a <a href="http://www.marine-reserve.org.uk/">Marine Conservation Reserve</a> so we knew there would be cool things to see under the water.<br />
<br />
We started off at a site called Black Carrs. The Boy and I descended to the bottom and while we were waiting for the others to join us we had a visit from a Ballan Wrasse:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaVCxiu96fjLtkFdBCKizfEFQ5CENx8LrrfQDE9XI25syvTQGxw8L1sZYKgo-SmTwveiH7ZAoZqAeDCX_HtDzjYdodf1H3_mbKZ-8ukapglQqU3zZlFd_f3tUxRJR732NPNLpIJ9K_i14/s1600/PICT0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaVCxiu96fjLtkFdBCKizfEFQ5CENx8LrrfQDE9XI25syvTQGxw8L1sZYKgo-SmTwveiH7ZAoZqAeDCX_HtDzjYdodf1H3_mbKZ-8ukapglQqU3zZlFd_f3tUxRJR732NPNLpIJ9K_i14/s640/PICT0003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
It was hard to say who was more curious, it or us. It swam right up close and stopped just in front of my face and just hovered there staring at me. Then it went and had a stare at The Boy while he took it's photo. It went back and forward between the two of us like that until everyone was in the water and ready to set off.<br />
<br />
A little further on The Boy stopped and seemed intent on taking photos of a rock. I went to take a look and I still couldn't understand why he was photographing a rock. Then it moved and I realized that there had actually been a tiny, well camouflaged fish sitting on top of the rock. I only saw it as it swam off. Can you see it?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bIJFAsQiuuQ25rzbOdQwq6Nreo7n18pU0zWM0ZozIIUEpVTMVJjyQeHFhDmaDnBqWRT4diGCPsJKS1OztmgFuz3TiJYRNiWszWkAjhjD7_jGBoyDW_AC3sgqFnqnfDyNYcZ9T8BojgAn/s1600/PICT0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bIJFAsQiuuQ25rzbOdQwq6Nreo7n18pU0zWM0ZozIIUEpVTMVJjyQeHFhDmaDnBqWRT4diGCPsJKS1OztmgFuz3TiJYRNiWszWkAjhjD7_jGBoyDW_AC3sgqFnqnfDyNYcZ9T8BojgAn/s640/PICT0009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
By this time I was wondering what had happened to the drift (current) we were supposed to be diving in. Just then, the dive leader turned in a different direction and there it was. All of a sudden I was aware of being carried along by the current. What a fantastic experience! No finning required, just become a passenger in the current and enjoy the scenery and, obviously, don't lose sight of the rest of the group. The downside of drift diving is that, if you want to take photos, by the time you've spotted something interesting to photograph the drift has swept you past it. So, no more photos for the rest of the dive. After a while the dive leader inflated the surface marker buoy so the boat could find us and we all surfaced.<br />
<br />
The great thing about diving off the <a href="http://www.divestabbs.info/">Tiger Lily</a> is that it has a lift on the back, oops, stern so you just have to stand on it and be transported on board in a single smooth motion and hobble onto the deck instead of trying extricate yourself from gear and clamber aboard in an ungainly fashion. The skipper also provides hot tea/coffee and biscuits. What a star!<br />
<br />
For the second dive we were taken to the <a href="http://www.finstrokes.com/dive-guides/246-tyes-tunnel.html">Tye Tunnel</a>. Fortunately the sea was flat calm or the entrance to the tunnel would have been tricky. Here's one of the group about to enter the tunnel:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVhYVvDxYKJ3wPN6YufNbjy9-Inl6-FpMwJXebfdX5BqINR_c1LGumPqwKK_-vYol8QieYBvfUDhZCxFaWCnEcLKwdeyQRTGy2K9m4gZ60DmTGTRJFnF7k0rMoN1Zj4t4dZw3GqVIGA4D/s1600/PICT0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVhYVvDxYKJ3wPN6YufNbjy9-Inl6-FpMwJXebfdX5BqINR_c1LGumPqwKK_-vYol8QieYBvfUDhZCxFaWCnEcLKwdeyQRTGy2K9m4gZ60DmTGTRJFnF7k0rMoN1Zj4t4dZw3GqVIGA4D/s640/PICT0014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
You have to swim over a rock then dive head first down between the walls to the bottom. It opens out at the bottom but the initial entry is fairly narrow. I managed to contain my claustrophobia while we did that part.<br />
<br />
When we came out the other end of the tunnel the dive leader spotted something on a big rock and drew it to our attention. What was it? Only a cute looking lump sucker:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4RlNlcBMlpoJTUB-Od669r7b-nVzdEPClapGR27oFTz_4gtVq5bqccFa2Rg7d1F6mBT1-_v6E1MaBEwKzCEEgD7ZEQYCITokyq3-mcbaQ0nhfQV3jmHbJhWGjbSbK-kJiQ3k3Qi7jYfO/s1600/PICT0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4RlNlcBMlpoJTUB-Od669r7b-nVzdEPClapGR27oFTz_4gtVq5bqccFa2Rg7d1F6mBT1-_v6E1MaBEwKzCEEgD7ZEQYCITokyq3-mcbaQ0nhfQV3jmHbJhWGjbSbK-kJiQ3k3Qi7jYfO/s640/PICT0025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
It looks like something you'd see in a Walt Disney cartoon, not at the bottom of the sea. It wasn't even remotely put out by a group of divers surrounding it, staring, making bubbles and taking photos.<br />
<br />
Just after that we found the drift. It was a much more gentle drift than the first dive and it was a very relaxing end to the day to be carried gently back to the rendezvous point with the boat.<br />
<br />
What a great day. A huge thank you to Ally for arranging it. We'll definitely be back.</div>ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-91050237167132332552011-04-18T21:36:00.003+01:002016-12-18T10:26:21.962+00:00A ring is born<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This is the story of Stoo's ring. Stoo is one of The Boy's friends. He saw the silver ring I made at my silver clay class last year and asked me to make him a thumb ring. That was a while ago. It's not that I haven't wanted to make his ring. I've just been putting it off because I only had one pack of silver clay and I didn't want to mess it up.<br />
<br />
At the end of last week The Boy asked when I was going to make Stoo's ring & I figured I didn't really have any excuses so I should just get on with it. The main reason for my reluctance is that there are so many standards for ring sizes. I learned using Japanese sizes but only have UK & US ring gauges so I knew I was going to have to do some calculations to work out shrinkage before I started.<br />
<br />
So I got out all the size conversion charts I'd downloaded and tried to work it out in UK sizes. Stoo's thumb is a size Y so what size do I need to make the unfired ring to allow for 8-9% shrinkage? After checking & triple checking I convinced myself it needed to be Z+4, 5 whole sizes bigger. I was a bit worried that the guidance for US sizes was to go 2 sizes bigger and for Japanese sizes to go 3 sizes bigger. Then I realised that UK sizes are a lot closer together than US or Japanese and relaxed a bit.<br />
<br />
First I decided to prepare my ring mandrel. Challenge no. 1 - even the thick end of my mandrel was too small for size Z+4. Solution - tape paper round the mandrel to pad it out:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4x08g1iCNyAaVewK_bj7FyqUmxDHFfevV3DzE7qHZqkEcNdJ5HxR-xJ3XAPineFkTzgN-l2wggaF1DEfYdZ_-4ZG0tpMh-6WEQ1n9iBJ3hga3sAb1bw3TGT2UCTIcHPiKNOg_Cu5YdeFT/s1600/RingMandrel1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4x08g1iCNyAaVewK_bj7FyqUmxDHFfevV3DzE7qHZqkEcNdJ5HxR-xJ3XAPineFkTzgN-l2wggaF1DEfYdZ_-4ZG0tpMh-6WEQ1n9iBJ3hga3sAb1bw3TGT2UCTIcHPiKNOg_Cu5YdeFT/s640/RingMandrel1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Challenge no. 2 soon followed - the ring papers were just too small to join around the mandrel. Solution - use a teeny piece of sellotape to stop the paper pinging off.<br />
<br />
Now I was ready to get the clay out and make the ring. It took a few attempts & some extra clay before I actually had enough to go around the mandrel enough to join it properly. And that's when I found out that there was sellotape somewhere it shouldn't be and I couldn't move the paper. The ring fell apart and that was that - back to the drawing board again.<br />
<br />
Brainwave - I fetched the greaseproof paper from the kitchen and wrapped the mandrel again:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelVdTX0zMslp4-tTsnCPz44xAx7xeGrYnWlUneMtWW_XKh-pOA3zuZcG9IVldhSCu3kby7FawxbxrQOO5ajEXY3hK29aeuFTzQsAPebKo2dgpj85H9dvdbBUUC4moGUpyLFyj1BZi09xW/s1600/RingMandrel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelVdTX0zMslp4-tTsnCPz44xAx7xeGrYnWlUneMtWW_XKh-pOA3zuZcG9IVldhSCu3kby7FawxbxrQOO5ajEXY3hK29aeuFTzQsAPebKo2dgpj85H9dvdbBUUC4moGUpyLFyj1BZi09xW/s640/RingMandrel2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
That helped so I was finally able to construct the ring on the mandrel. I slid the whole lot down the mandrel slightly and left it all to dry overnight. I checked it with the ring gauge to make sure it was was still sitting at size Z+4. Here we have a not very good photo of the ring, all dried and ready to be sanded and filed and inspected:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyycDgQYqJj_dcEHZTdA-P1BPu85HQylgJRyCaYEWFTNUP2OVmFmb019ZYlKw0yMwBKpYHEkLzLfuU_o97Qg7Z1CX6Pe0YJMzeMeVpojZGoEuot-X6t_ANxNleuDcuIvC6OgMJz1lRWO_/s1600/StooRing1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyycDgQYqJj_dcEHZTdA-P1BPu85HQylgJRyCaYEWFTNUP2OVmFmb019ZYlKw0yMwBKpYHEkLzLfuU_o97Qg7Z1CX6Pe0YJMzeMeVpojZGoEuot-X6t_ANxNleuDcuIvC6OgMJz1lRWO_/s640/StooRing1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
There was a disappointing number of fine cracks in the pattern but I suppose that's only to be expected considering how many times I had to start over and that the clay seemed to dry out very quickly even though I was working it inside cling film as much as possible. For the next few hours I kept coming back to check it under the magnifying light, carefully dabbing a teeny amount of water or slip on any cracks and leaving it to dry.<br />
<br />
I took my time about sanding the edges and the inside and carefully bevelling the inside edge so that it wouldn't be sharp against Stoo's delicate skin. :o)<br />
<br />
Finally I felt ready to fire it. I laid it on a piece of firing blanket on top of the kiln shelf and cooked it at 650 degrees for 30 minutes. I plunged it into cold water then took it away and gave it a first polish with a brass brush:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaILLy5s-ok-B4fPh0uqPZwLRHOQAT9YQ8Onp5IUxIkQ2_pixslmvP5tzdeKzOsH1iYv2vNhyetcTeFOuGTDf-C7VYIEpiEmK51V7BK-wrBYsybZG_3ZcHQ7xt8-HLfIVA58UzpBjAPe3p/s1600/StooRing2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaILLy5s-ok-B4fPh0uqPZwLRHOQAT9YQ8Onp5IUxIkQ2_pixslmvP5tzdeKzOsH1iYv2vNhyetcTeFOuGTDf-C7VYIEpiEmK51V7BK-wrBYsybZG_3ZcHQ7xt8-HLfIVA58UzpBjAPe3p/s640/StooRing2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
That doesn't look too bad does it? I checked it with the ring gauge again it measures size Y - result! My calculations were correct. Just need Stoo to try it on his thumb now to be sure it fits. Then I have to send it to the Assay Office to be hallmarked before he takes possession of it.<br />
<br />
I've been going back to it now and then throughout the day with sand paper, the burnisher and polishing papers and I'm happy with how it looks. I hope Stoo likes it too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3Pkjz5HMKHYpoCg4YMty_bRStnmIQ1YGscK5LuY6AaEdx5KtGz3OBgJe2fYS9j_57R9H_Xtw3MHyt66J-NeFXFpG4NeZVfDeEnylndfdpMesO0tMFV8x3WuhLDmj0gFOrOXga4EYl2lT/s1600/StooRing3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3Pkjz5HMKHYpoCg4YMty_bRStnmIQ1YGscK5LuY6AaEdx5KtGz3OBgJe2fYS9j_57R9H_Xtw3MHyt66J-NeFXFpG4NeZVfDeEnylndfdpMesO0tMFV8x3WuhLDmj0gFOrOXga4EYl2lT/s320/StooRing3.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If making rings for boys is going to become a habit I need to buy a bigger mandrel. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fFe2hulMpG-6yxImM7B65vCt5swM1izGe4Dwi4nY-9uPdP2VOVlSHKhVmPmfU0_9qmxheWcjtDYSagRQpWI4mgOX6jZ0aj_3dkl1PVHmgwQZ4FzdFAtWwUScnT0iUTMmXoR6XQxLQ2M4/s1600/StooRing4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div></div>ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-87252058377567865292011-03-29T12:36:00.004+01:002011-12-29T11:04:10.199+00:00Digital Underwater Photography<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">On Sunday The Boy and I had an assignment at <a href="http://www.argyllmarinesac.org/DS_lochcreran.htm">Loch Creran</a> (near Oban) to do the open water part of our <a href="https://www.padi.com/scuba/">PADI</a> Digital Underwater Photography course with <a href="http://www.aquatron.co.uk/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi">Aquatron</a>. We already completed the classroom and swimming pool sessions a few weeks ago but our first attempt at the open water part (at A-frames on Loch Long) was scuppered by visibility so bad that we could hardly see each other under the surface, never mind anything we were supposed to be photographing.<br />
<br />
We had two dives. During the first dive the objective was to photograph our dive buddy. We had to take a head/torso shot then a full body shot. This turned out to be a bit tricky as, when I looked at the screen on the back of the camera to line up my shot, all I could see was my own pink mask reflected in the camera housing. I had to cheat a bit and look over the top of the camera as well to make sure I was pointing the camera the right way. Sh! Don't tell.<br />
<br />
Here is my head shot of The Boy:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSz4Xa5tzvtklnyD5IEJeKhi92_2akSi_aRMVNWpBg_z6tyk7py3rzCLVfiq2EsjtebsTekFuRc7nrZa9W16gNISiVzFomsiZKGaktUvneRxASTurWcaqaaB1kbRud6eEz8uxNMS4MECX-/s1600/PICT0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSz4Xa5tzvtklnyD5IEJeKhi92_2akSi_aRMVNWpBg_z6tyk7py3rzCLVfiq2EsjtebsTekFuRc7nrZa9W16gNISiVzFomsiZKGaktUvneRxASTurWcaqaaB1kbRud6eEz8uxNMS4MECX-/s640/PICT0031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Full body shot:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhVMZOogzqxC67bPFBIniO7qEJc4fCekbExHMUT51Btb1sNOU_RRZZ7_vb0zwOsd4W41iv-ocqI4jOJW1qeUlk_6liZ7zPZEx8bTabQpYLHuXSFdkdJmidrnJAfU_N1jX8yBUeO8gPrRo/s1600/PICT0034+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhVMZOogzqxC67bPFBIniO7qEJc4fCekbExHMUT51Btb1sNOU_RRZZ7_vb0zwOsd4W41iv-ocqI4jOJW1qeUlk_6liZ7zPZEx8bTabQpYLHuXSFdkdJmidrnJAfU_N1jX8yBUeO8gPrRo/s640/PICT0034+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
During dive #2 the objective was to take photos of the aquatic life using the PADI SEA method (Shoot, Examine, Adjust) to get the best photos. It went like this:<br />
<br />
<b>Shoot</b> (a common starfish):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-Zh6m0PCqWIpGcQCmJs49sTvqsYpviodYLi8RI-5fILxukRxq8Siqe7_lupI8mZTsGMqplzU3VVUnZz_RWLFzUodjwr5wHePUuo3dVFr41_miQAwsHE6rCmuLhCxt-eNCfgtAx9kXPI5/s1600/PICT0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-Zh6m0PCqWIpGcQCmJs49sTvqsYpviodYLi8RI-5fILxukRxq8Siqe7_lupI8mZTsGMqplzU3VVUnZz_RWLFzUodjwr5wHePUuo3dVFr41_miQAwsHE6rCmuLhCxt-eNCfgtAx9kXPI5/s640/PICT0053.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<b>Examine</b>: with my eyesight I could not see at all that this was blurry, :o). However, I was able to see enough to decide that the composition and angle could be better so I <b>adjust</b>ed:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NcZyo02bYJ3nnEx489WrNowheBcUWNdQvCWvUGblPT-bWgyCR5uWg6-ukSAixgbubUzLvgEL_7ZJSUqBt7Ia5D3_FJvm6wfEcUT0Td_YbRQCnccNjXZcrDWjDqWCQwRREWmbPtdxLBMR/s1600/PICT0054+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NcZyo02bYJ3nnEx489WrNowheBcUWNdQvCWvUGblPT-bWgyCR5uWg6-ukSAixgbubUzLvgEL_7ZJSUqBt7Ia5D3_FJvm6wfEcUT0Td_YbRQCnccNjXZcrDWjDqWCQwRREWmbPtdxLBMR/s640/PICT0054+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Better! If nothing else, at least this one is in focus. I really need to get prescription lenses for my mask.<br />
<br />
<br />
Here are another couple of adjusted photos. I won't make you suffer the pre-SEA ones.<br />
<br />
Some sea squirts (don't know what kind - I might even be wrong about them being sea squirts): <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOiKqrUdBe6N8DsBQFEkL0cnAlJIWm5A8evMqDOkuCEu03VMkHPey72VPsBhQkAEZ3puxzwhlus6dQAWB1OahMhes-dkCCm-Lqx2puONTcxk3u715eSBYrtzZIRIYXDwkkBm-6D6DpP0V/s1600/PICT0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOiKqrUdBe6N8DsBQFEkL0cnAlJIWm5A8evMqDOkuCEu03VMkHPey72VPsBhQkAEZ3puxzwhlus6dQAWB1OahMhes-dkCCm-Lqx2puONTcxk3u715eSBYrtzZIRIYXDwkkBm-6D6DpP0V/s640/PICT0057.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
And here we have a Sea Toad aka Spider Crab that kept running away from me:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCUH8kIYi3VxSvZ7ORNeLxJWsA4MdC6vbV8XYtmPVOKIj-Ig2GozC9h__DoETJ_YqGr-M8txC3N0GCH6j48i83swkqYvTaqDbIYzgjW9-fAERdO2v3KSogD5KRY2TVWVA1iCpJxMMklEa/s1600/PICT0059+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCUH8kIYi3VxSvZ7ORNeLxJWsA4MdC6vbV8XYtmPVOKIj-Ig2GozC9h__DoETJ_YqGr-M8txC3N0GCH6j48i83swkqYvTaqDbIYzgjW9-fAERdO2v3KSogD5KRY2TVWVA1iCpJxMMklEa/s640/PICT0059+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I also took a photo of a Sea Lemon but I won't inflict that one on you. I took it by the light of the instructor's torch. If he hadn't spotted it I definitely wouldn't have seen it. It looked like a big white slug in the silt to me. I really should get those prescription lenses for my mask shouldn't I? When The Boy tells me about all the things he's seen when we go diving I'm convinced we were in different lochs as I never see half of the things he does.<br />
<br />
The Boy and I were sharing a camera so while he was shooting, Ally, our instructor, was giving me tips and trying to improve my buoyancy. Good buoyancy is crucial when doing underwater photography as you need to be able to hover above the bottom so that you don't damage any of the aquatic life. I'm getting there I think. My buoyancy during the second dive was definitely better than the first.<br />
<br />
And, to round the day off, after two dives my drysuit had lived up to it's name and had actually kept me dry. That is a record. It's the first time diving in Scotland that my suit hasn't flooded. So I'd like to thank the amazing Eric at <a href="http://www.aquatron.co.uk/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi">Aquatron</a> for taking my neck seal in enough to keep me dry without choking me. :D :D :D Even the came out and gave us a bit of heat while we were on the surface.</div>ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-51681518543731528452011-03-20T12:11:00.008+00:002017-04-05T20:17:04.343+01:00Can brooches be left or right handed?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I have never been a brooch kind of person. Even as a child I never wore badges. A friend asked me if I ever made brooches so I thought I'd have a go. I did actually buy some commercially made brooch backs months ago with the intention of investigating brooches but when I looked at them I decided that using them would be cheating in some way. So I decided to have a go at making the whole thing from scratch.<br />
<br />
I have loads of copper wire in different thicknesses and, as I would be hammering and filing it, plated wire wouldn't do. I opted for 1mm copper wire in the end as I wanted something that would be firm enough not to bend once it was finished but not so thick that it would make noticeable hole in the fabric that it would be attached to.<br />
<br />
The first and most important step was to hone the end of the wire to a point. This is done in stages. First of all, hammer the last few centimetres of the wire on a steel block or anvil to taper it:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWV-kXQ1CuW1oJgiCnxHIdwbNg0Qk-vQawCFWrTr4YGRSqQTHoNZ6PEYG1XGc8kCJBxJWCL4pBd8fMokHfN0kV9rK27kM5_Rpd2fsg7leKKgw5L-z7U29zTk2AOOp-3jTAyAhMIqza4B2q/s1600/MakeBrooch1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWV-kXQ1CuW1oJgiCnxHIdwbNg0Qk-vQawCFWrTr4YGRSqQTHoNZ6PEYG1XGc8kCJBxJWCL4pBd8fMokHfN0kV9rK27kM5_Rpd2fsg7leKKgw5L-z7U29zTk2AOOp-3jTAyAhMIqza4B2q/s640/MakeBrooch1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
To be honest, I'm not sure a ball pein hammer is entirely right for this job but it's the only hammer I have at the moment so it had to do. A flat hammer would be more suitable I think.<br />
<br />
Next job is to file the tip to a neat point. I started off with a mini file for this and then used different grades of sand paper to smooth it off.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvj9a2ySE7k6RUpvd1Ks3XZ8x643cjR0ehuDJPB7Y-bd2D7fBPGUWPgL5lBCirl8CD_yTlGA8I-uBSO9vSvon-HIdc6g-W2naPeyGl3u5vJ9hAyFOum3ZEIVdX8_zjyI0gUn4gJdNGjrBp/s1600/MakeBrooch2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvj9a2ySE7k6RUpvd1Ks3XZ8x643cjR0ehuDJPB7Y-bd2D7fBPGUWPgL5lBCirl8CD_yTlGA8I-uBSO9vSvon-HIdc6g-W2naPeyGl3u5vJ9hAyFOum3ZEIVdX8_zjyI0gUn4gJdNGjrBp/s640/MakeBrooch2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I have to confess to needing a magnifying light for doing all of this as my eyesight is just not good enough on its own to see if I've polished it up to silky, smooth loveliness. And here we have the finished product, a brooch pin that is sharp enough to pierce fabric but not puncture skin. Though I suspect with enough pressure the skin wouldn't stand a chance either. Yes I know it doesn't look a whole lot different from the last 2 photos but I can assure you we have progressed from the blunt, cut end of a piece of copper wire to a honed brooch pin. :o)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pb7RBbC2hmUTRP5P_cVMq-nLBDmUmj9O1IPKARfGKJ07lcItrSTDx1TY88hf6-CBt7aZIKcLKy3FO5ko_DDNbQt4WbgfzO5LWEbjHj0XnClld3ODC5VY4U8WdWts7CTeAhUZuEvotA8x/s1600/MakeBrooch3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pb7RBbC2hmUTRP5P_cVMq-nLBDmUmj9O1IPKARfGKJ07lcItrSTDx1TY88hf6-CBt7aZIKcLKy3FO5ko_DDNbQt4WbgfzO5LWEbjHj0XnClld3ODC5VY4U8WdWts7CTeAhUZuEvotA8x/s640/MakeBrooch3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Next step, which I forgot to photograph, silly me, was to decide how wide to make the brooch and use the widest part of a pair of round nose pliers to turn a spring at the bottom of the pin. Now the world is my oyster. I have a piece of copper wire just asking to be decorated in an awsomely creative way. But it's my first attempt so I have decided to keep it simple as this is still a learning experience. I have some cloisonne beads that go really well with copper so I added a few Preciosa beads and made this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HO16GZimrLcRDRQFCSgCZ8w2SSnmwfPERjq7napmNPeQtC88OSHKygw0qyeKKLK6MBuF9HKQWGfI5NJbAF16jTdkgO0Gm6nIAeTt2SmXseUOuBFSOQIJ94grPCquFttemT7ddu250nvW/s1600/GreenBrooch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HO16GZimrLcRDRQFCSgCZ8w2SSnmwfPERjq7napmNPeQtC88OSHKygw0qyeKKLK6MBuF9HKQWGfI5NJbAF16jTdkgO0Gm6nIAeTt2SmXseUOuBFSOQIJ94grPCquFttemT7ddu250nvW/s640/GreenBrooch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I decided to keep the clasp simple as well. I tried it on but not being a habitual brooch wearer I wasn't entirely sure what way to put it on. You are probably wondering what on earth I'm on about but when I showed it to The Boy he told me off for having it on the wrong way round. I was wearing it with the catch showing at the front but he insisted the catch should be hidden at the back. I think that is a matter of personal taste and depends on how aesthetically pleasing the clasp is - or is it? Anyway, when I turned it round to keep The Boy happy I realised I was now having to put it on left handed. This made me wonder - do brooches come in right or left handed variations? Is this something you have to bear in mind when creating your work of art?<br />
<br />
I kept the brooch on for a while to make sure it was sturdy enough and soon had it pointed out to me by my daughter and her friend that I was totally ignorant of brooch wearing ettiquette. I was wearing it attached my my top, which apparently is not the done thing. It is apparently supposed to be attached to a coat or jacket. I know I'm not an expert of brooches but can someone tell me when the rules changed? In my day you could attach brooches to all sorts of things, blouses, jumpers, scarves, waistcoats, jackets, coats.....<br />
<br />
Anyway, no-one criticised the actual brooch, only the way I was wearing it, so off I went to make more. I got a bit more adventurous with the next one and made some loops on it so that I could attach dangly things from it. Here is brooch number 2 with coloured chain hung from the loops and wrapped with tiny metallic beads:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnM0xj5D1Ychg-y0FhtsBB5wjFsax2loQhMpRxBl6vslMUT2nlfwm_59fdxneJ57tkBnMlIuS5WEOTrgRRV-uX9n2VAGa9ap4J53wtZGel0WIZF9l9-SHQZOMuuSH3mbmuMCH-DOaicwT/s1600/MakeBrooch4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnM0xj5D1Ychg-y0FhtsBB5wjFsax2loQhMpRxBl6vslMUT2nlfwm_59fdxneJ57tkBnMlIuS5WEOTrgRRV-uX9n2VAGa9ap4J53wtZGel0WIZF9l9-SHQZOMuuSH3mbmuMCH-DOaicwT/s640/MakeBrooch4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
And I didn't stop there. I carried on playing with the chain and made another brooch without loops. I still haven't made one with the standard, kilt pin type clasp, the shepherd's crook fastener. That's on my list to do, as is getting more creative (fancy) with the decorated part of the brooch. Here is what I've made so far:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7kQ9mp4khHmVR7Fp3m1oVD5AgJEE47SMe4icWHJ47b26e4KAMZsrcsHbP4GEAlP61kQPbjibA5K2U31Sy3WXawGHUSMf90dg-soFAdT-OdGY3jqT_Sg21h02jCw3X0J-KtgrZCk3ivVp/s1600/MakeBrooch5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7kQ9mp4khHmVR7Fp3m1oVD5AgJEE47SMe4icWHJ47b26e4KAMZsrcsHbP4GEAlP61kQPbjibA5K2U31Sy3WXawGHUSMf90dg-soFAdT-OdGY3jqT_Sg21h02jCw3X0J-KtgrZCk3ivVp/s640/MakeBrooch5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I think I'm getting the hang of brooches. Does anyone have any requests for my next creation?</div>ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-58419414645897401702011-03-08T16:57:00.004+00:002017-04-05T20:17:04.349+01:00First outing in my kiln<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">At long last, what you've all been waiting for, the story of the first outing in my kiln. First I gathered together all my tools and materials. My desk is really only big enough for it all when it's squished together. We have silver clay, the star of the show, cutters in all shapes and sizes, texture mats, rollers, spacers, olive oil, water, the all important cling film, paint brush, pointy things....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGH6SaV4UICCy-8OM5ThM1Q1thCGra9GQIDH1kJdBqcXulDQuqCM2ghoO1ugxNuPVqXAny1Y83uRiTuWkdKBdwd-XEb4FpfIWfgNbEV1uuyYSWC_snxz-f9I-d4u804gvjFvclkPpKIOU/s1600/PMC1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGH6SaV4UICCy-8OM5ThM1Q1thCGra9GQIDH1kJdBqcXulDQuqCM2ghoO1ugxNuPVqXAny1Y83uRiTuWkdKBdwd-XEb4FpfIWfgNbEV1uuyYSWC_snxz-f9I-d4u804gvjFvclkPpKIOU/s640/PMC1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I decided I'd finish the job I started in my Art Clay class all those months ago. On the right in the photo below you can see 3 of the pieces I made. An end cap (top) and two little textured hearts that I had intended to turn into earrings until I realised I should have punched the holes in opposite sides for that. Doh!<br />
<br />
So, I rolled out a pack of PMC3 Silver clay over a texture mat and used cutters to cut out the shapes. The bead cap had to be carefully rolled into a tube and joined.<br />
<br />
On the left you can see the new end cap and two hearts with the holes punched on the opposite side from the first two. They are waiting to be dried and fired. You will notice they are bigger than the first set because metal clay shrinks when it is fired. This is where I have to hope I used the correct size cutters so that the fired versions are the same size as the first set.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSojCReO9Iiz_reD8kk79DL1f3Aj4gPrLLA64ahB5mSwN_Q3022Em9Z5FU5dDRa6aZRQ9PQp7YSxswuFt3RcVf5vXRIbsgtEz1QeN1UaRSy-dwMW0X1K0voKt1dlVwVOpqsX5wGFfVSbD/s1600/PMC2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSojCReO9Iiz_reD8kk79DL1f3Aj4gPrLLA64ahB5mSwN_Q3022Em9Z5FU5dDRa6aZRQ9PQp7YSxswuFt3RcVf5vXRIbsgtEz1QeN1UaRSy-dwMW0X1K0voKt1dlVwVOpqsX5wGFfVSbD/s640/PMC2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
In the photo below you can see my attempt at making Yin & Yang symbols using the silver disc at the top as a texture mat then using a needle tool to carefully cut out the individual shapes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYclD_vI6FjZUc1xk5XM3-WrplfoK5vSg1BHUOU5AnRMCJ_RL6SV6AMwUsbPfIcFeeqgHDaSE7Y2B5nTJQUq4HsaJbR2CaUadjgaffttlLGNwEOvwRQuS2G3VgdddkN_rnKSFTjFuLvZo/s1600/PMC3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYclD_vI6FjZUc1xk5XM3-WrplfoK5vSg1BHUOU5AnRMCJ_RL6SV6AMwUsbPfIcFeeqgHDaSE7Y2B5nTJQUq4HsaJbR2CaUadjgaffttlLGNwEOvwRQuS2G3VgdddkN_rnKSFTjFuLvZo/s640/PMC3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
The next day I checked that the pieces were dry then put them on a rubber block to protect them while I carefully sanded the edges to smooth them. Here they are sitting on the kiln shelf ready to be fired. I had 3 options for the firing process varying from 10 minutes at 700 degrees to 30 minutes at 600 degrees. I decided to play it safe as it was my first time and fire them for longer at a lower temperature.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLf2QZ__mw3a3wHFqbqMa2k2JAbXkqc3eneKXYoVO3H8OWYdRwlcICiVJyCh_qhilAPtACrYAnI5ux1XBWtu20ZIWnYcpDnRHuoBUf_15RfuY-ngS7T0yFnzLjca7DCoCmfMaD_9SKIkJp/s1600/kiln4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLf2QZ__mw3a3wHFqbqMa2k2JAbXkqc3eneKXYoVO3H8OWYdRwlcICiVJyCh_qhilAPtACrYAnI5ux1XBWtu20ZIWnYcpDnRHuoBUf_15RfuY-ngS7T0yFnzLjca7DCoCmfMaD_9SKIkJp/s640/kiln4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
When they came out of the kiln half an hour later they didn't look a whole lot different from when they went in. The clay doesn't magically turn silver in the kiln, it burns off the binding agent (which is a bit whiffy) but the metal stays creamy white in colour until it is polished. You can see the difference below. The heart on the right has had a quick polish with a wire brush:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvV-32GepeSgzkRpK9eMS1xbOoUVni7TkzNWld2eUFLfOAYXGh8RyeIO_pe72Nn6rgYaziMED3DJyaAALUofjh4j7YmSJaGedncKWx8h0y3Te6-nVSBSWfbjrSKyfo-aDFWbNE773wRz1J/s1600/PMC6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvV-32GepeSgzkRpK9eMS1xbOoUVni7TkzNWld2eUFLfOAYXGh8RyeIO_pe72Nn6rgYaziMED3DJyaAALUofjh4j7YmSJaGedncKWx8h0y3Te6-nVSBSWfbjrSKyfo-aDFWbNE773wRz1J/s320/PMC6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And now we have the proof of the pudding. On the left, my newly fired end cap and hearts. On the right the ones I made in my Art Clay class. Miraculously, they turned out pretty much the same size. That wasn't guaranteed as the first batch was made from Art Clay Silver and the second batch was made from PMC3 silver clay. The two types of clay have different shrinkage rates but thankfully not too different.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqBJUcNVphzDUlWX_kG9RT-TQPjDC6DknSAc8QL258lEEHW6MLHN78pWwCWbkVLne3Aq9vGkVciVUzEMiHlLefc8l1IMkhlJ0-ISMHcC2Y1hLIVo7zl2Jw0xjHBJ_zkkK_JqnxWh1F_s4/s1600/PMC5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqBJUcNVphzDUlWX_kG9RT-TQPjDC6DknSAc8QL258lEEHW6MLHN78pWwCWbkVLne3Aq9vGkVciVUzEMiHlLefc8l1IMkhlJ0-ISMHcC2Y1hLIVo7zl2Jw0xjHBJ_zkkK_JqnxWh1F_s4/s640/PMC5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Does that mean I know what I'm doing with this stuff? <nods head=""></nods><br />
<br />
Now I need to take all of my little pieces to the Edinburgh Assay Office and have them hallmarked so I have another adventure to look forward to. Once they're hallmarked I can turn them into jewellery. I think I may make a necklace with the end caps and earrings with the hearts. Or I might surprise you all and make bracelets instead.</div>ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-2881994124989612072011-02-17T12:08:00.001+00:002017-04-05T20:17:04.283+01:00At last I can share<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Two blog updates in one week. Incredible, isn't it? I'll make this one short.<br />
<br />
I've been dying to share this with people for a couple of weeks but I couldn't as it's something I made as a gift for a friend. I have no idea whether she is even aware that I have a blog but I couldn't take the chance that she might read it and spoil the surprise.<br />
<br />
I went to visit her last night and handed over her gift and birthday card so now I can show you what I made for her.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGwd8TQazR0lx51SxlbtvJ3G1Hog-RKLl7FpywL6bGDYYXGe5ZcoblGVpoCc9SPkBm1DBOlmkFscFEj0Pjp1N5r4ec7OEfU0mNxulRh8u0Aqa2BcdviAUqFqWwoDKSdiLeehfI7Xk-5NC/s1600/DotNecklace2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGwd8TQazR0lx51SxlbtvJ3G1Hog-RKLl7FpywL6bGDYYXGe5ZcoblGVpoCc9SPkBm1DBOlmkFscFEj0Pjp1N5r4ec7OEfU0mNxulRh8u0Aqa2BcdviAUqFqWwoDKSdiLeehfI7Xk-5NC/s640/DotNecklace2.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><br />
I went to visit <a href="http://www.bedazzledbeads.co.uk/">Bedazzled Beads shop</a> in Blackridge a while ago and saw a lovely set of graduated onyx beads. As soon as I saw them I thought of my friend's birthday as I know she likes onyx. When I got home I teamed them up with some 8mm black Swarovski pearls, black and clear Swarovski crystals in different sizes and some silver plated chain. My friend seemed pleased with it when she opened the box last night so I'm relieved. I should make something in a similar style for myself as I really liked this once it was made.</div>ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-90566864554891425222011-02-15T21:57:00.002+00:002017-04-05T20:17:04.398+01:00I have a new toy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">At last my long awaited mini-kiln has arrived. Much to my frustration it arrived just in time for me to unpack it and sit it on the dining room table until I got back from a weekend in Oban. The original kiln that was sent out on 31st December is still missing in action so I'd to wait for a new one to be sent out. How do you lose a kiln? I know it's only an<i> ickle</i> kiln, but the box still weighed 10 kilos.<br />
<br />
The kiln is manufactured abroad but has been re-engineered for UK & European electrical currents. Unfortunately it still had a foreign plug on it so first stop on return from Oban was the local Focus DIY shop to buy a UK plug which The Boy fitted for me. I managed to resist the urge to go & play with it straight away and concentrated on getting unpacked, putting a washing on, etc. Am I disciplined or what? (What? is the answer I suspect.)<br />
<br />
Then Monday arrived. Again, I had 'stuff' to do so I busied myself with that first, had lunch, then..... dug out the spare granite table mats and arranged them on top of the cooker. It was the only surefire heat resistant place I could think of for a test run. And here it is, my shiny, new Kitiki mini-kiln:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb5sV1pFJmpJ_I5a4awFGGUfkL50EzOSnjEaBvrbkFmzqFc-VIAzl3wU83n9UvFSaFjRKZMA3XSiPraNuWMhDPziiRJhe1GAB0_3OiB1vPr2Wl6p5gL9-T_P6yxiLMdbm_Rm6NlqZRJjd/s1600/kiln1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb5sV1pFJmpJ_I5a4awFGGUfkL50EzOSnjEaBvrbkFmzqFc-VIAzl3wU83n9UvFSaFjRKZMA3XSiPraNuWMhDPziiRJhe1GAB0_3OiB1vPr2Wl6p5gL9-T_P6yxiLMdbm_Rm6NlqZRJjd/s640/kiln1.jpg" width="524" /></a></div><br />
<br />
It's teeny. Less than 25cm (or 9" in old money) square and not much higher than that. I read the instructions and made sure it was at least 30cms (1 foot) from anything else, including walls and cupboards. I checked that the room was well ventilated - the draughts coming in under the sink would fix that - and that the temperature in the room stayed below 40 degrees - in my kitchen at this time of year that's a given, in fact it's a blessing if it's above freezing point.<br />
<br />
I carefully set the temperature to a random 691 degrees C then switched it on and stepped back so that I was in easy reach of this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMvPVKWN1ykcqpZwfR1pgBaZdhoPsfRB7-DJyw1bzQX-OLYhk76-nCT8pXuecJstLnTvhMkdjRPuyHYmehLcqb61_hGUKXMoZUWhNZAELvhgf2NO4TV8dSIIk2P3bg-qr6UH3fUq1hAfd/s1600/Extinguisher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMvPVKWN1ykcqpZwfR1pgBaZdhoPsfRB7-DJyw1bzQX-OLYhk76-nCT8pXuecJstLnTvhMkdjRPuyHYmehLcqb61_hGUKXMoZUWhNZAELvhgf2NO4TV8dSIIk2P3bg-qr6UH3fUq1hAfd/s400/Extinguisher.jpg" width="152" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jRtqqsai7dk/TVrtexZBCeI/AAAAAAAAARk/s1600/Extinguisher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Yes, they recommend you have a fire extinguisher within easy reach as well. I was surprised to learn that the little round thing in the middle of the door is not in fact a window with heatproof glass but a vent. This did worry me slightly and made standing next to the fire extinguisher seem like the sensible thing to do. I noticed as the kiln temperature went above 6oo degrees that I could see the interior glowing red though the little vent.<br />
<br />
The actual firing chamber is minute but I'm not planning on firing anything very big so it should be fine.When I phoned the supplier to order it I asked about tongs and heatproof gloves. I was told that I'd never get a hand in a thick glove inside the chamber and never a truer word was spoken. Look how little it is:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2EjFZR7FjNURnNLPH7H0f2w9ZPh-O-pTvit2BsjEFEBJx_FwxA4BkrJMpVEkyGFry3WSuJWYdz8j5I_sNX9xjTbOHeSxhUajVpkXn1OCiiqwsJbfIbdbuxMJ-ILsVzOoBTkP11uxSxXG/s1600/kiln3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2EjFZR7FjNURnNLPH7H0f2w9ZPh-O-pTvit2BsjEFEBJx_FwxA4BkrJMpVEkyGFry3WSuJWYdz8j5I_sNX9xjTbOHeSxhUajVpkXn1OCiiqwsJbfIbdbuxMJ-ILsVzOoBTkP11uxSxXG/s640/kiln3.jpg" width="612" /></a></div><br />
Notice it was safely switched off and had cooled down before I attempted to open the door. :o) I left it at temperature for 5 minutes or so before I switched it off and let it cool down and kept checking to see how hot the exterior panels got. I was pleasantly surprised to find that only the top panel seemed to generate much heat. Once I've read the instructions for firing silver clay I'll <strike>play about</strike> test it some more before I decide on where to put it permanently.<br />
<br />
I also have some accessories for it:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeT_rjNCzjAZ3KMklYxNmob2wxMqTp8v5aOLkJgGKkVRtbE9vtL3OoAeZl9LVf5WkP96NYdhyphenhyphenYegyXateGg8uV49qmxnAQKvCv-8AZoG25rMgJHQsE__U4B2dhkdqKyUpzP59RzBIxP8De/s1600/Shelfetc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeT_rjNCzjAZ3KMklYxNmob2wxMqTp8v5aOLkJgGKkVRtbE9vtL3OoAeZl9LVf5WkP96NYdhyphenhyphenYegyXateGg8uV49qmxnAQKvCv-8AZoG25rMgJHQsE__U4B2dhkdqKyUpzP59RzBIxP8De/s640/Shelfetc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
From left to right we have:<br />
<ul><li>A kiln shelf to rest things on as they fire as it's not a good idea to place anything directly on the surface of the firing chamber.</li>
<li>A firing blanket. This can be torn up and used to support things that might end up mishapen if they are fired on a solid kiln shelf, such as rings that aren't a simple, smooth cylinder shape. It feels quite strange to the touch. The Boy is freaked out by the feel of cotton wool. If he misbehaves I can torment him with the blanket. :o)</li>
<li> Vermiculite. This is a kind of granular equivalent of the firing blanket. I'm not sure when you would use a blanket rather than vermiculite and vice versa but I'm sure I'll soon learn.</li>
</ul>Now I just need to find the time to read up on silver clay and decide what my first project will be. I have a few books demonstrating different techniques with suggested projects. My personal punch is now available at the <a href="http://www.assayofficescotland.com/">Edinburgh Assay Office</a> so I'm ready to rock & roll. One of The Boy's friends has asked met make him a ring but I think I need a bit of practice before I tackle that. I also want to experiment with copper and bronze clay.<br />
<br />
Are you still awake after all that? I hope so. I can't wait to get started actually making things. I suspect my first projects will be components for pieces of jewellery so I will be making things to make things with. :o)<br />
<br />
Watch this space, creativity is about to commence.</div>ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-4794839444821302672011-02-01T19:38:00.005+00:002012-01-10T07:03:26.564+00:00At last I'm a PADI Advanced Open Water diver.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I would like to thank everyone at <a href="http://www.aquatron.co.uk/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi">Aquatron</a> in Glasgow for their help and patience while I was learning all of my skills. I know I haven't been the easiest student as I'm afraid of water and have had the odd setback.<br />
<br />
<br />
Sunday 30th January was a big day for me as I had the last two specialities to complete in order to become a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, namely Underwater Navigator and Peak Performance Buoyancy.<br />
<br />
We set off for Tearooms on Loch Fyne at some ungodly hour in the morning to get there for 9am. I realised when it was too late to turn back that I'd left my jacket at home. Doh! Thankfully The Boy offered me his as he knows how feeble I can be in the cold.<br />
<br />
I was looking forward to Tearooms as it's one of the more civilised dive sites having an actual, honest to goodness toilet on site instead of bushes. I have no idea what the paying customers of the tea room and garden centre think of all the odd looking folk wandering around in diving gear looking cold. It wasn't too busy on Sunday so I wasn't on the receiving end of any funny looks.<br />
<br />
Here we are getting ready to go into the water. That's me in the middle at the back.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52_ixdLIByZcdJOnz5SXafa7DTaYMoIkcbsVPn-0ICxCGU_-VZrbSz9dZPE2Vj3NZ7s8ff8bUkIPCciAgSxqY1oir5GIAw9cjzSuaeWeK-JkV8G6vtgx6jPcIP9Vw_e3XL0HOIzRn7fwO/s1600/Cropped1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52_ixdLIByZcdJOnz5SXafa7DTaYMoIkcbsVPn-0ICxCGU_-VZrbSz9dZPE2Vj3NZ7s8ff8bUkIPCciAgSxqY1oir5GIAw9cjzSuaeWeK-JkV8G6vtgx6jPcIP9Vw_e3XL0HOIzRn7fwO/s640/Cropped1.jpg" width="576" /></a></div><br />
And here we go into the water for dive 1, walking down the smooth, gentle, grassy slope into the water. No, I don't see a smooth, grassy slope either. Someone lied to me. Shame I don't remember who it was. Tearooms was sold to me on the basis of an easy entry into the water. Needless to say I'm at the back of the group again picking my carefully way through the rocks. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIC3eZBsAUZ1xt96hBYta9f8Y2_P43xhn8QMceCKLSzFZLjCsmtDKwGGFSrLzJFSFkzi4__Iq7l-27bgDHc7-7nTIRQYYwTthkdxhZtIAH3QwsXSShhtbsUTfw0L_f0cNrMwkNOZCrQ84S/s1600/DSCF0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIC3eZBsAUZ1xt96hBYta9f8Y2_P43xhn8QMceCKLSzFZLjCsmtDKwGGFSrLzJFSFkzi4__Iq7l-27bgDHc7-7nTIRQYYwTthkdxhZtIAH3QwsXSShhtbsUTfw0L_f0cNrMwkNOZCrQ84S/s640/DSCF0052.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Dive 1 was underwater navigation. My big worry here was my eyesight or lack of it when reading and I was going to have to be able to read a compass. I had a practice on dry land with Allan then we went down to 15 metres for the real thing.<br />
<br />
1) navigate a set distance and return to the start using only landmarks and underwater features. Remarklably I managed this one just fine. Luck? Probably.<br />
<br />
2) Use the compass to navigate to a set point and then use a reciprocal heading (ie, do an about face) to go back to the start. I've done it on a previous dive and I did it again. 2 down, one to go.<br />
<br />
3) Use the compass to navigate in a square and land back at the start position. This is when I realised that my compass didn't seem to have the same markings as the one Allan showed me with on the surface. Oops. Got there though, much to my surprise.<br />
<br />
Here's The Boy, in between dives, looking far too cocky:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKHdCcFop3Pu0SrwkUnzT30w5dN2rv0aocVYAWbVhsUDgsatJzRHaPz4eB5VCHFnwXfparRLd_5U5mVkppAtrD-WAPPCF8Xf9kqjh9E2MbJ93bdBbwRtbvS_YA44qQjka04z3s3k-UENe/s1600/DSCF0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKHdCcFop3Pu0SrwkUnzT30w5dN2rv0aocVYAWbVhsUDgsatJzRHaPz4eB5VCHFnwXfparRLd_5U5mVkppAtrD-WAPPCF8Xf9kqjh9E2MbJ93bdBbwRtbvS_YA44qQjka04z3s3k-UENe/s640/DSCF0050.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
This is me in between dives looking slightly less than cocky. The silver thing around my neck is the bottom of my hood which I turn up so it doesn't choke me. The Boy calls it my bib.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjds1laimiIeJxQcmeKfXrMhyphenhyphencwyV6Ms0GGbhXzBlVESkflRVwH-T3IGr1lOspHkf1Jv3zkQxUpxb7hyphenhyphenQNdAksDtThPwjc_1vrwXgki9rIm7e9C87_YyflihsTpTc0QWjUfOnpuV1PHTbF/s1600/Cropped2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjds1laimiIeJxQcmeKfXrMhyphenhyphencwyV6Ms0GGbhXzBlVESkflRVwH-T3IGr1lOspHkf1Jv3zkQxUpxb7hyphenhyphenQNdAksDtThPwjc_1vrwXgki9rIm7e9C87_YyflihsTpTc0QWjUfOnpuV1PHTbF/s640/Cropped2.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Dive 2 was peak performance buoyancy. I have to say my buoyancy wearing a dry suit has been a tad unpredictable so far so I could see potential for disaster with this as the whole point is to demonstrate that you are in control throughout the duration of the dive and complete some skills.<br />
<br />
1) Hover a reasonable distance above the bottom and maintain that distance using breathing. I've done that before, badly, but this time, while it wasn't perfect, it was pretty damned good, for me. :o)<br />
<br />
2) Swim through an obstacle without touching the sides. As I was the only student for this skill there were no hoops set up underwater so I'd to swim through Allan's legs. Poor man was probably afraid of what my tank might inadvertently collide with. I don't know who was more surprised that I did actually manage to swim under him without getting close to any delicate parts.<br />
<br />
3) Similar to skill 1), hover but while hovering knock a little rock off the top of a big rock using my regulator and without touching the bottom or the rocks with any part of my body. I expected this to be my downfall but I did it at the second attempt. Go me!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
What was even more impressive in my opinion was that I didn't start panicking because my mask wasn't sealed properly and kept filling up with water. However, as I emerged from the water at the end of the dive, it became apparent that I have probably been a bit tense at times while I've been diving. I realised that I had almost bitten right through the mouth piece after only 9 dives. Look:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GOhxgXjFsHX9NPm_n75V490o0fgy98CE8wwaAg7guaTGhHiXeSzrL9mmZk_MnzrknO4DF1YKChmy3FVXYX77-pAS3Oibh3oj8CYr3t02in40PbnQK-nWxxNKj7PdHYsUPAYeE8jDQS1-/s1600/Mouthpiece.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GOhxgXjFsHX9NPm_n75V490o0fgy98CE8wwaAg7guaTGhHiXeSzrL9mmZk_MnzrknO4DF1YKChmy3FVXYX77-pAS3Oibh3oj8CYr3t02in40PbnQK-nWxxNKj7PdHYsUPAYeE8jDQS1-/s640/Mouthpiece.jpg" width="622" /></a></div>The rubber grips were hanging on by a tack at both sides. Ok, so I haven't been as cool as I thought I was. A stop off at <a href="http://www.aquatron.co.uk/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi">Aquatron</a> was required on the way home to purchase a replacement. :o(<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This is me in the car park, sorry changing facitilies at the end of the dives trying to get a heat despite the biting cold wind:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaPyaVcEFmWWQADf91r0Zx5DC9ChwqxKPO6I8qFQ6c3uEiPSEKCRovzSKnGIOYgVlByQnSjPZezIxpnc2Ld9pKyDGgI5D8Js7p5EBJfqn-b2vwqZu3iDBalTet7fsgxsEBs8mDxNCsF6F/s1600/PICT0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaPyaVcEFmWWQADf91r0Zx5DC9ChwqxKPO6I8qFQ6c3uEiPSEKCRovzSKnGIOYgVlByQnSjPZezIxpnc2Ld9pKyDGgI5D8Js7p5EBJfqn-b2vwqZu3iDBalTet7fsgxsEBs8mDxNCsF6F/s640/PICT0030.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>My dive computer claims it was 6 degrees on the surface but the wind certainly made it feel much colder. At least the water was a slightly warmer 8 degrees. Thanks to Sean for providing the majority of the photos. It's amazing that I didn't recognise myself in a single one the first time I looked through them. I was probably hoping I looked slightly more attractive in my dry suit. :o)<br />
<br />
I wasn't the only one with a new qualification by the end of the day. While I was sedately doing my skills, The Boy was doing his PADI Rescue Diver skills. This involves a lot of role play and messing about pretending to either drown / get lost or save a diver from drowning / find a lost diver. He had a fun day even if he did complain that he needed his jacket back once he was dressed.<br />
<br />
What's next?<br />
<br />
Next Saturday we have a chamber dive. That means a trip on a ferry to <a href="http://millport.org/">Millport</a> to use a decompression chamber and simulate a dive to 50 metres. As an advanced diver I am only allowed to dive to 30 metres. Even after passing the Deep Diver speciality 40 meters is the limit. The deeper you dive, the more likely it is you will suffer from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_narcosis">nitrogen narcosis</a> (aka the rapture of the deep) so this is an opportunity to simulate a deep dive in a controlled environment and find out how it affects people. It will be funny to see whose behaviour is the most outrageous. Let's hope it's not mine.<br />
<br />
We also started our under water photography course on Saturday and we have a couple of dives in Loch Long next Sunday to prove we can take decent photos. The session last night in the swimming pool was fun so hopefully the dives will be fun as well.<br />
<br />
Take only photos, leave only bubbles. That's the theory anyway. :o)</div>ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-15204208522237814322011-01-10T10:33:00.007+00:002011-12-29T11:14:25.527+00:00A grand day out<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Ok, it's taken me a week to write this. I don't know where the last week has gone.<br />
<br />
On 2nd January The Boy and I were sitting having a nice, relaxed New Year drink with our best man, Stevo. As everyone was on holiday on Monday 3rd Jan and public transport looked like it would be running we decided to have a day out in Edinburgh. The plan was that Stevo would arrive at our house around 11 so that we could catch the 11:30 train.<br />
<br />
<b>3rd Jan 2011</b><br />
11:00 - my bath was run and I was just about to get into it when the door bell rang. Stevo, who we expected to be late due to a hangover, was on the door step. The Boy was still in bed. Oops. Total misjudgement there.<br />
<br />
12:00 - we were on our way to the station where we caught the 12:17 train. The train wasn't too busy so we had a pleasant journey to Edinburgh Waverley.<br />
<br />
Stevo had already googled what's on in Edinburgh while he waited for The Boy to get ready so when we got off the train we walked along Princes Street to the <a href="http://www.nationalgalleries.org/">National Galleries of Scotland</a> on The Mound which was featuring an exhibition called The Young Vermeer. Sadly, there were only 6 pictures in the exhibition but he didn't actually paint very many in his life time. On the plus side, entry was free and there were plenty of other things to look at. It was also indoors and warm :o)<br />
<br />
<br />
Next, we took a stroll through the Christmas fair taking place in Princes Street gardens:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwmYfS6Fz8gLPs7c4P9ki48rQq2uXVYYxQTvQCWvMvj4E20krdq_q9WGqc-Zx1ThIx13e6Ys3uoVwWjBz9GQ1gczUE5Otn06kpTJwwiArwGA2zXEF-A5NU9xvYjNsn3uTzmceDhqsyYjK/s1600/Gardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwmYfS6Fz8gLPs7c4P9ki48rQq2uXVYYxQTvQCWvMvj4E20krdq_q9WGqc-Zx1ThIx13e6Ys3uoVwWjBz9GQ1gczUE5Otn06kpTJwwiArwGA2zXEF-A5NU9xvYjNsn3uTzmceDhqsyYjK/s640/Gardens.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We sampled some mulled wine with brandy which was disappointingly luke warm and wasn't the best I've tasted. We were going to go on the ferris wheel but in the end we climbed the <a href="http://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/Venues/Scott-Monument.aspx">Scott Monument</a> which was cheaper and afforded much better views than the ferris wheel as it is higher. The tall, pointed structure behind the ferris wheel in the photo is the Scott Monument. Unfortunately the 287 steps almost killed Stevo, who has been a stranger to exercise for a while, so he stopped on the 3rd level and waited for us. The Boy and I went all the way to the top where it was cool, crisp and we could see for miles. The Boy had never climbed the monument before so that's another piece of Scottish heritage ticked off his list.<br />
<br />
There was a bit of discussion about what to do next but in the end we walked out of the gardens and down past Waverley Station to the <a href="http://www.the-dungeons.co.uk/edinburgh/en/index.htm?gclid=CP-MrOaxr6YCFQ1O4Qod00_DZw">Edinburgh Dungeon</a>, another tick off The Boy's list. It was a bit on the expensive side to get in but we enjoyed the experience. It's all very dark and spooky inside and there are some scary scenarios that you have to walk through after watching actors play out the history behind them. There are also a couple of rides. I won't spoilt it by giving any more detail than that in case anyone is planning to go there.<br />
<br />
By now it was getting on for tea time so we headed off to George Street to our favourite haunt, the <a href="http://www.hardrock.com/locations/cafes3/cafe.aspx?LocationID=42&MIBenumID=3">Hard Rock Cafe</a>. We had a lovely meal there and naturally couldn't resist the cocktails. The boys had New York Strip Steaks and I had Shrimp Linguine. Stevo had the hugest chocolate dessert while The Boy and I stuck to more modest sweets. The fact that they'd moved the toilets caused a fair bit of confusion and was a souce of amusement to us as we had an excellent view of confused regulars trying to find them in their new location. Of course we had to stop by the shop on the way out and I bought myself a t-shirt with my Hard Rock points:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOo0FiTKhcMEXYlp7TJmFE2gK-N3T50bSId5BF0JWNOnCDwY6EVhQYTAklpb1SUhqv4qyaXmYzBwWZk-mhNX20wGFWCyPUfxIjx2MyrpSYdzOFqiFPO9AIm_eXV6Z_wJ14h8acnx7PT_zP/s1600/HardRock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOo0FiTKhcMEXYlp7TJmFE2gK-N3T50bSId5BF0JWNOnCDwY6EVhQYTAklpb1SUhqv4qyaXmYzBwWZk-mhNX20wGFWCyPUfxIjx2MyrpSYdzOFqiFPO9AIm_eXV6Z_wJ14h8acnx7PT_zP/s400/HardRock.jpg" width="376" /></a></div><br />
That's not me wearing it by the way, it's a photo from their web site. :o) The photo doesn't show up the spangly bits. There are no baggy bits when I wear my one.<br />
<br />
We moved from Hard Rock to the <a href="http://www.guildfordarms.com/">Guildford Arms</a> for a last drink as it's near Waverley station. I think we had 3 or 4 last drinks before we finally went to catch the train. The Boy likes the real ales they serve and I like the decor and the old fashioned feel of the place.<br />
<br />
And finally, we managed to catch the train home just before 9pm. That's become a challenge now that the line has been extended all the way to Glasgow, the challenge being to stay awake and alert so that you get off at the right station. Until December 2010 our station was at the end of the line. Now you could end up in Helensburgh if you fall asleep.<br />
<br />
Of course we were starting to get hungry again by the time we got off the train so we stopped at a new Chinese takeaway that had just opened and took our spoils home to eat them. It wasn't a great meal. Must try harder I think. I don't think it's ever a good idea to stop for food on the way home after being out on the drink. Nonetheless we all agreed we had a grand day out and we shouldn't wait so long to do it again.</div>ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-73724862068646161022010-12-29T13:33:00.002+00:002017-04-05T20:17:04.365+01:00..waiting patiently...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
... or not as the case may be. My mobile phone contract was up for renewal so I phoned my provider a couple of weeks ago to see what was on offer. I thought I'd go for an iPhone as I'm fed up with The Boy showing me all his fancy (and often useless) iPhone apps. Turns out I could get either the iPhone 3GS or the iPhone 4 handset for free but with an increase in line rental. In the end I went for the iPhone 3 as it cost £10 more a month rather than the 4 at £20 more a month! Admittedly the rental includes a silly amount of inclusive texts and minutes but I never use my current measly allowance so do I really need 5000 texts a month? Unlikely!<br />
<br />
The phone was supposed to arrive on Monday last week (20th December) but it was held in a warehouse due to the weather. This morning I received a text message from my provider saying that it would be delivered today - between 08:00 and 18:00. Nice of them to give me a narrow time slot so that I don't have to sit home all day waiting. I have things to do, parcels to post, food to buy. So, while I'd normally be content enough to sit home and make jewellery to pass the time, I'm getting a tad twitchy.<br />
<br />
I've even been into the iTunes store and 'bought' some free apps. I'm ready and raring to go. Just as soon as my phone arrives. Can anyone suggest any useful (and preferably free) apps for download when it finally arrives? Is there anything useful for jewellery making out there? Or is that too much to hope for?<br />
<br />
I would love to say that I've been busy over the last couple of weeks making lots of jewellery in between the festive celebrations but I haven't. I really have no idea what I've been doing. I did make a bracelet, earrings and a bag charm for my niece's Christmas but no photos as I didn't have time before I posted them. I did cut things a bit fine timewise.<br />
<br />
I also managed to make my first set of wine glass charms:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xBKLXBOufxZ2gHaTJJpIkN_7Ua8Lo4-sQcfdcM3sVoNbEylYzKRK3NTaT-EO0TzzRJGo5ulkGLZlCTE7TmNLN1zV6FMxHvVbopmxJ-Fw-PryQp1Ve1nSZRHv7LMDXFxlFCFJF-cgPhnU/s1600/WineGlassCharms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xBKLXBOufxZ2gHaTJJpIkN_7Ua8Lo4-sQcfdcM3sVoNbEylYzKRK3NTaT-EO0TzzRJGo5ulkGLZlCTE7TmNLN1zV6FMxHvVbopmxJ-Fw-PryQp1Ve1nSZRHv7LMDXFxlFCFJF-cgPhnU/s640/WineGlassCharms.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
One of my friends bought me a lovely spotty wine glass and charm for my birthday a couple of weeks ago so I thought I'd have a go at making some myself. My daughter (<a href="http://missbaah.blogspot.com/">Missbaah</a>) and son-in-law (hereafter known as The SIL) came over to my house for Christmas dinner and I know what The Boy can be like when he's had a couple of glasses of wine and mislays his glass. Any glass sitting unattended is fair game. So I thought wine glass charms might solve the problem of misappropriated wine.<br />
<br />
I can't say they went down too well with the menfolk. The Boy was miffed that Missbaah was allocated the fairy while he got the dragonfly. I was later informed that this was because the fairy is apparently quite a well endowed young lady. The SIL thought they were all a bit girly. I had to point out that I made his totally non-gender by giving him a swirl and neutral coloured beads. :o) They also complained that the charms were annoying as they tend to slip up & down the stem of the glass and make noises. You just can't please some folk! I've now been tasked with making non-annoying wine glass charms so I'll have to get my creative head on. I'm thinking of macrame possibilities at the moment. Any non-annoying creations will be posted here once they've been vetted by The Boy and The SIL and may even be offered for sale. :o)<br />
<br />
And finally, thank you to Missbaah for cooking Christmas dinner in my kitchen. She got some stick from the menfolk for taking longer than anticipated but I think she did a sterling job.</div>
ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-87985327232419285232010-12-05T21:20:00.000+00:002017-04-05T20:17:04.390+01:00It's been an intense week<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So last weekend the blizzard hit and we all thought that was bad enough. But it didn't stop snowing did it? It just kept on going like there was no tomorrow.<br />
<br />
On Monday we had this much snow:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkzwnInFfGLIc5rTxz5By7x5aks0_rCVfCklQCXOcC81Ktzp2XjUrR_UvvfQgWXFCLC1CUcuGkfYetKpfnfdJGzihnYZHJXbk27XyJHcHi3YORcRtHfZ5CAXMRE8De2WQTbf7q4i8IYAP/s1600/DSCF3583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkzwnInFfGLIc5rTxz5By7x5aks0_rCVfCklQCXOcC81Ktzp2XjUrR_UvvfQgWXFCLC1CUcuGkfYetKpfnfdJGzihnYZHJXbk27XyJHcHi3YORcRtHfZ5CAXMRE8De2WQTbf7q4i8IYAP/s640/DSCF3583.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A few inches, it made my little garden lights look like cute little Mr Whippy ice cream cones with their pointy snow hats. Then on Tuesday we woke up to more snow. It had an interesting effect on next door's fence. Turned it into a chilly work of art:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sZK0I5Iapr9Hu-VjybZp6jtyY8RowS8ywoqW1ek7MHzU0E8UvAm7eYmARwDu352dW1FmW3PAPwQkSF61p2OdX9p5PXyJSyz4HIiTklB8Jawui9kESNj9cXQ1EgXNOmCFsXe8egVUyZJY/s1600/DSCF3592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sZK0I5Iapr9Hu-VjybZp6jtyY8RowS8ywoqW1ek7MHzU0E8UvAm7eYmARwDu352dW1FmW3PAPwQkSF61p2OdX9p5PXyJSyz4HIiTklB8Jawui9kESNj9cXQ1EgXNOmCFsXe8egVUyZJY/s640/DSCF3592.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The garden furniture was under a few more inches of snow and my garden lights have disappeared altogether:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mDegCePfO_zfx4A1HKF0jZon7_eDiP7JOI50j16OZPhTZt4-HUSufq6cMX7WDv_bherAeDprgK9pgh-rB4FIon94M-_kfmifdFUy6O1x9-4dnZTWQzkv61nHzpoJMi6Fln0DLCNfvPPh/s1600/DSCF3594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mDegCePfO_zfx4A1HKF0jZon7_eDiP7JOI50j16OZPhTZt4-HUSufq6cMX7WDv_bherAeDprgK9pgh-rB4FIon94M-_kfmifdFUy6O1x9-4dnZTWQzkv61nHzpoJMi6Fln0DLCNfvPPh/s640/DSCF3594.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Did it stop there? No. I won't bore you with the photos in between but by Thursday we were dealing with this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDriatYbOD0Fn0qBaHM-nqkNtxsZW1s08IonG894U8BzxSp20rpsOQfwvT47sQoiUrABtU9ikARrNV3ZBdwy2AhfFHbjuhrguu9MTB-O9fwiZHrnAML7G9OaE9N562GoHQYS29ThDDJrJF/s1600/DSCF3635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDriatYbOD0Fn0qBaHM-nqkNtxsZW1s08IonG894U8BzxSp20rpsOQfwvT47sQoiUrABtU9ikARrNV3ZBdwy2AhfFHbjuhrguu9MTB-O9fwiZHrnAML7G9OaE9N562GoHQYS29ThDDJrJF/s640/DSCF3635.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This would have been all well and good, except I have been selling some of my cherished books on eBay and, typically, over the weekend quite a lot of them were sold. Being a very conscientious seller I felt compelled to do my utmost to get them all down to the Post Office as soon as the buyers paid for them. Under normal circumstances the Post Office is a pleasant walk of 200 or 300 metres down a set of steps, through a car park and along part of the pedestrian precinct. This is the view of the steps on my return from the Post Office:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWQJAH8W3m9KjNnb4DxqX23Us_gmM_uPMAZCW6BOoRuxQ8IQwOwrZuYzjaOZny5Qw6b9815JJU8VlE0OqU-YsCKpq-wXo5llhxksrPRAxUppMAyqdB00ybZRF-AuHP8E-HTRYe45B1bKl/s1600/Photo0141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWQJAH8W3m9KjNnb4DxqX23Us_gmM_uPMAZCW6BOoRuxQ8IQwOwrZuYzjaOZny5Qw6b9815JJU8VlE0OqU-YsCKpq-wXo5llhxksrPRAxUppMAyqdB00ybZRF-AuHP8E-HTRYe45B1bKl/s640/Photo0141.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
The weight of the snow had made some of the bushes fall over the steps so I almost had to get down on hands and knees to pass under them. Why oh why did the council plant shrubs with evil thorns on them at either side of the steps? They are just not funny when you're trying to get up and down, concetrating on not landing on your behind and they're tearing at you, trying to draw blood or poke your eye out. Dear council, please rethink your shrubbery strategy in future. My skiing clothes have been well used this week.<br />
<br />
On the plus side, I did get more exercise than usual trying to walk through thigh deep snow to get anywhere. The Boy and I also walked the mile to Tesco when we failed to dig the car out. I will never forgive Tesco for closing their branch in the centre of town and moving it a mile away. I will be switching to Morrisons for my shopping when their new store opens in the centre of town. Spending a couple of hours a day clearing snow was also a fairly good workout.<br />
<br />
I also managed to be more productive than I've been for a while. Look at all the new things I've managed to make:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
For sale on Misi.co.uk:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkNWxoiUJt8HlsXSv3p7ignL2Qnud0TXgQTfVVFULbtRuuvgTEr1hfQREfBGTP8SlJtsZv3PL3HWePmut_7mSNneu0P4i7G2YlrBsiyztZowI97GK2g7aUdifLKfT4JOmG9FEMP4U8_OH/s1600/CatseyeE3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkNWxoiUJt8HlsXSv3p7ignL2Qnud0TXgQTfVVFULbtRuuvgTEr1hfQREfBGTP8SlJtsZv3PL3HWePmut_7mSNneu0P4i7G2YlrBsiyztZowI97GK2g7aUdifLKfT4JOmG9FEMP4U8_OH/s320/CatseyeE3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
For sale on Misi.co.uk: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVGx0Rig7MZfnX3u0Ut3oHQcY2ak33FIrZEkMO9R1ZvkgpyPPNl9fG-IwdU20EnB7DXCSaBEAhE63I2VHNyjm1ksWaeanhaQFfdIdWngFVAy9SgfdKdzR-9lfbCRP1xRULHUv2fYwuP8P/s1600/CatseyeFloralB1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVGx0Rig7MZfnX3u0Ut3oHQcY2ak33FIrZEkMO9R1ZvkgpyPPNl9fG-IwdU20EnB7DXCSaBEAhE63I2VHNyjm1ksWaeanhaQFfdIdWngFVAy9SgfdKdzR-9lfbCRP1xRULHUv2fYwuP8P/s320/CatseyeFloralB1.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For sale on Misi.co.uk: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrS37v_RP8E4F1OcVvGmFQV55bNYpAjEjHwg2Khbzbk6hW02WYCABjKEP0I0TXyut3TV_p3Rluj7p7msm1lyszazs8IX6yBqGhC_UAuP0_fjI_pq0mTRN-k4F9BsEodGpM6_K4onzL42eJ/s1600/GreenmillE1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrS37v_RP8E4F1OcVvGmFQV55bNYpAjEjHwg2Khbzbk6hW02WYCABjKEP0I0TXyut3TV_p3Rluj7p7msm1lyszazs8IX6yBqGhC_UAuP0_fjI_pq0mTRN-k4F9BsEodGpM6_K4onzL42eJ/s320/GreenmillE1.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For sale on Etsy.com: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhML7plY4xNE1xiUntGxIDFsbchTbd6R1rtVyXb4u0J-P7qHOI7XnxbRol1s6bfmXLaNaa6xox07Sb8HndFsfq5yYwb4wx4t73-Rj1jC0tUQErNXrobWUyFdc-bhFED2b9hSfyPazPaqmUO/s1600/RedFlowerB1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhML7plY4xNE1xiUntGxIDFsbchTbd6R1rtVyXb4u0J-P7qHOI7XnxbRol1s6bfmXLaNaa6xox07Sb8HndFsfq5yYwb4wx4t73-Rj1jC0tUQErNXrobWUyFdc-bhFED2b9hSfyPazPaqmUO/s320/RedFlowerB1.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Made for my mum to match a necklace: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFM6vDu5aHt0re6TGToAnbht9bK2sUEtKUdUM_b4-lq9TSDrHsN1NxS5CF1V6DvpoQXsfdORJhi211b_0bA16jGjYwOvCHF7A5anQXXQw6zfRDJbSAQ3czyYE5rahXNWP52end4OsGzJFF/s1600/DSCF3641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFM6vDu5aHt0re6TGToAnbht9bK2sUEtKUdUM_b4-lq9TSDrHsN1NxS5CF1V6DvpoQXsfdORJhi211b_0bA16jGjYwOvCHF7A5anQXXQw6zfRDJbSAQ3czyYE5rahXNWP52end4OsGzJFF/s320/DSCF3641.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Made as a gift: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircXJnfDN9cDKFOkL1fewXLru0v7c3DdXPJeP563aU_lDrMWKqr4GVMYQnSbf5FL6mvzelvyU8cBpGlj0QwYA4hh8gbzGK8yoUebKjgBS2R_mBnbG13FWFSxoh2FFtNDoLMV8oA-SvjEe7/s1600/KirstyNecklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircXJnfDN9cDKFOkL1fewXLru0v7c3DdXPJeP563aU_lDrMWKqr4GVMYQnSbf5FL6mvzelvyU8cBpGlj0QwYA4hh8gbzGK8yoUebKjgBS2R_mBnbG13FWFSxoh2FFtNDoLMV8oA-SvjEe7/s400/KirstyNecklace.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
<br />
It hasn't snowed in a couple of days but it's turned very cold so I'll be staying at home unless I have to trek to the Post Office with more sales.</div>
ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510759206921395374.post-2803412139671927292010-11-26T23:52:00.002+00:002013-12-23T06:39:33.291+00:00The blizzard finally hit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Thank goodness The Boy came and picked me up from my friend's jewellery party early tonight. This is the view from my bedroom window now. Full blizzard ongoing:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_wHsQaKp_g2gj-Q4hs9AE-sKb8_g7FxXI-BwWzhDRDApAnSaxrDyhi_IQqe_vp6Z_kOUseCdMl-EgAhgbZiHcVQvocrE-VkEuyE72lgLuvJaTQcI02dwGTnoTZaCzkc8cIHYgnXE1heM/s1600/DSCF3543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_wHsQaKp_g2gj-Q4hs9AE-sKb8_g7FxXI-BwWzhDRDApAnSaxrDyhi_IQqe_vp6Z_kOUseCdMl-EgAhgbZiHcVQvocrE-VkEuyE72lgLuvJaTQcI02dwGTnoTZaCzkc8cIHYgnXE1heM/s640/DSCF3543.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9YW7Px643DV6fFrJ5HGouUS3IFl-fDhsAQ3Tz2ljHykOtwjqNkmEjxKhwzEhMJqRxm1QMvmdiXHP6wK6MwNvspe42taWLcqZ6titfXfVwXo4FEK2rp0_tt2SUB7J2JSH5O28mZUuPDkA/s1600/DSCF3544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTT2CivrAW-YfZifANYWnAh30jkagtSnJAzn7CPAZFcJTqw_TiwTkU8cafJgMMa5nWZ8con-3xS_6wqwTiDBMYC6SgE7qx9AlTOPxXnRCP1A_INr2DZUPHhrWEjU7grEYL8JWb1PQenSNG/s1600/DSCF3545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjRbd6Bv8Ex_3xbQit8L3INyXWTA_wGugoIGZ6qHJbApJcStysSUPhhtBYUM4lWXGam7ZX3xrcPYTXx9534UEwsW8bwTzBKYqmDS-0esqUfDELEqm5rtrFlaN89WgID5fyEpgLFChvFOs/s1600/DSCF3546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjRbd6Bv8Ex_3xbQit8L3INyXWTA_wGugoIGZ6qHJbApJcStysSUPhhtBYUM4lWXGam7ZX3xrcPYTXx9534UEwsW8bwTzBKYqmDS-0esqUfDELEqm5rtrFlaN89WgID5fyEpgLFChvFOs/s640/DSCF3546.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4YiGBFceNnP99v5mp6QOCaXFcoxmWfIjavaDO2_iU2osoMoB73xuEmmvl4d0yN4nklQGUqJCkpZZPxoX00lkimsv6QCPhVeBWntjNWKVTXCKjP8FMuzOnbaw-55XV7pCRUYbR_uK9hxZ/s1600/DSCF3548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4YiGBFceNnP99v5mp6QOCaXFcoxmWfIjavaDO2_iU2osoMoB73xuEmmvl4d0yN4nklQGUqJCkpZZPxoX00lkimsv6QCPhVeBWntjNWKVTXCKjP8FMuzOnbaw-55XV7pCRUYbR_uK9hxZ/s640/DSCF3548.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Dm2s_WE2roN1enhiouKwY2SPd08ODRS8SzJFYXDwvfUxsRR9uaXldkSi21jHt-OYooWbsTeG-HJjaY8Uaxcao8W5uGvy9L1x3I1Xmyd1yY6_yKQhYGNnmsGwhW5w_MFjdZcBM0KERGXX/s1600/DSCF3549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Dm2s_WE2roN1enhiouKwY2SPd08ODRS8SzJFYXDwvfUxsRR9uaXldkSi21jHt-OYooWbsTeG-HJjaY8Uaxcao8W5uGvy9L1x3I1Xmyd1yY6_yKQhYGNnmsGwhW5w_MFjdZcBM0KERGXX/s640/DSCF3549.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgGn06BuJ7ESLhc2Hzh8KdkQH6x-v0H0CNJefGJ_CIXHJRRqxTW9IqoRfDqLsFCYYDUoB3stsIGaXTfeHNlD6j8-zJG-3lgaMWg-A60lKhDSygyInEDHtfxsIEQRZ-kphvPoxgqsf3BsI/s1600/DSCF3550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>
<br />
I am SOOOO glad I don't have to go anywhere tomorrow. Sadly, The Boy has to get himself to an airport tomorrow as he is going to the Motorbike Show In Birmingham. Hopefully it will have thawed slightly by the time I want to go to Anne Marie's bead shop.</div>
ScottishPrincesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12105834952729095184noreply@blogger.com3