“How about 16 August 2003?”

“Why then?”

“Well, the weather should be good at the end of July, Charity Shield will be played the weekend before, the Bank Holiday is the weekend after, it’s a long way off and if we go to Poole – we can CAMP!!”

And so it was set. The e-mails were sent, divers responded, plans were made.

The great day arrived. The intrepid divers awoke to a grey, overcast, and windy day with a Spring Tide.  After a quick look in Swanage harbour it was confirmed that the dive was blown out. To be fair each had wondered whether this would be the case given that there had been Easterlies the week before and some rain, which had stirred the sea up to a gloopy,  murky soup, similar to a London Fog of 1886.

After some consideration the more experienced among us came up with a cunning plan – boat handling skills practise.  To say I was nervous was an understatement. But once on the RIB it was fantastic. Fears were banished, encouragement given and we were bribed with chocolate and the promise of fish & chips at lunchtime.

The morning was spent giving people a taste of helming the RIB, with a trip round to Swanage Harbour. On route we found the wreck of the trawler we should have been diving, then ‘kedged’ in the harbour. The sea was rough and we had difficulty getting off the RIB at the pier, but not as much difficulty as Phil, Chris and David had trying to get from RIB to shore. The Hellfins Synchronized Swimming Team could do with a little more training.

After lunch we headed back to Poole for more boat handling skills – deploying and retrieving a shot and kedging. By the time we’d all had a go it was time to head back.

Sunday dawned a beautiful day, the tide was out and belied the London Fog sea state. Diving was still a no-no but those of us left embarked on more boat handling skills. This time, picking up boys , (sorry mind on other things I meant buoys),  man over board, retrieving divers and power failure on the boat.

Thanks to the patience, skill and optimism of Chris who organised the weekend, and the gentle questioning and encouragement from Phil, what could have been a washout turned into a useful and much enjoyed weekend. Also a big thanks to Bruce who never complained once about the number of times he was thrown in and dragged out of the water.

PS if you ever want to know anything about anchors – just ask Phil. He’s a mine of useful information.

Helen

Disclaimer –
For the Thespians among you I apologise for the blatant plagiarism of Terry Pratchett, who in turn plagiarised Shakespeare. What a way to go!! All events are true, names have not been changed to protect the innocent