Phrixus » Scuba Diving

Wreck diving the HMS Maori

Phrixus — Tue, 06 Sep 2005 15:29:53 +0000

Although I still have a heap of photos to sort out, you can now read my write up of our dive down to the HMS Maori on our holiday in Malta. This article has been posted in the Travelogue and includes all of the photos so you wont be missing out. There is plenty more tell about the trip so stay tuned for more excitement and adventure!

Going Down Deeper

Phrixus — Thu, 25 Aug 2005 19:00:07 +0000

Another milestone reached today. We successfully completed the ‘PADI Advanced Open Water’ course and are now qualified to dive down to 40 meters should we wish to. This was a cool course that involved swimming through a wreck, around another one, seahorse hunting and even doing mental arithmatic down at 30m next to a big anchor! Going to have a few days off then early next week… wreck diving again but with a camera to get some pics in the crystal clear waters!

Wrecks and Robbers

Phrixus — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 17:39:02 +0000

Exciting day today… we dived a couple of wrecks and had our sunglasses stolen by some sponging miscreant youths! It was lucky that a police car drove past and we were able to report the theft as soon as we realised it had happened. To put a positive side on things, ‘H’ did point out that its a good excuse to buy some more so Thursday afternoon is sunnie shopping. As it turns out, the oxygen tank had been taken from the truck aswell so its lucky no one needed it.

The wreck dives were excellent, the first was a ship called X131 that had been sunk during WWII by a submarine. It’s stern was down at 21m and the bow up at 5m. The second wreck was HMS Maori, a British destroyer that has been broken in two. We dived the bow section and were able to swim through one of the internal passages of the ship. This wreck was lying in the sand down at 18m.

I’m a diver

Phrixus — Tue, 18 May 2004 21:05:04 +0000

Finally did it today! I completed my final open water dive and am now a ‘PADI Open Water’ qualified scuba diver! Anyone want to go down?

My Birthday

Phrixus — Mon, 17 May 2004 11:46:42 +0000

What a great week-end. I am now another year older! Thanks to everyone that sent me cards a gifts… Aunt Angie and Co, Grandad Dave (Cool e-Card!) and of course Dad and Jane! Closer to home I need to thank… Parents for sandals and money, ‘H’ for a bag full of cool things, Dave for a leatherman, Aidy & Karen for wine… not forgetting my Grandad that gave me some money then borrowed it back to go for a pint!!
Yesterday 9 of us went to Herm on Mystere. People got wet in the dinghy and some of us even went swimming.. it really was that nice… if a little cold in the sea still!! Today I am looking a tiny bit red but no more than usual when I have been out in the sun!!

I am currently experimenting with my James Bond Camera that Helen bought me, it is a small camera that takes pictures, video, audio, stores data and has a time lapse mode… quite good fun! Watch out.. I might catch you out doing things you shouldn’t be!!

Later today I expect to be completing my final dive in Havelet. I will then have upgraded myself from PADI Scuba Diver to the PADI Open Water qualification. I am looking forward to getting this done! I hope to go diving in Spain in September where the water is likely to be much warmer!!!!

Chilly Willy

Phrixus — Fri, 14 May 2004 08:44:43 +0000

Last night I went scuba diving and very nearly froze! I was down for 48 minutes and the sea temperature here is 11�C. I came out shivering and dizzy… quite like being drunk actually! I think I should consider a drysuit if I plan to go down in these cooler climes. An alternative is to only dive where the water is warm when on holiday!!

This weekend could be fun. It is my birthday on Sunday. I will be racing Mystere in the morning and then heading off with 9ish people to Herm for drinks in the afternoon… I believe it will be a good laugh! It is quite likely there will be some stories to tell!!!

Malta – Part 5

Phrixus — Wed, 12 Nov 2003 18:08:53 +0000

Finished my ‘PADI Scuba Diver’ today after two open water dives. I felt like I was swimming in the biggest tropical fish tank ever… I was actually, the sea! It would be impossible to describe the 20 meters of visibilty and the sheer variety of marine life was just astonishing. No time left now so I will write more soon!!!

Malta – Part 4

Phrixus — Tue, 11 Nov 2003 19:07:35 +0000

Today was an interesting day. I have booked and payed for my 2 day Scuba Diving Course (PADI Scuba Diver), and we visited the capital Valleta… you may have guessed… it was ‘Death Ride to Valleta’!! Buses did it again… what a ride. The shopping was actually crap and the most money I spent was kitting Emma out with some spa treatments at the resort. Much to my disappointment there were no ‘Extreme’ colonic irrigations on offer and she did not take to well to my suggestion that she needed all of the beauty treatments! The purpose of this expenditure is twofold. Firstly, I forgot Emma’s birthday present and felt the need to provide something. And second, it means she has less to complain about my 2 days diving. An update tomorrow should be colourful!! Apologies for mistakes here, I have been in the bar!!!