Well, our family have just returned from a fantastico weekend on the beautiful Kintyre peninsula. The long drive meant that we didn't arrive on our friend's farm until after 11pm on Friday night. After unpacking & some banter we headed to bed.
In the morning, the kids all woke up excitedly, ready to explore the wonder that is a dairy farm! Fortunately, the ages of John & Ruth's kids were compatible with ours, so they hit it off immediately. I left Sarah & Ruth to catch up on old times & headed to find the Diving Officer of Campbeltown Sub-Aqua Club (a branch of the Scottish Sub-Aqua Club) who had kindly offered to give me some info on local dive sites. After an exceptionally scenic drive alongside Kilbrannan Sound, I arrived at the house which can only be described as having a breath-taking location. Overlooking the Sound and surrounded by vibrant flowers which were almost iridescent in the beaming sunlight, it was a true oasis. I was made to feel very welcome and enjoyed a mug of coffee & biscuits while overlooking the sea, discussing the best local sites. I was also invited to join the club on their RIB on the following day...
Sarah & I planned to have a quick dive on the Saturday afternoon while Ruth kept an eye on the kids at the beach. Due to the calm sea conditions, we decided to dive at the Stirling University Marine Research Station at Machrihanish. This offered easy access to scenic diving, and also seemed appropriate as the facility is affiliated to the department where I'm currently employed. It really was a beautiful day with the sunlight piercing through the blue-green water, illuminating fields of hypnotically swaying kelp. The dive could best be described as a shallow bimble. Depth was minimal, but it was a pleasant liberating experience. It was so nice being able to just nip out for a dive without having a 90 min drive to negotiate!
With plenty of the day left, we made the most of it, with the kids having a great time on the farm. An evening barbecue washed down with plenty of red wine was just the ticket although I pitied poor John who had to arise at 5am for the milking! He seemed to take it in his stride as always though, being particularly adept at mid-conversation power naps.
I arose on the Sunday morning with a mildly throbbing red-wine-head and glanced out of the bedroom window to check on the sea conditions... nice and calm just as we wanted. I phoned to confirm my attendance on the RIB trip & then started to get excited! Upon arriving at the slipway, the boat was just about to be launched. I introduced myself to the other divers & we loaded our gear on board.
The sun was shining; the sea was calm; it was too good to be true. Inevitably, Murphy's Law kicked in! This was the season's first outing for the club's 5.3m Humber RIB. The engine had just been serviced. Unfortunately, it seemed that in their infinite wisdom, the engineers didn't check the battery of the 75 HP outboard... flat as a pancake! Much scratching of heads and muttering of frustrated words ensued. Shore diving alternatives were mooted. While the deliberations were ongoing, the local RNLI crew launched their RIB alongside us in about 60 sec flat for helicopter exercises in the Sound apparently. It was decided that jump leads would be our best option but no-one had any! I really must remember to put our jump leads in our main car as this is the 2nd time in a month when they would have been useful on a diving trip. Anyway, I suggested that there might well be a set on the farm. I phoned Ruth who dashed out at full emergency vet speed with the precious items. After a few attempts, the strategy worked & the engine roared to life. The show was back on the road... thanks to Ruth!
We made our way out of Campbeltown Loch and north into Kilbrannan Sound. It was a while since I'd been on a RIB and I'd forgotten just how much of a buzz it was. We headed to Otterard Rock which is a submerged pinnacle/boulder slope rising from a sea bed of ~40m depth situated a few hundred yards from the shore. I splashed with Daniel who works as a commercial diver on fish farms. There was quite current running as we descended the shot line & reached the reef. We drifted & pottered about. There was a noticeable plankton bloom which took the edge off the viz. Spotted 2 beautiful big dogfish, lots of small life & the occasional wrasse. A nice relaxing dive. Ascended under my dSMB and clambered back on-board.
We then headed south, rounding Davaar Island at the mouth of the loch. We dropped anchor in Kildalloig Bay in about 3m depth. There were 2 trainees on-board, ready for their 1st or 2nd dives. I shadowed Daniel who was instructing Shaun. The viz was stunning: 10m+. Sunlight streamed down, illuminating the abundant benthic life on offer. There were also numerous jelly fish (including small lion's manes) and comb jellies. I spotted a delightful dogfish & screamed through my reg to attract the others who were about 8m away at that point. After confusedly looking around to try to work out what the weird noise was, they made their way towards me just in time to see the little shark swimming off. Not to worry though as Daniel found another one a couple of minutes later. I also found a nice pipefish which Shaun enjoyed playing with. Lots of little shrimp of a variety that I'm not familiar with, peacock worms, chitons, wrasse... there was just a great abundance of life bathed in glorious sunlight.
Unfortunately, the other trainee didn't get a dive as her suit inflation hose didn't fit the valve. However, she still got to have an excellent snorkel in the bay where she appreciated all of the life on offer.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable trip and I am very grateful to Livingstone and the rest of Campbeltown Sub-Aqua Club for making me feel so welcome. I hope to catch up with them again soon.
It was a long journey home. We were all knackered. It was well worth it though.
In the morning, the kids all woke up excitedly, ready to explore the wonder that is a dairy farm! Fortunately, the ages of John & Ruth's kids were compatible with ours, so they hit it off immediately. I left Sarah & Ruth to catch up on old times & headed to find the Diving Officer of Campbeltown Sub-Aqua Club (a branch of the Scottish Sub-Aqua Club) who had kindly offered to give me some info on local dive sites. After an exceptionally scenic drive alongside Kilbrannan Sound, I arrived at the house which can only be described as having a breath-taking location. Overlooking the Sound and surrounded by vibrant flowers which were almost iridescent in the beaming sunlight, it was a true oasis. I was made to feel very welcome and enjoyed a mug of coffee & biscuits while overlooking the sea, discussing the best local sites. I was also invited to join the club on their RIB on the following day...Sarah & I planned to have a quick dive on the Saturday afternoon while Ruth kept an eye on the kids at the beach. Due to the calm sea conditions, we decided to dive at the Stirling University Marine Research Station at Machrihanish. This offered easy access to scenic diving, and also seemed appropriate as the facility is affiliated to the department where I'm currently employed. It really was a beautiful day with the sunlight piercing through the blue-green water, illuminating fields of hypnotically swaying kelp. The dive could best be described as a shallow bimble. Depth was minimal, but it was a pleasant liberating experience. It was so nice being able to just nip out for a dive without having a 90 min drive to negotiate!
With plenty of the day left, we made the most of it, with the kids having a great time on the farm. An evening barbecue washed down with plenty of red wine was just the ticket although I pitied poor John who had to arise at 5am for the milking! He seemed to take it in his stride as always though, being particularly adept at mid-conversation power naps.
I arose on the Sunday morning with a mildly throbbing red-wine-head and glanced out of the bedroom window to check on the sea conditions... nice and calm just as we wanted. I phoned to confirm my attendance on the RIB trip & then started to get excited! Upon arriving at the slipway, the boat was just about to be launched. I introduced myself to the other divers & we loaded our gear on board.
The sun was shining; the sea was calm; it was too good to be true. Inevitably, Murphy's Law kicked in! This was the season's first outing for the club's 5.3m Humber RIB. The engine had just been serviced. Unfortunately, it seemed that in their infinite wisdom, the engineers didn't check the battery of the 75 HP outboard... flat as a pancake! Much scratching of heads and muttering of frustrated words ensued. Shore diving alternatives were mooted. While the deliberations were ongoing, the local RNLI crew launched their RIB alongside us in about 60 sec flat for helicopter exercises in the Sound apparently. It was decided that jump leads would be our best option but no-one had any! I really must remember to put our jump leads in our main car as this is the 2nd time in a month when they would have been useful on a diving trip. Anyway, I suggested that there might well be a set on the farm. I phoned Ruth who dashed out at full emergency vet speed with the precious items. After a few attempts, the strategy worked & the engine roared to life. The show was back on the road... thanks to Ruth!
We made our way out of Campbeltown Loch and north into Kilbrannan Sound. It was a while since I'd been on a RIB and I'd forgotten just how much of a buzz it was. We headed to Otterard Rock which is a submerged pinnacle/boulder slope rising from a sea bed of ~40m depth situated a few hundred yards from the shore. I splashed with Daniel who works as a commercial diver on fish farms. There was quite current running as we descended the shot line & reached the reef. We drifted & pottered about. There was a noticeable plankton bloom which took the edge off the viz. Spotted 2 beautiful big dogfish, lots of small life & the occasional wrasse. A nice relaxing dive. Ascended under my dSMB and clambered back on-board.
We then headed south, rounding Davaar Island at the mouth of the loch. We dropped anchor in Kildalloig Bay in about 3m depth. There were 2 trainees on-board, ready for their 1st or 2nd dives. I shadowed Daniel who was instructing Shaun. The viz was stunning: 10m+. Sunlight streamed down, illuminating the abundant benthic life on offer. There were also numerous jelly fish (including small lion's manes) and comb jellies. I spotted a delightful dogfish & screamed through my reg to attract the others who were about 8m away at that point. After confusedly looking around to try to work out what the weird noise was, they made their way towards me just in time to see the little shark swimming off. Not to worry though as Daniel found another one a couple of minutes later. I also found a nice pipefish which Shaun enjoyed playing with. Lots of little shrimp of a variety that I'm not familiar with, peacock worms, chitons, wrasse... there was just a great abundance of life bathed in glorious sunlight.
Unfortunately, the other trainee didn't get a dive as her suit inflation hose didn't fit the valve. However, she still got to have an excellent snorkel in the bay where she appreciated all of the life on offer.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable trip and I am very grateful to Livingstone and the rest of Campbeltown Sub-Aqua Club for making me feel so welcome. I hope to catch up with them again soon.
It was a long journey home. We were all knackered. It was well worth it though.
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