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On this year's Scillies trip in May the divers were outnumbered by non-divers, lured by tales of sun, golden beaches, turquoise water and fresh Scilly air. There was no disappointment regarding the fresh Scilly air, available in vast quantities and usually travelling at high speed. Unfortunately, most of the time there were wet bits in it. Similarly, the sea was blue. The only problem is that on occasions there was difficulty in working out where the join with the sky was supposed to be.
The team was Richard and Janet Bellis, controlled by Daniel, John and Anne Cooper with their menagerie of Hannah and Emily, Tracey and Ian McLean, Michael "I only behave like Hitler when I have a whistle round my neck" May and Maureen, and Matt and Claire B and assorted hangers on, all rounded up by Benji "after my cream tea can I have an ice cream?" dog.
On arrival at St Mary's Michael was at the quay to welcome us and organise our kit having braved an off-island boat trip to do so. Such devotion to the club.
The diving can best be described as being as good as was possible in the circumstances. Visits to the old favourites Plympton/Hathor and the Italia were mixed with dives on the Cita, with seals and in various quiet corners out of the wind. One of the best features of Scilly diving is that almost whatever the weather there is continued on page 2 somewhere that can be dived. This is also due to the boatman, Jim Heslin, being determined not to be forced to give the "R" word.
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For me one of the best dives was with Claire and Michael. Having placed the shot line on the Mando and watched it moving up and down through a 4 metre vertical range, accompanied by occasional white water, we decided to leave it to the hard nut(cases). We dived off Cromwell's Tower where there was peace and a wide selection of anemones and old pottery.
For Claire there was the bizarre treat of having "Happy Birthday" sung to her at 35 metres by Tracy and Ian - apparently you can sing in a rebreather - a narcosis-inducing sound if ever there was one.
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Social activities were inevitably constrained by the weather. No cream teas in Juliet's Garden this year. There was a birthday cake for Claire and the now traditional pizza party with Tracy's deep top pizzas. There was no Scilly Custard this year because the Chief Lumpmaker missed the trip. The last night dinner was at Juliet's ("inside if wet") where the little children took over the restaurant while the big children mellowed in the traditional manner.
Thanks to all who came on the trip this year and for giving me my Scilly shirt. If nothing else, the trip showed that it is possible to combine diving with domestic bliss although I have not dared ask Anne and Janet if they agree.
Finally, are you interested in a Scilly trip next year? The laws of probability suggest that the weather will be better (it could hardly be worse?) but I need to know how much interest there is before making plans. Have a chat with me, Dave Mead or any of the old Scilly hands in the next month or so.
Matt Bullen
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