Dive 1 The Hopper Seals every where!, it was like dipping your feet in gravy and then trying to walk through a yard full of puppies. Very amusing if you were the one without gravy on your feet. Shear walls down to 25 metres with plenty of sea life. We found our lamps very helpful in the dark foreboding  gullies. ‘Note’ for future divers, please keep your eyes peeled on the seaward side of the last deep gully at the end of this dive at about 20+ metres, my 40W LED. Dive lamp went over the side whilst dekitting by the boat .a crisp crunchy 20 awaits the finder!!     

Dive 2 The Abyssinia again vis upwards of 8mtrs with lots to see. Sun stars brittle stars corrals urchins crabs lobsters and some particularly friendly ballan wrasse who showed no fear whatsoever when taking sea urchin from my fingers Between dives, because of the very quiet sea the seal songs were very loud and clear and I was put in mind of the old sea tails of sailors being lured onto the rocks by singing mermaids (seals) All I can say on that one is ‘they must have been hard up, or it was grab a granny night.   With having such an early start, and an afternoon spare  some of our number felt fit enough to embark upon a six mile route march in the afternoon, whilst myself and Mark, (not wanting to show anybody up) spent an exhausting 3 hours dragging our selves up and around Bamburgh castle. Must remember to take binoculars next time the views over the Farne Islands are wonderful.     

Dive 3 Whirl Rocks This dive is on the outermost farnes, and to the experienced diver you can feel the hairs on the back of your neck prickle when you imagine the power of the sea in this place at any time other than slack water. A 15 metre sheer rock face straight down on to a steel littered bottom give some idea of the havoc wreaked by this swirling turbulent sea. Many lobsterpots(Ghost pots) ripped from their moorings lay scattered around with long shredded lines. We released a couple of young lobsters from some of these pots but time was against us and other small lobsters didn’t appreciate our efforts (watch you’re fingers! )so we continued on to look at a huge ships rudder section.  An unforgettable dive. 

Dive 4 Back on the Knifestone. No I didn’t find my lamp!! We again got on the large ships prop and this time found the greater part of the wreck. Many lobsters and interesting sea life and I am hoping that Marks first attempt with his camera will turn out as well as the weekend! Again a highly interesting and enjoyable dive. The days early start was a blessing  because 2.30 p.m. found us back on the big road south. We hit a hold up of about 45 minutes, but then what would you expect ?the gods have to exact some small price for such a memorable diving weekend !.