Scilly Divers 1997

On days like this I forget how much I hate ‘early’, it was bright and warm and we were off to the Isles of Scilly again. We travelled in convoy to Penzance, hurling abuse and jelly babies at each other in the inevitable traffic jams, (sorry about the reggae tape Steve!)

The bar on the Scillonian opening as she left Penzance was the signal for the ‘holiday proper’ to start, a gentle relaxing atmosphere soon overtook us, or was it the ale? Good job it was a calm voyage, and no beer was spilt, even when the ferry did it’s ‘handbrake turns’ around the rocks as it approached St. Mary’s.

We were met on the quayside by Jim Heslin our skipper for the week, and loaded our gear into his latest Land Rover, his mutterings about how someone had dented his old one, made those of us who had been before wince, as it had been one of our number who had driven it into the cannon on the quayside! We shall spare the culprits blushes as he now has two sons, who need to be able to look up to him! (Living in Bridgewater is penance enough.)

Accommodation:

This was in a granite bungalow up on the Garrison, the highest part of St. Mary’s. Ex army officers quarters, reminiscent of the North West Frontier. Meals and drinks were taken on the veranda, very pleasant!

Diving:

Very varied, wrecks, wrecks and more wrecks, from the eighteenth century to 1997.

"What a brilliant wreck!" said Allen, "Wot wreck?" said Malcolm (Malcombe to his friends), unfortunately some of us had gone down the wrong gully and missed the Plymton/Hathor wreckage, but still saw a very pretty reef.

The latest wreck is the Cita a container ship which crashed into St. Mary’s earlier this year, stories abound. Just how many tyres are hiding on the islands? I know of some that were airlifted to darkest Cornwall! Hard wood doors, trainers, forklift trucks, clothes, thousands of miles of plastic, key rings and fridge magnets, what will the wreck hunters/NAS of the future make of it all? It is broken in 3 pieces and twisted at odd angles, which makes finding your way round it unusual! Various bits and pieces found their way to the surface,the only non ferrous metal sadly being aluminium! A tip to anyone lifting chain, as it uncoils from the deck, under the influence of a lifting bag, the load gets heavier, lifing bag comes down again!

For those not into wrecks the underwater scenery is spectacular, more jewel anenomes than you can shake a stick at, and the pieces de resistance are the seals, usually the young Atlantic greys, who are very inquisitive about divers and stalk them to play, and give them a total sense of inferiority. It’s one of the best underwater experiences you can have! Little seals sneaking up on you and popping out from behind the kelp fronds is both scary and fun, when the adults do it......! An hour with playful seals is unforgettable!

"Fantastic seals!!!" said Sarah, "Wot seals?" said Malcolm! The rumour that he and Ruth ended up in the church hall next door, when they went to see the museum, have been hotly denied.

Nearly forgot, the Lighthouse Hunters had a treat, diving Bishop rock, lots of current but a good dive, it’s amazing just what junk divers will collect! When will the ‘T’shirt be available Steve?

Site list:

• King Cadwallen
• Porth Hellick (containers)/ Lady Charlotte
• Plymton/Hathor (and/or Lethugus rocks!)
• The Daisy (seals)
• Cita
• Brodfield (+ containers)
• Bishop Rock
• Schiller (and/or Retarrier ledges!)
• Plymton/Hathor
• Cita
• Hollandia(ish) a drift dive due to weather!
• Peninnis Head

 

Surroundings and atmosphere:

The atmosphere on the Scillies must be experienced to be understood, it can best be described as very relaxing, perhaps it is because you walk everywhere, there is only one way to find out - go there! The natives are friendly, and there are pubs to suit most tastes (at least on St. Mary’s) finding Nick’s bar in the Atlantic hotel said it all!

The only slight worry was Mark’s insistance on wearing his World champion Gig team ‘T’shirt, trying to provoke the locals, or was it to strike up conversation with the Ladies Gig racing team? How they resisted him we will never know!

Weather:

Wonderful nearly all week, hardly any wind, except first thing in the morning, but that was probably due to the beer the night before. It was so warm it tempted some intrepids into the sea in just swimming costumes!!! To recover from the shock, quantities of whisky were consumed and the madness seemed to pass, common sense prevailing when another attempt was made the following day.

Looking back:

Plenty of diving on varied sites, though the spring tides did restrict us a little, good food, drink and especially good company made this a holiday to remember, thanks to those who organised it, Allen and Sarah, and to everyone else for making it such a good time!

Questions:

• Is it true Malcolm bought a picture of the wrong wreck?
• How many shark steaks did Mark eat?
• Did Steve really buy that hat?
• Is there a really cool fish wearing an expensive pair of sunglasses?
• Why did I let Mark have the top bunk?
• Can Allen or Malcolm use the self timers on their cameras?
• Who was the girl with the tanned midriff, in the Bishop and Wolf?

Nick Parsons