Last Friday we went out to the Dara. The dive had looked a bit touch-and-go earlier in the week as the storms that trashed other parts of the middle-east also affected the Gulf to some extent causing monster waves. The sea had relented by Friday but unfortunately the legacy was viz of 1m or less. We saw a couple of blue spotted rays that were a reasonable size (or seemed so in the murk) but otherwise the best sight was a long line (1km +) of cormorants flying formation somewhere (presumably getting the hell out of Europe as fast as possible). The Wanderers swimming pool and bar seemed a better option at this point.
One thing though – after 12 years my BCD had finally bitten the dust. I knew the end had come when I found bits hanging off it that I didn’t even recognize never mind know how to put back where they came from. So this was the first outing for the new one and very nice it is too. However I was comprehensively out-scored terms of new dive gear by Simon and Sarah. This was the first outing for their matching “his & hers” wet suits to go with their matching “his & hers” BCD’s and matching “his & hers” fins. Only the differently coloured masks spoiled the symmetry – I mean that’s soooo last season. However they redeemed themselves for this fashion faux-pas by entering the spirit and calling each other “darling” as often as possible.
Some of you with long memories might recall an earlier diving couple who were once asked to do a buddy check. They responded with: “Enough air darling? – yes darling, you? – Yes darling!” and promptly went over the side minus some fins. We didn’t laugh of course! (well we did a bit).