Farne Islands - 14th/15th may 2005:

“Hope of Life” left a sunny Seahouses harbour at 9.30 bound for the Northern Hares. Jeff And Michael, on his first sea dive, were first in. They dropped straight onto the “Loch Leven” and had a good dive to 16m. Guests Steve and Chris (friends of Lee) managed to find an octopus. Next in were Lee, prospective member John and Mark (also on his first sea dive). They found shallower water and got a little thrown around in the swell. Meanwhile on the boat, the sea was getting very choppy and faces were getting greener! Rick and Drystan's heads disappeared over the side and Peter and Andy sat out the mornings dive.

After a quick lunch we motored over to catch slack water on Gun Rocks. Andy joined Jeff and Michael as the casualty list grew; Peter and Mark feeling unwell. Steve and Chris paired up again as did Lee and John. There were not many fish to see circumnavigating Gun Rock but plenty of crabs and lobsters were spotted along with a large cannon from an old wreck. We chugged back into the harbour to blue skies and a flat calm sea (somewhat annoying considering the conditions earlier). More than one were glad to be back on terra firma!

What a difference a day makes! All divers were in the water by 10.00am Sunday in very calm conditions. Peter, Rick and Drystan after Steak and Chips and a good nights sleep now fully recovered enjoyed the delights of the pinnacles with Lee and John also finding some “St Andre” wreckage.

After a leisurely lunch in the sun we chugged over to Knivestone with most divers agreeing that we saved the best till last. In and out of the canyon like gullies covered in dead men's fingers, exploring the many parts of the broken up “Abbessinia” there were many wrasse to feed and crabs and lobsters to spot. Once again we returned to Seahouses in brilliant sunshine, the green faces now bright red with sunburn, completing a great weekends diving.

Andy Roberts.