Achill 2006

Definitely the most relaxing diving weekend I've ever had with the club, and a first for getting one dive in a day; dragging my ass out of bed on the Monday morning and getting a cave dive in was a first for me- both on the ass dragging and cave diving fronts.

Most of Saturday was spent with Emma driving around the Atlantic Way looking for a beach, and after resorting to a rocky not very accessible beach which was used as a rubbish tip for a while we went on, only to find beach after beach after beach each one bigger, sandier and more pristine than the rest. Go figure.

Diving Saturday was very relaxed, around the SS Agha Eirm (former home to some small greeks according to Sorcha & Bairbre's granny), loads of life and great vis. Naturally, a trip to the pub ensued, followed by a walk home in the dark in the wee hours- scary stuff I tell ya. Despite slipping in a ditch once and sliding down the grass outside the party house, I managed to escape not only without injury or any marks on my clothes, but without spilling my beer. Most important thing learned that night- it's possible to make a stupid mistake and come out of it looking like you meant it all along. (I had it all planned, of course I did!) Also, there is no substitute for pure blind luck! (And jeans made from Teflon, apparrantly)

Sunday was spent recceing a channel with Dave W cox and myself Ass Cox, and doing a quick spin on our lonesome RIB of the weekend. Waters were incredible calm (not a hint of wind or adverse weather the entire weekend, midge bites got a little tiresome though) so got it going faster than I thought it could go once the weight was taken off her. Diving the channel was again, excellent- perfect vis, loads of life. Not much point in describing it- you either saw it or you didn't.

Sunday night was a mix of midges and barbeque- Fiona, Jason & Lars being the brave/bitten for our food. Another visit to the Annex, another walk which was shorter as Sorcha was good enough to do taxi for the evening (thanks Sorcha). Followed (unsurprisingly) by more beer and (much much later) bed.

Monday morning got up, did a couple more shuttle runs around the island, dived the cave (it probably has a name, but I'm just gonna cristen it "Da Cave") which was amazing for someone who hadn't done that before. Although it was mostly effectively open water, having periods where panicking, dropping weights and popping to the surface for immediate attention was a a bit of a new one on me. But enjoyable all the same. Once again, amazing visibility.

Followed by a long drive home, stopped in McDonalds in Longford for some healthy eats with Dave W, Pat N & Katie McG, arrived home, crashed out and went to sleep before crawling out of bed to the scream of alarm clock the next morning to go back to the office for another dull, boring day of toil with little challenge and less reward.

Hang on. That last part was someone else. I wake up when I feel like waking up to sunshine and birdsong. I find my own challenges, and my rewards find me.

:P