Matt took the boat off to Dingle, Smerick to assist with his preparations for Leading Diver. As a result Divers were spread in all directions to avail of the great weather conditions to dive.  Thankfully, with a text to our fellow clubs in the region, I was able to accomote those who wanted to get in a dive or 2. In the end Kilkee and Quilty were the chosen locations and thanks very gratefully to Aughinish Dive club 4 member availed of diving out of Quilty. This time I was fit to dive and I revelled in the chance to dive the back of Seal rock and later in the afternoon, the Gully.

The 1st dive was excellent despite the visibility, but, picking a level is easy along the steep inclined reef down to 30-35 meters. The path of travel was a joy to look at the amount of vegetation, and life in the cut outs in the reef wall. Crabs and lobster adorned the nooks, it was a joy to view the blenny, wrasse and gobi. The Spider crab were up in arms for been disturbed from their nap time :-)  I left Dave off the hook to a degree, only checking out his Buddy breathing skills and ensuring that he was checking my air contents very regularly. Club Diver test time getting very close now :-) Just a compltee the dry run to do and finish off theory preparations.

 

The day was great and we lounged around chatting and picnicing with our good friends from Aughnish Dive club who kindly had boat space. The second dive was a treat even for John who despite all the years of diving had never dived the Gully in Seal rock. I, thankfully managed to find it and drop in to it. The best parts of it are really its entry and exits points, there is a squeeze through that is interesting to do, very safe and big, but, as a section of it is closed off, you can peer through the holes/gaps to see up into open water. Lots of crab Lobster futher down in the gully, the location is littered with mussel shells as a result of the feeding frenzy in the area.  A torch is advisable for the inards of the swim through.  It is certainly advisable to keep to one side and way through, come back on the opposite side and come up to about 15 meters along the wall. Great life to see on the left wall. Indeed, due to lots of air, we headed back into the cave to see some more before turning back again and coming out where we initially entered at 6 meters to do our stop. Unfortunately, the seals were scarce compared to the bank holiday, I was hoping to see if they would be hunting in the Gully. Alas not, but, maybe I'll see them on our next visit!!!  

James from Burren obliged us some info on some good dives sites to try out, and a little tour of Mutton and some tales of a particular "Diver" who live on the island.

Joan, Mary & Emma were christened by Martin, but I won't repeat that gangs name just yet, but, just thinking maybe between the Club in the south West region...The gang could easily grow!!