So 2023 is upon us, before we all look head excitedly to what this year may offer I thought I’d offer my quick review of 2022, it involved a LOT of diving.
After a few quarry sessions to blow out the cobwebs I got on a plane and jetted on my first trip abroad post-pandemic, a Maldivian Liveaboard. The original plan was Fuvahmulah with the hope of some close encounters with tiger sharks, alas covid strikes again, with cases rising and a positive case onboard the skippers decision was to stay close to Male incase of further problems. As a first timer to the Maldives, this last-minute itinerary change didn’t matter, what followed was a week of exhilarating channel dives where the aim of the game was swim down, hook on and enjoy sharks, rays and jacks swimming increasingly closer until you maxed your bottom time. The elusive whale shark stayed away, but I guess that means there’s an excuse to return.
After returning to the UK and a quick turn around I was back aboard the Clasina for BSAC18’s traditional March trip to Mull. 6c water in a leaky drysuit had its challenges, particularly considering a week previous I was diving in 28c, but a great trip was had, visiting the classic wrecks Hispania, Shuna, Breda, Rondo not forgetting Huw and I’s visit to HMS seabed where there were some excellent seapens!
Spring brought a few Anglesey based opportunities for nudibranch hunting as well as a new skipper for BSAC18 and a long-awaited return to the Clyde and connecting sea lochs, a great exploratory trip where some members broke their UK sea dive cherries and others realised RHIB diving isn’t as bad as they thought. I also finally managed to dive the Glanmire, my logbook suggests at the 7th attempt, having missed out due to wind, fog or other factors, it was definitely worth the wait and at 32m I was glad of my ADP ticket, Richard and I’s ‘first in, last out’ plan worked to perfection taking in the whole wreck before slack ended and we managed our deco in the flow.
Normally summer is when I stay away from the quarries and focus on the sea. Don’t get me wrong I got plenty of time in the sea, but frequented Stoney Cove a lot more than usual. This is because I’d taken the plunge and got myself a CCR. Whilst most were sitting in the sun enjoy the heatwave of 40c, I was in a drysuit at the bottom of stoney cove learning about setpoints and dil flushes (it was 8c at 36m by the way). The move to a rebreather has been a challenge to say the least, but as a photographer I can already appreciate the benefits.
Out of the quarries I made my first trip to the South Coast and their Mediterranean climate (who said drysuits where a good idea?) James made a good model as we floated around the cabin’s of the JEL and I can tick off an encounter with a tompot blenny. There was also South Shields with plates of curry being served between dives and Huw and I took another visit to HMS seabed (I’m noticing a theme here).
Autumn brought us back to the Clasina and its spiritual home of Scapa Flow. The weather was challenging so leaving the flow was unlikely, so we spent the week ticking off each and every one of the German high sea fleet. Whilst for the rest of the team 1 week was enough, I stayed in Scotland and took in some extra diving in a remote little area called Kinlochbervie (or KLB to most) Right in the NW corner of Britain with little landmast between it and Iceland it is renowned for great visibility. The weather continued to be challenging, but even in the protected sea lochs I found 15m vis as the norm – a photographer’s paradise and it didn’t fail to disappoint.
After such a hectic season I could have slowed down, but a last-minute opportunity to tick off my instructor training presented itself. The CCR was put away for a month and I was back sounding like Darth Vader on OC to get in the rhythm, a milky trip to Wales, a dark and dingy day in Coniston and few quarries later I can now say I’m an OWI. Phew!
So yeah, that was 2022. There’s already something in the diary for every month in 2023 so you’re more likely to see me in a drysuit than jeans, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve new places to visit including Bonaire, Islay and Weymouth as well as old favourites Farnes, Mull and St Abbs. I hope 2023 will finally be the year I hit the Menai alongside other BSAC18 members joining me for ad-hoc shore dives in Wales. 
