A dive that should not have happened, I should not of made it, but in my dream Best Buddy appeared and said " lo, I am Best Buddy arise in the morn and don your kit, the club need you!!!!"

I woke with a start (or is it a jump? I suppose its according who you are with), I jumped out of bed got my dive gear together and arrived at Mcdonalds.  Most were surprised to see me, I could'nt divulge my dream JUST IN CASE.

So we arrived on this dreary cold and wet morning, the lads in good spirit.  We made our way to the cafe and had a cup of tea and had a chat where we put the world to rights, once that was done we kitted up and made our way to the pier.  I was first in, I knew that is what Best Buddy wanted me to do, to pave the way for the others, to show them the way, to follow the yellow brick road.......

Sorry getting carried away there. 

We all submerged into the depths, Tom, Si, Ged. John, Dave and myself, full of hope to see what we would see (water mostly).  Suddenly my mask started to fill up, I only had seconds before it was totally full!!!! Think, I thought, what would Best Buddy do Then it came to me in a flash. Head down, finger in middle of mask, blow through nose whilst tilting head back.  It worked, but as soon as I had cleared the mask it started to fill again, seconds remained before it filled again, I had only one option left, I tried to signal to Ged to tell him I had to surface but he was looking in the wrong direction, I started to surface alone, I knew this could be dangerous, I gritted my teeth, Suddenly, Best Buddy was there I was'nt alone anymore.  I surfaced adjusted my mask and turned to thank Best Buddy..... He was'nt there!!!

I watched the bubbles where the other divers were and knew they had reached the armoured car, I submerged and rejoined the gang, the relief on there faces was there to see, but it was Best Buddy who had helped me in my hour of need.

We carried on with the dive, no other mishaps to speak of.  Once we had finished the dive and warmed up because it was bloody freezing with two cups of tea and it was Simons idea anyway to go diving in water that was only 5 degrees above freezing, we headed back to the gear.

Suddenly, Tom spoke, "who is going in for a second dive" they all turned and looked at me, I looked from one to the other, they knew I had gone back in at Stoney Cove.  This is why Best Buddy had come to me in the dream.  I squared my shoulders and planted my feet firmly on the ground, I said, NO I am not going in for a second dive its too cold. I could see the relief in there eyes but in true grit fasion they started to laugh saying that it was me who had whimped out first, I laughed with them knowing the truth behind the joviality.  Best Buddy was there looking after us as usual.

Well done Best Buddy.