by Tim.

18th August, 2007 : I thought it was high time I put a newsletter out to tell you what’s been happening lately and what’s coming up.

Congratulations: First of all some well earned congratulations are due, so in a roughly chronological order:

• To Cecilia on being awarded her SPORTS DIVER Grade.
• To 6 new Nitrox divers who all passed the Nitrox workshops:
  Alan, Bob Gi, , Andy, Tony,Carol and Pete.
• To Cecilia & John who, since converting to new SD syllabus via the Nitrox workshop are also Nitrox qualified and also to Rob who passed his Advanced Nitrox theory.
• To John (a.k.a. The Rooster) on being awarded his SPORTS DIVER Grade.
• To Terry on being awarded his ADVANCED DIVER Grade
• To Paul on passing his exams to become an ADVANCED INSTRUCTOR.

Very well done to them all, and a special thanks to the instructors and coaches who have donated many hours of their precious time to help them get there.

Fun night at Cromhall – 1st Aug 2007 : Boy, did it live up to its name! What an enjoyable and well supported event it was and definitely one to become an annual happening. Who’s going to win the ‘Rusty Rowlock’ next year? Thanks to all who supported this event and made it possible and the great success that it was.

West Wales – August Bank Holiday Weekend : Our next expedition is only days away. Not wishing to tempt fate but the long term forecast is looking promising. With over 20 names on the list it is looking like being our biggest trip this year so we are going to have to run a pretty slick operation to get everyone in. I’m going to discuss the plans and issue joining instructions at BAWA on Monday so if you are one of the many please try to get there.

Both the boat engines have recently been professionally serviced in readiness. Thanks to Rob for arranging it and to Bob to driving the Alpha to Taunton and back for the service.

Borneo Expedition 2008 : Plans are now firmed up for a club expedition to Borneo in April 2008, diving around Mabul Island and in the Sipadan marine park (another one from near the top of my wish list). The 3 week itinerary also includes White Water Rafting, a 2 day trek and summit climb of Mount Kinabalu and a visit to the Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary (as recently featured on the BBC). Then off to Mabul Island for 12 days with 11 days of diving (3 boat dives per day plus unlimited shore diving). On the way home a stop over in Kuala Lumpur for a day of sight seeing and/or shopping if you must.

Alternatively there is a 2 week option which includes just the diving and the KL stopover on the way home. If you are interested in finding out more, let me know and I will send you the itineraries, but don’t take too long as we intend making a booking in the next couple of weeks.

Old Boat Shed – RIP : I’m sad to say our old boat shed has at last been knocked down and is no more. A very sad end to what was a godsend to the club for the years we had the free use of it.

New Bretagne Material : There will soon be some new material up on the Bretagne web site. I’ve been exchanging emails with Graham Llewellyn, a past member of the club and the guy who found and owns the bell and who bought the wreck and sold it to the club. He now lives in Spain. He has kindly scanned his log book and sent me a copy. It makes for fascinating reading and covers the dives where he found the bell and the recovery of the gun. Here’s a snippet to whet your appetite from 25-9-66.

DIVE ON WRECK ‘BRETAGNE’ WITH RAY LEWIS SWAM ALONG STD. SIDE TO BOWS ROUND
TO PORT, INSPECTED ANCHOR & WINDLASS FOUND SHIPS BELL UNDER WINDLASS, SURFACED
TO FETCH ROPE, RE-DIVED SECURED ROPE TO BELL. BOAT PARTY RAISED BELL. DECOMP’D
WITH RAY 5 MIN AT 20′, 5 AT 10′. VIS 10 FEET. VERY GOOD DIVE.

“Very good dive.”, I should say so.

Diving Officer – Bristol Aerospace Sub-Aqua Club.