Saturday 2nd June, Day 2. After the arsing around the previous day we are well behind time, we cross the border into France in the early hours without any checks thank god, but need to change drivers after 3 hours as the first one is tired. Mike takes over and off we go again. Lots of snoring coming from the back seats!!
We thing we have it bad in Spain with the cost of fuel, but the French, well what a rip off over there, cheapest we see is 1.54.6 per litre, and as for the tolls! Inter cambio is still going well, the lads are learning more and more by the day!!!!!
Quick trip through Belgium passes without any problems at all, and we head to Germany. Calls from the posh seats to stop because they are hungry and they want feeding, like we havent made enough stops already!!, Good job we have told Jacek not to expect us today, its 4.00 in the afternoon and we are just inside the German border.
At least the toilets are a fast improvement on France, Joaquin and Mike love them. The French holes had no seats and were dirty, and i am not talking one service station i am talking everyone we stopped at (and with this crowd that is a lot), but the German ones not only do they have a bouncer outside, you have to pay to get in, 70 cents per visit, and you get a voucher back for 50 cents to redeem in the cafeteria!!! But that isnt what is ammusing the chuckle brothers, that is the revolving toilet seat that also gets washed at the push of the button!!! Bit worried though that they wished it would happen while they were sitting on it!
Feed and watered, off we go again, have to make a few more stops to few toilets on the way but we get to Poland at 12.30 in the morning. I take over the driving with Mike navigating. The back row wont shut up all night long, they have been overdosing on Red Bull and Coffee!!!
Arrive in Hel at 7.00 this morning, guys stop at hotel for some rest and breakfast, i will go and find Jacek to make final preparations. Will let you know how we get on tomorrow after we finally make the first dives, looking forward to this so much seems to have been avaoiding us for years one way or another!!
Sunday, 3 June 2012
Graf Zeppelin Trip Report
Friday 1st June Day 1. Finally get on our way to Hel, Poland to dive the Graf Zeppelin, Hiltlers Aircraft Carrier. Leave Torrevieja at 12.30 on way to Bilboa to pick up Alvaro, van is already looking full and we havent even picked up Mr Sidemount and his cylinders.
Arrive in Bilboa after following Alvaros directions that he sent to Roberto via the phone. Should have known to tell Alvaro to meet us somewhere, but no, it is far better to get lost in the middle of an unknown city after driving for 10 hours non-stop.
Meet with Alvaro, and off to get his kit. Seems more than we were expecting! Also seems like the cylinders are magical as no-one is rushing to stack them all in the van, its like watching the council road workers back in Blighty!!
Ok everything is loaded, Alvaro looks pleased with himself, Mike is looking a bit concerned, not sure why, it might have something to do with the tow bar that is almost touching the floor.Time to adopt the tactful approach!!! Whats that small J-cylinder doing in the back of the van?, how many tubs of sorb do we need to take with us?, why have we got so many tool kits?, get them all out, and lets start again. Roberto and Joaquin are enjoying the adjective use of certain 4 letter words and the intercambio lessons we were going to do seem to have got off to a good start.
At last now lets go and get some food and get on the way, we are already 6 hours behind schedule, good job we left an extra day to get there. Leave Bilboa at 12.30 in the morning after a Ground Hog Day experience, i am sure we went past the same shopping mall 6 times just to get one scabby overpriced sandwich!!
Cant believe it, after having nearly 40 degrees all day long now we are entering a bloodty storm!!!! End of a perfect day.
Arrive in Bilboa after following Alvaros directions that he sent to Roberto via the phone. Should have known to tell Alvaro to meet us somewhere, but no, it is far better to get lost in the middle of an unknown city after driving for 10 hours non-stop.
Meet with Alvaro, and off to get his kit. Seems more than we were expecting! Also seems like the cylinders are magical as no-one is rushing to stack them all in the van, its like watching the council road workers back in Blighty!!
Ok everything is loaded, Alvaro looks pleased with himself, Mike is looking a bit concerned, not sure why, it might have something to do with the tow bar that is almost touching the floor.Time to adopt the tactful approach!!! Whats that small J-cylinder doing in the back of the van?, how many tubs of sorb do we need to take with us?, why have we got so many tool kits?, get them all out, and lets start again. Roberto and Joaquin are enjoying the adjective use of certain 4 letter words and the intercambio lessons we were going to do seem to have got off to a good start.
At last now lets go and get some food and get on the way, we are already 6 hours behind schedule, good job we left an extra day to get there. Leave Bilboa at 12.30 in the morning after a Ground Hog Day experience, i am sure we went past the same shopping mall 6 times just to get one scabby overpriced sandwich!!
Cant believe it, after having nearly 40 degrees all day long now we are entering a bloodty storm!!!! End of a perfect day.
Thursday, 8 March 2012
CCR LEVEL 1 COURSE 28TH MARCH - 3RD APRIL
We will be running a Level 1 CCR course between 28th march and 3rd of April. The course will include theory, maintenance workshop and 8 in water sessions.
GRAF ZEPPELIN EXPEDITION 3-5 JUNE
The Graf Zeppelin expedition has now been filled.
The team will travel to Poland on the 2nd of June and dive the wreck on the 3rd to 5th of June. The team are all CCR divers coming from Spain, UK, Holland and Germany.
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Well Done Linda
Congratulations to Linda Howard for successfully completing the ITDA/DIR Rebreather Fundamentals workshop. Huge amount of effort put into the whole workshop, it has been a real pleasure to work with her. Well done!
Monday, 9 January 2012
ITDA/DIR Rebreather Fundamentals and Mixed Gas Workshops
I will be running a Fundamentals and Mixed Gas Workshop from the 4th to the12th of Feb. There is only 1 place left. It will be run from Cabo de Palos, Murcia, Spain. For mor info drop me a line, info@dir-xploration.com
DIR Rebreather Fundamentals Day 3.
Good dive from Linda yesterday, coped really well with a very strong current. Trim much improved and overall kit configuration looking 100% better than at the start of the workshop. Handled all the drills really well and all the stops were perfect. Well done Linda, and huge plus that your back doesn't ache at the end of the dive.
Day off today to catch up in the office, more diving tomorrow.
Saturday, 7 January 2012
DIR Rebreather Fundamentals Day 2.
Sea conditions no good yesterday so we spent it going over the lectures and some theory. It still amazes me how many people do not calculate the correct amount of gas required in a bailout situation. Still a good days work even if we couldn't get in the water.
2 dives today hopefully.
2 dives today hopefully.
Friday, 6 January 2012
DIR Rebreather Fundamentals Workshop Day 1.
First day of the Fundamentals with Linda and Tony Howard. Good morning spent configuring and streamlining the rebreathers, followed by first dive. After a bit of trimming by relocating the weight and tidying up the harness, the in water position was much improved. Very good first day, and lots to be taken from it. Well persevered Linda!
Tomorrow another couple of dives building on what we have done today.
Tomorrow another couple of dives building on what we have done today.
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
DEEP WRECK WEEK, 16/01-22/01
We have organised a week of deep wreck dives in the Cabo de Palos region of Murcia, Spain.
The week will consist of the following dives.
- Monday, Stansfield, 60 metres
- Tuesday, Dispina, 90 metres
- Wednesday, Dispina, 90 metres
- Thursday, Marie Delores, 115 metres
- Friday, Day Off.
- Saturday, Wilmore, 120 metres
- Sunday, To be decided
A full trimix certification, either OC or CCR if diving CCR, is required to dive these wrecks as well as a valid medical.
Hemos organizado una semana de buceo en pecios profundos en Cabo de Palos, Murcia (España).
Durante la semana bucearemos en los siguientes pecios:
- Lunes, Stansfield, 60m
- Martes, Despina, 90m
- Miércoles, Despina, 90m
- Jueves, Maria Dolores, 115m
- Viernes, descanso
- Sábado, Wilmore, 120m
- Domingo, pendiente de decidir...
Es necesaria titulación de Trimix hipóxico (OC o CCR). En el caso de que se bucee con rebreather también será necesario un certificado médico válido.
Para más información contactar con Joaquin.
Monday, 5 December 2011
GRAF ZEPPELIN JUNE 2012
We have the opportunity to get the permissions to dive the Graf Zeppelin next June, in the Baltic Sea.
Spaces will be limited and i need to get permissions for the dive, so if you are interested please drop me a line so i can get applying.
Thursday, 1 December 2011
DIVING NEXT WEEK
Next week is a long weekend over here in Spain.
If anyone is interested we will be diving on Thursday through until Sunday. At the moment the dives are as follows
Thursday, Stansfield, max depth 60 metres
Friday , Sama, max depth 49 metres
Saturday, Dispina , max depth 90 metres
Sunday, TBC
Anyone interested drop me a line, info@dir-xploration.com
If anyone is interested we will be diving on Thursday through until Sunday. At the moment the dives are as follows
Thursday, Stansfield, max depth 60 metres
Friday , Sama, max depth 49 metres
Saturday, Dispina , max depth 90 metres
Sunday, TBC
Anyone interested drop me a line, info@dir-xploration.com
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
Cave diving in the Labyrinth
29th November,
Simon and I decided to visit the cave for a dive today.
With the exception of one dive around 6 months ago which ended in a turn round after 100 mts due to a flooded torch, it was the first time I had been in there for over a year.
I was looking forward to it. The plan was for to head in to the 600mt, mark. I was diving my cave kit and had swapped to a set of back mounted counter lungs.
Weather was great cool and sunny.
The entrance to the cave is set next to the main road in Isla Plana. It’s a bit of a climb down to get to the entry point. We took the stages down then kitted up and climbed down.
I tied in to one of the eye bolts with one of my reels. The viz at the entry point looked promising. I took the lead and tied of twice before we hit the main line. Viz was not great. We continued along the main line. I marked each junction with a DIR peg (From the Chinese shop). Someone has done a lot of work in here changing out the lines. The climbing ropes that used to run through some of the tunnels have been replaced. Took us 45 minutes to get to the turn round point. I gave the signal. Simon led the way home. Nice dive, however the real fun was still u to come. The hike back up the hill
Simon and I decided to visit the cave for a dive today.
With the exception of one dive around 6 months ago which ended in a turn round after 100 mts due to a flooded torch, it was the first time I had been in there for over a year.
I was looking forward to it. The plan was for to head in to the 600mt, mark. I was diving my cave kit and had swapped to a set of back mounted counter lungs.
Weather was great cool and sunny.
The entrance to the cave is set next to the main road in Isla Plana. It’s a bit of a climb down to get to the entry point. We took the stages down then kitted up and climbed down.
I tied in to one of the eye bolts with one of my reels. The viz at the entry point looked promising. I took the lead and tied of twice before we hit the main line. Viz was not great. We continued along the main line. I marked each junction with a DIR peg (From the Chinese shop). Someone has done a lot of work in here changing out the lines. The climbing ropes that used to run through some of the tunnels have been replaced. Took us 45 minutes to get to the turn round point. I gave the signal. Simon led the way home. Nice dive, however the real fun was still u to come. The hike back up the hill
Monday, 28 November 2011
NEW UMBILICAL TORCH
The pics are above are of a new torch which is only available through DIR-XPLORATION. The product has been designed with the deep diver in mind.It has 1.200 lumens of bright light, more than 150 mtrs operational depth and 3h of burning time. It is manufactured in Greece by my good friend Yainis Protopappas and has been rigoroursly by him and his team on many deep cave and wreck dives over this last 12 months. For more info on the torches contact me.
CUEVA DEL AGUA TUESDAY 29/11/11
Diving the cave tomorrow with Mike if anyone else would like to come along. Will be good to get back to the cave, seems like a long time since we were last there!
Saturday, 26 November 2011
MALIN HEAD 2012
There are a few spaces left on the trip to Malin Head, Ireland from the 28th July until 3rd of August next year. We will be diving the Classic Wrecks between 45 and 70 metres, Audascious, Justicia and Empire Heritage. The visability over there is usually 20+ metres, so it will make for an excellant week of diving.
The cost of the trip is £840.00 and to book a deposit is needed of £200.00.
You will need to be Full Trimix trained, either OC or CCR, or training can be arranged whilst we are away.
For more info contact us by email MALIN HEAD TRIP
The cost of the trip is £840.00 and to book a deposit is needed of £200.00.
You will need to be Full Trimix trained, either OC or CCR, or training can be arranged whilst we are away.
For more info contact us by email MALIN HEAD TRIP
About this Blog page
Hi Everyone,
Welcome to our Blog. The aim is to give you an upto date journal of what is happening, not just with us at DIR-XPLORATION, but in the diving world in general, ie latest trip reports, course details, new equipment and equipment reports and the occasional rant about the bad sides of diving.
Anyway we hope you enjoy it
Cheers
Simon
Welcome to our Blog. The aim is to give you an upto date journal of what is happening, not just with us at DIR-XPLORATION, but in the diving world in general, ie latest trip reports, course details, new equipment and equipment reports and the occasional rant about the bad sides of diving.
Anyway we hope you enjoy it
Cheers
Simon
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