apologies

Sorry everyone, my blog update has been a bit slow at the moment.  This is mainly due to birthdays and get togethers.  Not really being a great host if I am tucked away in the corner with the laptop out!

Anyhow, training has taken a bit of a back seat at the moment, my gym membership is on hold as I am preparing for my trip and the schools have only just gone back.  No way am I going down to the local pool with the kids off school.

Plans are coming together nicely with my accommodation booked in Mijas Costa.  I am now driving down to the Costa because of the amount of gear I am going to need for 3 months and my dive kit.

Most of the items I needed have been bought so it is just a case of getting the paperwork together and packing up.  Will really really miss Amanda and I know she will be the same but hopefully it will give us great options in the future.

Just got to get the Sat Nav sorted...

Ouch

There was a variation on the training yesterday - when I got home Amanda suggested we take the bikes out as she needed to grab some stuff from school and there was a pub involved at the end. Sounded good so kitted up and set off.

Bristol is not flat and my bike although light still takes a bit of effort getting up and down the hills and valleys. The effort was then multiplied tenfold when the gears decided to pack in after the 3-4 miles mark! I now only had use of 3 gears - not one small enough for the steep climbs and not one big enough to get any speed going on the slopes. Still I persevered, Amanda was doing well as she didnt have many gears to start with either.

We couldn't get the stuff from the school as it was locked up so onwards to the pub. Amanda had been before as it is where the teachers all go for their 'Friday' meetings after school! Cool setting right by the Avon river. I ordered a pint of old man's ale and Amanda had a half of Thatchers frozen cider, bloody nice especially as it comes out in the glass all frozen. With twiglets in hand we took a seat. After checking the map we realised that we had already doen about 7-8 miles. Not bad I thought, but it does mean it is 7-8 miles back! We decided to take the scenic route back along the river tow path. Not ideal circumstances considering the recent weather. Very thick mud and white trainers do not mix! Still it was a pretty cool ride and most importantly it was FLAT! Finally made it home just as darkness setting in (Amanda had very cleverly brought the lights for the bike and packing tape so I taped my lights on and was legal).

Just checked the maps this morning and it is showing we completed 15 miles, I really really feel it today as well. I do believe that the gym might have to be put off for a couple of days just until I am able to walk properly again!

Magners again...

A couple of cans tonight watching the rugby before I have to go back to work again tomorrow morning.  Just think only around 2 weeks left then I get to do exactly what I want.  No more having to bite my lip with an ignorant twat shouting the odds on why he deserves an upgrade! 

Received my eRDP today courtesy of eBay,  it is an electronic repetitive dive planner from PADI which I need as part of my diving course.  Pretty clever bit of gear and I have found pretty easy to use.

Had more contact with the dive shop in Spain just to check on details and all still going to plan.  I have now managed to finish the Divemaster manual except for Chapter 5.  Gonna have to leave that one until I get there and then they can explain the technical stuff - don't really get it.

Just waiting on accommodation now - something simple but secure will do.  

Halftimes

Anyone care to help me understand 'halftimes'?

Yes, I've passed!

One of the last barriers to prevent me from diving professionally has been overcome as today I passed my HSE (Health & Safety Executive) Diving Medical.  

This is the first time I have taken this kind of medical for anything so I was a bit apprehensive as to how I would go.  I know I am pretty fit and healthy but you always have that fear that they will turn up something and that's it your dream is over.

The doctor was great and I would highly recommend him.  He is diver friendly as he is a diver himself and he takes a genuine interest in what you are doing or what you are trying to achieve.  He is the only listed HSE appointed doctor in Bristol but doesn't rely on this and puts in the effort to make you feel at ease as you progress through the numerous tests.  It takes about 1 1/2 hours to get through and covers most of your body - Urine Test, ECG, Fitness Test, Hearing Test, Eye Test, BP and full questionnaire.  This is on top of the Blood test and Medical History confirmation you have to complete at your own GP surgery beforehand.  

A few drinks tonight to celebrate I think!  Then it is back on to the books tomorrow aswell as sorting out accommodation and numerous other things...

The studying has begun...

Here I go then, head into the books. Chapter 1 of the Divemaster manual is pretty straightforward and gentles lowers you into the world of Professional Diving and what to expect and what is expected of you. You are taught about the 3 broad characteristics of a Divemaster..1) Professionalism 2) Role Model Behaviour 3) Ability to assist and Supervise dive activities. Well I think I can be a role model* (insert cheeky comment here!)

The chapter then goes more into Role Model behaviour and how it can affect other divers in a positve or negative way. Obviously I want to be a positive role model so hopefully I can gain the respect of other divers. I do not want to fall into the trap of hipocrasy and just be there paying lip service. Being a negative role model will just lead to other divers questioning my authority (say in high pitched Kartman voice).

Following this are the benefits and responsibilities of being a PADI Divemaster. The benefits include Publications, Reduced rate materials, access to worldwide liability insurance, earn some wonger and PADI is the largest organisation so it leads to more opportunities. Being a Divemaster also has responsibilities - Must keep up to date with changing standards, follow all standards, renew annual membership with your current address and always represent PADI favourably.

As you might have guessed I am also using this blog as a training tool for myself. My thinking behind it is that as I go through the book I will try to reinforce what I am learning by repeating items here. Hey some of you might find it a bit boring but I gotta learn somehow and there is a hell of a lot to get through!

My medical is on Wednesday and that will be the final yes/no as to whether I am going, I have been told it is fairly straightforward but as with everything I just want it official. There is nothing worse than getting yourself all worked up and having the rug pulled from under you!

Anyhow, it's on to Chapter 2 for me...

Yesterday had nothing on today!

2 1/2 hours to get to work this morning.  10 miles.  Swapped my day from yesterday because of the snow and look where it got me!  Glad I did go in though as it was minimal staff because of the conditions.  I am still amazed, however, at the amount of numpties on the roads.  There were about 3-4 of us helping each other through the roads.  Stopping now and again to give each other a push through the snow.  Drivers still trying to overtake when they can clearly see others are stuck, whatever happened to helping out?  Still, my super steed Ford Focus saw me through, just got to do it all again tomorrow!  After all the hassle of getting in the airport shut for the day as well!  Flight cancelled and everyone sent home to try again tomorrow.

I was planning on swimming again today to keep the training up but it hasn't happened.  I got home so knackered after dealing with the airport today that I decided to give it a miss.  It's a poor show I know but with all the snow and ice about the place it could be a good and safe decision.

No Magner's tonight as I have run out, so I shall be on a nice bottle of vino instead....