Walking with Seals
by Alan Gellion
A trip to the Farnes Islands, Northumberland
28/05/2009
Our band of 10 had a fun-packed weekend in the Farnes; we enjoyed superb weather with calm seas and sun throughout. There was a mixture of experience on the trip with Mike braving his first U.K dives while Andy wondered if it would be his last – diving in 8ºC without an undersuit (not the thing to forget for the east coast in April)!
Our planned Friday meeting place (right by the excellent Wyndgrove House accommodation) was hosting a 21st party, so once we established there were neither free drinks nor a buffet we migrated to the Links for food, a briefing (breakfast at 7.00 a.m.) and a few drinks to help us over the shock.
Saturday saw us chugging out of the harbour soon after 8.00 a.m. and jumping in the water by 9.30 a.m. from Lee Hall’s excellent boat. There was a bit of a January Liveaboard reunion happening on this trip so the water temperature was a shock for those who hadn’t ventured in since enjoying the bath-like (in comparison) Red Sea. Much discussion of gloves, undersuits, socks etc. followed this first dive which was not helped by viz of about 4m, but there was life to be seen if you delved amongst the kelp (I found my buddy there).There were some suspicions as to the enthusiasm for dive 2 when Grant threw part of his regulator overboard, blaming cold hands (for the technical, the 1st stage A-clamp piston, for the rest of us, the big knob at the top), but Andy worked miracles and there was no escape as we all undertook the 2nd dive, similar viz but there was more to see and a satisfying dive took place.
An early return to harbour meant there was time for sleeping, a trip to Bamburgh Castle, more sleeping and the odd ice-cream. We managed to book in the excellent (Good Beer Guide) Old Ship Inn for Saturday night, but the early start, an excellent meal and the prospect of a further 7.00 a.m. breakfast took its toll with even the late revellers being back for Match of the Day. This led to an interesting debate in the triple room where a certain Man Utd fan used his casting vote to turn the film off and watch endless replays of their latest dodgy penalty (OK, they won 5.2). Other events involving the 4-poster bed are best left unrecorded…
Sunday was to be seals day and it started with a pleasant boat trip as Lee searched out a good area for us to attempt to commune with the local aquatic mammals (easier than with some of the land-based ones). A spot was duly located and so began our game of hide and seek with the seals. This involved swimming towards the seals until you realise the depth is now about 1.5m. At this point stop and wonder why you haven’t actually seen any seals. Rewrite the PADI Navigation course by standing up to see where the seals have gone. “They’re behind you!” Re-submerge and head towards seals who have now worked out if they keep themselves around 8m away they are completely invisible underwater. Repeat until bored then switch to snorkelling.
A change of tactics was clearly required and some patient sitting in the kelp proved as good a way as any of obtaining good views of the seals circling us. We did both Sunday dives in this area and everyone emerged satisfied (if only for having completed both dives on one cylinder!).
A smooth trip home rounded off a great weekend, with good company and craic, special thanks to Andy for leading the trip. Seahouses is a lovely area and makes a great base – highly recommended!
