Our last full day has been spent by the pool which pleased the sun worshippers. Lots of LILO frolics in the pool this afternoon and Foxy has nearly learnt you stay on the LILO and not under it.

Good job we are not diving today as the sea is really rough.

Our day rounded off with a group meal where three of us had a steak to die for.

Today started with Mr Roberts being 5 minutes late for the mini bus. Today’s diving was all about wreck penetration on the Frigate and the hydrographic vessels, using 32% Nitrox rather than Nitrox on air tables as we had on all the previous dives. Although the visibility was not brilliant today we all visited engine rooms, lower decks, infirmary, galleys and mess – a really advanced dive.

The diving week was rounded off by another spectacular Dolphin show.

After an afternoon in the pool and sea we walked into town for a meal and then the hardy few played crib.

Our day started with the usual pick up at 0750. By popular vote today’s dives were back to the Corvette and the hydrographic vessels.

On the Corvette one group ventured down to the engine room, through the galley and out through the mess.

Corvette engine room.

One of two V12’s.

One piston removed from block.

Dive 2 was another wreck penetration dive with the group swimming through Deck 1 and back up through the bridge, Graham got excited steering the Ship and missed the Octopus sat beside the wheel.

Best 2 dives so far, even though Foxy head butted Elfies cylinder; but unfortunately no Dolphins today.

Guess where we are now.

Spent the afternoon in the pool and sea and Ray was the undefeated champion in the LILO olympics.

Enjoyed a nice meal out whilst watching the sun go down.

Yet another early morning and having to leave the comfort of our rooms, it’s back to the dive centre and let the days fun begin.

Dive 1 today was The Oliveira e Carmo a Corvette 1340 tonnes and 85 metres in length, which following a storm was shortened by 20 metres and it was the big bit that Moved!

The second dive was The Zambezi an Ocean Patrol Boat 292 tonnes and 44 metres long. This wreck is well broken up and sits on a muddy seabed with a coral garden alongside. Ok if the visibility was good but it was not. Again as with the previous dives the marine life is prolific, can you believe congers in this part of the world.

On the way back a Dolphin show.

Following a racing buggy ride back to the dive centre (Graham not driving) and onward to the Hotel it’s now beer o’clock.

Another afternoon spent round the pool and as there was a surf running we went into the sea.

Our day was rounded off with another lovely meal in a local restaurant and crib in the bar.

Diving starts today, pick up from the dive centre arrived 5 mins early, back to the dive shop and sorted the equipment for the day – well organised. The real fun starts now with Graham driving the second golf buggy to the port.

Racing start that would have made Lewis look like an amateur the only trouble was Malc was not onboard and like a scene from Von Ryan’s Express he sprinted after the buggy and jumped aboard.

Our dive boat for the holiday.

A 15 minute Rib ride to the first dive site The Hermenegildo Capelo which was a 2700 tonnes frigate and 102 metres long. Visibility was a disappointing at 3-4 metres but lots of marine life. After a one hour surface interval we dived The Almeida carvalho which is a hydrographic survey ship 64 metres long and 1320 tonnes and laying on its port side.

Good morning Mr Octopus. Fish life is exceedingly abundant and not at all afraid.

An afternoon by the pool with more LILO fun followed by the spanky awards, guess who got it! The day rounded off with a visit to a rather nice beach bar and some waiter fun.

Today is our lazy day late breakfast and a walk into the town of Alvor. For the F1 fans it was a Sports Bar for the next 2 hours a few beers and lunch before walking back and spending the rest of the day by the pool.

For the bravehearts Prawn and Fish Massada cooked for 4 could of fed 6 fortunately Ray stepped in and hoovered up the rest.

Our trip to Portugal starts from two ends of the Country, 8 from East Midlands, 6 from Gatwick, and just to confuse things with 3 different Airlines. It worked with all of us arriving within an hour of each other. An hours transfer and we are in the Dom Joao II.

Our Hotel

Penzance 2018

Day 1 – Low Lee ledge and the Primrose

Well we weren’t expecting much on this holiday owing to a forecast which stated that the mini “Beast from the East” would strike the West Country over the next few days.

To our surprise Mounts Bay was fairly calm with light Northerly winds but very cold.

We are diving! Our DO announced, so we loaded up and headed for the Low Lee ledge

Our DO soon realised he had the wrong dive bag, so had to dive with Carol’s gear, oh yes, he had also left his hood and gloves in the truck, so Graham obliged with those (no competition for the Monkey award!).

The wreck of the Primrose was buoyed off so no need for the anchor, Malc, Jen and Keith were first down the line but Keith soon returned with a major leak in his dry suit, oh well better luck next time (watch this space).

3M underwater visibility was far more than we expected but the water temperature was the coldest we have ever encountered in Cornwall, only 7DegC.

Sea Urchins, Starfish, Wrasse and a Cray Fish were all seen in the 35 minutes dive.  

 Day 2 – Alice Marie

Freezing conditions this morning, we had to break the ice on the boat cover!

Flat calm seas and a light North Easterly wind, perfect for diving!

No chance of the Alice Marie being buoyed off, so 5 minutes of searching and in went the anchor.

3 to 4M underwater visibility on the wreck, so a really pleasant dive, although it was very cold and, yes you guessed it – Keith’s dry suit flooded again!, he was the hero of the day in that he completed 25 minutes before the cold forced him to go up. We sat him in Sullivan’s while we recovered the boat; they felt sorry for him and gave him a cuppa FOC.

Day 3 Low lee ledge, Primrose and Cannons

How long are we going to get away with it was the weather comment of the day, a forecast of SE winds arriving by 1000hrs, so another very early start and more ice clearing before we left.

We needed to make this morning’s dive quick, so we opted for a dive back on Low Lee.

   

We split into 2 groups of 3 for this dive, leaving Keith in the second group in case his dry suit (despite all the repair work) leaked again.

The underwater visibility had improved slightly (4 to 5M now) and we all had a great dive on the wreck, reef and cannon site and Keith’s suit kept him dry (thank goodness!).

By the time all our divers were up the SE winds were starting to get up, so a quick run back to the harbour.

Happy divers;

 

Days 4 to 8

No diving for 5 days [:o(] but great fun on the beach!

Portreath

Manacles

Well, all fairly standard stuff though we went from LGW for a change (it was cheaper). Painless connection at Dubai then on to an early arrival in Cebu.

A transfer to the Henry Hotel took about 45 minutes in rush hour traffic but it was great to get in to our room and some air conditioning. It was 31 degrees in the late afternoon and sunny.

We are currently dining at the oversized table, hopefully the portions will not be quite so oversized.

Iced tea (but not the one from Long Island).

All set up for a 04.30 pickup to go to the ferry in the morning. The need for sleep is considerable!

We are sitting at the terminal, awaiting the arrival of the ferry to take us to Cebu.

It has been a sad morning…

Saying goodbye to all the people at SBSR, both staff and new friends. Making sure that that they don’t see anything on the dives that they do today and that they miss us greatly.

We didn’t sleep well, possibly something to do with the fact that we were too busy having a nice time last night and didn’t do any packing.

We both awoke earlier than usual and we set to with sorting everything out. A hot business! Breakfast was the normal at 7am followed by the long goodbyes. We had to be ready by 8am and at 7.57 Richard still had no clothes on! We made it, followed by more goodbyes.

The transfer, in Bambi’s taxi, bedecked in brown corduroy with scatter cushions, was a relaxing affair. We made it to ferry terminal in plenty of time.

The ferry has arrived, so that is good!

The luggage arrangements on the ferry are much improved. The bags are stacked in the third class section rather than on the back.

We are in our seats 1A and 1B, right at the front of the first class section and a spare seat next to us. Oh yes!!

We have an excellent view of Celine Dion on the telly. Although I appreciate that some may think being in third class would be better than being subjected to the theme from Titanic for the billionth time.

As Celine is was giving her rendition of ‘I drove all night’ I though it might be best to look out the window, greeted by this….

They really don’t like the sun here. They want their skin to be white. There are lots of potions and ointments to make this so. This was the body wash in the apartment.

‘Whitening and refreshing’ sounds more like toothpaste. Obviously, we didn’t use it, didn’t want to come back white.

Oh… We are off… 65 nautical miles to go…

Been going about two hours, we had about 20 minutes of the film John Wick followed by some dreadful film with Mike Tyson and Steven Seagal, The China Salesman. (3.9 out of 10 on IMDB) We have opted for our own entertainment. Me – Harry Potter for the umpteenth time 🤓, Richard – various music, probably from the seventies and possibly prog rock 😵.

Whilst looking out the window I have just seen a manta jump out of the sea! Never seen that before. It does remind me that we saw a swordfish repeatedly jump out of the sea on one of our trips to Little Lembeh (don’t think we put it in the blog).

The ferry was on time and we were collected by Nelson, who was very chatty.

Smooth, so far.

We arrive at the airport early, about four hours before departure.

That is kind of where things ground to a halt.

A queue to go through initial security. We had to join the queue half way to the other wing of the terminal, outside!

Check in was easy.

Queued to pay the terminal fee.

Queued to go through second security.

Queued for passport security.

At last! We are in and it only took about two hours!

In the lounge now. Richard has taken to drink.

The flight to Dubai wasn’t so long as expected. I think I might have had a snooze…

At Dubai Airport now. An hour and fifty minutes between arrival and departure. No problem. At the security entrance to the gate I get waved through leaving Richard to go through with the rest of the plebs!

The flight to Gatwick was uneventful, for us. A couple of people on the floor with their legs in the air whilst sucking on 02.

Ebo was waiting for us when we arrived, as reliable as ever. The taxi ride was filled with Ebo winding Richard up, as usual.

So over 32 hours, door to door. It’s a long way.

We had a wonderful holiday, just trying to work out when we can go back. Is June too early????