Diving, diving and more diving.

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We've finally passed our fish identification test and our size estimations (someone cheated on the one fish that Anjay promised to buy a beer if anyone guessed it correctly - naming no names . Anjay, if you're reading this - 1. Sorry from Steve and 2. Sorry I've spelt your name wrong).

So, at last we are fully trained to gather data on coral reefs and it's inhabitants (well some of them). We had our first practice survey today and it felt great to bring all the information together finally. The diving has been fabulous in so many ways, but now there's some purpose to it which makes it all the more enjoyable.

Our daily routine goes a bit like this;

6am - up and walk to the office/dive centre
7am - get our kit together
7.30am - off on our little boat ‘Octopussy’ for a couple of dives
11.30am - lunch
2pm - back on Octopussy for another dive
3.30pm - office for debrief/fish revision/further instructions
6pm - walk home via a bar
8.30pm - bed

It’s absolutely exhausting but thoroughly enjoyable. I had the typical Monday morning grump this week, but as soon as I stepped off the boat in to the water it melted away. I wonder if there’s any possibility of having a zip wire installed at home to take me to work and a sea to scuba home in. Shouldn’t be too difficult to arrange.

We’re planning a trip to a Cay this weekend that is totally deserted. Hopefully we’ll get one with a house so we can stay the night.

The rest of the apartment is asleep so I’d better too. 6 am starts are hard no matter what country you’re in!

Love and tings

S&S xxxx

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Photos

A transect line.
We did our first transect today. Two people travel side by side above the tape doing the fish suvery, whilst one does the benthic and one the urchin.

Steve and his diving torch.
Thanks Dave and Victoria. Torch came in useful for the night dive!

Midnight Parrotfish.
Very cool and very large.

Blue Tang
Excellent name and very apt.

Comments

[M&D]

Wow fantastic blog - what a treat to wake up to. Loved all the photos and so good to see the fish and coral - beautiful. Thanks for the underwater message too. Lovely to talk to you last night - keep happy and safe. xxxx

[Sheryl and Steve]

Thanks
What a lovely message xxxxxx

[Lesley]

Incredible fish
Most impressed by your fish photos - are you thinking of a new career? Now that John is no longer tied to the office please let us know when is a good time to try to talk to you. You both look fantastic too, the life must suit you!

[Sheryl and Steve]

Can't get enough
Loving the diving, learning more about the marine environment just makes it better. I only get one good photo for every five I take, but some days the fish behave

[Michael Day]

Diving and more diving
Brilliant undewater photos Sheryl. The reef and fish look beautiful. You pack a lot itto your day! Love Mike

[Sheryl and Steve]

Hi Mike
Thanks for the message. We cetainly do fit a lot in the day, although we are generally in bed by 9 which helps. Hope all is well with you and Maggie. Love to you both. xxx