Rainy Day #2

Notice the oblique reference to Bob Dylan there!

 

It has rained and rained and rained and rained since lunchtime.  I was sitting in the Kebab House on Targo Street when it started, eating a falafel roll (falafel in flatbread).  I was facing the door and pointed out the rain to the two Daniels.  Israeli Daniel shrugged (as he does) and said, 'It'll stop soon.'  This was the cue for the rain to get heavier.

 

We did our first two open water dives this morning - in the Burnett River.  We were at Bundaberg Aqua Scuba at 8 a.m as instructed and drove out to the coast at Elliot Heads first to check out the ocean conditions.  The boss, Julian, was with us today, as well as our tutors from yesterday, Roger and Daniel (an enormous blond-haired guy who turns out to be only 18!).  There was also another young guy called Matt, who is I think doing some advanced training.  At Elliot Heads Julian, Roger and Daniel got out of the van, followed by Bartek and Matt, then us.  the seasoned divers looked at the waves and muttered a while, shaking their heads.  'We can't go out there today,' said Julian, 'Not unless you want to die.'  The surf was high and the wind speeds are up causing a lot of current too.  So we drove back to the Burnett River, kitted up and got in (I had to squeeze into my suit with the arse hanging out again, but at least they'd given me a BCD that actually stayed inflated today - which was reassuring.)  I hated it at first and panicked - it was salt water and visibility is very poor.  I stuck my head in and immediately felt like my mask was filling up so took my head back out again.  I had one f those "I've changed my mind moments.'  Is it only me that has these, or do most people just keep quiet about them?  Actually, I had several of these - put my head in and pulled it back out again about 3 times.  Eventually, Julian grabbed my hand.  We had to all hang on to each other anyway. For about 12-18" you could make out some detail.  Over a metre (maybe less) there was nothing visible at all - not even a vague outline.

 

I had a thought a while ago that I'm glad I didn't have before the dives: I hope there aren't any salties (crocs) in the Burnett River!

 

I had an email from Tracey Addy today.  She remarked that those climbing lessons I had years ago when we worked together in Kirklees must have come in handy (referring to the Harbour Bridge photos).  this reminded me of a past "I've changed my mind moment.  Tracey and I had been doing a climbing course in Huddersfield, mainly n the climbing wall.  Then the instructor took us down to Derbyshire for the day.  We roped up and were going to do an abseil down a rock face.  I was first.  Then I changed my mind.  But the tutor tried to grapple with me and drag me backwards over the edge roped to him, as I dug my heels in and protested.  He succeeded in the end. I ended up going down that face practically sitting on his knee. Later he remarked that it usually worked with kids - that once he'd got them over he edge they were fine. 

 

I was never a good climber - not agile or confident enough, but it did give me some skills and get rid of some fears. 

 

It's still raining outside.  I went and bought an umbrella on the way here.  I've got a kagoule, but with that all the water runs of it and the lower half of my body is quickly soaked through.

 

Yesterday was just showery, although it had rained heavily in the early hours of yesterday (Tuesday) morning - so heavily that it woke me. I asked Daniel W (German)yesterday 'Did you hear the rain in the middle of the night?'  Then quickly realised that this was a silly question - he's sleeping in an estate car borrowed from his friend in Brisbane.  The Israelis are sleeping in a tent. 

 

I had a siesta again this afternoon from 1.15 to about 2.00 p.m. I was woken by the  ringing of my phone, just before the alarm was due to go off.  It was Roger from Bundaberg Aqua Scuba to tell me that it had been agreed with the others that they would do their other open water dives (2 more needed for the course) on Saturday as the weather should be better then.  We had discussed this possibility this morning.  I said that was alright with me.  Apparently the others may go up to Agnes Water/Town of 1770 - about 100km up the coast - for a couple of days.  I had thought of going on there anyway.  Roger will give them my mobile number so we can work something out.

 

I want to go to Mon Repos beach while I'm here, to see the turtles hatching.

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