Undeterred by the less than favourable bank holiday weekend weather forecast, seventeen of us set off on the clubs 4th UK dive trip of 2007.

Clearly the drive to the Farne Islands on Friday night did not dampen spirits as we all duly arrived at the harbour Sat 8am prompt. Some a little worse for wear it has to be said but then Friday had been a long day.

Infact it had been a long week!!

Saturday morning dawned sunny and calm. The slip at Seahouses was a tad hectic as Beadnall launch site had been closed due to underuse. Despite being 4th in the queue to launch the ribs we were quickly in and heading out to the outer Farnes. Flocks of Turns, Guillimots, Puffins and Cormorants escorted us out to the Longstone in style where we were received by the ever inquisitive and playful seals peeping above the surface of the water awaiting our arrival.

The first dive of the weekend on the Longstone was a first in other ways too. For one of our members it was his first sea dive and for another the first time taking in a trainee diver, so well done to both of them. The second dive of the day - Whirl Rocks - certainly lived up to its name.

Notorious for its rapid increase in current within half an hour after slack water, it made for an exciting dive!! The somewhat calmer location of the Yew Glen brought our first day to a close.

Rain and dark clouds on Sunday morning gave way to brighter breezier weather. Numbers were down a little for Big Harcar and the return to harbour in a force four further reduced numbers for the second dive out to a sheltered location on the Inner Farnes. Unfortunately over night the wind continued to build so with that the slip was closed on Monday and we headed back home.

Altogether a brilliant weekend. Visibility on Saturday was between 6 and 9m and the water temperature a balmy 9 degrees so a most marvellous time was had by all.

Report by Annie Frankum