Farnes Trip 17-18th Aug 2024

It was lovely to arrive at Farne Lodge with swallows flying in to feed their young ones in their nests in the eaves, after our long journey to Beadnell. The rooms are clean and comfortable and Leigh served us large breakfasts even though we had early starts.

Saturday morning it was ropes off at 9 sharp. We got a bit of a shock when we found that there were 34 divers on the boat Glad Tidings, but after we all managed to get our kit set up we set off to the islands. A calm trip out to Longstone lighthouse, where we had a very pretty first dive with Sunstars, sea urchins, plumose anemones and numerous lobsters, squat lobsters, velvet swimming crabs, hermit crabs and edible crabs.

After a hot drink and cake we were able to stretch our legs at Longstone Lighthouse before heading to Popper Rock. There had been lots of seals near the lighthouse, but few came to play on our dive. We saw one asleep in a crack. There were lobsters and crabs and wrasse.

On Sunday the boat was less crowded so more relaxed kitting up. The first dive was very shallow with loads of kelp, but unfortunately few seal encounters until we ended our dive and a seal came and showed off its tumbling skills whilst we waited for the boat,

Our last dive was the wreck of St Andre. The buoy rope led us straight to the huge boiler covered with dead men’s fingers and sea urchins. There were a lot of playful wrasse that followed us on this dive as well as lobsters and crabs in crannies. Shoals of silvery fish swam past – a very enjoyable last dive.

Another enjoyable trip with Mid Herts - Thanks to Howard for organising it and fellow divers who all helped each other and made it fun.