ouch

Spoke to both JCJ and The Chad on the way home from work last night and we had agreed to do a phone around at 9:30-10:00 this morning and arrange to go for a dive. That gave me time beforehand to head out with Rumpole and attempt to wear him out so he'd not fret when left home alone. I think I failed. We walked through the gully to Tunks park where he ran off of the lead for a while and then we went to the harbour shore so if he felt like it he could have a swim. Feel like it he did, and after his last swim, the first tentative paddles, this one was more of a hurl himself in. I threw a stick into the water as encouragement that was not needed, he ignored it and swam out to a small log that he proceeded to drag ashore for me to throw back in several times. Rumpole is, it seems, aqua dog.

We took the road back so I could get a very average coffee, but a coffee nonetheless. Rumpole, far from worn out, was full of energy and when we got home he was bouncing off the walls. Hmm. Not long after and before I'd had a chance to grab some breakfast I had a call from JCJ who had heard that the promised strong southerly winds we were expecting this afternoon were on their way and we should head out earlier rather than later. I threw the dive gear in the car, called The Chad and we arranged to meet at Fairy Bower, a spot protected from the southerly wind, at 10:00. And with that, you can head over to my divelog to see how it turned out.

So if you read my divelog you'll realise the ouch title refers to my top lip and wrists, some of the only exposed skin I have while diving, and the bits that got stung by blue bottle tentacles - or rather the nematocysts on them. I didn't get the searing pain and welts that make the papers every so often so figure I got off lightly. Still a bit of a sting a couple of hours later though, but now, probably 5hours after there is no sting but I do have a small welt across my right wrist. Welcome to Australia.

The dived dived we headed back to Wharfies in Mosman to meet Susan, Mrs CJ, and have a long overdue breakfast. I took the opportunity to have my second below-par cappucino of the day, but the pancakes were good, as was the company and JCJ's comedy antics, today mainly aimed at The Chad for being American. All good natured stuff, and the highpoint was when the proprieter joined in...Chad had a burger and asked, once it was in front of him, if he could have some cheese with it..."the American wants some cheese" she shouted, to everyone's amusement.

And now we're up to date; I came home, leaving the other to go off and exercise their democratic right to vote in the state elections. Actually a duty; you don't vote you get fined. So now to chill as the prmised southerly looks like it is getting here.