Its always sad to write the very final blog for a Dive Rutland trip, but it is never long to the next one even if it is not in the sun or warm water!

I would like to thank the Blue o Two team on board the M/Y Blue Fin during our trip, from the Guides, saloon staff, deck crew, chefs (lovely pastries!), engineer... When we asked for a crew name list so we could thank them all by name, we were told to thank Mohamed as that would cover everyone!

Then there is the Dive Rutland club members who were on the trip for great company and some serious entertainment during the week.  As with everything "What goes on tour, stays on tour" but thought I would share some potential anecdotes that you could ask about and see if information is forthcoming!

During the week a couple of the team decided to go with their 3mm wetsuits but take the Fourth Element Thermocline with them... Tracey took the vest and Bridget the Thermocline leggings and Zipped Long sleeved top, just on the off chance it was chilly.  Both are glad they did.

Fourth Elements Thermocline provides the equivalent of a 2mm neoprene wetsuit (but its not neoprene!) and can be worn on its own or under another suit to increase your warmth.  It is lightweight, machine washable and is perfect for those allergic to neoprene or just to increase the warmth of an existing wetsuit, we throughly recommend and the 2018 range is fully OceanPositive.

Another great Dive Rutland trip, next one is Weymouth in May and spaces are still available.

A Sad Day..... its the last day of diving before returning this afternoon into Hurghada and getting off the boat tomorrow (Friday) and starting the journey home.

Started well though... we had stayed moored overnight at Dolphin reef and the dolphins were out playing on the surface during breakfast.  Dive Rutland crew were allocated first group, so kitted up and off we went.. camera's set... would we see dolphins (after all we did have Rachel with us and its a well known fact, they are never in the same place as her!

We could hear the clicking almost immediately, question was "Would we see them" and the answer YES we would... would Rachel.... YES she would....

Other things seen as well, big and small... 

After this dive we moved closer to Hurghada and dived the El Mina.  Which by far had the biggest Moray of the week on it... 

Then back into port via the filling station.  Diving done...

What a difference a day makes... the sun came up... and its the day of love (Valentine's day).
Congratulations to Mark for bringing Gill a Valentines card and Kat for putting one into Rick's bag.  
The day started early as the boat moved from its safe overnight mooring onto the Thistlegorm mooring prior to our 'wake-up call'

Day started with two dives on the Thistlegorm, unguided for us.  So we started with the propellers and then over the blast site where the bomb had landed and then general good look around the anti-aircraft and rear gun.  Followed by the bridge area, past the coal tender, tank wagon and then a swim through the bow area.

Dive two, for some of us, was a full penetration completing the lower deck and upper decks, 

On completion of the second dive, we moved to the Giannis D

And the night dive after moving from the Giannis D was at Sha-ab-el-erg and Dolphin Reef

Oh, What a night!!!!, when the boat rocks noone sleeps.  Yes it was truly that rough, and with the boat on the move all night continuing on our journey North, no sleep had by anyone last night.  But we all learnt to wedge ourselves in our beds so as not to fall out...
 
Three dives today - starting with a dive at Jackfish Alley, a gentle bimble along the reef after a little swim through from 6metres to 9metres.

​Followed by a dive on the Dunraven and the reef behind it 

The last dive of the day was on the Shaab Mahmoud, Beacon Rock reef which the Day boat Frazier crashed on and sank back in 2009.
 
So today we have seen Giant Moray eels, lionfish, blue spotted ray, a couple of nudibranchs, parrotfish, a very large napoleon wrasse, glassfish and much more.
 
It should be said though the reef behind the Dunraven is not as alive as it was a few years ago, quite sad really.
 

After diving yesterday, we moved the short hop over to Big Brother Island and moored overnight.  So with the theme of a liveaboard being getup early, eat snack, dive, eat breakfast, dive, eat lunch, dive, eat afternoon tea, dive, eat dinner.  we started early - but only part of the group made it.
 
First dive started with a zodiac ride to the ridge on the south end (boat moored at the North end)…we were met by a moray eel as we descended… first part of the dive was a little bland and lots of rubbish.  Did see lionfish, clownfish, and stonefish, best part of the dive was towards the end after we passed the metal jetty on the way back to the bat.

Dive two was our first wreck of the trip the Namida so a brief penetration into the boiler room followed by a swim – current assisted towards the Aida engine (which Rachel did not see!– just tell me how you miss that!).  Reef here prettier than the morning dive.

​Due to potential bad weather we voted to start the journey back north and break for a third dive as a night dive – Middle reef at Sharm el-Naga
 
The key message on this dive was move slowly and you see some amazing things.  An octopus, which was really fascinating to watch as it moved and changed colour to match its environment.  Large Moray eel out hunting, sea feathers, spiders, boxfish, blue spotted ray and lionfish…

​Now the boat continues to move north

Early start with 6am wakeup call, followed by three dives over the day…
 
Lots seen over the day – first dive was about the gorgonian fans at 30m and some very ‘nice’ jelly fish met us on the surface.

​Second dive was done via the Zodiac boat and throughout most of the dive we were escorted by cornetfish, who kept using us as cover for hunting.  They got a little annoying as every time you turned around you had an eye looking at you…

​Third dive was a gentle dive along the reef to the west of Little Brother, lots of life and corals… 

​Lesson of the day: Check your equipment before you dive and during the dive as when it is needed it might not be there – or better still use the right type of clip for the job!