SIB Expedition 2003 - Orkney - Page 6

DM · 14 November 2002, 12:58

Quote:

Originally posted by Keith Hart

Okay Matt, so what exactly is 'freediving'?

Keith (gosh I'm ignorant) Hart

Free diving was a term invented by that French geezer, Jacko Costo donkeys years ago. Whilst diving for a TV programme, he forgot to strap his air tanks on. He spent the next twenty minutes finning around on the sea bed going blue in the face rather than look a prat in front of the cameras. When he came up he pretended that it was the plan all along and hey presto, a new sport was invented. This is also where the French expression "Sacre bleu" was coined. Matt will probably dispute this theory but bearing in mind, that his idea of fun is sitting on the bottom of a pool, denying his body of oxygen, and forcing his autonomic responses to behave unnaturally, methinks his blood gases are already distorted causing an irreversible cerebral event.

David(sometimes ignorance really is bliss)Manning.

Charles · 14 November 2002, 13:54

Excellent description Dave, made me giggle. Maybe that's why narked is a bit 'off with the fairies' shall we say - lack of O2 to the brain

narked · 14 November 2002, 13:54

Yeeeeesss David, that's exactly what it is.

Basically Keith, you were snorkelling gear. At the surface, you do your breathe up routine to get your body ready for a lack of oxygen. When ready, you exhale fully, inhale fully, then stay underwater for as long as you can. It's a greay way to explore the underwater world, and amazingly is very peaceful and soothing, even though you are trying to force back the natural urge to breathe. Eventually your diaphram starts to contract, and then it gets uncomfortable, so you surface!

There are a range of disciplines in the sport, but at a basic level, it's an extension of snorkelling to allow you to stay under for longer.

Matt (got some cerebral distortion going on even with the oxygen) Brown

Manos · 14 November 2002, 16:10

BRILLLLLL I'll join you if you don't mind.
Will contact the company too or do you prefer to pass info via the thread??
Please let me know.

Mike Garside · 16 November 2002, 07:35

Quote:

Originally posted by Manos
I'll join you if you don't mind.
Will contact the company too or do you prefer to pass info via the thread??

Delighted if you join in, Manos. The more the merrier. I do suggest you contact Jean Elaine direct to find out more about their op. We can then tie up details when we get a bit closer to it all. Nonetheless, when I get the brochure I'll post an outline idea of how some Scapa Flow diving might fit in with the expedition plan.

Cheers for now...

Keith Hart · 16 November 2002, 21:24

Orkney factoid Another factoid in a series designed to whet the appetite of the intrepid Orkney expeditioneers

During WWI, HMS Hampshire sank off Marwick Head (North Orkney). Hundreds of men were lost and Lord Kitchener (Your Country Needs YOU) who was onboard was also killed. The ship was hit by a German mine. There was controversy at the time because the area should have been swept for mines prior to the battleship leaving. The official documents relating to this incident should have been released many years ago, however successive Home Secretaries have extended the release date by many years. Why? Well you need to speak to any Orcadian to find out.

You see, Kitchener's death was no accident! You will not find the following account in any official history books, but you will be able to talk to people who saw or had relatives that saw what actually happened.

Kitchener was on HMS Hampshire on his way to Russia. He had argued for an end to the war. The Government believed he was going to negotiate an end to the war and the Government did not want this. HMS Hampshire was not hit by a mine, she was sabotaged. She was blown up by a massive bomb inside the ship!

Okay, so what evidence is there?

Well, for a start Kitchener's views are well known and were documented.

There was a massive explosion on HMS Hampshire and the sinking of the boat was heard and seen by locals. There are massive cliffs at Marwick but there are also a couple of beaches used by local fishermen where any survivors could have come ashore. When local people went to the beaches to look for survivors they were confronted by a line of armed servicemen with bayonets fixed. They were not allowed near the beaches. They could see and hear injured sailors attempting to get up the beaches. Locals were threatened with being shot if they attempted to help these poor souls.

This guard was at the beach for several days and only the army were allowed to clear away any bodies. The Orcadians claim that many men were left to die on the beaches that day.

There were NO SURVIVORS form HMS Hampshire left to tell their tale. Not one survivor from all those hundreds of men! There were no survivors because there was no one allowed to survive.

Why did the army do this. Why was no one allowed to survive?

At the time there was uproar in Orkney but no reports were allowed into the national press under the cover of secrecy for the war.

Many years later a German TV crew were on Orkney investigating the loss of the Hampshire. They discovered the wreck and found that at the site of the explosion the ships plates were buckled OUTWARDS. The explosion had occurred inside the ship. They told locals about this. The TV crew were prevented from leaving Orkney by Police and the Army before all of their film and photographs were confiscated. They did recover one of the propellers from HMS Hampshire, and you can see this today at the museum at Lyness on Hoy (one of our planned stopping off points).

Well you may have your doubts, but you talk to any Orkadian. Ask them. See what they think.

Keith Hart · 16 November 2002, 21:36

HMS Hampshire

Keith Hart · 20 November 2002, 07:59

Extract from Admiralty Chart 2581

Tidal Streams:
The Pentland Firth has extremely strong and repidly varying tidal streams, eddies and races which cannot be adequately shown on this chart. Spring rates of 12 knots occur, and extreme rates of 16 knots have been reported. For details, reference must be made to Admiralty Sailing Directions, NP52, and Tidal Stream Atlas NP209.

SIBs across the firth? They must be mad.

If you are thinking of joining the expedition either with a SIB (we know that you have one, but you are too shy to say so) or a RIB, then email me (King of The Bacon Sandwich) on orkney@blackhart.co.uk

Keith (who cares about tidal races, overfalls and whirlpools) Hart

Keith Hart · 22 November 2002, 07:55

The Gloup

Situated on the East Mainland of Orkney, 'The Gloup' is a sea cave where the roof has collapsed. Spectacular from the land, it is even more so from the sea.

'The Gloup' - just another example of the interesting places lined up for 'The Great Orkney SIB Expedition 2003'.

Keith (he who dares goes to Orkney) Hart

Keith Hart · 26 November 2002, 08:38

Orkney Factoid
Another factoid in a series designed to whet the appetite of the intrepid Orkney expeditioneers

Balfour Castle - Shapinsay

Situated on the tranquil island of Shapinsay (to the North of Kirkwall) Balfour Castle is an impressive sight from the land or sea. The tall stone built tower with what appears to be a small house on the top, is in fact a 'douche', built so that the ladies of the house could have a bracing seawater shower!

See it for yourself. Join the expeditioneers of 'The Great Orkney SIB Expedition 2003'.

Keith (you know you want to) Hart

Keith Hart · 26 November 2002, 08:43

Orkney Factoid
Another factoid in a series designed to whet the appetite of the intrepid Orkney expeditioneers

Shapinsay Harbour

The Harbour is modern but you can hunt for a tiny slate-roofed building on the left hand side of the ramp.

Here, before the invention of water closets in the home, the folk of the village came in order to relieve themselves, then to leave in the glad knowledge that the tide would shortly wash away any evidence of them ever having been there! It is quite safe to go inside and have a look at the Victorian style of outdoor plumbing!

Go for yourself!

Keith (what a relief) Hart

Keith Hart · 27 November 2002, 16:42

Orkney - Competition

For thousands of years Orkney was visited by boat or ship, but when was the very first visit to Orkney that man made by air?

Well if you know the answer post it right here. You will need the exact date and time.

The first person with the correct answer will recieve a signed photograph of the SIB world's George Clooney Lookalike (or an alternative cash prize of £1.00).

The answer will be posted here on Saturday, so get your thinking caps on.

Keith (what a fantastic prize) Hart

John Kennett · 27 November 2002, 17:02

3.45pm 30 July 1924

Charles · 27 November 2002, 17:59

Crikey - I would give the WRONG answer so as NOT to receive this partcicular prize

John Kennett · 27 November 2002, 18:09

But I'm after the big ca$h alternative!

thewavehumper · 27 November 2002, 23:41

I can understan that JK

Keith Hart · 28 November 2002, 07:52

Never mind the insults, have a go at the competition. Remember you only have until Saturday.

The question is: What is the date and time of the first arrival of men by AIR to Orkney?

Keith (I thought everyone would want my picture) Hart

batfalcon · 28 November 2002, 09:28

Wrong thought.

First arrival 27 September, 1967 16:45

by hot air baloon

Where is this place any way ?

Keith Hart · 28 November 2002, 10:22

Quote:

Where is this place any way ?

Read the thread Michael.

But here is a clue: Orkney is off the North East point of Scotland.

Here is another clue as to the location: http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.c...ut.x=9&out.y=6

So then, back to the original question.............

Keith (just think of the fantastic prize) Hart

Keith Hart · 28 November 2002, 16:10

Orkney Harbours

Hi folks (especially Brian)

Take a look at the Orkney sailing Club website. Click on the 'Aerial Views' and you get a map with the harbours of Orkney marked. Just click on the harbour for an aerial view. Great facility. Well done the Sailing Club.

http://www.orkneysailingclub.co.uk/

Keith (don't forget the competition) Hart