It's been a long road to get to where we are with the website, and there's still more to be done. But I though you might like to hear a little about how the site got to be where it is now.

London Scuba has had a company website for a number of years now but back last year a group of us started to build a London Scuba Club website. The idea was that it would provide a central point for all of the members of the club to share ideas, socialise and see what was available. It proved to be a big hit with the members but only really reached those people active it in the club.

Earlier this year I started talking to Ian about linking the club website into the main site and adding new features for all users of London Scuba. From there this idea of this site was born. Several months of planning and hard work from a number of people including Ian, Steve, Simon and Fraser and here we are.

We now have an active forum and blogging platform, and our new and shinny Divebook social networking system so we can keep up to date with what's happening in and around the dive centre. Please do make use of these systems, whether your a long term member of the club or a new diver just starting out, update your profile, add a picture and let us know what you think.

We are kee to add new ideas and make this site even better. We know there are a few bugs, which we are working hard to correct over the next week, but if you spot anything please do let us know.

Safe diving and keep helping us to make this site even better :-)

Hi All,

I'm sure one of the other guys will post a detailed report on the club trip up to chepstow, so I though rather than repeat that I would cover (slightly tongue in cheek) what we learned on our trip away!

• If you call a two day trip away a holiday enough - it will actually feel like a holiday.
• The number of people to actualy come on a dive trip can be calcualted by:
  Number of people who said they will come - People who suddenly have to work one day + Last minute extras = Number of Divers (this number will always be one less than the number of beds booked at the hotel).
• It is possible to get 3 divers + all tanks, weights and kit inside one Vauxhal Astra and get from Lingfield to Wales and back on one tank of fuel.
• Fraser appears to develop automotive torrets at about 35mph - this is funny for 5 miles and then irritating for then next 290 miles.
• When a hotel is billed as a 3 Star, it will not have hair dryers, conditioner, free stuff - please remember to take your own or ask your room mate. It's not possible to have a shower using the hand wash!!
• Gordon Ramsey does not work at Weatherspoons! However there will be a lot of food, it will be cheap and the company will be great.
• Ken can safely be assumed to be turning up 3 hours after whatever time he has said he will - don't wait for him before ordering dinner.
• Do not take Fraser out for a curry the night before you are planning to stay in a hotel with him!
• Chepstow Dive Lake has to be one of the best inland dive sites in the UK.
• The staff are very understanding and helpful when divers surface demanding lifts, air fills and coffee - not always in that order.
• The battery on any camera will give up 1 second after you have lined up the best fish photo of your life, and 1 second before you actually pressed the shutter.
• Lindsey is a highly competent dive professional - until tanks and weights have to be moved - when she becomes all girly and gets the men to do it.
• UK diving can look like the Med with a little sun and a lot of imagination.
• Audi should only make one car, with one set of options and in one colour - this would save a great deal of argument on road trips. Whatever car they make will not be suitable for diving - LIVE WITH IT!! (this is a bit of an in joke - as Fraser / Lindsey to explain - Kieran now develops a nervous twitch whenever an Audi is seen or mentioned)
• Car sharing is a great idea - it's good for the environment, makes up for your own cars inability to carry anything bigger than a snorkle and a great way to learn all about your co-passengers hopes / dreams / sexual preferences!!
• Fraser can safely be relied on to offer to share the driving 2 seconds after you have pulled out of a garage / service station where there is no possibility of switching drivers for 60 miles.
• It is possible to eat pizza at 70mph while driving, but only where your passenger is willing to act as the air hostess and service it on a tray made from the box lid.
• It is not possible to stop your passengers dropping it all over your car!
• The fuel gauge failing on the homeward leg of the journey will cause panic in your passengers who suddenly have visions of spending the night on the M25 in the rain.

I'm sure my fellow divers will add comments about this, but before they do:

• Fraser, Lindsey, Simon G and Ken are some of the best guys ever to go diving with, really do make two days feel like a holiday and you are garunteed to love every minute of the trip. Thank you to all four of them for amking it such a great few days.

Safe diving

Kieran