Simon Campbell

Well I have done it, I have ordered a Big Yellow Box of Death. I really didn't want to, as the very look of thing fills me with fear, seemingly being constructed out of bits of garden hose and plumbing tackle more akin to bathroom construction than to 'technical' diving. [Ed note: Read again, I changed my mind]

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After 1800 or so dives I have never been to Scapa Flow. Duncan, one of our club members, arranged a trip for June 2008; how could I resist. For the uninitiated, Scapa Flow is a body of water in the Orkney Islands, Scotland sheltered by the islands of Mainland, Graemsay, Burray, South Ronaldsay and Hoy.

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There is nothing quite like 'boldly going where no man has gone before'. Ignoring Start Trek for a moment, people have been doing it for centuries: sailing, climbing, caving, flying and space travel. What gets me off is knowing that you are the first human being to see a new part of the underwater world.

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If an ex Diving Officer of your dive club calls you and says he has a compressor for sale, be careful what you say. It can end up with hours of side splitting fun and of course a lot of hard work... George Wilcox was the Diving Officer of Ribble Valley Sub Aqua Club (RVSAC) years before I joined. He called and said 'Fancy this compressor, its only £150'. In the words of Jarvis Cocker I said 'I'll see what I can do'.

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Well then, the membership of the British Sub Aqua Club have elected me to represent them as a member of the council, but what the hell do you want me to do? I am very flattered that quite a few of you voted for me. Clearly, I will do my level best will deliver the manifesto I published in the election publication but I really want to know what you really want out of the club.

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Benedict XVI (aka Joseph Alois Ratzinger) became Pope on April 19, 2005. Since then hundreds of thousands have died of AIDS in Africa; many more suffer as the disease ravages their bodies. He still tells us contraception is unacceptable. I have been watching this issue for three years and find this totally sickening. Why is the 'civilised world' not acting against this ridiculous policy?

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