Anstey's Cove

A gloomy morning, and not really ideal, but it was the weekend and I really wanted to swim. It was overcast and there was a light southerly breeze - the stronger winds of the preceeding days dying away. Down at Anstey's it looked ok and I phoned Jon and he drove over. We had a short swim, exploring the sides of cove, but we didn't see very much; visibility was moderate and in places quite poor. It was still quite cold and Jon wore two 3mm suits - and getting ready he enjoyed telling me I'd freeze. I knew it would be uncomfortable with the cold water flushing through my the open neck of the FJ I wore, and it was. Jon had had enough after 30 minutes or so and got out. I later went past Redgate Beach and rocks; and the visibility improved slightly after high tide. Some animals here and there: a few spider crabs, glimpse of a small dogfish, orange fish - young wrasse I suppose and lots of A. Digitarum (Deadmen's fingers) on a south facing rock overhang on the way to Long Quarry Point. Wracks and slimy stringweed abundant, and some Irish moss. This was my first time using proper scuba fins (Mares X3), and I experimented with weights finally settling for 2kg. Ah yes,. I had to be careful to avoid cramp, and my ankles - achillies tendon - really hurt from being stretched.