The World through our Lenses

After meeting James Adam, Sean and I attended the Henry’s photographic show in TO sunday. After stuffing ourselves at the Lonestar we headed off to Cherry street for some photos.

Adam, Chris and I spent Monday diving the Munson then the Comet.

Adam and I went to see the sight after he spotted it earlier on.

So the sun was shining and the gang decided to head to the Rothesay for a fun dive, when we got there we got greeted with the news that a body was being pulled from the waters in Rockport. Upon further checking it was not a diver.

The dive was not to bad for sighting fish, Pickerel, bass and carp were abundent and lots of green snot as well. 30 mins and a wet hand ended the dive and back to shore we went.

Today seven of us planned to go diving after all the bailing was done 4 of us headed out to concur the might Gaskin Traverse. The water was cold and at first with initial reports of 100 feet of vis reported we figured a treat was to be had. After reaching the dive ontario warning sign we soon got into alga snot for lack of a better term. Big honking loads of it then the current hit.

We made it to the wreck and again surprise hit me as it’s been 2 years since my last dive on her and it was so disheartening to see the state of dismay she lay in. Anyone that is planning a trip off a boat in the river should ask for a different designation as the gaskin now needs to R.I.P.

More pics of the dive here.

In Kingston anyway, for the last week it’s been well over zero with today hitting 12 around one. It’s been busy all week and unfortunately a friend of mine lost his father as well. They went with a reception which I attended with little problems till it got noisy but I made it through for 1 1/2 hours.

Today Adam, Sean and I went out on a photo hunt after the daily workout and We found this little gem above and here is a description.

The Riley RM Series was the last automobile series developed independently by Riley. RM vehicles were produced from 1945, after WorldThe Riley RM Series was the last automobile series developed independently by Riley. RM vehicles were produced from 1945, after World War II, through the 1952 merger of the Riley’s Nuffield Organisation with Austin to form BMC. They were originally made in Coventry but in 1949 production moved to the MG works at Abingdon.
There were three types of RM vehicles produced: The RMA was a large saloon, and was replaced by the RME. The RMB was an even larger car, and was replaced by the RMF. The RMC and RMD were limited-production roadsters.
All of the RM vehicles featured the pre-war Riley designed 1.5 L (1496 cc) 12 hp (RAC Rating) or 16 hp (RAC Rating) 2.5 L “Big Four” straight-4 engines with twin camshafts mounted high at the sides of the cylinder block and hemispherical combustion chambers.War II, through the 1952 merger of the Riley’s Nuffield Organisation with Austin to form BMC. They were originally made in Coventry but in 1949 production moved to the MG works at Abingdon.
There were three types of RM vehicles produced: The RMA was a large saloon, and was replaced by the RME. The RMB was an even larger car, and was replaced by the RMF. The RMC and RMD were limited-production roadsters.
All of the RM vehicles featured the pre-war Riley designed 1.5 L (1496 cc) 12 hp (RAC Rating) or 16 hp (RAC Rating) 2.5 L “Big Four” straight-4 engines with twin camshafts mounted high at the sides of the cylinder block and hemispherical combustion chambers.

Tomorrow Diving finally

It’s been kinda different lately, as I have had 2 colds and now am battling gout for the first time in 18 months so no gym or fun stuff, till today when Adam took me out for a photo shoot.

So we stopped off at an old abandoned car wreckers and spent some serious time taking photos, then off to the locks and finally into town to see if they moved the Alexander Henry yet. then off of to the Dr for my latest test results.

The day went well other then the pain from the gout but as we get closer to spring the more I will be out.

So for the second time in a week, a magazine has contacted me for photos for up coming shoots. This one being the Inland Seas a boat watchers magazine. At first I thought it was for a freighter shot or so then to my surprise, Mr Palmer was doing a historical piece on the Olive Branch.

KEY STATS:
Ship Type: Schooner
Lifespan: Built 1871, Sunk 1880
Length: 92ft
Depths: 100ft
Location: Main Duck Island, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
GPS N43 55.906 W76 44.269

The Olive Branch was built by W Redmond of Picton Ontario, in 1871. Enroute to Portsmouth (Kingston) in 1880 with a load of coal the Olive Branch was caught in a storm and capsized drowning all five of her crew members. Located in 1888 efforts to raise her were abandoned and she was forgotten about till 1961, when Willis Metcalfe & Guenter Wernthaler relocated her.

I ventured outside today tending on visiting Adam but a flash flood on the 401 caught my attention so took some photos which got featured on the nightly news tonight.

Once upon a time everyone that dove Kingston made a dive at the marine Museum. Before I stopped logging dives I had over 300 dives there. Bottle hunting got some good ones, training dives, checkout dives, ice dive, I learned how to scooter properly there, and even test ran almost every piece of gear I owned there.

New Years day dives netted 30 people and pizza and Hot Chocolate afterwards. We ran lines to the wreck, and naval anchors. One Year friends of mine raised an anchor and placed it into a car and thats when it all started to unfold. The community fell apart and went 5 different ways to sunday and now hardly anyone dives at the Marine Museum anymore. Now No one will see the ghastly appearance in March under a little of ice and all the chains hanging down from the boat markers, the big carp and pike that cruise the dock for easy pickings. And the easy in and out for those with handicaps. Tonight they drain her for the last time and the Alexander henry will be no longer in water and dry-docked.

Progress I guess, I will still have memories of diving under the ice for the first time, finding a rum jug, friends finding swords, rifles and many many bottles. Hopefully they will do something about shore access as for at least 5 years its been fenced off and only those illegally dumping garbage use the site. But there’s other sites to use and enjoy I guess and they will have to do. I will also look forward to the finish product and be one of those guys that say “remember when”

So today reaffirmed the belief that being a Canadian is a good thing even if we don’t toot our own horns. Andre and I headed to Ottawa yesterday shot some pics at night and then off to Montana’s for a steak dinner and a beer afterwards. In the morning we headed to the pickup spot which is in front of the Terry fox statue in front of Parliament.

Andre with a smile that was from ear to ear was runner 7 and number one was a injured vet whom had brought the MP that saved his life from overseas. He talked about the incident that took his leg, being a proud solider and a fellow Canadian. Even some tourist at 5 am snuggled up to him for some pics.

I waited for Andre at the second last checkpoint and watched to poor number 8 who was a model for the campaign and the school kids gathered for photo ops and question periods. Andre then treated me to Dunns for breakfast and we headed home.

Tonight the flame came to Kingston and the town was out in force celebrating it’s arrival. From the dance studio to Queen’s cheer squad everyone had the spirit. Even the native with the smudge pot burning some weed. So like I said another great day to be Canadian.

Time for the meds and some quiet time Good NIght.

Photos from Ottawa Here

Kingston will be here.

Well after a month of training divers it just doesn’t seem to stop with 2 more OW courses, an Nitrox, AOW and rescue course all to be done by the end of Oct I guess I will be in the water more then I expected. I have already surpassed 200 dives this year and still counting.

This weekend due to winds we finished off in the quarry and ran drills for the AOW students, Search and recovery, Navigation and Peak Performance Buoyancy and 15 OW students from around town this week is enough for me to take a break, thanks to JJ whom came from out of town to assist me a few times in the last couple of weeks.

Photos from the Quarry here.