We’ve had an overwhelmingly positive
response from the May newsletter, which is always good, as it was slightly
different to the previous ones. With all
of you crawling out of the woodwork, I was surprised to see we actually have a
readership of more than 5. How much more I am not at liberty to say or in a
condition to hope for.
To be honest, there were negative
responses as well. Exactly two.
Obviously the definition of “sense of humour” and “tongue in cheek” is a very
subjective one to some.
Just to clarify, I was the
unscrupulous author of that newsletter, not Matthew, so he is not to blame. I
am of course talking - or should I say writing - to the 2 of you who didn’t
like it. I actually don’t know why I am writing this, as after your last unpleasant
experience, you won’t even begin to read the newsletter. If you are reading this sentence right now,
then you can colour me confused. What colour that would be, is up to you.
One thing I do realize is that our
one overseas reader – yes I am making a huge assumption that the official
reader count is now 6 – might not understand some of the South African humour,
and for that I have no answer.
Ok, real-time issues: What a wasted
month for the diving industry on the Shoal. Never has so many lost out on so
much in such a short time. No, no rip off from Winston Churchill.
The whole of Umkomaas was like a ghost town.
Not saying there are ghosts here, although some of the local residents are far
advanced enough in years to qualify. And buildings too, for that matter. But I
digress. Those of you that managed to
rip yourselves away from your desks will agree.
Not that I am digressing, but about the conditions. Probably one of the
best months in years as far as conditions went. We’ve had two weeks straight of
no wind (at writing of this, going on week three), flat, glassy sea, and at
least 15-20m visibility. Current on a couple of days mid month a bit strong,
but mostly light and made for great diving. Temperature still high for this
time of year, 22-24 degrees Celsius.
Not boding too well for the Sardine
Run at this stage. They need colder water. Which begs the question: Why on
earth do they call it the Sardine ‘Run’? How do you run if you have no legs
(excluding the recent news headliner athlete off course) AND how do you run on
water?? Bit of a silly name for it. Sardine Swim surely sounds better. Wow, all
that alliteration in one sentence would have made my English teacher proud.
Pity its 30 years too late. And she said I’ll never get it right.. pfft. I guess we should then call the upcoming
Comrades marathon this weekend a “Human Run” to keep it uniform. Sounds like
Cuban Rum. Wow, I can talk nonsense.
You can tell my train of thought
hasn’t left the station. I feel like I have to tell you something of importance
but it is not happening. Maybe next month I’ll remember. Maybe I’m part of the
Umkomaas Ghosts already. Residents, not buildings.
Enjoy our Oceans!
-Basie
