Page 71 - Wish Stream Year of 2017

provided quality instruction throughout. This was probably our best day of the whole week.
Day 6 (Friday)
Friday morning was our last period of formal instruction. Unfortunately, the weather had closed in somewhat and the snow was poorer than it had been for the rest of the week, mak- ing our descents more challenging and a few more falls from a few people. However, on the brighter side, the group have now all attained their SF1 qualification with the afternoon spent free skiing under the indirect supervision of SSgt Doyle. This was to be our last day on the slopes before heading back to the UK at midnight in the minibus – a long journey but worth it. Overall, the week has been thoroughly enjoyed by everyone in the group and will hopefully lead us all to start- ing SF2 at another date.
Day 7 (Saturday)
Saturday started for us all at 2330hrs for the long drive back to the UK, which everyone agreed was the highlight of the trip. The climax came in the form of a certain OCdt Barry scraping the side of the combi van on an unfortunate couple’s car at Calais; crisis was luckily avoided with swift paperwork and exchanging of details before get- ting on the Channel Tunnel, just in time to get us back to RMAS at a reasonable hour. We were all grateful for this as no one wanted to be delayed even further, with snow already having caused travel chaos across much of Britain, the night before Christmas Eve. Fortunately, we were back by 1600hrs in otherwise good order, and everyone was able to make a relatively prompt getaway just in time for Christmas and a well- deserved leave.
Exercise TIDAL DRIFT CADET Cyprus 16-22 December 2017
The group headed out to conduct sub-aqua diving in Cyprus on 16 December after a busy and eventful Intermediate Term. The morning of Day 1 consisted of fun educational videos at Kembali Dive Centre to introduce us to the course and the kit we would be using. OCdt Parkinson, having already obtained the PADI Open Water qualification, headed straight into the water for a refresher dive to evaluate what he could remember or more likely what he had for- gotten! That afternoon the beginners headed to the pool to learn the basic skills and drills needed before heading into open water, including a sur- prise swim test thrown in for good measure.
On Day 2 the group were let loose in the open water for a recap of the drills practiced in the pool. The main group found themselves down a member with OCdt Strawbridge staying at the accommodation battling flu. OCdt Parkinson proved himself worthy of his fins during his first dive so visited Paphos to dive some rock pools where he made friends with a turtle and some of Cyprus’ more exotic sea life. The afternoon dive for the main group was an exploration away
OCdt Thompson
from the shore to observe the wrecks of a fire engine and helicopter. Everyone survived their first encounter with the deadly lionfish just long enough to take a team photo.
Day 3 and the team were back to full strength. The main group had their first trip away from the centre to dive a site near Ayia Napa involving tun- nels and blowholes (a highlight for many). OCdt
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