Nothing worth having is ever easy to achieve...

With the delightful Hannah and the ever patient Simon I began my AIDA **** course.

The 4 star theory came naturally with my diving background, as did the technical sections of the diving; 4 x 20m on 2min recovery, just a matter of letting buoyancy do it's work on the ascent and stave off the lactic acid. The rescue from 20m was a challenge but do-able, and the 20m return with one fin just a scream - literally a scream! 20m no mask return was, in contrast, bliss and I really feel it's the way I want to dive - nose clip out I think from now on. 15m rescue with 1 fin was a serious technique challenge but I got through it........... but then comes the depth, distance and time and the battle against myself begins.

Discipline Current PB's AIDA ****

Constant Weight 28.7m 32m

Dynamic 55m 70m

Static 3 min 12 sec 3 min 30 sec

They look close don't they, and as Simon (my fabulous instructor) will tell you, they are! The only thing in the way is my ability to convince my body to ignore the carbon dioxide alarm that gives me contractions in my diaphragm and throat and remember that there's plenty of oxygen in my system and I don't need to breathe.

We are in the water again tomorrow, so I'm on best behavior tonight, no cocktails in Yalla bar – might save me from bashing my head like last week too – that's another story though. A good nights sleep and some yoga in preparation for the new PB's I know I can make mine. Keep you posted.