I’d like to publish the next newsletter in the next 2-3 weeks, in time for Pride London.

At present, I have a few articles for it, but I’d like some more, so if you’ve been on a diving trip recently (with or without GLUG), please write a few lines about it, and send them to me. Photos are also very welcome. You can email me by clicking on my name at the top of this post (you need to log in first).

Deadline for submissions is 15th June.

You may remember that last year I posted an invitation from a guy called Richard Lear, who was organising a Gay Dive trip to Saba (in the Netherlands Antilles, in the Caribbean). Well, the trip was so successful, he’s organising another one for 2006.

You can find more details on his website.

London Frontrunners are pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2nd London Pride Run on 25th June 2005 in Brockwell Park at 11:00 in the morning.

The first ever London Pride Run last at year in Victoria Park was extremely successful with over 430 registrations. We were able to raise £1,500 for Crusaid, which will again be our nominated charity, looking after people with HIV/AIDS.

“This year’s 10k run will be even Bigger and Better” says Niv Ben-Yahuda, Chairman of the Pride Run’s organization committee. “London Pride Run will be one of the highlights of the 2005 fortnightly Gay Pride activities across London”.

The 2nd London Pride Run also coincides with the 10th anniversary of London Frontrunners, the UK only gay and lesbian running club and we will celebrate this event with a party at Heaven on Saturday night, with a fantastic show by the cabaret duo Topping & Butch.

On-line registration is now open. Visit www.londonpriderun.com for details on how to register online

Has anyone been diving in Santorini, Greece?

If so, any recommendations for sites or dive operators?

A new study has found that diving is safe for older divers

The Auction for the Oonasdivers mini-safari was won by……Charlie again!

I guess the date was too close for most people, since Charlie’s bid of £185 was the only one! Charlie will be writing up a report for the newsletter - although it probably won’t be in time for the next one, which I hope to publish in the next 2-3 weeks.

Looks like Charlie is set to become our Oonasdivers expert!

Neil.

The deadline for bidding on the Oonas Divers trip is fast approaching and, incredibly, only one person has bid on it! This could be your chance to walk away with a cheap dive holiday. I’m not giving any clues about the amount bid, except to say that they’ll be getting the trip at a fraction of its cost if they win!!

Charlie Stewart recently returned from a week’s complimentary trip from Oonas Divers, and from what he’s told me he had a great time, and made new friends in the process. You’ll be able to read his trip report in the next newsletter.

Well, Oonasdivers are offering GLUG a second, similar trip, this time combining their “Eco villages” of Marsa Shagri / Marsa Nakari, with 3 days liveaboard on the Queen Juliana.

Oonasdivers are currently offering GLUG members a discount of £135 per person on their Liveaboard trips on either MY Juliet or the MY Panorama Sharm for the week 18-25 June. The price would be £695 instead of the normal £830. Extras would be Egyptian visa (£15), Marine Park fees, and alcoholic drinks.

To get this rate we would need 8 people or more. The boats take a maximum of 14 guests.

This is very short notice, I know, but since we don’t currently have any Red Sea trips lined up, I thought there might be enough interest. You can find full details of the trips here:
MY Juliet
MY Panorama Sharm

If you’re prepared to make a firm committment to going (subject to getting the required number of people), then please email me ASAP (Click on my name at the top of the post after you’ve logged in).

Neil.

As part of Pride London’s inaugural Festival Fortnight, the Saatchi Gallery and art2heart have teamed up to present a singles evening exclusively for gay cultured men looking for love in the modern world. The evening will take place in the Main Gallery of the Saatchi Gallery nestled beautifully on the South Bank, in the wings of their magnificent new exhibition, The Triumph of Painting. The hosts will provide guests with magnificent art, wine, food and every incentive to look for and find love and friendship during this special fortnight organized by Pride London. Find romance among the art on Friday 1 July, from 6.30-9.30pm.

For more information visit the art2heart website or call 07786 957 97

You can now help raise money for London Pride, while doing your bit for the environment as well. Simply send your unwanted mobile phones and used printer cartridges to the Pride Recycling Appeal, using their freepost envelopes. For every mobile phone and printer cartridge recycled the Recycling Appeal will donate money to Pride. And you will enter a draw to win a one week, all expenses paid, holiday for two to the Fruit Fantasy event in Sicily. This will help keep many of the estimated 90 million redundant mobile phones in the UK and 40 million inkjet cartridges that were sold last year, out of landfill.

I’ve still got three places left on the Littlehampton weekend, 25-26 June and will have to start filling the places from other clubs soon. You could do just one day, or both. The boat, Defiant, is a large catamaran and very comfortable. Suitable for BSAC Sports/PADI Advanced upwards, but not for those new to cold water. If interested, please contact me (login, then click on my name at the top of the post)

Peter Hughes Diving currently have some pretty good offers:

Komodo Dancer, Bali: 7 night trip June 20th-27th, at 20% off their normal price. GLUG members get an additional 10% off - this makes the total price for their standard staterooms around US$1400.

Sun Dancer, Belize:September 10th - 17th and September 17th - 24th. First person pays US$1695, second pays US$999. Same price for all room categories. Again, GLUG members get 10% discount on these rates. Also, for the week August 20th-27th, single travellers can reserve a cabin to themselves at no surcharge.

For more details of these trips, please see the Peter Hughes Website, or contact Neil (Logged-in members can click on my name at the top of the post).