Apologies if the following seems to be advertising - but I’m not getting anything for it, and I know that we have a number of HIV+ divers within the club, who may be interested in this…

I know it’s the wrong time of year for most of us to be thinking about Travel Insurance, but I’ve recently read somewhere that some mainstream Insurers are starting to provide HIV-friendly travel policies.  I’ve done a bit of investigation, and it appears to be true.

Insure and Go will cover HIV-positive travellers, and more importantly will not exclude HIV-related claims, provided that you declare the condition in advance, and satisfy a couple of criteria - the main ones being that you have a reasonably high CD4 count, a reasonably low Viral load, and have not changed your medication in the last 6 months, or refused medication against medical advice.

There’s no additional premium to cover HIV, either, and since their Annual Policies start from around £50 per person (compared to around £100 quoted by some of the “specialist” HIV insurance companies), it seems pretty good value.  They cover Scuba Diving to 30m as standard, and to 40m or even 50m for an additional premium.  They’ll even cover Cage diving with Great Whites!

Following the cancellation of the NCRD (Northern California Rainbow Divers) Galapagos trip, Brian is organising a trip to the southern Red Sea aboard the Blue Seas in it’s place. The week long trip runs from either the 16th or 17th September 2009 (TBC).

The trip is currently not an official GLUG trip however it has the potential to become an official club trip provided there is sufficient interest. If there is insufficient interest from club members then the trip will be opened to other dive clubs in order to fill the boat.

The trip weighs in at approximately £1200 and detailed information on the trip is contained in this document.

Please contact Brian if you wish to reserve a place on the trip or have any questions.

Cheers

Mark.

DFL (Diving for Life) 2009 will be held in Bonaire, at Captain Don’s Habitat.

I speak from experience when I say that DFL at Captain Don’s is a great event.  As well as two boat dives a day, there is unlimited shore diving, (at any time of day or night!), and great food and company.

Diving in Bonaire is beautiful, and easy.  There are no strong currents, and fantastic reefs, most of which bottom out to white sand at around 30 metres - perfect even for the most novice of divers.

Reservations will open in the first week of January, so keep an eye on the DFL website.

Hi Everyone

I realise this may be a tall order, in these financially uncertain times, but if any one fancies joining me plus 2 other GLUGies and a lesbian friend, on a Maldives Liveaboard, please get back to me.

Brief details: departing 3rd Jan returning 11th Jan. £1883 for 7 days diving incl. all food and soft drinks.

Also, I have some places left on a skiing trip to Meribel in The 3 Valleys leaving on 31st Jan for 8 days skiing for £790.00

Please note, that I run these trips on a non commercial basis.

Cheers and look forward to seeing everyone at The AGM & Dinner.

Charlie

Lambda Divers & Toronto Rainbow Reef Rangers are running a trip to Cozumel, Mexico in May 2009.

They’re staying at the Scuba Club, Cozumel - which hosted DFL (Diving for Life) in 2003 - so you can be sure they’re Gay-friendly! (I went to that DFL, and the Resort was excellent).
Click on the Image above to see more photos of the resort & diving from DFL 2003.

If you’re interested in going, you can download the TRRR Cozumel Trip Details info

I would like to go diving somewhere nice and warm towards the end of November for a week. It has been a last moment decision and all my usual buddies are not available at this time. If anyone fancy joining me in an escape from miserable weather please e-mail me, ring 07857223767 or leave a comment. I am looking for a last minute cheap deal and planning to fly between 23rd-25th of November 2008.

Hi all

Shameless advert:
I have a studio flat near Cannes on the French Riviera now available to rent at very reasonable prices (250 to 400 euros/week or pro rata). It can sleep up to 4, has private car park, a swimming pool, right next to a golf club and is 10/15 mins leisurely walk from the beach. 3 diving centres are available. Perfect for a long weekend or a week of diving and relaxing.

I’ll be happy to help with diving arrangements and to give tips re travelling by plane or train. Easyjet publishes its Summer schedule in late Nov if you want a true bargain.

Pictures of flat, surroundings and diving can be seen at: http://adeline5699.fotopic.net/c1597729.html (password = 06210))

If you are interested, leave a comment or email me (via member login) and I’ll send you more info (note: while this is perfect for diving the Med, eating out and relaxing, there is no nightlife around so def. not for party people, sorry!).

First 3 bookings via Glug will get a bottle of local rosé wine in the fridge waiting for your arrival!

Hi Everyone

Is anyone going to http://www.diveshows.co.uk/ this weekend, at The NEC in Birmingham? I will be there on Saturday, up to 2pm,  with the lovely Lydia from Oonasdivers. If you fancy meeting for a coffee get back to me. Also, for my Cocos Trip divers, The Birmingham 3-Angie, Big Bad Baz and Jax-will be there, aswell.

Cheers all

Charlie

If there are any ladies who would like to dive the Galapagos, NRCD have one space available on their trip in September next year.

For more details see the NRCD website.

Calling all you Shark-lovers… (Yes, Charlie, that means you!!)…

Ocean Optics are organising a “Shark Day” on November 8th.  Details are still being finalised, but the day will feature the following talks/speakers, and more:

• Amos Nachoum: The Great White:  The Legend Portrayed
• Michael Aw: Shark Conservation
• Grant Bates: The Shark - Inside Out
• Rae Sadler: Sharks of the Coral Sea
• James Lea: Shark Research

I’m still hoping for a couple more people to sign up for my Philippines trip, and so with that in mind, I’d like to tell members about a presentation that Ocean Optics are running on 30th October, to publicise a very similar trip.  If you missed the August GLUG meeting, but are interested in going, then this is an excellent opportunity to find out more.

The evening will be hosted by Paul O’Toole of Atlantis Resorts, but will also feature talks and photo/video shows by two professional Underwater Photographers who have dived extensively in both Puerto Galera and Dumaguete.

I should point out that  the evening will cost you a fiver - see the latest Ocean Optics newsletter for details of how to register.

Ocean Optics are organising their own trip to the Philippines for June 2009 - their trip is, of course, aimed at Underwater Photographers, whereas mine is aimed at everyone (although I’ll certainly be making good use of my camera!).  Of course, you’re free to sign up with for the Ocean Optics trip, if you’re a keen photographer and 2009 works better for you  (…I’ll just never speak to you again!! ) 

If you do decide to go to the Ocean Optics evening, please mention GLUG when registering via email.

Hi Everyone

You may have read my trip report for the July Trip to Malpelo & Cocos Islands as well as viewing everyone’s pictures of this amazing trip. As a very preliminary post, I want to generate some interest in a trip to just The Cocos for 2010, probably September. I want to run this trip as a combined GLUG trip with other good folk I have met along the way, who share that passion for The Cocos and it’s bio diversity. Clearly, with all the global financial uncertainity engulfing us, I do not expect anyone to committ at this stage, but rather, I would be happy for you to register your interest with me, for now. Also, if you could register your interest on the Events Page this can only help generate more interest. Remember, registering interest DOES NOT mean committing to the trip! If we can fill all 18 places there should be some discount available.
The 2010 schedule and prices are not available yet but, going on 2009 prices this trip may cost in the region of £3000 excluding flights.This early post should allow you to beg, borrow or steal for this amazing trip.

http://www.underseahunter.com/uh.htm

If you are interested, please click on ‘add a comment’ below or email me by clicking envelope above.

Best Wishes

Charlie

I have removed the Tenerife trip from the Events section due to a lack of interest. I must admit that I am quite surprised that no one contacted me about this trip, as it is one of the best short haul destinations for anyone who prefers warm water diving. It is cheap diving (GLUG members get a special rate), visibility is very good and marine life is abundant. Moreover, the location is suitable for all levels of experience and a wide range of PADI courses are available.

If anybody overlooked the previous information or any of the new members might be interested, please e-mail me by clicking on the envelope on the top of this post.

Thanks a million to Brian Broadbridge for bagging Glug a free stall at last weekend’s Gay Sunday at London’s Zoo.

The day was a great success with several new members signing up on the day and 30+ potential gluggers signing up for information on local training.

A special thanks to Brian, Steven, Doug and Chris for lending a hand on the day!

Hopefully our October meeting will be full of new faces as well as familiar ones!

See you all October 7th!

Caroline (Publicity Officer)

Dany has been kind enough to write up a report for the recent Plymouth trip. You can also see the rest of his fantastic photos in the gallery.
In addition to all this scuba-related activity, we also have two new sets of pictures from dive trips that involved precious little diving. There’s an album of Dany’s photos, taken on the Jersey trip; and a another album from our recent meteorologically-challenged trip to Clovelly/Lundy (where we had a marvellous time, despite not being able to go diving once).