http://simoncampbell.com Feeds from the blog, writing, speaking and expeditions on simoncampbell.com en 2009-06-15T09:40:01+00:00 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/KDTo-yrXZ_U/ http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/one_of_lifes_great_characters_ian_kershaw/#When:09:40:01Z This guy is a genuine nutcase. I met him at Salford University where we were both ‘studying’ BioChemistry. After one year we were experts in the brewing process and fearful effects of alcohol on the human body…<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/KDTo-yrXZ_U" height="1" width="1"/> Life 2009-06-15T09:40:01+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/one_of_lifes_great_characters_ian_kershaw/#When:09:40:01Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/MHf3KcQLwQo/ http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/the_suzuki_wagon_r_gl/#When:19:36:00Z Sick of running around guests and my boys on the Island, we decided to buy a cheap car that could be insured for anyone. We accidentally bought a Suzuki Wagon R (+ GL to be exact).<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/MHf3KcQLwQo" height="1" width="1"/> Life 2009-06-08T19:36:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/the_suzuki_wagon_r_gl/#When:19:36:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/efF3BfHWspY/ http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/the_simoncampbell_redesign/#When:00:42:00Z Having lived very happily with the design of my blog for a year, I decided it was time for a revamp. So going from the minimalistic lines designed by the very excellent Phil Swan, we move to the ‘retro’ feel created by xhtml/css master, Greg (Gregorious) Wood.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/efF3BfHWspY" height="1" width="1"/> Business, My 100 best things 2009-05-19T00:42:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/the_simoncampbell_redesign/#When:00:42:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/0DrOZ6Fi5_s/ http://simoncampbell.com/expeditions/st_kilda_the_essential_diveguide_2009/#When:16:04:00Z Triton Oceanic Sub Aqua Club undertook their second expedition to the Scottish islands to explore the remote beauty of the islands underwater world to the full, pioneering previously identified virgin dive sites and visiting some of the old favourites. This expedition will form the basis of the ‘Essential Guide to St Kilda’, a brand new publication featuring the ‘top 20’ sites across the islands.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/0DrOZ6Fi5_s" height="1" width="1"/> Expeditions 2009-05-15T16:04:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/expeditions/st_kilda_the_essential_diveguide_2009/#When:16:04:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/8-fnXZeqGVg/ http://simoncampbell.com/expeditions/st_kilda_diving_expedition2008/#When:16:03:00Z I first visited the archipelago in May of 2005; an experience I will never forget. This expedition shared my passion, immersing 24 Divers in 13 days of adventurous, challenging and world class diving.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/8-fnXZeqGVg" height="1" width="1"/> Expeditions 2009-05-15T16:03:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/expeditions/st_kilda_diving_expedition2008/#When:16:03:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/vplS4hamYdI/ http://simoncampbell.com/expeditions/ijn_kongo/#When:16:02:00Z This is the fourth major expedition undertaken by the newly formed Triton Oceanic Corporation. The objective is to find and document the wreck of the Ijn Kongo, a 36,000-ton battleship sunk off Formosa during the second world war… Weighing in at 36,000 Tonnes, you may think finding this is easy but I can tell you, even with our sophisticated equipment comprising sidescan sonar and Caesium magnetometers, its not!!<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/vplS4hamYdI" height="1" width="1"/> Expeditions 2009-05-15T16:02:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/expeditions/ijn_kongo/#When:16:02:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/VzJCoFPQqDI/ http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/the_devil_wears_dui/#When:15:15:01Z OK, its a cheap headline but what the hell, it had to be done. For those who haven’t followed the story so far, it may be worth reading the DUI Disaster article first. This is a quick note as I have just received my DUI drysuit back from repair.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/VzJCoFPQqDI" height="1" width="1"/> Diving, My 100 best things 2009-05-10T15:15:01+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/the_devil_wears_dui/#When:15:15:01Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/0Ig6hWyil98/ http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/in_love_with_a_big_cheese/#When:11:50:00Z Although I do love my husband very much, I’m afraid I’m having an affair; with a cheese!!! Guest article by my other half, Angela Campbell<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/0Ig6hWyil98" height="1" width="1"/> Life, Guest articles 2009-05-07T11:50:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/in_love_with_a_big_cheese/#When:11:50:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/9LB2-n3LrEA/ http://simoncampbell.com/expeditions/detail/st_kilda_the_essential_guide/#When:20:47:00Z In April 2009, the Triton Oceanic team revisited the amazing St Kilda archipelago to research material for an ‘Essential Dive Guide’ to the Islands, the first major work for 20 years.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/9LB2-n3LrEA" height="1" width="1"/> Expeditions 2009-04-25T20:47:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/expeditions/detail/st_kilda_the_essential_guide/#When:20:47:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/xwA7Kv4Bd5U/ http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/dui_disaster/#When:19:00:00Z In 2002 I started diving in the UK. Of course the sensible option is to buy a drysuit and as ever, I wanted the best. I asked a few of my first British diving buddies and they said: ‘DUI are the best for sure, but I would buy a cheaper on first just to make sure you like it!’<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/xwA7Kv4Bd5U" height="1" width="1"/> Diving 2009-04-02T19:00:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/dui_disaster/#When:19:00:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/RdL4HOMeEUc/ http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/national_diving_officer_first_proposals/#When:11:14:00Z I have now sought feedback from the BSAC Forums, and opinions from many others throughout the organisation from Ocean Divers to Regional Coaches. Also, I have spoken to many outside our fine organisation for their perception of BSAC. The results have informed the development of a series of proposals. Here you go!!!<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/RdL4HOMeEUc" height="1" width="1"/> Diving 2009-03-19T11:14:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/national_diving_officer_first_proposals/#When:11:14:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/hmDADAX6aK4/ http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/how_can_sad_be_good/#When:13:54:00Z I started my diving with guys from the military and decided it would be a good idea to join Steve Cox, with his merry band of Instructors at the Joint Services Sub Aqua Centre (JSSAC), to learn how to be a SADS. The question is what the hell is a SADS?<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/hmDADAX6aK4" height="1" width="1"/> 2009-03-04T13:54:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/how_can_sad_be_good/#When:13:54:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/vKLhHztHVxo/ http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/yoga_friend_of_the_diver/#When:10:39:00Z OK call me soft and a real Jesse, but Yoga is improving my flexibility, breathing and general control over my body! My goodness, I need it…<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/vKLhHztHVxo" height="1" width="1"/> Life, Diving 2009-02-16T10:39:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/yoga_friend_of_the_diver/#When:10:39:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/TjCVpC3Fqw4/ http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/british_sub_aqua_club_what_makes_a_good_national_diving_officer/#When:13:27:00Z So, after nearly twelve months on Council, the opportunity has arisen for me to stand for National Diving Officer (NDO) of the mighty British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC). The question is, what makes a good NDO and am I the right man for the job?<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/TjCVpC3Fqw4" height="1" width="1"/> Diving 2009-02-09T13:27:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/british_sub_aqua_club_what_makes_a_good_national_diving_officer/#When:13:27:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/tuS1ohMWlPo/ http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/sentinel_lss_rebreather_expedition_maintenance_workshop/#When:20:49:01Z It’s not that I don’t trust re-breathers, it is more the fact that I like to understand as much as possible about the kit I am diving; especially if it may kill me at any second…<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/tuS1ohMWlPo" height="1" width="1"/> Diving 2009-02-02T20:49:01+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/sentinel_lss_rebreather_expedition_maintenance_workshop/#When:20:49:01Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/wNcifXsqe4c/ http://simoncampbell.com/expeditions/detail/ijn_kongo_introduction/#When:16:24:00Z This is the fourth major expedition undertaken by the newly formed Triton Oceanic Corporation. The objective is to find and document the wreck of the IJN Kongo. Weighing in at 36,000 Tonnes, you may think finding this is easy but I can tell you, even with our sophisticated equipment comprising sidescan sonar and Caesium magnetometers, its not!!<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/wNcifXsqe4c" height="1" width="1"/> Expeditions 2009-02-01T16:24:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/expeditions/detail/ijn_kongo_introduction/#When:16:24:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/iO-ZPdO9g18/ http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/bad_curry_sea_survival_and_kippers/#When:16:29:00Z This article tells of tales of horrific curry’s, a ‘Sea Survival’ course, the lack of essential items in the Isle of Man, kayaking, wallswaps, kippers, football, walnuts &amp; farting…<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/iO-ZPdO9g18" height="1" width="1"/> Life, Business 2009-01-25T16:29:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/bad_curry_sea_survival_and_kippers/#When:16:29:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/-hAjnF7Ha74/ http://simoncampbell.com/writing/detail/flagging_felicity_the_saga_of_flagging_a_ship/#When:21:59:00Z Much has happened since my last article. I made the foolish mistake of becoming emotionally attached to the Arctic Janus. More of a problem was that Joe (my youngest) and Angela did too…<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/-hAjnF7Ha74" height="1" width="1"/> Writing 2009-01-24T21:59:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/writing/detail/flagging_felicity_the_saga_of_flagging_a_ship/#When:21:59:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/3ScWFyXNY7k/ http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/merry_christmas/#When:12:00:00Z Christmas is a funny time, full of cheer and good will to all men. I however have a few interesting takes on the festive season which may amuse you and also some thoughts that may challenge you…<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/3ScWFyXNY7k" height="1" width="1"/> Life 2008-12-21T12:00:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/merry_christmas/#When:12:00:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/Az4mPXr0yvs/ http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/seals_and_hallelujah_sweet_and_sour/#When:17:29:00Z Funny day today: I went diving with seals 200m from my house and then cried reading the paper with Jeff Buckley on the Radio.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/Az4mPXr0yvs" height="1" width="1"/> Life, Diving 2008-12-14T17:29:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/seals_and_hallelujah_sweet_and_sour/#When:17:29:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/9lpJ62tyWnA/ http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/twin_tens_trails_and_tribulations/#When:18:16:00Z As always, excitement got the better of me I was off for some diving training in the Isle of Man with fellow Tritone, Simon Campbell. I was up and packed by 0630 Friday morning to catch my ferry from Heysham at 1315. Early wasn’t in it, it only took 50 minutes to get there! A guest article by my fellow Tritone, Jackie Dixon.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/9lpJ62tyWnA" height="1" width="1"/> Diving, Guest articles 2008-12-10T18:16:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/twin_tens_trails_and_tribulations/#When:18:16:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/f-c8Q5ldGGY/ http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/mighty_miflex_xtreme_hose/#When:12:48:00Z How can someone get so excited about the humble hose? Over my diving career I have used hundreds of different sets of SCUBA kit. I learned early on that the low &amp; high pressure hoses can be problematic.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/f-c8Q5ldGGY" height="1" width="1"/> Diving, My 100 best things 2008-11-22T12:48:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/mighty_miflex_xtreme_hose/#When:12:48:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/Z0d0naj_9eU/ http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/sentinel_lss_rebreather_from_vr_technology/#When:22:32:00Z There are a few articles on my blog about Closed Circuit Rebreathers and of course you hear of them going wrong all the time. This is a quick article about my new Sentinel, what happened when it went wrong and why I bought the bloody thing…<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/Z0d0naj_9eU" height="1" width="1"/> Diving 2008-11-15T22:32:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/sentinel_lss_rebreather_from_vr_technology/#When:22:32:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/h8pxHggK_0E/ http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/bad_moon_rising_a_story_of_the_sentinel_rebreather/#When:20:47:00Z Until a few years ago, the acronym ‘CCR’ had a very different meaning to me. The 70’s, the US deep south and Fortunate Son: a track which no self respecting helicopter scene in a Vietnam war movie should be without. However more recently, CCR means Closed Circuit Rebreather and has become something of an obsession with me and my fellow explorers at Triton Oceanic. A guest article by my fellow Tritone, Tony Bridge<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/h8pxHggK_0E" height="1" width="1"/> Diving, Guest articles 2008-11-04T20:47:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/bad_moon_rising_a_story_of_the_sentinel_rebreather/#When:20:47:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/0fb9Sb1w3K8/ http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/messages_from_madeira/#When:20:30:01Z More rantings I am afraid. This time on cheap airlines, expensive low quality food and an amusing story of airport car rentals in Madeira…<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/0fb9Sb1w3K8" height="1" width="1"/> Life 2008-10-27T20:30:01+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/messages_from_madeira/#When:20:30:01Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/Gu0sAqIz-Ng/ http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/afghanistan_burgerman_and_more/#When:17:26:00Z A lot has happened over the past few days from my son going to off to fight in Afghanistan, to Jon Burgerman’s new drawings of Angela and myself…<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/Gu0sAqIz-Ng" height="1" width="1"/> Life, Business 2008-10-15T17:26:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/afghanistan_burgerman_and_more/#When:17:26:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/0_jQnFFXsu4/ http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/the_big_move_to_the_isle_of_man/#When:22:26:00Z We have always wanted to live by the sea. With the impending boat purchase plus the formation of our new diving exploration company, the Isle of Man was the ideal spot. Close to the North West and surrounded by the lovely clear water of the Irish Sea…<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/0_jQnFFXsu4" height="1" width="1"/> Life 2008-10-09T22:26:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/the_big_move_to_the_isle_of_man/#When:22:26:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/r-br0sUvevs/ http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/call_me_skip/#When:20:32:00Z As we are in the process of negotiating the purchase of a ship, I thought it prudent to continue my nautical education. So this is the brief tale of moving from RYA Advanced Powerboat to Coastal Skipper in something a little bigger than a RIB…<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/r-br0sUvevs" height="1" width="1"/> Business, Diving 2008-10-05T20:32:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/blog/perma/call_me_skip/#When:20:32:00Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/LPE4NQMmQoU/ http://simoncampbell.com/expeditions/detail/lough_erne_write_up/#When:16:21:01Z The night was calm and the surface of Lough Erne in Northern Ireland was smooth, making the conditions especially difficult for landing a Sunderland Flying Boat. A guest article by Ed Howarth.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/LPE4NQMmQoU" height="1" width="1"/> Expeditions 2008-09-28T16:21:01+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/expeditions/detail/lough_erne_write_up/#When:16:21:01Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~3/V4DJ9BOoNhc/ http://simoncampbell.com/expeditions/detail/st_kilda_chapter_six/#When:21:44:00Z The final push, making it to Kilda with some of the best diving of the expedition to date and then home for a well earned rest from O-Rings feet!<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/simoncampbell_everything/~4/V4DJ9BOoNhc" height="1" width="1"/> Expeditions 2008-09-23T21:44:00+00:00 http://simoncampbell.com/expeditions/detail/st_kilda_chapter_six/#When:21:44:00Z