In January 2012, my dive buddy from "upover", Graeme “Spotty” Hastings, finally ran out of excuses and left the UK’s damp and gloomy weather to join me for a week’s sunshine diving in NSW.
Spotty and I dived NSW as far north as Fish Rock Cave off South West Rock and as far south as Montague Island off Narooma. My wife Mary joined Spotty and I for the Montague Island dives. As in November 2009 the diving was with Island Charters Narooma and their vessel Dallas.
Unfortunately Mary had problems with her ears and her dive time was pretty restricted. Nevertheless the three of us all got to play with the Australian Fur Seals and watch the passing Port Jackson Sharks and Stingrays. For a little variety Spotty and I dropped down from the shallows to deeper water, bottoming out at 36.0 metres. Well I did. Spotty just had to go that bit deeper than me. And recorded 36.4.
I’m often asked how Spotty got his name as it seems Google has blocked all information and being Spotty’s friend I’m not going to divulge anything about this. My lips are sealed. All I will say is that Spotty deservedly acquired this nickname - see dive logs/ americas/cocos island/sea hunter/feb 2003 on this website.