Heya Everyone!!

I'm so bad at updating this, I'm really sorry :-S

I've been ill recently and haven't been able to dive throughout most of July.What a positive note to start this blog on…

It's a shame, but I found loads of other fun things to do.A couple of weeks ago in the stunning weather Pedro and I kayaked for an hour or so out to sea.It was wonderful - so peaceful and beautiful.I stopped rowing for a period to rest and to my surprise we were still going at the same speed (thanks to Pedro's huge guns - 'AK' & '47').When we found a buoy I tied the kayak up and went 'skin diving' (I only got down to 5m though, so I suppose I can only describe it as a snorkel :-p).

When the doctor told me not to dive for 3 weeks I was heart broken.After a weeks rest and the dizziness I was suffering from had died down I decided to test his theory (well, what do doctors know anyway?).We went to the beach and geared up for a shore dive, there was a beautiful ship wreck just off the bay that I wanted to explore.When we got down a mere 6m I could feel my ears pounding and decided after 15mins that perhaps I shouldn't be there.It was still fun though, I floated out at sea, staring up at the clear blue sky with the warm sun tickling my cheeks.Eventually my buddies surfaced and we dragged our fully scuba-geared up bodies from the ocean, across the sand and up to the pavement.Then Pedro made a group decision that we would walk through the streets of Byron in our full gear to the dive centre, rather than wait for our friend to collect us.In the blistering heat, walking through the busy, main streets of Byron Bay in full dive gear (BCD, tank, mask, regulators, 7mm fully body wet suit and 7.5kg of weight around my waist) wasn't as fun as it sounds.

My birthday was amazingly good fun! I crashed a poor 50th birthday party, which was awesome fun.I got up on stage with their band, helped cut the cake, made friends with all the guests….wow.Pedro's birthday wasn't long after mine either.I was briskly walking around Byron buying nibbles, beer and a birthday cake for him when…I stubbed my toe.I thought it would be fine and carried on, but when I noticed the drips of blood along the pavement I stopped to assess the situation, creating a neat little puddle.I began limping home, although didn't realize how long this would take.Worried about the amount of blood spewing out the end of my foot onto the street,I hopped into a fish and chip shop to grab some napkins, but they didn't help and nor did the plaster they gave me, as it wouldn't stay on.Anyway, when I got back I was literally wisped off my feet and given emergency medical care by my very caring friends.The toe is on the repair now too, if you were wondering.

Other news: Well, I've been packing for a very exciting, week long trip to Melbourne.We're camping along the way (arrrghhhh!) and I'm really looking forward to it.Then it's back up to Sydney where I'll meet Steve (YAY I'M SO EXCITED :-D) and head to Hong Kong, then home (which SUCKS L).I'm sorry Mum, I do love you, but I REALLY don't want to some back.I'm going to miss everything so much.

So, on that slightly depressing note, I wish you all well and look very forwards to seeing you all again.I'm thinking of you all loads, seriously, even random people I have been thinking of and missing, like Tasha and Jess (I'm joking Tashmiester & Jessica).Thank you all so much for the kind birthday messages and cards you sent, they have been passed on to me.

With lots of love,

Chazza

P.S I also got given a very lovely new pair of dive boots today J how exciting!

P.P.S The concept of having my own bedroom and bathroom is SO strange.