Orne Islands & Cuverville

The polar plunge took place this morning but Paul and I didn't go in.

We received a call, asking us if we would like accompany 2 BBC cameramen on a submersible dive this afternoon. Yes!

We had to sign a long non disclosure of information agreement. Having said that, we don't know anything as it was all hush hush in any case.

We then set off in a zodiac to a submersible, put special booties over our shoes, and climbed in. There was me, Paul , the pilot and the 2 BBC cameramen. Extra ballast had to be added because the submersible was still too light to go down - about 130 kgs in all.

We had a lovely long dive of about 1.5 hours compared to guest dives of 40 minutes. It was a lovely feeling to be down near the floor bed, looking at sponges of various types of starfish, fish, krill and other under water creatures. Paul's knees were stiff from sitting in the cramped cabin.

We arrived back at the surface, elated.Read more