We got kitted up and decided to stride off the 'plank'. There are a variety of entry points, and the 'plank' is a raised platform, about 4 feet from the surface, which makes a nice change from the bus stop at Stoney. Peter made sure we both brought a torch, and once in, we realised almost straight away that this was not going to be any crystal clear dive! Visibility deteriorated swiftly as we made our way down to 16m and into the lee of this huge looming London Transport shadow!

Our first port of call obviously was the double-decker bus which slopes steeply downward from the cab at an angle of maybe 30^o. In fact, you can ski down the roof if you've a mind to, but me and Peter simply made our way into the bus and swam up the spiral staircase which was a really weird feeling! The only photo worth keeping was this one. I took one of Peter sitting in the driver's seat, but it was a big blur - says a lot for Peter's driving! Once on the upper deck of the bus it was an almost queezy feeling because the bus is at such a steep angle you feel it should surely roll backwards into the depths!

We left the bus from the upper rear window - not recommended in Peckham High Street - and made our way to where we thought the barge should be. We missed it completely but ended up finding a small boat. We're sure it wasn't either of the boats shown on the map, but we wouldn't put money on it, so we'll have to go down again to check it out! It was about 14^oC at the surface which dropped to about 9 at 20m. My gloves were of very little use because they were in the boot of the car! Blimey, my hands froze! However, I was very comfortable in my 5mm lined Namron, so I can heartily recommend it for excellent thermal properties.

As you can see from the underwater pikkies, visibility was poor at best. It was a combination of algae and silt, and it made for a veritable Bovril cocktail! We did get some pictures of a few almost tame perch, but again, the quality of the pictures and the fact that the flash, when it worked, seemed to spread the light very much like in thick fog, makes them too poor to place up here. We'll have to go back!

So much for the first dive...