Farewell To Richard & Sharon - Bon-voyage

Welcome All,

​As predicted, the weather precluded any diving last weekend, so we all had a lie-in, which is not such a bad option every once in a while.
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Going back to last Tuesday, we gave Richard and Sharon a good send-off with the now traditional gift of a Karen’s Dhow plate, suitably engraved. A couple of photos below. One or two of you may recognize the photo on the cake from the “pirates” evening a couple of years ago.
Richard has asked me to print the following:
Sharon and I would like to shout out a huge thanks to everyone for the wonderful send-off last Tuesday night. The picture on the cake was just perfect and the card and glassware will both take pride of place in our new digs - wherever that ends up being, hopefully to be confirmed this week! 
Thanks also for the treat of having some of the old videos on display and to reminisce over some of the great dives and overseas trips enjoyed over the last 8 years with the club. Muscat (2011) will always have a particularly special place in both our hearts as our first 406 Eid trip. 'Last Tango in Dibba' will also endure as an all-time favourite video and one of the most pleasurable dives courtesy of videographer and dive buddy that day, Peter Jackson. The trip down memory lane brought back many other happy recollections ...... of the days when I did actually go diving! 
Of course, the non-diving activities have been equally fabulous - the various themed socials, the East Coast camping trips and Geoff Patch's Wadi Adventure weekends in Al Ain (aka 'The Winning Formula') were all tremendous times with some truly legendary antics whilst imbibing with great friends.... many of those antics involving Derek Roberts, naturally. To every single person who I have dived or drunk with during the last 8 years, thank you for such treasured times.
I think it's also an opportune time as the outgoing Chairman to record, on behalf of all the readership of this wonderful bulletin, our appreciation to you, Ian, for keeping the weekly updates going. The number of well wishers who got in touch with us from far and wide - some within an hour of your email going out - bears testament to its effectiveness and the extent of followers who thoroughly enjoy keeping a link with this special club. As we will too.
As mentioned on more than one occasion around the dive club table, you never really leave BSAC 406, you just transfer to the Exiles sub-division and as many a former member has proved you can always come back for a visit! Personally, I hope to make as many returns as Mike Anthony.
Talking of which, I managed to extend my flight to the 11th so can make the Christmas Party. We're also planning to meet up with Janette in Scotland on Friday, so I'll send you a pic or two and a couple of 'minutes' from that encounter if it goes ahead!
See you in a couple of weeks.
Richard.