Diving Britain - Wales

Wales is known for mountainous national parks, wind-swept beaches, lively cities such as Cardiff and a rich Celtic heritage.  Did you know Wales is also home to a variety of dive sites, with a number of the best sites in Pembrokeshire and Anglesey?Discover some of the top dive sites in Wales in my latest Diving Britain article for The Scuba News.http://uk.thescubanews.com/2016/05/17/diving-britain-wales/Catch up with my previous Diving Britain articles here:The South WestThe South Coast 

Wanted: Scuba Diver Contributors

I have recently been appointed as the Managing Editor of a new online scuba diving magazine, The Scuba News New Zealand. I am thrilled to be joining the team and launching this regional edition of The Scuba News.Do you have any press releases, offers, articles or blog posts from your dive business or club that you would like me to publish at The Scuba News?Or perhaps you know a keen diver/marine conservationist in New Zealand who would like to become a contributor?This is completely free of charge and every article will be added with links back to your own website.The Scuba News is also seeking contributors outside of New Zealand for editions in the UK, Egypt, Canada and the US. Get in touch if you would like to be a part of this awesome online space for divers around the globe.Happy diving all!KathrynKathryn@thescubanews.comThe Scuba News New Zealand

Cool Scuba Jobs: Great White Shark Guide

There are a lot of cool scuba jobs out there, and one of the coolest is a great-white shark guide. If you’ve ever wondered how to become a shark guide, or just how to find a reputable operator, look no further than my latest article for Scuba Diver Life:http://scubadiverlife.com/2016/04/28/cool-scuba-jobs-great-white-shark-guide/

Diving Britain - The South Coast

The south coast of England is one of the top holiday destinations in the UK and rivals the South West for stunning coastal scenery and beaches. The Jurassic Coast that runs from East Devon to East Dorset is a World Heritage Site and the south coast is also home to the busy ports of Southampton and Portsmouth and the vibrant scene of Brighton. This area of England is home to the Royal Navy, is a mecca for wreck diving and offers a range of dives that are suitable for experienced and technical divers.You can enjoy the second in my series of Diving Britain articles for The Scuba News here:http://www.thescubanews.com/2016/04/22/diving-britain-the-south-coast/ 

Mangrove Matters

When it comes to scuba diving it is hard to beat exploring colourful tropical reefs, history-filled wrecks, sun-dappled kelp forests and foreboding caves. Every scuba diver has their favourite type of diving but what of mangroves? What diving opportunities are there within mangroves and why should we care about these dwindling and vital forests?Read more in my latest article for The Scuba News.http://www.thescubanews.com/2016/02/17/mangrove-matters/

Diving Britain - The South West

If you mention the South West of England to most people, they think of Devon and Cornwall, of rich cream teas, sparkling apple cider, hot Cornish pasties, surfing, old English pubs and a laid-back lifestyle associated with decades long gone by elsewhere in the world. Did you know that the South West is also home to some of the best dive sites in Europe?Enjoy my latest guest blog for The Scuba News at:http://www.thescubanews.com/2016/02/15/diving-britain-the-south-west

Great White Sharks: Fact vs. Fiction

Great white sharks, which are often thought of as terrifying killing machines, are particularly charismatic. There is a great deal more to these magnificent animals than meets the eye. Did you know that their eyes are not black? They’re actually midnight blue, and express deep curiosity and intelligence.In this article for Scuba Diver Life I take a look at the reality of these mysterious creatures.Read more: http://scubadiverlife.com/2016/02/11/great-whites-fact-vs-fiction/

Dive Site: Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Looking for a world class shark dive this year? Look no further than Beqa Lagoon, Fiji and enjoy my recent article for Scuba Diver Life.My heart pounded as the choppy ocean slapped me in the face repeatedly and my mask fogged up like a coastal winter’s day in Cornwall. I was kicking like crazy as the Fijian waves threatened to dislodge my regulator and sense of dignity while I, a grown woman, prepared to cry and bolt to the dive boat. This was not my happy place. I was about to descend in Beqa Lagoon, the world’s reputed No.1 shark dive, as rated by the legends of the underwater world Ron and Valerie Taylor, and I just wanted to go home.Beqa Lagoon, just off Fiji’s largest island of Viti Levu, is renowned for its world-class shark diving. It’s home to the Shark Reef Marine Reserve and a healthy population of bull sharks...Read more: http://scubadiverlife.com/2016/02/06/dive-site-beqa-lagoon-fiji/

Valentine's. Who is it really all about?

This Valentine's Day, fall in love. Not with the promise of adoration from somebody else and a box of chocolates (though that is always nice).Instead fall in love with LIFE. Go on the greatest journey of self-discovery and fall in love with YOU; spiky parts and all. The most important relationship you will ever have is with yourself. What better day to begin appreciating you uniqueness and the world around you than Valentine's.

Hello February

February is one of my favourite months of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, where I used to live, the promise of spring is just around the corner and in the Southern Hemisphere, where I now live, it is summertime and life is in full bloom. Add to that the prospect of Valentine's Day and Shrove Tuesday (everybody loves a pancake) and what's not to love?January is the month when we're all high on the promise of New Year resolutions, we're tired and broke post-Christmas and slumping when we realise that maybe those resolutions haven't made their way to the fore yet. January kinda sucks let's face it.February though is far enough away from Christmas that it brings hope and more realistic new beginnings. It is a month of opportunity to choose the resolutions you want to stick with guilt-free and a chance to create new adventures.This month I will be focussing on wellness in my life. Here are some of the things I will be doing to keep my mind, spirit, body and soul ticking over:*Continuing my mindfulness meditation journey with HeadSpace. By dedicating just 10 minutes every other day to meditation I am already seeing an improvement in my emotional and mental wellbeing, which of course translates to physical health as well. The mind is where our entire experience of life occurs.*Getting to grips with Pilates for better spinal health, which I thoroughly recommend to anyone interested in improving their flexibility and core strength. Just 30 minutes twice a week is plenty.*Walking and breathing in nature for an hour every day. Not only is walking great for fitness but it also energises our minds as well and is a great way to process the day, reconnect with nature and unwind.*Getting creative! After a long break from writing and creativity whilst emigrating to New Zealand, it's time to step up the pace and focus on my true passion; writing. Creativity is pure soul food.*Reading. It allowa our minds the freedom to dream and rest, it gets the imagination fired up. Is there anything nicer than reading a book with a cuppa?Have a great month and remember to take time for your own journey.What will you do to for wellness this February?