The Spanish called us ‘Pesca Submarina’ – underwater fishermen. The name carried respect and we were proud of the kudos. We were treated well and so considered ourselves honoured and tried to live honourably when in their company. But after ten minutes in a raging sea, fear dispelled pride. I recalled his final words as we entered from the harbour wall. ‘Stay with me!’ The fuckity, fuck I felt earlier was nothing compared to what I felt now. I finned a metre out of the water and realised he was no where to be seen so I began to fish. Over weighted by the lead we sank quickly, solitary dark shapes gliding down through the gloom. On the sea bed you lay still, waiting for the curiosity of the fish to take over and hoping your lungs would last out the time. That was on a calm day with a hundred foot visibility. I attempted to dive into the gloom but mother ocean decided it would be fun to tip me upside down and return me to the surface, coughing up seawater and retrieving my snorkel and started again.
The visibility was nil and I estimated around 60-70ft to the ocean bed, but at least it was quiet. Upon my return to the surface the land appeared to be much further away, but I was intent on fishing. Several dives later I was rewarded with a Red Mullet, but on the same dive I discovered a pile of rocks. The mighty Grouper love to snuggle up in piles of rocks and there was a gap big enough to squeeze into. On my next dive, spear gun first I entered. As my eyes adjusted to the gloom I saw him. Grouper, he was big and black and deep as a Grouper can be. I thought about how long I had been under, on a good easy dive I had a two minute bottom time at sixty five feet, but this wasn’t a good easy dive and I guessed I had less than a minute left. I speared my dinner and began to edge out. Then I felt something pushing me back in. A huge force rammed against me from behind and I was pinioned against the roof of the hole. I pushed back to no avail, I started to feel light headed and knew that if I didn’t get some air soon I would black out. Then the force ceased, it ceased as quickly as it had begun and suddenly I was free of it. I pushed and scrambled out of the hole and finned to the surface with my lungs aching.
As my head broke the surface I blew hard clearing the seawater out and letting the air flood in. Fear had taken me, the pounding of my heart in conflict with the foaming mass of ocean left me weak. I needed to get out but there was nowhere to go. What was it that had just tried to drown me? I looked towards the mainland and I saw the back of it. A huge wave, the biggest I had ever seen crashed into the harbour. I had to take control I heard his voice in my head. ‘Panic and you die. Control your fear or it will kill you,’ he had said.
I’m 200 words over my post limit, so you’ll have to come back next week to see if I survived. 😉
Wow, sounds terrifying, you’re a true survivor Charlie!!
LikeLiked by 5 people
Thank you so much and I hope so 😂💐
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hahaha…What a story….Lemme take a wild guess here – I think you survived!!!!
LikeLiked by 4 people
I suppose it’s a little like the Mary Queen of Scots film. no surprise ending 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha…Did you like that movie? I liked that movie. I preferred “The Favourite”, of course but I also enjoyed “Mary Queen of Scots”.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hadn’t had chance to see The Favourite, loved Mary Queen of Scots though, but as the ‘Princess’ is Scottish I kinda had to haha x
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hahahaha….The Princess is Scottish. Nice!
LikeLiked by 2 people
200 over? It felt like 200 short! Good job in recreating a terrifying moment.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Oh, thank you Barbara, but I still haven’t mastered the Tango haha
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think a trip to Argentina needs to be put on your schedule. That’ll learn ya!LOL
LikeLiked by 3 people
I think perhaps a trip to Argentina needs to be added to your schedule. As we say in NY, “That’ll learn ya!” lol
LikeLiked by 2 people
My phone said the first one didn’t go through. Oh well, the 2nd’s for emphasis!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yay love underpinning comments 😘
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hope so, fab story. 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you glad you enjoyed it 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Incredible experience. You learn to appreciate breathing again.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, I knew when it was time to come up for air as I seemed to swallow excessively, wasn’t pleasant. Thank you for your comment 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on fiercefabulousfunny and commented:
I’m sharing this blog because if your not following Charlie I suggest you do. He has a great life and is a great blogger. Follow him if you’re not already!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh! Velma, thank you so much. I really appreciate that 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re welcome
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lovely Post Buddy 😊👍
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks a lot, so glad you said so 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow! I read this at speed, hungry to see what happened next. Excitingly told adventure. Can’t wait to see if you survived…. Great post!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Pete, just taking longer to relate than I thought, always appreciate your input 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is good.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
Look at you go, Charlie; I’m loving this serious writer you’ve let loose!
I am now on the edge of my seat…. Did you make it? Did you survive? Did you manage to hold onto the Red Mullet and Grouper? Truly, Charlie, this is great writing! 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Carolyn I wasn’t too sure how the deviation would work, there again it wasn’t a plan lol. Love your positive comments 😘
LikeLiked by 3 people
Pingback: Versatile Blogger « Cosmic Observation
♥️♥️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Damn….just when I thought you are finally surviving. The next one should be longer pleeeeaaase…
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, you’re an angel. There are only two left and the next one leaves no doubt about survival 😂 But in the final one we have to know what lessons were learned, love your input 😘
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you 😘. Waiting for the next part eagerly
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m a swimmer but fearful of the sea and huge waves.. 😉
LikeLiked by 3 people
Oh, hope I didn’t scare you 😂😂 you feel a lot safer in a wetsuit ha. 😀😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great story, though you may need a bit of work on the surprise ending. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, haha yes wouldn’t want to spoil it for anyone 😂😂
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’m on the edge of my seat…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow, great story. You’re quite a writer!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really enjoying this! You’re so brave 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much, but a barre workout, pounding Ripsticks and the Karma Sutra sounds much more dangerous 😂💐
LikeLiked by 2 people
Maybe not more, shall we say just as dangerous? Thanks for the laugh, much appreciated ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh my God.❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Awww, thank you Laleh xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure Charlie.❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is captivating, you’re good. Give us a good ending and you better survive 😊❤
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks so much, I’ll try my best, but I’m afraid there are going to be 4 parts, hope you can stick with it 💐❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Love the pic
LikeLiked by 3 people
Absolutely😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yikes! 😮
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your soul is journey bro..so incredible .
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Ronal 😀😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your welcome..bro Charli..😊😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Pingback: I Really Enjoyed These Reads | WheatyPete's World