Kaikoura
12th - 14th November 2004
The diving began as soon as Paul, John and I arrived in Kaikoura. Barnacle Bill disappeared before our arrival, in other words we were stood up. Got a better offer he reckons! With no sign of the big man we headed for North Bay for a shore dive. Nothing spectacular but it was chance for me to get acquainted with NZ diving conditions and interact with the sea life. Surprisingly there were no whales spotted this weekend! Viz was quite poor with Paul bringing his spear-gun but to no avail. John H on the other hand caught one crayfish and a pair of water proof trousers. We decided not to argue with the large octopus that already had his tentacles wrapped around one hapless crayfish. On returning to Barnacles we found Bill home and the rest had begun to arrive, Stu, John Newcombe, Angus, Pauline, Nigel, Jay, Ross and Mark completed the crew. Barnacle had crayfish awaiting the hungry and tantalised our taste buds with some dips. I found out that there’s more to a crayfish than meets the eye, i.e., one can eat the legs! Barnacle’s was spotless and first impressions do last. The words different and strange come to mind when one enters the humble abode of the Barnacle! The chat went on for a while until some of our more senior members wanted to taste the Kaikoura nightlife. So we were off to the hotel for some snacks and drinks. There we realised that there maybe trouble in the camp. Yes that’s right, while some people had the fish platter, others had home made pizza! You know who you are pizza lovers. What ever happened to communism? At the end of the night John H, John N and I headed back up the Tom Smith memorial trail. A little bit over grown but I had faith and decided to the let John H lead and John N hold the torch and leave the Irishman behind. Thanks Guys. We had no snorers in our ranks except for Nigel who kept reciting love poems in his sleep. Them Kiwis is strange. We were awakened by the artist formerly know as Barnacle for a huge breakfast consisting of the usual with a twist. The majority of the feast was homemade. What a treat considering 99.9% of the breakfast was toast!! Thank God for homemade jam and water otherwise we would never have swallowed it. Seriously, we all know the breakfast on both mornings was exceptional and rather filling. With clear skies and the sea radiating the blue heavens we met the boat at 7.45, loaded up and with everyone eager to get going, found the 2 Johns missing - alas a forgotten weight belt. Now John N you may do things differently in Chch but take note all is forgiven and I'll send you the names of all who complained. With a cheer and a clap the boat steamed out through the harbour, next stop the Bushett Shoals. We encountered various birds on the way, none more graceful than the Albatross. We buddied up on arrival but low and behold someone’s bag was left behind. Now Stu you've been in the game for a while and we don't think you’re colour-blind yet but the jury is still out on that one. The diving, what can I say? Great viz, great marine life and plenty of crays. Where to begin. I think everyone had a ball. Now as you all may know the Irishman has, what some would call a Love Hate relationship with the John Hornby. I love when he doesn’t catch any crays and I hate it when he does. Well he did it again! Paul and I had to listen to it all the way home. (Bollocks – Ed) It was a long drive to say the least. Big crays were caught all round with Irish and Jay both losing their virginity. Not together may I add for those of dubious disposition - Nigel and Angus. In other words we caught our first crays! John N was having a bad day and promptly threw up over the side after his dive as he had waited in the surge for Paul who doesn’t breathe very much!! Pauline followed suit and they decided to rest. Ross didn’t do too well on the fishing front but I hope he’ll join us again on a trip. Now with the diving finished we headed off fishing but we were to be disappointed by our charter who to be polite screwed us over. Sunday dawned windy out wide so we snorkelled along the coast for paua and got enough for a feed before the viz got too murky. A great trip was had by all – and an awesome start to my diving in NZ. Cheers Dino aka Brian aka Irish