Kaikoura Trip
5th & 6th November 2005
Well our weekend to Kaikoura began Friday afternoon, when Angus, Brian D, Ross C, and I all gathered at John’s place.After a few minor adjustments to the club boat, with thanks to Paul, we were off on our way. I went with Irish (some people call him Brian). Thought we’d let the mature people talk to themselves. Haha!
Once we got to Kaikoura we were met by Barnacle Bill, who has definitely made himself a land mark on the coast. We got organised and had a quick dive with a tank each, a taste of things to come. Good scenery and a few crays.
A pleasant dinner in town and comfortable sleep at Barnacle’s geared us up for adventure underwater the next morning. Saturday, the early weather was great, viz was good and everywhere under there was exciting, you didn’t know what to expect. A few times I came face to face with an eel, which nearly made me wet my wetsuit, lots of neat fish and things to look at. A southerly storm blew quickly through and after a mid afternoon kip the sea flattened out and we managed an evening dive as well.
The club boat went well, just wish we had someone who could drive it, Nah, just kidding, we didn’t hit any rocks. We managed to get a few crays that day and felt satisfied. No help from B Bill who was trying to put us off the scent!!
Saturday night was quiet, we had done four dives and it had taken its toll.
Sunday morning began with perfect conditions except, we had problems finding crays. Just as we were about to chop B Bill up for burley he must have panicked and put us in good waters. We all got quota which was neat. B Bill gathered a few butterfish with his spear gun. They were nicely butchered (oops filleted) by Ross and Irish, and we had a great lunch. Yummy!
Angus thought he could do one better and wrestled with a blue cod, only using his hands and a dive knife. Angus came out better off, the cod was a little hard to recognise, but I’m sure it tasted the same.
Although we managed to satisfy our tummys’, Ross summed it up when he said, it was one of the best dives he’d done. I think Kaikoura has wonderful scenery and I’m glad I could see it in good company.
Good value.
Bill Dabinett
