Poor Knights Outing (May 3&4 08)
With one week to go, the weather for the weekend was looking good. We should have known better - by the Friday, I think it's fair to say it was looking 'mixed'!
Still - who cares? We're hardened NZ divers. There isn't a tropical cyclone forecast, so off we go!
Ken, our intrepid leader (Hail,Ken!) had recommended that we stay in a cottage one kilometer out of Tutukaka. Good choice!
The Waipouri Farm Cottage is a three-bedroomed house in its own garden, and sleeps up to nine people. There were seven of us, and I will say that I think that was about right. One room had twin beds, with two roll-outs. I think it might have been a bit cosy for four adults! Still, there was very little fighting over rooms, although Tom did decline to sleep in the same room as Julian (there was a mumbling of 'snoring', sounds like a drain', 'need my beauty sleep'). The big advantage of the cottage is a large and very practical kitchen, which is very much the centre of activity.
Next day (Saturday) we were up at seven for an early breakfast and kit check. Then all the divers packed their sandwiches, then headed for Tutukaka marina, and the Yukon dive boat.
The Yukon is skippered by Noel, and is a great boat for diving from. It fits up to twelve divers. Noel had twelve booked on the boat, but three didn't turn up. After some phone calls he eventually managed to get hold of them, only to find that they had cancelled and 'didn't he get the message?' Yeah - right - sounds like a bad case of duvet fever to me!
It's worth saying at this point that Art and I wimped out of the diving this trip - we're definitely fair weather divers, and I'm afraid the NZ weather is getting a bit cool for us at this time of year. So the time on the boat is all hearsay!
The weather on Saturday was good. Maybe a bit chilly - but sunny and bright.
Tom found another buddy with dual bottles, so didn't feel quite so over-equipped compared to everyone else.
There were a few equipment problems. Kens dry suit zip gave way, so he wasn't very dry! Tom was trying out a dry suit - but forgot the low pressure hose (like forgot to take one!).
But they didn't rib him too much about it!
Other than that, it was a good days diving.
Meanwhile, Art and I went for a tour along gravel roads to beautiful sandy beaches, before arriving back at the cottage at about four. With twilight at about five, were a bit worried when no-one had turned up back at the cottage by seven. No-one was answering telephones either. So when they did turn up I was very relieved.
It turns out that on the way back they came across a boat in distress, so towed it in. Then they all went to the bar for a drink.
Sunday was a completely different day weather-wise. It was bucketing down! Still no tropical cyclone, though, so we packed them all off again on the Yukon and did a final clean up of the cottage. before heading for home. Laura very sensibly borrowed our yachting anorak - bearing in mind she's much smaller than me, we could hardly see her through the hood!
Tom did get to try his dry suit out today, as with Ken's dry suit now completely out of commission he could nab Kens low-pressure hose. He did find out why its advisable to wear an under suit though - it prevents the worse of the effects of pinch. Apparently he had a pretty uncomfortable dive!
So - on that note, it's time to start planning for the next club trip.
See you all at the Cowshed on Queens Birthday weekend...Terri.
Some of the photos from the Trip: Tutukaka, The Yukon , Ken, Lee, Cameron, Ali, Ken again
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