Scallops, Sunsets, Stamps and The South Island

Sunday the 15th July saw in the start of Scallop Season and last Saturday the sun was shining and I had the day off work so we just had to go and get wet - even if it was only 10 degrees in the water and probably not that much more out. It does have to be said I was in my nice new warm dry drysuit but Derek did have his new thermoclines to try out so in we went. We managed a good 35 minutes before both of us were starting to feel the temperature and as we had 30 legal scallops in our catchbag we decided to head back for a large hot chocolate. The rest after delivery to the relatives!

That evening we took our mad dog for a car ride up to the Kapiti Coast where Mum has moved to - an hour north of Wellington City. Mum's house is a nice short 200 steps from the beach. Derek and Clyde did much running up and down the beach although not all the way as it's quite long. By the time they had finished we were able to catch quite a nice sunset over Kapiti Island.

Sunset as seen from the Kapiti Coast

Another thing to add to my scrapbook - Codswallop. Someone I know was working for NZ Post and asked if I had any photos of Blue Cod. These fish are extremely tame and very curious so we love to see them around when we are diving. Unfortunately they are also very nice to eat which is a bit sad for them. Anyway I sent her a couple of my shots and this one ended up in the set of Classic Kiwi stamps which has just been released. Check out this link
Lisa's Stamp

After a very busy day today running around doing lots of jobs which included lunch and coffee with Derek I came home and took the mad dog out for his afternoon wander. The view of the South Island was pretty stunning with the snow covering the mountains, the blue sky and the deceivingly blue looking sea.

The view from our balcony

Today's view on the walk

Woohooo .. Diving The Great Barrier ....

the view from the plane as it approached Claris

the island that is as opposed to the reef. Yip, we had a five day break on Great Barrier Island which lies off the east coast of Auckland. This is the same place that the BBC filmed their Castaway program, funny h0w we'd pick some place like that for our hols.

This is one of New Zealand's most remote communities with no reticulated water or electricity and about 600 permanent residents. It's a handy 30 minute flight from Auckland airport to get to this haven of tranquility.

spot the diver

On arriving at our accommodation, Lisa was repeatedly quizzed on whether she had a hair drier or not - apparently a hair dryer is the natural enemy of a baby leccie generator! It's amazing to see all the houses with solar panels on the roofs and rain water tanks, it just goes to show how with a little thought and effort we could be more self-sufficient.

Medlands beach

In true form there is an Irish pub on the island - I reckon it must be the most easterly in the world (the International Date line is only around the corner). However, also true to form, the pub was closed for refurbishments and it was the only pub on the island. It was like Hawkes Bay over Easter all over again.

Daisy Anemones

We did manage to get in a few days of diving. The first day was around a small island call Rabbit Island - a pretty average day's dive. The next day was definitely above average. Dived Outer Sunken Rock in Tryphena harbour - a pinnacle that can only be dived at slack tide due to currents. Fantastic vis at 30m and all sorts of life for Lisa to take snaps of with yet another new camera (she's killed the other one).

George the Octopus (don't ask me, that's what Lisa reckons his name is)

In fact we have a first, some video footage of an eagle ray that buzzed Lisa near the end of our first dive, here....