We've had a few trips out early on in September and springtime has come to The Poor Knights. The Bluebell Tunicates have started to cover some of their favourite spots, a Sunfish or two have been sighted just off the Islands, Turtles in South Harbour and plenty of Stingrays to be seen. Some tokens of winter still remain, with Seals cruising around the shallows and playing with divers.

The first 3 day trip was with Brent and the Go Dive team. With a band of westerlies it wasn't until later that we learnt about the Christchurch earthquake - a couple of guys made some frantic calls when we found some reception and were relieved that there were no fatalaties. The diving was great and a big change from the Marlborough Sounds that they were used to. We managed to finish the trip off with a dive at The Pinnacles that was as amazing as ever and then a tour round the Waikato - a bit less daunting than the Lermie, but good fun non the less!

The next trip saw Jamie running the TechdiveNZ Cavern Course.The persistant Northerlies weren't ideal, but they still managed to get into Big Eye, Air Bubble, Venus' and Taravana Caves. A few deliberate silt-outs certainly tested the students and the team. A seal came to check out what all the fuss was about and hung around for a few minutes to play with the divers. With a taste of the 'Dark Zone' the door is now open for the 'Intro to Cave' course being run soon.

That was followed by Nathan and the crew from Napier coming up for a 2 day trip. Saturday was very rainy, but that didn't stop us diving at Hideaway Bay, Calypso Bay and a night dive at Middle Arch. A morning dive at Middle Arch and then Blue Maomao and Magic Wall completed the weekend with plenty of Rays, Morays and a Carpet Shark. Patches of Krill, some Plankton and a green tinge to the water reduced the vis a bit, but still way better than the usual Hawke's Bay conditions. Water temp still a pleasant 15 degrees and summer is on the way.