Off we go again! It is Friday night and we are on the ferry heading for Picton. A great crossing, great company and great expectations for the weekend. Now it is Picton, collect the vehicle and trailer then book into the local hotel. More fun and then lights out.

The cock crows, we breakfast then drive. What we want lies the other side of the Takaka Hills - Waikoropupu Springs, or Pupu Springs for short. Around 2 o'clock we arrive and the excitement is high. A wee walk and we are in the clearest water we have ever seen. We obey the DOC rules! The force of the current is awesome as it pushes us back towards the surface - a trout just sits there and watches us! It is cold in the springs but we wait until our time is up.

Then it is time for Fish Creek.

All we need this time is our suit, fins, snorkel and mask. Heck its shallow and clear - and fast. It is like tobogganing. Your nose is not far off the hard stuff. Its great fun. When we come to the rapids we get up and run, then splash down again into deeper water. We climb out and shoot the salmon farm weir. Great adrenalin surge. Great speed, huge trout, big buzz! Now we are at the exit point and it is time to do it again before heading to Riwaka for a feed and well earned rest.

Next day it is the Riwaka caves. We carefully plan our dives, check our gear and line reels. Another wee walk and into 10 degrees. Down through the large entry pool and into the first cavern. We look back underwater and it is magic to see the divers outlined against the sunlight. We lie and follow the lines that will keep us safe. Inside is a monstrous air dome with all the bits hanging from the ceiling. We clamber out, breathe without regulators, climb over a pile of rubble and into another much longer sump. Only our torches help us now. There is no sun! We are in there such a short time; it is actually over two hours. The return to sunlight is welcome but too soon.

Now we are off again to Picton, the ferry and Wellington. All our divers receive their PADI Cavern Diver Specialty rating.