Sunday 30 January Auckland anniversary regatta

Motuihe channel in background

Serendipity; the art of chance, like unexpectedly finding yourself sailing in the Auckland 171^st anniversary regatta with 200 other yachts. That's what happened to us as we motored out of Islington Bay, Rangitoto Island just as the leading boats in the race were going past. Happily we were all going the same way, north through Motuihe Channel, so they might not have noticed us. You've got to love the kiwis, a nation of avid fishermen who will stop the boat and cast a line anywhere and everywhere.

The course of the race passed through this (narrower) channel littered with submerged rock hazards and 20 small fishing craft which were not going to move for yacht, power boat or fast ferry. They were Sunday morning fishing and everyone can go around them. A wise man, or woman, doesn't try to come between a kiwi and his fishing rod. And the mandatory eskie of cold beers.

It was soon clear we were'nt going to win the race today so we diverted to the scallops beds for a quick dive for lunch. Visibility was poor. David asked if this was what British diving is like. I said no, British diving is colder and it's too dark scallops on a WW2 wreck.