Day 73 Gisborne (Taloga Pier Diving)

I was due to leave Gisborne today but as luck would have it Arron's cheese factory closed on account of the milk boiler playing up. Without hesitation we raced to nearby Taloga bay which has a wharf (pier) that goes way out into the sea. It was built many years ago to take wool out from the trains to waiting boats.

The pier would never be open to the public in the UK but here in Taloga its well used by the public for fishing and daredevil diving despite lumps of concrete hanging off it. I'd never dived from that height before and it took three minutes (twenty five really) before I found the courage.

"Hey courage come here for a minute".......... Up, up and away, sploosh. What turned out scarier was climbing the never ending ladder to get out of the ocean again. The rest of the afternoon was spent perfecting my front crawl trying to surf with the waves. Oh and Arron bought me an ice cream.

With a heavy heart I say goodbye to Gisborne and Sharon and Arran's hospitality. The rucsac is packed once more and the South Island's bounty awaits....