Author: Justine

SUNRISE PADDLE YESTERDAY
BARRY IN ABLE TASMAN
We fancied a day off today after working hard the last 4 days to get round the top of the West coast, and the forecast warned of a strong easterly wind this afternoon which would be a headwind as we paddled East. But when we arrived in Kaiteriteri last night we were a bit blown away by the dozen or more boats moored up in the beautiful sandy beach and the wall-to-wall campervans and tents in the campsite which took up half of the beach front. It’s a bank holiday weekend and there were hoards of people everywhere. Despite it being a beautiful spot we didn’t want to spend a day in that environment so we camped on top of the beach last night and got up at 5.30am to make an early dart Eastwards across the Bay. By 8.30am, the easterly had kicked in ( which isn’t afternoon as far as I’m aware!!) and I was questioning our decision. But we were drawn onwards by the promise of a bed, a shower, some food, beer and a solar heated swimming pool from David & Alice Scranney near Pepin Island on the other side of the bay!! Dave’s a kayaker and he & Alice moved over from South Wales nearly a year ago. Fortunately the easterly died away after a couple of hours and it wasn’t too arduous a paddle! It was ‘only’ 34km, and it was lovely to land before noon. We’ve had a great afternoon relaxing, washing our kit and eating, and we have a seafood chowder and homemade cheesecake to look forward to tonight!!


ROUGHING IT IN NEW ZEALAND! ( David & Alice with Barry & I )

S41°02.15' E173°01.15'

60km paddle later we arrive in Kaiteriteri. Very happy to be here! Did it in two 30km hops, first to Separation Point (a pretty paddle), then round coast from there. Saw lots of kayakers! Staying at a busy tourist spot tonight, what a contrast!

[alex on behalf of jc]

S40°32.45' E173°00.58'

Stopped near Farewell Spit near the lighthouse, after covering 58km. Hurrah! West coast done, but must still round the spit tomorrow. Lovely coast before the spit with a lot of seals. Had a long carry with the boats though!

Farewell Spit lighthouse by James Shook – taken from WikiPedia

[alex on behalf of jc]

S40°38.87' E172°25.29'

80km paddle with a South Westerly wind picking up late in the afternoon. Saw a shark only 10 metres away! Landed on a tiny beach. There’s a cosy hostel here so we treated ourselves to a bed! Hope to round the spit tomorrow.

[alex on behalf of jc]