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The reality is just beginning to sink in that Justine and i have just completed a circumnavigation of the South Island of New Zealand,a trip that we’ve both seperately dreamt of for quite a few years.For me there are mixed feelings about finishing. In some ways i’m relieved that i don’t have to be concerened about how big the surf will be that we land in at the end of each day or if the weather will change while we’re miles from a place to land. On the other hand there’s a big part of me that will miss waking up in amazing places and meeting such fantastic people.
When Justine and I first decided to do the trip together we both had the same goals. Both of us not only wanted to paddle all the way round the South Island, we also wanted to see the place properly and meet local people. So we decided we’d paddle hard when we could and have days off and look around when conditions were not good. Whenever we had days off we were blown away by the friendliness, hospitality and help from complete strangers all around the coast. I’ve found New Zealand a beautiful place and a very testing place to kayak but for me it’s all those amazing people that we met along the way that made it such a fantastic experience.
There were so many times we were taken in and helped by people from beginning to end and over the past 67 days i’ve learnt the true meaning of a supported trip. If ever a trip were supported it was this one.

We have a lot of thank you’s to send out to so many people but i personally have to thank Justine for being such a great trip partner and companion.

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Justine will write something more tomorrow.

BARRY COMING IN THROUGH THE SURF AT SUMNER BAR ( PHOTO THROUGH A TELESCOPE!)
JUSTINE APPROACHING SUMNER

MATT & PAUL – THE GREETING PARTY
WE DID IT!! It’s not really sunk in yet but at about 4pm this afternoon Barry and I pulled our kayaks up the beach at Sumner and completed the circle around the South island.

We had a bit of a worry this morning when we listened to the 7.30am forecast and it said there was a gale warning for our area with 35 knot winds from the SW predicted for the afternoon. We’d previously been told it was due to be NorthWesterly which would be pretty much behind us so we were having a fairly relaxed start ( we waited until it got light before we got up!!). As soon as the words ‘gale warning’ were spoken, we stepped up a gear and got on the water as soon as possible and started paddling hard south. Fortunately it was still Northwesterly while we were on the water and we surfed south at over 8km/ hour. We made it to Sumner around 3pm but before we could put our feet up, we had to get in through the surf at the Sumner bar – just to make sure we couldn’t relax completely until the end! We made it through the right way up, with a few exciting surfs and paddled the last 1km in flat water to where we launched 67 days ago! We were met by Paul Caffyn, who drove for 3 and a half hours from Greymouth specailly so he could spray champagne over us and smear pavalova over our faces, as is becoming the tradition for people who circumnavigate the South island. It was great to see him. Matt MacKenzie was also there to greet us – he’d spotted us through a telescope 10km outside Sumner and took the photos of us coming in. He also had a great array of fresh food to give us which was great, thanks, and we’re staying with him now! Ian Smith made it down to give us a beer and a congratulations which was great ( and my head was starting to get light with all the celebrations!!)

JUSTINE AND BARRY COMING INTO SUMNER
We’ll both write more tomorrow and post a few photos. For now, we’re going to get clean and go out for some food and a few more beers with Matt! Hopefully Paul will send us a couple of his photos that he took when we arrived aswell as we didn’t take any!!Oh yeah, and the alarm is definately being turned off tomorrow morning!!
THE VIEW UP THE COAST FROM INSIDE SUMNER INLET

S43°08.01' E172°49.22'

Amberley Beach after 91km paddle! Made most of the tailwind. 11 hours hard paddling to reach good landing 10 minutes before dark. Surf launch this morning. Tired but only 50km to go. We hope to finish tomorrow!

[alex on behalf of jc]

Wind and chop against us in the morning, paddled four hours when it eased a bit in the afternoon and covered 24km. Landed through 2m surf, was OK because we chose a sheltered spot. Saw lots of dolphins and albatross.

[alex on behalf of jc]