This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
Labour Weekend — October 2001
Wellington Tramping & Mountaineering Club Kayak trip. A novice to such trips (and to kayaking) it was with enthusiasm and slight trepidation that 12 others and I congregated at the Ferry Terminal to embark on this Labour Weekend trip. Once at Picton a winding road took us to Anakiwa, where Graham and Caroline enjoyed the Wendy house, the first love nest, while we “enjoyed” discovering that our party in the main bach, had several early morning birds. A pattern set for the following two days! Once the kayaking partners were decided at Ohingaroa Bay on Saturday morning, we paddled off to Nydia Bay, part of Pelorus Sound. A group decision was made not to camp but to stay at Nydia Lodge, based on the dark clouds closing in. First lunch stop — spring high tide — let’s keep going. Second attempt at lunch stop — high tide — no good, have to eat! Finally lunch at Pipi Beach. A small patch of flooded grass and the site of our first rescue — the first of 6 rescue attempts over the next 3 days. Poor Murray (Anita’s pink, self-righting, inflatable ball with googly eyes) was nearly lost in action (like the water bottle and sunglasses later in our trip) but salvation was near. After a poorly aimed throw by Scott, the Colonel came to the rescue, paddling out to sea to save the fortunate ball. , Back in the water and the ever present high tide prevented further stops... all, that is, except for the hovering around the green lipped mussels that were freely available for gathering, for the night’s entrée. Thanks Lyndsay for a new recipe but be careful with
[i now give you a description of an easy/medium
Debbie Randall
appeared to be cured by dinner and after-dinner drinks — as recommended by 12 on-board doctors. Also of note that night (other than the great food) were flying plates, runny custard and peace offerings of left over Christmas pud for “that” woman and her fellow trampers. Oh, and yes then there was my comment about how the electricity generator was powered... by electricity! Settling into our kayaks for day two, we headed for St Omer in Kenepuru Sound (locally known as Tractor Bay because of the rusty old tractor we discovered I guess!). One or two changes to the kayaks to report. Roger (our kayak delivery and back-up guy) had requested feedback on a new plastic kayak, which we made use of for the first time. Caroline and Graham exchanged this for a kayak that wasn’t “a bathtub with its handbrake on’. However, Pearl and Scott must have found that handbrake... while Caroline and Graham still remained paddling very hard at the back! Just as we hit the expected high tide and unexpected headwind, the rain started. Oh well, once we were wet it didn’t matter. Also to the fighting that broke out crossing the Hikapu Reach. Not fighting really but attempted kidnap of Rex, Rastus, Harold and Trevor — the uncommon number of inflatable toys that accompanied us on the trip. Although no one dared touch the Colonel’s banana! As before, the high tide prevented stopping, although I was “relieved” that a strip of stony beach allowed a lunch stop! Huddled under the hastily constructed fly we managed hot drinks and food for the generally hard slog ahead. No further stops till our that chilli! Knowing that there were hot showers at the lodge proved quite an incentive to keep most of us paddling and getting through the unpacking of kayaks and carrying them up the path. An incentive for all except Sally and Mark — amazing sunburn guys, given the cloud cover. After pre-dinner drinks, one member of our party experienced blurred vision from one eye. This campsite. Except for more mussels! Lyndsay again cast aside blue in favour of the larger green lipped variety. Scouring Tractor Bay, we discovered the perfect site for Anita’s six-berth tent, the two tents for “two friendly-people” (Gail and Ailsa’s description...!) and the second love nest. Thank you Lyndsay for donating the fly, Mark and I... fell asleep from the exertions of the day. Next time perhaps?!
The team
The tree we camped around provided a washing line and support for our fly-constructed kitchen. Vegetables were chopped and cheesecake whisked — great wrist action girls — certainly equivalent to the medium speed electric whisk dictated by the recipe! Then what was there to do? On a kayaking trip? Massage of course. A chain of women massaging each other’s shoulders helped by Ying’s instruction — ooh that felt good. Other entertainment was provided by the raw onion eating weka and her family and the unsuccessful juggling of the last bottle of wine! Our final day was greeted by a sighting of a lone dolphin as we made our way across to the Portage. As we bobbed in the wind (and the obligatory rising tide) while the i through the water, my _| steering was again brought into question. I glided
Anita Davies
Graham to call out that he was planning to “cut the lines to my udder!” That would be something to see! Previously Mark would go on strike each time I was off course — a technique that proved popular with other “front seat drivers”! . A lift from Roger over from the Portage into Torea Bay, off Queen Charlotte Sound, resulted in the split from the group, of 7 renegades. Our sincere apologies to the others but the hot Mrs Mac pies were yum! Nearing the end of our adventure we were rewarded by white tipped waves to surf into Picton, as well as the high tide and high winds we’d come to expect. An easy/medium trip? I await the next venture for comparison. As for Pearl, Mark, Caroline, Elise, I Sally, Ying. Graham, Scott, Gail, Ailsa, Anita and the Colonel (leader) — what did they think? You’ll have towards Graham and Caroline, which caused to ask them!
DOSE te Me Boe I OURS « oie TEMES