Spoilt rotten in Riverton Tuesday, February 12, 2008

MERI HELPING US CARRY OUR STUFF DOWN TO THE KAYAKS IN BLUFF THIS MORNING

We were sad to say goodbye to Meri and her husband Ian in Bluff this morning, they were lovely people, great fun and very kind - doing a great service to the seafaring community. We lingered for longer than intended but still caught a lot of the ebb tide west, travelling the first 20km at almost 5 knots. There is always some swell in NZ but today it wasn't much, a few feet from a few different directions and we made good progress towards Colac Bay. We landed around 3pm and phoned up Tim an Jacqui Anderson, local kayakers just down the road in Riverton. They immediately came and picked us up, drove us to the supermarket so we could buy the last few supplies before leaving the road system and heading into the sounds, then they brought us home to their lovely house with beautiful relaxing garden. We've been thoroughly spoilt with a hot bath, lots of hot drinks, a delicious dinner and a banoffee pie to die for. Freya and Babs stayed here too, so you'd think they'd be sick of looking after foreign kayakers by now, but they have been incredibly friendly and helpful, as have so many Kiwis that we've met.

The forecast isn't so good for tomorrow, westerly winds will slow us down but they aren't meant to be that strong so we're hoping to do another approx 50km day to Port Craig or perhaps a little peninsula a little further south ( and less 'out of the way'), but a little less protected. We shall see what the weather allows!
BARRY AND TIM ENJOYING TEA ON THE VERANDA THIS EVENING